The Washington times., 1906-03-17
CASTRO REALIZES
He CANNOT FIGHT
Tells Mr.. Archibald That He
Would Be TrOunced.
STERLING MAN AND PATRIOT
War Correspondent Gives High Char
acter to President and People of
Turbulent Venezuela.

President Castro. OF Venezuela. is not
seeking trouble with France or the
United States. does not wish war. and
frankly admits that il any power
should bring armed forces against him.
II would be only a matter of time and
very short time. at that. when he would
he compelled TO surrender Only recent
" the belligerent president repeated a
statement 10 this effect TO James F 7
Archibald war correspondent who lee
tured on Castro and Venezuela before
the National Geographic Society. at the
National Rifles Armory last night
Mr. Archibald before a large audience
stated that Castro had often confessed
10 the lecturer that he realized he would
nave not ghost Of a chance of saving
hifhselt or his country in a conflict in
Whlch he would have TO depend for de-
tense upon an army of 25.OoO men and
ooys and half dozen third and fourth
class warships.
Good Friend of Cipriano.
Mr. Archibald has visited Venezuela
many times since Castro arose to the
mead OF the nation and he knows the
President almost intimately. He snenf
three months in Caracas and ,,icinit,t ,e
Gently. having returned from there only
three months ago. Mr.. Archibald pava
france in connection with VenAzpAIa
only passing notice. overlooking the
expulsion Of NJ Taigny. the French
charge d'affaires
MI Archibald said that the little
heavily bearded president is not nearly
SO pelllgerent as he has been described.
StIdt ne Is really peaceful and peace
loving, ambitious TO accornpIisb ~
most possible good for his country In
lhls work, he has shown that his heart
~ illo ,N;s with patriotism and there is
hot selfish drop OF blood In his veins.
since Venezuela annulled the charter
OF the French Cable Company a vaar
ago, an news dispatches out of Ven
eZuela have come by way OF C,,rac,o
Mr.. Archibald states that in mai lii
tie Dutch city are a number of French
men specially employed TO give a cor
tam tone TO the dispatches TO inspire
accounts of things that have never hap
pened.
Beset by Bandits.
Castro is pressed by bandit countries
on all sides. according to Mr.. Archibald.
and the leaders are a number of povars
OF Europe "A great deal OF Castro's
trouble has arisen through the desire
OF several European powers To obtain J
foothoid in his country through the |
guise of administering the country's Gus |
toms TO pay the national debt" said /
he Castro has done all in his power /
10 bring his country out of debt and 4
me cepths OF Despair into which il was !
plunSeo nearly twenty years ago.
Mr. Archibald stated that foreigners
of nearly all nations. including Amer !
Tea, muict the government on the 1
slightest preteXt for claims for dam
ages Tho governments including the 4
United States. have backed them IN in
Inc claims, he said, and thus aided in !
the robbery. But since Judge Calhoun 4
spent several months in the country /
investigating political and other con-
ditions and made his report TO the /
state Department. he feels confident |
that this Government will hereafter
look more carefully into claims of |
Americans before pressing them
a gainSt Castro.
Concerning Castros stand on all DO
Iitical questions pertaining 10 the
tries, the speaker contended THAI Cas-
tro is undoubtedly in the right and on
the defensive
South American Paris.
Mr.. Archibald states that Castro Is
a man of much knowledge and power.
''and is capable OF following in the
footsteps of Diaz, of Mexico"
Under the Castro administration
many public buildings have gone up
the city of Caracas has been cleaned i,
ard beautified, magnificent opera
building has been erected and as Cur
acao might be taken for the original
Spotless Town" Caracas. because of
Its perpetual gaiety might be elassad
with Paris.
Mr. Archibald says that the Ven
ezuelans are fast coming out of the old
rut, are rapidly advancing, are sincere.
and In short time, if not continually .
held up by foreigners will take a good
stand with the best nations of the
world.