Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-06-02
CASTRO IN HERO ROLE.
War Against Asphalt Trust Popular In
Venezuela.

War Against Asphalt Trust Popular In
Venezuela.
Seen at close range, with an oppor-
tunity for a study Of actual conditions
and a flrst-hand inquiry into the
charges and countercharges which
have been made since the asphalt con-
troversy threatened rupture OF the
Diplomatic relations between WASH
ington and Caracas, and brought about
a scandal in the state department, the
situation in Venezuela differs widely
from the picture in the minds OF most
Americans, says Horace Smith, an
American correspondent, writing from
Guanoco. The contrast between the
expected and the real condition OF
things is so pronounced that the inter-
ested visitor who starts out to learn
the truth is, first Of all, and more and
more, impressed with a deep and last
ing appreciation Of the proficiency OF
the asphalt trusts publicity bureau
but for which there would have been
no Venezuelan muddle."
Here lies the very heart Of the as
phalt controversy, In the bituminous
lake over which powerful politicians
have been appealing to President
Roosevelt to go to war. and here 1t has
been possible to secure a more thorough
understanding of the merits OF the
dispute and a closer survey Of Pres
ident Castro's attitude toward Amer
lea, and his general character, than
was open through any other avenue
All Of the evidence. secured through
different sources, indicates that while
Castro falls some distance short Of be-
ing a saint, In, which role he Is no,
pictured even by his most ardent ad-
mirers, he is more of patriot and
great deal less of an international bril-
gand that has been supposed by peo-
pie outside Of Venezuela.
He is vain, but brave as well, te
the last degree, which latter quality
has often been proved. He Is not sc
scrupulously honest that he refuses al
all times to use his position to his n
nancial betterment. but is opposed te
the plundering OF Venezuela by for
eign corporations which not only give
little or nothing In return. but busy
themselves with plotting against the
government. He is, perhaps, the keen
est politician in South America, anc
his natural stock of shrewdness has
been greatly improved since he came
under the influence of Ambrose II
Garner, the American citizen who was
appointed receiver of the asphalt prop
erty by the high Federal court oi
Venezuela pending the final decision
Of the suit for the annulment OF the
concession held by the trust.
Poses as Second Napoleon.
The belief to which Castro is mos1
firmly welded is that he Is man Of
destiny, whose career has been shaped
In advance with a path leading uni
formly upward to dizzy heights. an6
he proceeds always on the theory thai
whatever he does will turn out righ,
in the end. He has established himself
so firmly that there is none to openly
question or dispute his authority, ane
he Is fully as much Of an autcocra
as Is the fashion in the Southern Re.
publics, where the chief executive IL
nothing more or less than a military
dictator. Apparently deferring In al
things to congress and its acts, he IL
the real master for congress Is evel
ready to do his bidding absolutely L
a law does not meet the requirement.
Of a case, as he sees them. 1t Is easy
to amend 1t, or. II necessary. promul'
gate a new statute, with the approva
Of congress or without 1t II quick ac'
ton Is needed. Fortunately for Cas-
tro, and for Venezuela, no new legisla:
ton, presidential or otherwise, was
needed in the prosecution OF the case
against the asphalt trust. The law o.
the land, as 1t had stood for years
gave him full scope to proceed along
the lines of his own desire, and by
keeping we'll within it, thanks no doub
to the guiding hand Of Mr.. Garner, M
has avoided an unpleasant incident
which would have buried the star o.
his destiny under a black cloud.
Ascertainment of the essential fact!
makes 1t plain to the unprejudiced MIND
that Castro has decidedly the best O.
the argument in the asphalt dispute
The concession under which the trus
has been operating was granted In 1SS:
to Horatio r. Hamilton, an American
citizen, and granted to him and nj!
assigns the exclusive right to min'
asphalt in the state of BermudeZ fo
twenty-five years. Venezuela's royalt!
was to be only 40 cents a ton. In fur
ther and more substantial return 1t wal
agreed that the holder Of the conces
sions would build canals in certain
rivers Of the state or make them navi
gable by dredging. 1t was expressl!
agreed that the Guarapichi river, OF
which is located Maturin, the old capi
where 1t empties into Frances river,
tributary to the San Juan, should b.
kept open. The concession also pro
vided that failure to comply with all o
it's conditions should annul 1t, and tina
all disputes arising from it be settled
by the Venezuelan courts.
Canals Are Yet Unbuilt.
Nothing has been done in the way o
building canals or dredging except II
the Guanoco river, down which th
asphalt Is shipped. Years ago tn
Guarapichi filled up with salt. and al
freight for Maturin had to be carried
from Cannon Colorado, 40 miles dowl
the river. Recently Cannon Colorado
had to be abandoned on account Of th'