Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-24
CASTRO TOURING REPUBLIC.
First Time Since He Took Control of
Government

CARACAS, April 11.-For the first tmc
since he advanced himself to the head OF
the Venezuelan government six years ago
President Castro is making a tour in the
interior of the republic. Remote villages
and cities formerly unknown 10 the prtsi-
dent are to be visited by him on This ex-
cursion, which includes many lays OF
t-ase i horseback and in small steamers
alc:g practically lneXplored portions of the
ArLre and Orinoco rivers.
President Castro left Caracas by train on
April IL He was escorted 10 the station by
several troops of cavalry and the national
band and cannon at the military academy
above Caracas sounded a salute his train
left the capital Tello Mendoza. former
governor of Caracas, and several other
friends are making the tour through the
interior with the president.
From Caracas the party went to Cagua
by rail and then to La Villa, where horses
were provided and the trip inland TO Para
para was begun. From Parapara President
Castro went to Ortiz, Calabosa and San
Fernando by horse
Itinerary of Trip.
From there he and his party will sail up
the Apurer river to Nutrias. They will then
go down the OrinocO to Ciudad Bolivar,
where the Venezuelan torpedo boat Bolivar
will meet the presidential party and join in
a great demonstra ton, which will mark the
first visit of President Castro to the eastern
part of the republic.
After the celebration at Ciudad Bolivar
the party will sail on the Bolivar to the
mouth of the Orinoco and inspect the Delta.
He will return to Caracas In time TO take
part in the opening of congress on May %.
The Bolivar sailed from La Guaira April
Il for the mouth of the OrinoCo carrying
Gen. Corao. close friend of President Cas-
tro. and Gen. Samuel Pearson, formerly of
the Boer army. who is in Venezuela for the
purpose of locating Boer settlers on lands
along the Orinoco.
While President Castro is away from Car
aCas Gen. Vincente Gomez, first vice presi-
dent of the republic. is acting president.
Before leaving Caracas President Castro
announced that he was well satisfied with
the condition of his foreign affairs. Inter-
nal affairs are said to be in a condition even
more satisfactory to the president.
Many officials Suspended.
Just before the departure of the president
General barre, the secretary of foreign af-
fairs announced the suspension of all hon
orary Venezuelan consuls general, con-
suls and vice consuls in all parts of the
world. This decree brings to an end the
service of more than five hundred consu-
lar officers, many of whom are in the
United States, and marks the beginning of
the complete reorganization of the Venezr-
elan foreign service. In explanation of he
action General Ibarre said many of the
officials had made effort to defend the
reputation Of President Castro and the
honor of Venezuela. and that 1t was
thought best to remove all the honorary
officials and reappoint those who are
known to be active in their defense Of
President Castro. General Ibarre added
that it was very unlikely that any of the
honorary officials in the United States
would be renamed
A few days before he left Caracas Presi-
dent Castro issued a decree announcing the
establishment of proposed mortgage
In, for fhn SiSta of icl1lt in
terests. The decree authorizes the coinage
of 5000,O0O bol.vars in silver and gold.
" hich will represent the capital of the new
money on farm lands. and the president
hopes it will afford relief to the farming
industry. which is now in a deploraDle
condition
The congress which will convene on May
% will elect Castro the constitutional
president of Venezuela for six years and
end his service as provisional president.