The sun., 1908-12-17
MODS RISE AGAINST CASTRO
SMASH HIS STATUES AND SACK
HIS FRIENDS HOUSES.
Authorities Of Caracas Let RiotIng Go
On for HOurs Before Sending Police
70 Step lt--AImost q Revolution I'm
Venezuela-I.oOt Government Lottery


TO Step lt--Almost q Revolution in
Venezueia-Loot Government Lottery
Special Cable Dispatch 10 TRB sun.
CABAcAs. Dec. II, via willemstad.
Dec iB.-Matters political are moving
here with considerable rapidlty and events
tend to confirm the reports that Presi-
dent Castro. who Ia now In berlin. did
not 90 TO Europe 20 much for reasons
OF health as to escape the results Of the
probable overthrow OF his Government.
which he left Ia the hands Of Vice Presi-
dent Gomez.
The indications are that Castro's en-.
eInies. gaining courage from his absence,
will attempt shortly to depose him from
the Presidency. The populace of the
capital. who were join0f by many hun
dreds Of men from the country round
about. made a most significant demon.
stration against Castro to-day and for
time they practically had possession
Of the city. The attitude OF the police
who made no attempt to suppress the
movement. indicated that their SYM
pathies or the syn,pathies of their
superiota we're with the people as against
Castro. who has SD long ruled Venezuela
with an iron hand, not troubling himself
to conceal it in a velvet glove
The trouble began early in the morn
ing. Knots Of men assembled in The
nAI; n1 H.
thereto discussing the situation There
was apparently no prearranged plan.
hut the groups kept continually augment
ing. Men coming in from the country
Joined the crowd, which assumed very
large proportions.
At first the people contented themselves
with marching up and down the main
streets shouting Down with Castro!"
and applying to him the various uncom-
rlimentary epithets in which the Spanish
tongue abounds. Then some orators
made fiery speeches against the dictator
and tyfant. as they called him. and the
crowd began to manifest desire to vent
its indignation otherwise than in words.
Acting upon hint that quickly spread,
detachments rushed in various directions
and raided tho clubhouses, cafes and
every other place vhere it was known
statues or pictures OF Castro we're dis
played. These were seized, sometimes
in face OF feeble remonstrances. and
carried to the centre Of the Plaza Boil
var, where an were piled in heap and
bonfire was started.
Others Of the crowd attacked the
Offices Of the Venezuelan Lottery Com.
pshy, which Is very profitable Govern
ment monopoly. and in few minutes
the place was an utter wreck. All The
lottery tickets that were forni were
destroyed.
Then the crowd turned it's attention
to the offices of the Constitucionoi. the
newspaper organ Subsidized IL not owned
by Castro. against which popular feeling
was very bitter not only because of its
support Of the Presidents acts hut also
because Of Saturdays rioting In front
OF the building which resulted in the
wOunding Of a number Of persons. The
mob entered the offices. drove out the
employees and smashed everything pos
sible, including the printing presses.
0ffices. stores and warehouses belong
ing to Castro's closest friends and sup
porters we're next attacked and when the
mob finished with them they looked as
though tornado had swept through
them. Hitherto those having the friend
ship and backing OF Castro have carried
things with O high hand. but in face Of
tho wildly indignant mob they made
little II any attempt to save their prop |
erty.
Among other things that excited the
ire a the crowd were the inscriptions on
some Of the public buildings reoiting
Castro'e patriotism and the benefits he
had conferred on the country. These
vere quickly destroyed with hammers
and ohisels or paint brushes.
For eix or seven hours the mob was in |
fun control and nothing was done by the
suthnfities to restore order. Ultimately |
acting President Gomez issued a mani
festo ordering the rioters to disperse,
calling out troops to enforce the
order. The mAnifestants displayed no
desire to join issue with the soldiers. and
when they appeared the mob slowly and
quietly dispersed.
Tho most significant part OF the whole |
affair is that throughout all the disorder |
there was no display of animosity against
Holland, whose warships have seized two |
Venezuelan Government vessels and are
searching for others. This II indicative
OF the popular feeling that the dispute
with Holland 10 due 10 Castro's arrogant
attitude. In fact, there is little general
feeling against foreigner OF any nation
atty. despite the knowledge that Vene-
zuela Is automatically cut of from oom-
munioation with several OF the Powers.
Castro is blamed for the ruptures with
these nations, and there is little doubt
entertained by impartial observers that
his rule will soon end either by proclama-
tion Of revolution. There is general
feeling or unrest everywhere, and further
disturbances would surprise no one. 1t
is stated here, with. what truth Is not
known, that the Government is not keep
ing Castro informed OF the progress of
events.
WARRINGTON, Dec. l6.--Elias II. Cheney.
American Consul at Willemstad, Curacao.
reported 70 the State Department to-day
that he had been informed by. the Amer
ican Consul at Porto Cabello that Ven
ezuela was on the verge OF revolution.
Several persons he said have been killed
in riotinR In the streets Students seem