New-York tribune., 1909-01-06
.pE4CEFUL RETOLUTION.
costro's Orerthro7C and the NeU
Tpnr.aelan Government.
rs,.,,.l Correspondence Of The Tribune.l

rs,,-,.l Correspondence Of The Tribunel
-r.-.-as Dec c7-History has been making in
Venezuela during the raSt Two weeks win won
ssyf1l rspidfty Since the exciting events of Sun
g. ,be 1sth in Caracas narrated in my last let
.,r u-ben ruhiic meetings were held in the Plaza
,oliva- demanding Csstro's overthrow and the
restoration Of liberty 10 the people following the
shooting upon the populace from the ofhces or
FL conztituclcraL' Castros hated newspaper or
gan there have been more momentons events Ihdn
Venezuela has known for many years.
As result Of the newspapers outrage. the gov
.-nr7ent Of General Gomez forbade It's publication
upon TIE following morning. nor has II hsen al
lowed TO appear since. II Is as completely ended
as though such journal had never appeared Nor
pss this al. The people had not Vet vented their
haired upon the despised sheet and its sycophan-
,ic edtor-the EIorifier Of Castro. on the ensu-
ing Monday morning crowd assembled in the
plaza and with one mind marched 10 the Cos
rms stationery and printing establishment. owned
hz -f,,;u1ersrdo Rivas. the editor. In trice the
doors and windows were broken in and the peo-
NE poured into the place In another moment the
outer air was full cf flying books, papers and sta
roaery In less time than It takes 10 tell it, the
entire stock. broken and torn to shreds, Uttered
the street
AT this stage however. the government inter
vened and soldiers filled the streets and Put an
end 10 the disorder. Had il been allowed TO run
longer. the oot1ng might have become general and
he matter reached z stage where the restoration
Of order would have been attended with blood
shed
Meanwhile Gomez hurrying toward Caracas
tro or three additional hattalions Of soldiers
known 10 be loyal 10 his interests to assure him
pTeponderance Of power over the followers Of the
absent President. These arrived during the week
ard were distributed among the barracks whose
ioysliy doubtful.
CASTRO SAYS SHOOT"
Castro's people at the same time were actively
preparing for the anticipated trial Of strength
Under the lead ~ the governor of the federal dis
trict General CsTdenas. and Of the late chief min
ister, Lopez Baralt they organizing their sup
Tprters-mostly Of the oficeholding cIsss-and they
were~keeping Castro advised in Berlin Of the
progress Of events in Venezuela On Thursday
General Gomez required the designations Of all of
tie old ministry This action doubtless
determined the Castro 10 act at once. and they
reported it the dictator by cable TO Berlin The
following afternoon, Friday, the 18th, came his
tponse:
Shoot Gomez. Bsptista and the rest OF the gov
eminent leaders. and terrorlze Caracas!
il addressed in cipher 20 General Cardenas
pEf not al the officials Of the telegraph depart
mert were loyal 70 Castro. and one. who put his
faith in Vice e-President Gomez. took copy of the
message 10 the general That night the disposi-
ton Of the troops was finally effected: Gomez's
house and the houses Of other members OF his gov
ern1nept were surrounded with strong guards. and
ti vas prepared for early move on the Castro
oonspirators in the morning.
soon after Sunrise Gomez took officer with
nm IN his carriage and drove directly 10 one Of the
oarracks whose cornmandant was known to he dis
Psel to him Entering, the general sharply or
oefed the guard to come To a present" and sum
mened the comma andsnt. Sir, you under ar
rest come with me Soldiers, you know your
crescent have appointed the colonel here as
!our new commandant. Any one who fails to obey
Lln al once Will be shot. / rely upon YOU" With
"heh prompt and decisive action he took the de-
Poseo officer in his own carriage 10 the prison!
'ornez Is not a statesman. but he understands
41ily the qualities that go 10 make UP soldier
tao the value OF quick and energetic action in
-ffessing suhordinates. Then he drove 10 the
ieiicT House" and in few moments the Gov