Gilpin observer., 1908-12-31

upon the day Castro left but because of the
fact that the United States had no diplomatic
representation in Castros land no reply was
forthcoming
And this in the face of the movement
throughout the little republic to put the re
storer back in office in 1911 when his present
term expires.
Uneasiness on the part OF American friends
OF Castro was mothered by the recollection of
the flight of President Gozman< <Blanco who was
alleged to have carried with him to Europe
many millions of Venezuelan gold Prior to
Blanco's flight he had twice visited Europe
while serving as president.
To the general public. misled by the gbes and
cartoons OF the press President Castro is a
greedy obstreperous tyrant. Yet Castro is not
"hoiy bad, even measured by Anglo Saxon
standards, and his is one of the most inter.
esting of present day personalities. OF hum.
Bile origin, he has made himself master of his
country; uneducated in his youth, he has been
Tor years an earnest, podding student;
"bluffed" by mighty nations, he has called the
blum and usually made good" plotted against
by dissatisfied politicians of his own land he
has speedily put down every revolt. That he
Is a despot is true but Venezuela needs des-
potic rule almost as much did Mexico when
Porfrio Diaz became the virtual dictator of
that country. Castro knows as every student
OF Venezuelan affairs knows, that his country
can prosper only when there is reasonable
assurance of lasting peace: and strong hand
Is necessary to keep down the schemers whose
oft-recurring conspiracies threaten to cast the
country into the throes of civil war.
The exploitation of the natural resources
OF Venezuela well the conduct of many
OF Its industries, is made by law the subject
OF concessions granted by the federal govern
ment Right there comes the severest criti-
cism OF Gen. Castro, based on his administra-
ton OF internal affairs. His salary as presi-
dent is not nearly adequate to his expenses, and
his peculiar brand of patriotism and honesty
Will not permit him to steal from the revenues
OF the republic. Therefore he engages ex
tensively in business through friends who nomi.
nally act for themselves. In this way he is
partner in various large business houses which,
presumably through his favor in the matter OF
customs duties and other taxes, are able to
undersell their competitors When some in
dustry seems especially profitable concession
for its monopoly is granted by congress to
friend OF Castro. for a trifing remuneration
This friend thereupon sells the concession to
foreign capitalists and the price is divided
One friend of the president not long ago sold
In Europe concessions for a monopoly Of the
manufacture of cigarettes, which is highly re-
muneratve; for n national bank. which will
start with the profits and prestige resulting
from handling all public funds, and for the
building and conducting of public and bonded
warehouses.
Another associate of the chief executive is
a partner In large drug house that offers its
wares at lower prices than can other dealers
In drugs. Yet third has the exclusive right
to import arms ammunition and explosives OF
all kinds; he never has imported anything OF
the Sort but merchants who desire to do so
must pay him well for the privilege, and his In.
come from this source alone is considerable.
Among the later and most injurious conces-
sions granted is that of buying cattle for the
retail meat trade of Caracas. The animals are
brought from the country to place on the
outskirts of the city and there are examined
by agents of the concessionaires. These men
condemn unfit for food considerable pro-
portion OF the cattle and order their owners
to drive them home over the mountains. When
the poor cattlemen have fairly started ON their