The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1908-07-27
CONDITIONS IN
CURACA0ALARM|NG
Mobs Have Surrounded the
Venezuelan Consulate and
Troops Patrol City

Willemstad, Island of Curacao, Ju-
ly 27-Mobs yesterday demonstrated
before the residence of the Venezuelan
consul here and surrounded the Ger
man consulate, where the Venezuelan
consul had taken refuge. Later the
consul was escorted to his own con-
sulate by armed troops and removed
the official papers.
The relations between Venezuela
and the people of the island of Cura-
Gao, Dutch West Indies, are strained
to the breaking point. Following a
long series Of what. the residents of
Curacao regard as .antagonistic &C.
tions on the part of President Castro,
directed against themselves and the
Dutch government, mobs gathered in
force at this capital last night and to-
day and expressed / their resentment
in an attack upon the home of vene-
zuelan who had published statements
in Venezuelan papers" derogatory to
the island and later held violent DEM
onstrations in front of the residence
Of the Venezuelan consul; surrounded
the German consulate where he had
taken refuge and compelled the order
Ing out of armed troops so that the
consul might be protected from injury
The demonstration before the resi-
dence of the Venezuelan consul, Senor
lopez, occurred late last night, and
although no actual attack was made,
1t Is stated that shots were fired from
the consul's house, no one, however,
being injured.
Prior to this, about 10 o'clock at
night, mob numbering about one
thousand gathered in front of the
dwelling of Venezuelan resident
who, 1t is alleged, had insulted Cura-
Gao in the Venezuela papers; broke
down the doors with stones and, siez-
ing the man, compelled him to sign a
paper which set forth an elaborate ex-
cuse for the publication of the state
ments with which he was charged.
The leaders of the populace also
forced him to make public apology
from the balcony of his home, while
the crowd below hooted and groaned
In accompaniment. Furthermore,
members of the mans family were
compelled to play the Dutch national
hymn. while the people below shout
ed Down with Castro; long may Will
helmina live"
The police were entirely unable to
cope with the demonstration and their
efforts in this direction were some
what feeble. No bodily harm was done
to any one, but the shouting and cheer
Ing continued for time, and then a
procession was formed and march
made upon the consulate house.
This morning it was noted that
there was no shield on the building
occupied by the Venezuelan consul.
1t is not known whether 1t was remov-
ed by the Venezuelans or torn down
by Curacao natives. There was a
gathering again of the mob in the
morning and when it was learned that
the Venezuelan consul had proceeded
to the German consulate, this build
ing was surrounded by an ever in
creasing mob. The attorney general
made determined effort to quiet the
populace which was becoming more
and more excited all the while. A
small military force attempted to
check the demonstration but for a
time that was found impossible.
1t became necessary eventually to
call out additional troops and these
at once proceeded to patrol the streets
and stop the rioting. Consul Topez
was escorted to the Venezuelan consul
ate by an armed force and he gather
ed up the official documents of his
office and was escorted back to his
home. The troops that accompanied
him were compelled to force their
way through the crowds that had
gathered and were jeering on every
hand.
An armed guard was left to protect
the Venezuelan consulate and another
guard was stationed at the consuls
residence. Other troops continued pa
trolling the city.