Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-07-15
Affairs in Venezuela.

New York Sun: Mr.. Allen Thomas,
late minister plenipotentiary of the
United States to Venezuela, who ar
rived in New York Tuesday, IN talk
ing of Venezuela yesterday said:
The general condition of Venezuela
today, in political, as well as
cial matters, is comparatively quiet.
Commerce is suffering from a depres-
sion which, to all appearances, is in
creasing. The principal causes of this
depression are the short crops in the
last two seasons and the decline in the
price of coffee. Trade naturally is
small and exchange is high. Like 9TH
er more pr~etentious people, the Vene-
zuelans lay the blame of this on their
government. An election is approach
ing and many are trying to take adj
vantage OF it. Those people are chief
ly malcontents, and they are endea-
voring to create an atmosphere of dis
satisfaction.
President Crespo, a short while ago,
published a notice offering amnesty
to all political offenders, and a free
and fair election. He has the reputa-
ton among those who know him best
of keeping his word and of being a
fearless, bighearted man. He is
backed up by a well armed and fairly
organized army. j hardly think an
other revolution is likely, as the people
have had enough of them and have
aeve. ae::ssa Gy great benefit ifrom
them. Senior Andride, governor of the
state of Miranda, is the leading AN
didate in the coming election, and the
one who, / think, will be elected.
Should he triumph. he will make a
very good president, as he has all the
qualifications necessary for the Office.
THE prevailing opinion in this coun-
try in regard to the people of Venezu-
ella seems to be that they do not
amount to much. That is wrong, COM
pletely wrong, and is due chiefly to
several reckless writer's, who have Civ
en- the impression that the Venezue-
lans are not educated and not accus-
toned TO our advanced state OF civil
i~zation. The majority of the people
in Caracus are as enlightened as New
Workers.. They are. accomplished lin
GUSTS, and in their knowledge of for
eign matters would put to shame many
of those who so readily criticise them.
The presidents cabinet is composed
Of able men, notably the minister of
foreign affairs, who is as well informed
and painstaking a patriot as any other
minister of a foreign government.
THE mountain ranges which border
on the Caribbean Sea and shut out the
cultivated fields are o great hindrance
to commerce, but for which Venezula
would be one of the finest countries
in the world. The land is most fer
tile and produces two, and sometimes
three crops a year. The climate is a
question of altitude.
.Mr. Cleyeland's message concerning
the disputed boundary line created no
end Of excitement, and much gratitude
was expressed toward the United
States government. The night the
message reached Carcaras, a delega-
ton Of TOO persons called al my house
and over 10000 collected in the square.
Hours wefe passed cheering the Unit
ed States government, and the brass
bands played American patriotic airs
during the entire night.
THE boundary dispute viii be fair
III and honorably adjusted. 1t would
hardly be proper for me to dwell on
the subject, save to say that I have
every confidence that the claims Of
Venezuela will be ~vindicated.r
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