The San Francisco call., 1908-08-03
CASTRO DECLARES
ACTION JUSTIFIED
Ayers Letter Published by
Dutch Minister Gave Full
Warrant for Expulsion

CARACAS, July 81 (via Port Of Spain,
Aug. 2).-The difference between Presi-
dent Castro and the government OF The
Netherlands will probably turn out to
be less serious than at first supposed.
All talk of armed conflict is regarded
as absurd in this country. The govern
ment believes that 1t had the fullest
justification for its dismissal of M. de
Rues, the Dutch minister, and points
to the action of the government Of the
United States IN asking the recall Of
the English minister, Lord Sackville-
West at President Cleveland's request
in October, 1883, as we'll as a like de-
mand upon Spain for the recall of Min
listed Dupuy de LONE by President Nc
Kinley in February, 1898. Indeed, the
case of De Rues is said to be much
more fragrant than either of the others
referred to.
In the case of SackviIIe- West and De
LONE the letters written denunciatory
of the American presidents were con-
fidential and not intended for publica-
tion, while De Reus, on the other hand.
wrote his letter with the deliberate
purpose that it should be published.
The following letter, which was pub
lished in the May, 1908, bulletin" of
the "Hou'en Trouw" society of Amster-
dam is the document objected to by
Venezuela:
Caracas. April o, 1905
Referring TO your letter of the oath of Feb
ruary ] am sorry to inform you that the present
The system OF government (since 16e9) of the
present almost dictatorial ruling president.
which is economical for the creation, and after
ward the annulment of monopolies, through all
kinds OF subtleties, has very nearly ruined the
country. The only ray of light in these dark
days for Venezuela is the price of cocoa; but
this is. Of course, not sufficient 10 make the
future hopeful.
good part of the import and export trade
In Venezuela is in the hands of Germans, who
engage their employees in Europe, ehiedy at
Hamburg These young men come out usually
pira don of which they either return. or, ae-
cording 10 their fitness, gain advancement
young men from this country, who are nearly
all born here or come from Curacao but they
very seldom reach high places. 1t is Of great
Importance to the German firms to have new
and strong European employees in their Offices,
that their energy may never be dormant.
know personally nearly all the chiefs of
the various large firms here and 1 often speak
with them concerning business. 1 do not be-
hever, however, that you should entertain the
of placing young men from The Netherlands
There is, besides, a desperate competition
IN imports, especially in the importation of
textile and fancy goods by the so called Turks
and MoroccaDs
Moreover. there is such an uncertain domes-
ing Of the meager prosperity, that 1t is clear
TO everybody in this country that the engage
ment Of European employees is out Of the ques-
ton
The revival Of commercial trade is also i'm
possible as long the present goFernmeat rules
the country. for It cannot be expected that the
president, after the nine years during which
he has reigned almost dictator viii change
his system OF governing and his domestic and
foreign policy. Those who cannot succeed In
acquiring Job in Venezuela through the infu-
ence of the Hamburg firms would do much
better tn other fra1 nr
countries where prosperity and progress is
greater and the future brighter than In this
republic.
DE RUES.
The Minister Resident Of The Netherlands.
The rumor that the Dutch armored
ship Jacob Van Heemskerk had been
dispatched to Venezuelan waters with
hostile purposes is denied here, it being
well known that the ship is sent out
in the ordinary way to relieve the
Gelderland, the regular term of service
of the latter vessel on this station be-
ing about to expire