Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-17
NO ONE WANTS WAR
But Venezuela is in a Bad Way
at Present.
GOVERNED BY ILL NAN
Merchants Are All Praying for Some
thing to Happen.
ONE MAN WHO MAY FIGHT
Gen. Francisco A1cantara, a Graduate
of West Point, Menace
to Peace.

CARACAS, January 1.-THE situation
here is growing more serious. For six
months Venezuela has been governed in the
name of an Ill man. Castro, the 'restaura-
dor" the strong man of the country, the
brilliant warrior, the dictator in everything
but name, whose worshipers have gone so
far as to assert that he is immortal. has
been in a state of health which has pre-
vented his giving the close personal atten-
ton to affairs of administration that was
his wont.
In the meantime the country has come
to feel sorely his absence from active par
ticipation in affairs. Everywhere there Is
a feeling of unrest and dissatisfaction.
There are no business men in Caracas who
| are not praying for something to happen.
but it is, In general, either that Castro will
soon get well or that he will abdcate In
favor of Gen. Gomez. Whatever happens.
the hope is that it may come peacefully.
Nobody wants revolution.
Revolutions Only Hope.
There is only one man in the country at
present who is looked upon as being in a
position to cause trouble, and that is Gen.
Francisco Alcantara president Of the state
Of Aragua. He is graduate of West
Point and rendered valuable services I'M
der Castro. Gen. Alcantara has in his
charge the government arsenal at La VIC
toria, and in his state are quartered large
bodies of federal troops. 1t is the opinion
of conservative Venezuelans that alone AL
cantara would be unable to make Roadway,
and his only resource would be to make a
common cause with the revOlutionarfeS out
side. The possibility of his so doing is
somewhat discounted by his closeness to
Castro. whose right man he is anxious
to become.
AS to his strength and popularity, Gen.
Alcantara is said to be greatly deceived.
The presidents of all the other states in the
republic have pledged their support to Gen.
Gomez and the constitution. Should Gomez
be called to the presidency, either by the
abdication or death of Gen. Castro, Alcan-
tara. it is believed, would stand alone in
case he rebelled.
Gomez's Power.
The power Of Gen. Gomez Is in his obey
ing the law. If he breaks it he is lost.
Some weeks ago. according to friends OF
his, commission. consisting of two MEM
bers Of the clique and two ministers. went
to him and tried to persuade him to come
to Macuto. 1t was necessary, they told
him that he should see the kilograms
received and dispatched and watch the
working of government affairs, it was
very probable that he would become presi-
dent at any moment. Their idea was to
Gen. Gomez answered: Il have nothing
to do with the affairs of the president.
am a private citizen under the law, and
such things are only for the ministers and
the presidents secretary. Should be
called by Gen. Castro I would come. Should
he die 1 would be president. and If those
who have the power refused to deliver 1t
to me they would have to take the conse-
quenceS.
Then they asked him what he could offer
them in case he should become president.
THE only thing l can promise Gen. Go
mez replied. lis that l shall follow the con-
stitution and the law"
1t was suggested that some of their num-
Der might be prosecuted for having been In
opposition to the vice president.
1.-The only thing these men who are my
enemies would have to fear is their own
consciences and with those l cannot inter-
fere,' was the answer.
Then the hint was conveyed that II too
close inspection was paid to accounts that
have been kept some persons would cause
trouble.
Let them" Gomez answered, and the
commission withdrew.
So much for the commonly accepted YER
sion of the situation. The views expressed
therein are the views OF practical Nen-
ezuelan statesmen and modification of the
opinions which are held in the country ny
the great majority of educated people.
A Government officials Views.
The situation in Venezuela is thus de-
scribed by a high government official:
TT is true there has been decrease in
the revenues, but this has been due to the
low prices Of coffee and the impracticability
of exporting cattle to Cuba, which is our
principal market, on account Of the revolu-
ton there. Notwithstanding this the for
eign obligations have been successfully met,
the administration of the country has con-
tinued during President Castro's Illness ex-
actly as If he were at the head Of affairs.
with the exception of the public works con-
templated by the president, which have
been temporarily suspended awaiting his
recovery.
1T has been unfortunate for the pros
perity of Venezuela that this country has
nous debts incurred by former govern
ments and been given a period of only a
few years for that purpose. The payments
thereupon cost Venezuela yearly $4,000, 900,
which leaves very little to be dedicated to
the internal development of the country.
The nations have done great harm to
Venezuela by this because they would have
lost nothing and Venezuela would have
gained much by having the period pro-
tracted for longer term Of years By April
the blockading powers will have peen paid
in full, and then will begin the payments to
the peaceful powers, including the United
States, as awarded by the mixed commits
siOnS.
No Instruction.
There is absolutely no Instruction in
Venezuela today. This agrees with what
| others outside the official circle say. Mon
tilla is a brigand, not a revoutionist, and
he has no connection with any plans which
may be contemplated by Venezuelans who
are abroad. Montilla is doing what he has
been doing for six years. He has refuge
| in the mountain Businesses Of his native
| state OF Lora. and periodically makes raids
| upon the surrounding towns. Recent oper-
atoms of the government forces against him
| have driven him back into his most secluded
retreats.
1.-The only revolutionist abroad of whom
| the government hears anything Is Parades
! who claims to have 5000 rifles. He may
| have a few hundred dollars with which he
can buy a few revolvers, but that his re-
| sources are not large has been shown by
| the refusal of a business house in Trinidad
| Of consignment of arms sent them by