The Cairo bulletin., 1908-12-23
BANK CANCELS LETTERS OF
CREDIT FURNISHED CASTRO
Story That He Went to Europe For Medical Treat
ment Now Fully Discredited in Venezuela
Gomez in Proclamation Declares He
viii Head Government of the
PeopIe--Castro Heard From

Colombian border. Like NEST Vene-
zuelan presidents, Castro went into
office at the head Of a successful
revolution He drove out President
Andrade and entered Caracas Octo.
ber 2l, 1899 Much has been said Of
Castro that lacks the confirmation
of unbiased observers. He has been
freely maligned by his enemies and
there have been few to take up
cudgels in his behalf with conyic-
tion; consequently he has been given
reputatiOm worse than he deserved.
He has shown remarkable courage,
determination, perseverance and
political skill. in conducting Vene-
zuela through nine years of stormy
life He has had to contend with
powerful revolutionary movements
at home and at times with combined
action against him by sea of Ger
many Great Britain, France and
Italy. This occurred in 1902 and was
tor the purpose of making Vene2ue.a a
fulfill its obligations to these powers,
ShdTT6lS WIN FOWtIS'
Castros quarrels with the powers
have resulted in the severance of
diplomatic relations between Vene
zuclf and Holland, France, United
States, Columbia, and others, and as
long as Castro was IN power there
was apparently little hope of reach
ing any settlement of these various
Misunderstanding
There has been several revolution.
AIRY uprisings against Castro during
his etnure OF office. The most
notable was Nato's movement in
1902 backed by powerful interests
outside of Venezuela. This Castro
succeeded in crushing by defeating
Mates forces October 2G, 1902. with
a great slaughter at La Victoria, not
far from Caracas.
Castros strong an drevengefu,
hand made him probably the mes
hated of recent Venezuelan pres.
lerts and under his control the busi-
ness and commerce OF Venezuela
have suffered incalcuably. 1t is said |
Of him that he did not loot the gov.
treasury as has been the
custom with his predecessors. but |
that he acquired wealth which he g.
said to have sent to Europe before |
him by taking into his own hands |
AMI shutting out al competition /
some Of the mos; profitable enter |
prises and industries In the country. J
He governed hard and for the benc- .
at Of clique at Caracas who we're
his favorites.
ill Several Years.
Castro is known % have been ii .
for several years. but his going 90 /
Europe for medical treatment was /
absolutely unexpected He made the .
announcement Of bis departure 81
hours before he left Caracas. It has
been said that the idea Of medical
attention was a blind and that the
president realized the way the wind
was blowing In Venezuela and hal
determined 10 get away safely whi,e
there was stiU time Upon arriving
in France there was a question as
-o how the French government would
receive Castro inasmuch as dino
matte relations between France ana
Venezuela were 10n-cxist-nt Franc
finally allowed him TO land az a III
satr citizen seeking q restoration q .
health. He STAYED but a dar or ;wo
IN Paris. proceeding at once u Ter
in. There is DO enhancement be ]
tween the governments of Germany
ln5 Venezuela
Lives EEtrsvses8tlv.
Ir Berlin Castro took accC CmmCda- .
ions al the leaii1g hotels and lived /
=Etrcragantly until he novel % al
private sanitarium, where be is being