Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-19
la GUAIRA IN SAD STATE
INHABITANTS MAKING DES-
PERATE EFFORTS TO LEAVE.
Merchants Unable to Feed the Army
Of Unemployed and Destitute.
Business Houses Closed.
Correspondence Of the Associated Press.


CARACAS, Venezuela. May g. 1908.
The three cases of bubonic plague which
existed in Caracas a month ago fortu-
nately have not been followed by any
new ones and the city, as consequence,
is receiving a good cleaning up. The
same cannot be said of La Guaira, which
is in a sad predicament. The merchants
there are no longer able to feed the
crowds of destitute persons, and this
week they made an appeal to the Cham
Der of Commerce of Caracas for aid. This
was Immediately answered by large
subscription. Provisions were purchased
with this and sent down TO La Guaira
today. The chamber Of commerce also
Castro for the purpose of explaining TO
him the terrible condition of La Guaira
and its inhabitants and the necessity OF
taking heroic measures to save the rest
of Venezuela from the calamity.
Because Of the unbearable condition at
La Guaira, where the plague has now
generalized itself. many persons are max
ing desperate efforts to get away. AS
there is no shipping and no communication
by land with surrounding towns there Is
an army Of unemployed. All of the bust
ness houses are closed. A train load of
the leading families of Macuto came up
to Caracas today by special permission
from President Castro. and coasting
that have the means of paying for their
passage to Curacao.
Puerto Cabello Benefited.
Puerto Cabello has received a lease of
new life since the closing of Ia Guaira.
All merchandise for Caracas is now be-
ing landed at Puerto Cabello and the re-
suit is that the Venezuelan railroad, the
German corporation which handles 1t. is
getting rich fast. The merchandise when
1t reaches Caracas Is greatly increased
in value from the excessive freight rates,
but the people of the capital think them
selves fortunate to get provisions at any
price. On the other hand. the Caracas
and La Guaira railroad and the La Guai-
"a Breakwater corporation, both English
II the plague continues in La Guaira for
many months more. With the closure Of
the port both companies have been forced
to shut down absolutely.
Everything depends on Puerto Cabello
keeping free from the bubonic plague
Heroic efforts are being taken to clean
the city. and with great success All
boats which come down from the east are
put into quarantine under observation.
II. notwithstanding the precautions, cases
would mean the complete isolation of
Caracas from the outside wonld for
months The government would also lose
an enormous revenue from the custom
houses ana the foreign claimants would
fail to receive their monthly payments.
Quarantine by Trinidad.
Because of the stringent quarantine
placed against all Venezuela by the gov
ernor Of Trinidad. President Castro has
decreed that the custom houses of Caru-
pano and Macuto be opened to the trans
shipment of merchandise from foreign
ports TO Ciudad. Bolivia Formerly this
transshipment was done in Port of SPAN
Curacao also has established prohibi-
tive quarantine against passengers from
Caracas. and as a consequence steamers
will not accept passengers from the CAPT.
tai destined for Willemstad.
The diplomatic representatives in Cara