The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-12-02
DOWN IN VENEZUELA.

Events in Venezuela seem to be fast approaching q point where something may happen. and that happening may be of no little interest to other coun- tries. So intimately are the affairs of one country or government inter woven with all others that any im- portant incident affecting one Is watched by all, the others with inter est, and not infrequently with sus- picion. As has been announced in the news despatches. President Castro has gone to France, the reason given to the public being that he goes for the purpose of submitting to . surgical operation which could not be per- formed at home.
 This, we say, is the reason given to the public for the voyage to France but, as is not infrequently the case there are ugly rumors afloat in Vene- zuela which are not at all compliment ary to the President. It Is hinted and talked that the announced object of the voyage is only blind to cover the real reason, which 1t Is intimated is 8 criminal one. Tn short, they charge, rather cautiously as yet, that he has appropriated to himself large sums belonging to the State and that he has gone to France with one of two objects in view. They say that he has either gone there to put the money in a safe place so that he can recover 1t when he chooses. and where 1t cannot be taken from him when he returns to his country; but another freely talked of explanation is that his journey is really a flight to save his wealth and also to save his own person. and that he does not intend to return to Venezuela at ali.
 We hardly know whether there are any real grounds for these charges and suspicious or not. Whatever else may be said of Castro he has not &C., quired the reputation of a coward, nor do we know that he ig open to the charge of rascality. But if 1t is true that he has appropriated the money of the State his flight is explained for we are told that conscience doth make towards of us all" and if he is guilty as some charge. it would explain his departure. While he may not be a physical coward 1t would not be strange if he should leave his eoun- try in order to hide his crime.
 HoweverS all this may be, and whether these ugly hints and rumors have any foundation or not the fact remains that Venezuela is now an ob- ject of interest to other nations. The affairs of the government are now in the hands of Vice President Gomez. and they are wondering what he will do, in the event that Castro does not return. or even if he should be com pelled to remain in France any con siderable time. supposing that he is really there to be operated on. As Is generally known, there has been trou- ble between Castro and Queen VII helminA, and the latter and her gov ernment have shown wonderful pa- tience and forbearance in dealing with the cratic and hard-headed ruler, who has acted as if it was his desire to forbearance can be exercised is hard to tell, though Castro's visit to France may have some effect on the trouble.
 But what will Gomez do? It is known that he aspires to be President of Venezuela, either through the flight or disposition of Castro, or else to succeed the latter when his term expires. This being the case. 1t is reasonable to suppose that he will as far as lies in his power. undertake to reverse the acts and policies of his chief and endeavor to ingratiate him. self not only with the people of his country so as to be sure of their sup port, but also with other nations in | order that he may have both their 1 good will and their active assistance l if he should need it. If he has ann bitions. as charged. he may undertake | to run the government in a different | manner from what Castro has done | and thus serve his own interests while really benefting his country.
 All these considerations make Vene- sueIa an object of interest just now to those nations which have or may have intercourse with her. Both France and the United States, as well as Holland, have claims against the country. and-all of them would like to sec matters arranged and settled ami cably and as speedily as possible. In short. the little republic Is getting very much in the limelight just at