New-York tribune., 1909-06-10
VENEZUELA'S PROGRESS
TOLDIN GOMEZ'S MESSAGE
President Refers Particularly to Bet
ter Relations 1cith United States.

Caracas, May U.-In striking refutation Of
General Castros recent statement that Venezu-
Ella would be bankrupt in six months is the follow
ing paragraph from President Corners message
20 Congress, which shows that. Notwithstanding
the suppression by the government of oppres-
sive taxes. the deficit in the Bank OF Venezuela
left by Castro has been transformed into
spectacle credit. The President says
On November "a last the day on which
sumed the Presidency. the government owed to
the Bank Of Venezuela 1852 o4 bolivars Ia bolivar
ministrative expense and paid during the first
for @ !nS M 81 boSs for pns
works and 15s $3.50 bolivars for Congressmen's
favor in the Bank Of Venezuela Of 1.43S 9so.63
bolivars and in the national treasury of u4.337
The reading Of the Presidential message 10 Con-
gress on Saturday afternoon not the per
functory performance of other years. President
Gomezs recent decree removing completely all the
oppressive export taxes on coffee, and hides
which fell heavily the agrculturist. Great
crowds surged into the capital building TO express
approval OF the reforms
The statistics appearing in the message relating
to the foreign and domestic debts Of Venezuela
show a most satisfactory condition of affairs, the
total obligations Of the nation being only 2o6, 20
94491 bolivars (about s4OOO0GnO. From January l.
1907. to March 81, 1909 81 s2 1880 bovars has been
paid the foreign debts and 6.0s3,5l572 bolivars
on the internal debts The debt created by the
Washington protocols amounted TO 3s.3S54l1.9 boil
vars IN 1903 On March 81 II had been reduced 10
l5254,4l5& bolivars, and will be totally paid off in
less than four years more
The difficulties with the United States re-
ferred TO in this language
The United States of North America after hav-
Ing retired their legation from Caracas. and with
doubt because Of the intention declared by
this goyernment of seeking a decorous solution
OF pending internationa questions, decided to
SEND an eTniSSary or peace and harmony whose
good intentions made It possible 10 draw up the
protocols OF February Is, which put end TO the
differences between the nations on being
submitted TO your elevated consideration you will
see how well the government maintained the
independence OF its Judiciary. and you will also
see how the great principles which regulate the
treatment OF nations among themselves have been
harmonized with these fundamental rights. 1t Is
and Venezuela have re-eSta blShe1 their re
spective legations in Caracas and In Washington
and have renewed the old friendship which unites
them by many and traditional brothery bonds.
President Gomez began his message with an
Interesting outline OF the difficulties under which
he started his administration and Of what he had
50 far accomplished. He said:
I consolidated peace at home by returning their
rights to all NenezUelans. Amnesty later
granted to those concerned in the attempted coup
8 etat Of December le. i abolished the monOpOles
which prevented the free exercise Of business and
Industry. and the time that cared for
the national defence opened the road for dec
oTous and an1iCable solution q pending difficulties
on this foundation YOU Will have the glory OF
building up wise laws regulate agriculture, min
ing and colonization. Also credit and fiscal IA
which will make fertile the efforts already made
hv this government toward bringing about the ex-
ploratiOn and exploitation Of public lands
through the spontaneous initiative ot serious I'M
migration and Industrial companies which VIII open
up field for the activity OF the Venezuelan