Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-09
CASTRO ON PEACE TRIP
Mission to Europe Is Not for
His Health.
PATCH UP ALL QUARRELS
Arrives at Santander, Spain. on
Board French Steamer.
IS NOT AFRAID OF ARREST
Will Proceed Direct to Bordeaux and
Thence to Berlin to Meet
DR.. Israel
IS NOT AFRAID OF ARREST

SANTANDER. Spain. December 3-The
French steamer Guadeloupe with Presi-
dent Castro OF Venezuela on board. came
in here today Ii was learned soon after
her arrival that President Castro will CON
time on board the steamer to Bordeaux
and that from Bordeaux he will travel
overland 10 Berlin.
President Castro i!a.s come 10 Europe
with the intention of settling all Vene-
Zuela's international auarrels The gen
eral health of the president is good
The G1ladeloupe came into Santander
flying the flag of Venezuela In addition
to President Castro there were on board
his wife. his sister Sonora Cardenas; two
aids and three physicians. DR.. J. A. Bal
do. DR.. Pablo tcosta Ortiz and DR. Fon-
seca.
The mystery of the President trip to
Europe was dispelled very soon after tine
tiuadeloupe dropped anchor. The reports
that Castro is critically ill., that he was
deserting Venezuela forever, etc. were
speedily pronounced absurd and II was
declared that he came to Europe with ;he
double purpose of being examined by
European specialists and to settle Ven
eZuelas outstanding differences with for
eisn powers.
AS President Castro is his own minis
ter Of foreign @=fsIirs. ne is confident Of
being able 10 conduct tae negOtia lions
to this end to Il successful conclusion.
and he believes that he will return TO
Caracas in February with y, ,ne-uela AT
peac. with the world
carmelo Castro. one of the r-esident.
hal -I1.
from Caracas by way Of New York. bad
come down TO Santander To meet the
president and with the Venezuelan con-
sui. the port officials and IL number of
journalists he boarded the steamer as
soon as she came TO anchor.
Shaving in His Cabin.
President Castro was found in his
cabin shaving. He laughed heartily at
the Fantastic rttmors regarding his
purposes and plans that have been in
circulation recently. The doctors said
that the presidents general condition
was excellent. and that he had derived
great benefit from the voyage over. He
spent hours every day promenading the
deck and chatting freely with his fell
low passengers; in fact. he was the
life Of the ship. The attending pkysi-
clans explained that Castro desired to
the advisabilfty of an operation. He
has been suffering for some years with
disease that is understood to he
tumor of the kidneys.
President Castro in spite Of the warn
ingS of the Venezuelan consuls WHO talk
ed with him on board the Guadeloupe
that he nliSht not be permitted 10 land
in France. and that he might he llu-
inflated if he continued IL Bor-
d aux. announced that lie had started for
Bordeaux. and that was where he was
going. His position is that the French
government is aware that he is going to
France with his hands stretched out in
peace. Before he left Venezuela he made
the first advance by authorizing the re-
turn OF several F'renchmen who had been
eXiled for political reasons. and during
the voyage over he had several long
talks with NJ. Merleou. the French minis
ter TO Peru, who was fellow passenger.
He explained his intentions To VI. Mer-
leou and showed the minister documents
which. far the French government
is concerned. Castro believes, II have
the effect of changing the governments
attitude toward him.
Ready to Make Concessions.
He declared specifically to NJ Merleou
that he was ready 10 make important
concessions in order 10 restore amicable
relations with France. NJ. Merleou as
sured Castro that France would be eN
ceedingly cratified to learn of his con
ciliatory disposition, and he guaranteed
that Castro would suffer no disagrcea bic
incident on landing at Bordeaux. In Il
dispatch from Santander NJ. Mcrieou IN
formed the French government fully OF
the situation.
President Castro. il Is said also expects
to arrange the difficulties of his govern
ment with the United States including
the asphalt affair.
President Castro declined To talk fer
publication to the newspaper men who
went on board the steamer here. and kept
TO his cabin. His wife. however. chatteJ
WITH the newspaper men i'll The dining
saloon.
Holland Keeping Watch.
THE HAGUE. December 9.-The Meth
eriands government apparently has net
yet decided upon any exact course Of pro
cedurc agains; Venezuela. but il is init
Venezuelan coast by three Dutch war
ships which began lasi Wednesday. may
develop into more active measures in the
even, of any Venezuelan warship attempt
ing To make exit from port
Should any III President castro's >r.ips
find themselves Oh the high within
range of the guns o. The Dutch vessels.
ther.. is a strong proba bility that they
would he arrested and taken into Dutch
port The international law on this sub
iect is now being carefully considered by
Holland.
DIR. Israel. the Berlin physician. who.
according TO report is Ia perfom an
operation on President Castro of NeneZue-
la is still I'm this city. He mas no inten-
ton of going To Bordeaux. He has been
informed that President Castro is coming
Il ..t