Daily Kennebec journal., 1908-12-22
Vice Pres Gomez Sets
Up New Government.
And Forms New Venezuelan
Cabinet, Replacing Castro's.
latter's Advisors Dropped From
The National CounseIs.

| Port Of Spain. Trinidad. Dec. 21.-
Vice President J. Vicente Gomez, to
whom General Cipriano Castro handed
over the Presidency on his departure
for Europe, has established a new gov
| eminent in Venezuela. He has replaced
| the old ministry, the leader of which
was DR.. Jose De Jesus Paula, the min
| lister of affairs, who has been the one
| figure, outside Of Castro himself, iE
the negotiations which eliminated in
the ousting Of Minister Derus and the
severance of diplomatic relations with
Holland, with a new body of men who
represent various factions in the state
and who have figured prominently in
various ways in the political history of
! the country.
Not only has DR.. Paula disappeared
from the counsels Of the nation, but
DR.. Paldo, who is now travelling in
Castro's suite abroad. has also been
removed from his official position as
minister Of education. Gen. Diego Fer
ren, the minister Of war, who also was
war minister in the cabinet of Acting
President Gomez in 1906. has been su-
perseded by Gen. Regulo Olivares. who
took a prominent part in crushing the
re"olutioniStS q few years ago. The
I cabinet is composed as follows
Minister of interior, Linares Alcan-
tara; minister of foreign affairs. Con
zales Guinaud; minister of finance,
MunoZ Tebar: minister Of war. Gener-
al Rngulo Olivares: minister Of fomen-
to, patronage, Rafelo Carabano
Obras: minister Of public works, Rob
erto Vargas; minister of public IN
struction, DR.. Maldonadc. Secret ad-
vices here from Caracas, where the
strictest censorship is being observed,
indicate that the whole Of Venezuela
las been in q fnment ever since Pres
iGellt Castro sailed anu that he crisis
was reached a few days ago, when it
became necessary for Acting President
Gomez to take decisive steps, which
he did by dropping from his cabinet
those who were closely affiliated with
the Castro rule and under the Castro
domination.
The revolutionary factions. which
gained strength with every hour of
Castrc's administration, played a
prominent part in the demonstrations
against the absent President, which
took the form of rioting and incen-
diarism. These We're temporarily check
ed by show Of force, and later the
revolutionary influence, which threat
ened to sweep the country, was over
come in d measure by promises that
could not be held long in obeyance
The esta olishment Of a new govern
ment in Venezuela has been expected
from day to day. and it is probable
that it was the outcome of the anti
Castro anti-Gomez demonstrations
which began at Caracas and other
places in Venezuela almost the very
dav that President Castro sailed for
Europe.
Before leaving Castro in proclalmlng
Vice President Gomez his temporary
successor said to the nation
"Surround him and lend your coop
Grafton in the fulfillment of his mis-
sion as if it We're myself and you VIII
have done your duties"
In the same proclamation President
Castro gave utterance to what might
be taken as a farewell message:
1.-THE Venezuelan nation already Is
on the road to true prosperity and
greatness, because of the strict fulfill
ment of obligations and the souno
. condition Of the revenues and because
of The state of peace which we enjoy
and which it is your duty to MAINTAIN
that my work may endure"
Events since then have moved swift
lv in Venezuela and on Dec. IA the peo-
ple of Caracas, unable longer to With
hold their passions, arose against cas-
tro They tore down the statues and
pictures Of the President and burned
them in the public places, they appled
the torch sweeping through the city
, and gathering strength and fury with
every new act Of violence. II then
seemed certain that Castro's rule IN
Venezuela had ended.
Gomez himself in the position ol
acting President. was far from secure
1t was brought forcibly home TO nm
that be must either withdraw from
that Office or cast aside those of cas-
tro's ministers who still We're trying to
. force the Castro rule upon the people
, Apparently he chose the latter course
He first declared the country in a state
, Of defence, thereby securing cntrol OF
tho army and then appointed new
cabinet, the members Of which repre-
sent diversity Of factions.
On several other occasions when cas-
tro has turned over the government
: to Vice President Gomez it was freely
pre dicted that Gomez would succeed
Castro as President of the republic.
II Rishon McOuaid Is Oyinu.