The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-23

slight in statute. of wiry strength and has a piercing black eye. He shows his Indian extraction. Like most Vene- zuelan presidents. Castro went Into of- flee at the head of successful revolu- tion. He drove out President Andrade and entered Caracas October 24, 1899.
 Much has been said of President Cas- tro that lacks the confirmation of un- biased observers. He has been freely maligned by his many enemies and there have been few to take up the cudgels in his behalf with conviction Consequently he has been given a repu- tation worse than he deserves. He has shown remarkable courage, determina- tion, perseverance and political skill in conducting Venezuela through nine years of stormy life. He has had to contend with powerful revolutionary movements at home and at times with the combined action against him by sea of Germany, Great Britain, France and Italy. This occurred in 1902 and was for the purpose of making Vene- zuela fulfill its obligations to the said powers.
 Castros quarrels with the powers have resulted in the severance of diplomatic relations between Venezuela and Holland France the United States Colombia, etc., and as long as Castro was in power there was apparently little hope of reaching any settlement of these various misunder- standings.
 Several Revolutions.
 There have been several revolutionary uprisings against Castro during his tenure of office. The most notable was the Ma tos movement in 1902, backed by powerful interests outside of Venezuela. This Cas- tro succeeded in crushing by defeating the Mates forces on October 26. 1902. with great slaughter at place called La Vic toria, not far from Caracas.
 President Castro's strong and revenge full hand made him probably the most hated of recent Venezuelan Presidents, and under his control the business and commerce of Venezuela have suffered not ably. It is said of him that he did not loot the government treasury, as has been the custom with his predecessors, but that he acquired the wealth which he is said to have sent to Europe before him by taking into his own hands and shutting out all competition some of the most prof itable enterprises and industries in the country. He governed hard and for the benefit of the clique at Caracas who were his favorites.
 Castro's Malady.
 Castro is known to have been i'll for several years, but just what was the mat ter with him never has developed It Is believed he has some malady of the kid neys. He has at times been so i'll that his life was dispaired of. His going to Europe for medical treatment was abso- lutely unexpected. He made the an- nouncement of his departure 24 hours be- fore he left Caracas It has been said that the idea of medical attention was a blind. and that the President realized the way the wind was blowing in Venezuela, and had determined to get away safely while there was still time. Upon arrlv- ing in France there was question as to how the French government would re- ceive Castro inasmuch as diplomatic re- lations between France and Nenezuela were non-existent. France finally allowed him to land as a private citizen, seeking the restoration of his health He stayed but a day or two in Paris, proceeding at once to Berlin.
 There is no arrangement between the government of Germany and that Of ven ezuela. In Berlin Castro took accommo- dations at one of the leading hotels and lived extravagantly until he moved to private sanitarlum, where he Is being oo- served by a famous Berlin specialist
 The first outbreak of the populace against Castro occurred in Caracas De- cember 13 This was followed by serious anti-Castro rioting on the 14th Since this date no news has come through of the happenings at Caracas until yesterday when a dispatch from Port of Spain, Trim idad. announced the enforced resignation of the Castro cabinet. This news was fol- lowed today by the stirring and sensa- tional dispatch sent from Caracas Decem- Der IS by steamer to Ponce, Porto Rico, and thence cabled to New York.