The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-10-26
CASTRO IS
STILL UGLY
President of Venzuela Maintains
a Defiant Attitude in the
Holland Matter.
Hearst News Service.

Carcas, October 26-Accordng to
reports general in diplomatic circles
here, this is the last week of grace to
be allowed Venezula by Holland to
settle the claims of the later coun-
try. So far as can be learned, Presi-
dent Castro still maintains a defiant
attitude, which may mean that hos
tilities will begin Sunday, the eXpira-
ton of the time allotted to Castro for
the annullment of his trans-shipment
decree which has been so obnoxious to
the people of Curacao. The Dutch
note is very long, according to reports
and Venzulea's answer, besides being
lengthy, was prepared with great
care. It is believed that it gives
reasons why the Dutch demand can
not and will not be acceded to.
Sir Vincent Corbett, the British min
lister has returned from his trip to
Trinidad. where he went for the pur-
pose of communicating easily with his
government and it is believed that
Great Britain has mapped out policy
to be pursued during the threatened
conflict. What this policy will be is
still a matter of speculation, al
though the general impression is that
Great Britain will be lined up with
Germany in Castro's support when the
critical moment arrives.
The danger in Venezuela today is
not in the strength of Hollands case,
because it is generally conceded that
the Netherlands government has no
casus belli, but, on the contrary. has
the weakest case of any of those ma
lions which are now at outs with
President Castro, but in the fact that
there are several nations, especially
the United States and France, which
would be only too glad to see Hol-
land pull their chestnuts out OF the fire
and these countries would probably
stand by Holland.
1t is possible that internal dissen-
sions may follow any attempt by
Holland to force Dictator Castro to
terms, and that the president may
have a revolution to attend tG at the
same time he is called upon to resist
a foreign foe. The revolutionists are
now fiocking together, like buzzards
at the prospect of carrion, ready to
pounce upon Castro and overthrow the
government as soon as an opportunity
is presented.
That the members of any revolu-
tionary movement inflated during
the prospective blockade of Vene-
zuelan ports will be Immediately shot
as traitors if captured is reported to
be the present determination of Presi-
dent Castro. This is his answer to the
rumors and newspaper reports cir
culating to the effect that under cover
of Dutch guns a revolutionary move
ment is about to be undertaken to
overthrow the Castro government.
That President Castro means what
he says has been many times demon
strated. and the tragic ending of the
late Paroles expedition is an example
of the fate that my be in store for
unsuccessful revolutionists.
President Castro arrived in Caracas
from his six weeks tour of the inter
ior provinces a very sick man, and his
physicians were in a state of great
anxiety for several days. There were
many consultations held at his resi-
dence, Villa Zoila, by the leaders OF
the medical profession of Caracas,
and consequent alarm among the
populace as to the outcome.
The Presidents iron constitution,
however, came to his aid once more,
and his recovery was so rapid that he
was soon able to transact State
business which had been accommodating
during the two months that the
dancing and speechmaking expedition
| lasted