The San Francisco call., 1908-07-27
Residents of Curacao Island
Force Envoy to Seek >
Refuge With Germans
All Day and Night Aroused Pop.
ulaCe Riots and Is Only
Checked by Troops
Man Who Criticised Natives Is
Made to Deliver Abject
Apology to Crowd
Police POwerless to Cope With
Situation Until Armed
Soldiers Appear

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao, July %.
The relations between Venezuela and
the people of the island Of Curacao
Dutch West Indies, are strained tc
the breaking point Following a long
series of what the residents of Curacao
regard as antagonistic actions on the
part of President Castro, directed
against themselves and the Dutch
government, mobs gathered in force
at this capital last night and today.
The aroused people expressed their
resentment in an attack upon the home
of Venezuelan who had published a
statement in Venezuelan papers de-
rogatory to the island ard later they
held violent demonstrations In front OF
the residence OF the Venezuelan consul.
They surrounded the German consulate
where he later took refuge and COM
PEELED the ordering out OF armed troops
so that the consul might be protected
from injury.
SHOTS FIRED AT MOB
The demonstration before the resi-
dence Of the Venezuelan consul, Senior
Lopez. occurred late last night. and al
though no actual attack was made,
il is stated that two shots were fred
from the consuFs house, no one how
ever. being injured.
Prior to this. about 10 o'clock. mob
numbering about 1000 gathered in front
OF the dwelling Of a Venezuelan resi-
dent. who. 1t is alleged, had insulted
Curacao in the Venezuelan papers;
broke down the doors with stones and.
seizing the man. compelled him to sign
a paper which set forth an elaborats
apology for the publication OF ths
statements with which he was charged.
The leaders of the pOpulace also
forced him 10 make a public apology
from the balcony OF his home, while the
compartment Furthermore. members
OF the mans family were compelled to
play the Dutch national hymn. while
the people below shouted, Down with
Castro; long may Wlhelmina live"
POLICE EFFORTS FEEBLE
The police were entirely unable to
cope with the demonstrations. and
their efforts in this direction were
somewhat feeble. No bodily harm was
cheering continued for a time. and
then procession was formed and a
march made upon the consurs house.
This morning it was noted that there
was no shield on the building occupied
by the Venezuelan consul. It is not
known whether it was removed by the
Venezuelans or torn down by Curacao
natives.
There was a gathering again OF the
mob IN the morning. and when IL was
learned that the Venezuelan consul had
proceeded to the German consulate this
building was surrounded by an ever
Increasing mob.
TRIES TO QUIET MOB
The attorney general made demon
stration in an effort to quiet the popu-
lace, which was becoming more and
more excited all the while small
military force attempted to check the
demonstrations for a time, but that was
found impossible.
1t became necessary eventually to call
out additional troops. and these at once
proceeded to patrol the streets and stop
the rioting. Consul Lopez was escorted
TO the Venezuelan consulate BY an
armed force. and he gathered up the
official documents OF his Office and was
escorted back TO his home. The troops
that accompanied him were compelled
to force their way through the crowds
that had gathered and were jeering on
every hand.
An armed guard was left to protect
the Venezuelan consulate and another
guard was stationed at the consuFs
residence. Other troops continued
patrOlling the city.