Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-04-13
Ex-President of Venezuela Is
Literally Carried on Stretch
er, Despite Protests, to the
Steamer One Mile.
CLAIMS HE WAS ILL,
LOCKED IN HIS ROOM
BUT WAS FORCED OUT
Second Medical Examination is Made
and Doctors Decide Former Presi-
dent is as Healthy as When He
Left France.
ny A,.ncintsd PrsskN

by Associated PrsskN
FORT DE FRANCE, April 10-Cipri-
ano Castro, ex-president Of Venezuela.
was ANONYMOUSLY expelled tonight from.
the island of Martinique by the French
government. He protested to the last
against his expulsion, but his protests
were in vain. He is now on board the
French line steampship Versailles bound
for St. Nazaire.
Official notice was served on Castro this
morning of the decision of the French
government that he must leave the is
land within nine hours from the receipt
of such notice and that the commissary
of police at Fort de France had beer
charged with the execution of the order.
Castro Was Furious
The, ex-president was furiously indig
nant and strove throughout the day to
find some excuse that would be satisfac-
tory to the colonial government whereby
he would not be compelled to obey the or
der, and TO this end late today, he sum-
moned a lawyer and physician to verify
that he was unable to leave the country.
The governor of Martinique and the
public prosecutor. however, refused an
extension of time and about o'clock the
commissary of police. accompanied by
large force of gendarmes proceeded to the
hotel where Castro was staying to re-
move him, forcibly, If necessary, to the
steamer.
The affair created great sensation and
long before the police made their appear
ance at the hotel, crowds had gathered
which later were Joined by the consuls
representing the various foreign powers.
who showed great interest in the expul-
sion of the man whom one Of them term
ed 1.-The common enemy of peace"
Locked in His Room
Castro who during his few days at
Fort de France. has had very little COM
munication with anybody. locked himself
in his room in company with his brother
Carmelio. and his secretary, and for a
time refused to reply to the summons OF
the police official.
The police hesitated TO break in the
door and finally decided to submit the
matter again to Governor Foureau, but
the governor absolutely refused to per-
NIT any delay and he ordered that Cas-
tro be removed by force OF arms.
He also gave orders that the Versailles
remain in port until Castro could be put
aboard.
It become necessary for the police and
gendarmes to take rigid measures to
hold in check the crowds that had by this
time become riotous outside the hotel.
Rallied at the French
The ex-president rallied against the
French government and the local au-
thorities. denouncing them for forcing
upon him the alternative of deportation
or Imprisonment for six months.
He declared he would not bulge and
that II would be necessary to take him
on board the steamer on a stretcher.
This, the commissary of police, who
finally entered Castro's room with an
escort of gendarmes, prepared to do,
but Castro's lawyer took steps to find the
chief justice. and at the very last mo-
ment the governor and public prosecutor
decided to have another medical exami-
nation made.
Was Able To Move
Accordingly medical commission
composed OF Doctors Bowler Costet and
Barbe proceeded with the examination,
in order to establish definitely II Castro's
health was such that he could make the
voyage. The consultation of the physi-
clans continued for more than half an
hour and they agreed that the life of the
ex-president would not be jSopardized by
his removal to the steamer and the re-
turn voyage across the ocean.
Professor Ricci. however, who was a
passenger with Castro on the Guade-
| loupe on the trip from Bordeaux to
TINS port, was the original authority
for the statement that during the voy-
age the wound, resulting from the oper-
alton in Germany, had shown signs of
suppuration, but the final examination
| of the physician this evening seemed to
indicate that the former president is in
| as healthy condition as when he left
France on March rs last
Carried On Mattress
At 500 o'clock a force of gendarmes
went to Castro's room, and he was
/ placed on a mattress. refusing to put
/ on his clothes. and carried on
/ stretcher to the steamer. a distance of
/ more than a mile. A thousand or more
/ of the population had assembled by this
time, and a great deal Of sympathy
f, was expressed for the former president.
/ The latter complained Of great suffer
| ing, and every movement of the
| stretcher seemed to give him further
| pain. -4e has prepared a protest,
/ which will be sent to the French gov
/ eminent tomorrow.
The Versailles left here at o'clock
/ and measures have been taken to keep
I a careful watch on Castro during the
voyage. The colonial government in
/ tends to put down any sympathetic
\ demonstration that may be made on
/ shore. Castros brother will remain
| here for the present but it is thought
| he will join Sonora Castro at La
/ Guaira If she is permitted to land at
that port.
The United States cruiser North Car
| onna arrived here at o'clock this
/ afternoon and is still in the rOadstead.