The Washington times., 1905-03-25
CASTRO OUTW|TS
UNITED STATES
AND ALL EUROPE
Comfort: and Autonomy
Guaranteed by the
Powers.
PORTS SAFE FROM WAR
In the Hands of Foreign
Countries Who Must
Guard Them.
PORTS SAFE FROM WAR

President Castro, in the view of Ad-
ministration officials. is entitled here
after to be called the Machiavelli of
the Andes" and no longer 1.-The sick
man of the Caribbean
Prominent members of the Govern
ment-at least those who ere the frank
est-adnit, without reservation, that UP
to the present time he has checkmated
Uncle Sam as well as several, and per-
haps most, European rowers, and forced
this country to ponder deeply before
making another move on the board
They claim. however, that he has the
advantage which every sharper must
have over the honest man, utter indiYer-
ence to decency or public opinion
His Autonomy Guaranteed.
By his acquiescence in the award of
The Hague tribunal in 1903, he has
rendered the three principal ports of his
country practically safe from attack by
foreign nations Then he has diverted
trade to the remaining ports, which he
now proposes to cover in d similar man
ner by agreement with Great Britain
Germany and France.
This, in effect. places an iTnpregnable
wall about Venezuela In short. Castro
has in reality two-thirds of the armed
forces Of the world guaranteeing his
comfort and safety
Awaiting Mail Reports.
That is the situation as it presents it
seft TO the President and his Cabinet,
and perhaps explains the resignation
with which they are patiently waiting
for the mail to come up from Caracas
before icarning the full text of Castro s
insolent refusal TO arbItrate pending
claims of the United States in the man
ner in which this country wishes them
TO be arbitrated.
Nevertheless, this does net necessarily
mean that the Administration intends to
drop all action looking to the settlement
OF these claims. AT some time in the
future they will be settled in one way
or another, and the present period of
seeming inaction win be employed in a
thorough investigation OF the subject
from its International aspect, and lay
ing plans for future conduct.
Relations With Venezuela
Meanwhile, attention has been called
to the curious diplomatic relations ex-
listing between this country and vene-
zuela, with a view to their possible sus-
that in his reply Castro has grossly in
suited the ITnitei Stetes.
The Venezuelan legation here is now,
and for several years has been, under
the direction Of \ charge d afaires- His
| expulsion would not have an equally
Tecrfminatiye effect with the expulsion
of Minister Bower from Caracas.
Special Commissioner Here.
| Concurrent Wit. this condition is the
presence in this city of special COM
missioner Of President Castro, Senior
Jesus de Paul. He mas no diplomatic
credentials yet, as a matter of cour-
! tesy, and in n desire for information, he
is permitted to visit the State Depart
ment and tue White House and discuss
/ in those places tie situation in his
| country.
| His duties. therefore. apparently con-
] sist in keeping in touch with American
| officials a.l.' transmitting anything of
value to 10 l5-incipal.
! 1t is aC accordingly believed here and
/ stated in I guarded manner that Cas-
| tros answer was actuated, il not really
| dictated, from this city. At the same
| time without any official recognition
/ of De Paul, it worll be impossible TO
visit upon him any official resentment