Gilpin observer., 1908-12-24
CASTRO PLOTTED
ASSASSINATION
vENEzUELA's ABSENT DICTATOR
DEPoSED AND CHARGED
WITH CRIME,
new PRESIDENT RULES
DEFEATS INTERNAL PLOTS AND
WILL MAKE PEACE WITH
FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

Caracas, via Willemstad-The end
of the rule in Venezuela of Cipriano
Castro has come. The dictator, who
has governed the republic with a rod
of iron ever since he took forcible pos
session Of the yellow house in Caracas
in 1899, is now openly charged with
conspiracy to compass the assassina-
ton of the man he left at the head Of
the republic when he sailed away No
vember 23rd for La Guaira, nominally
to secure skilled medical aid in Ber-
lin for malady of long standing, and
is today thoroughly discredited.
The Bank OF Venezuela has cabled
its correspondents at Berlin and Paris
canceliing the unlimited letter of cred
it given to President Castro when he
left Venezuela for Europe, and no one
in Caracas believes he will ever dare
return to the capital
The Castro cabinet has been forced
to resign, and a new and progressive
ministry has been appointed by Juan
Vicente Gomez, the acting president
mez was frustrated by the coolness
and courage and the daring act of the
President himself.
Alone and unsupported. he arrested
the ring leaders of the conspiracy
with his own hands, in the presence
of their armed adherents, and after
this action he issued a proclamation
saying that not only had he saved his
own life, but he had maintained the
highest ideals of the republic.
Already the new administration
shows signs of a desire and intention
to settle the disputes between Venzu-
ella and foreign powers that have kept
the republic in light of unenviabe
notoriety for several years past
At a conference held Monday be-
tween Acting President Gomez and
Baron Won Seckendorff, German min
lister in charge of the interests of Hol-
land since the departure of the Dutch
minister. M. De Reus. last summer, it
was agreed to suspend the operation
Of the decree issued by President Cas-
tro prohibiting the trans-shipment of
goods destined for Venezuela.
Pending the signing of the treaty be.
tween Holland and duly empowered
Venezuela commission the Dutch war
ships that have been patrolling the
Venezuelan coast for nearly three
weeks, will be withdrawn.
The attempt to assassinate Gomez
asd several of the ministers was de-
cided upon Friday, December 18th.
Gomez heard Of the plot and took the
personal stand that nipped it in the
bud.
The men concerned in the conspir-
acy were President Castros closest
friends, and best known adherents
Secret cipher cablegrams have passed
between President Castro in Berlin
and his agents have since the popular
anti-Castro demonstration Of Decem-
ber 18th and 18th A prominent law
yer has filed An eccusation in the high
court, charging President Castro with
completely in the plot to assassinate
Gomez. and proposing the impeach-
ment of Castro.
The conspirators decided upon a
coup d'etat. They determined to as
sassinate Acting President Gomez, Jo-
seph f. De Jesus Paul. foreign min
isteS, Gen. Leopoldo BSptista, and
other prominent men: seize the admin
istration Of the country, and with the
army terrorize and overawe the popu-
lation.
Torres Cardenas. who was at one
time minister of the interior under
President Castro and later his per-
sonal secretary. was the active leader
Of the conspiracy. He had as lieuten-
h< ~S
talions.
Intimation Of what was on foot
reached the ears of Acting President
Gomez and he took immediate steps
to Illustrate the attempt. Early Sat
urday he went alone to the barracks
in Caracas, where mutinous regiment
under the command of President Cas-
tro's brother was quartered. With
cool courage he entered the building
and placed the brother of the presi-
dent under arrest. The nerve of
Gomez made 1t possible to carry QUE
this dangerous maneuver successfully.
He then went to the executive man
sion. where he had brief interview
with Torres Cardenas. The chief OF
the conspirators denied the existence
of any plot. Gomez would not be de-
ceived by such assurances. He seized
Cardenas by the shoulder and said:
II have discovered your plot to as
sassinate me. You are my prisoner"
Torres Cardenas tried to use his re-
volver on the acting president, but
Gomez was too quick for him. He
pinioned the mans arms, called the
guard and Torres Cardenas was hur.
ried away to Jail.
An Arizona Ponpeji.