Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-02-02
IS GOMEZ A TARTAR!
state Department Finds New
President of Venezuela a
Poor Listener
VOW AFRAID OF HIS JOB
Aotins Just Like His Predecessor,
Castro, Thru Fear Of Stirring UP
Malcontents at Home Buchanan
Has Hard Proposition in Swinging
Gomez Into Lins.,
VOW AFRAID OF HIS JOB
Especial Correspondence

Especial Correspondence.
Washington, Feb. 2.-The state de-
sartment is wondering whether il
caught q Tartar when Gomez wax
made president of Venezuela. Gomez
vas expected to be willing listener
10 counsels Of the Washington govern
mont. When he promptly consented tc
receive Commissioner Buchanan and
negotiate for a resumption of diplo-
matte relations with the various pow
srs with which Castro had been at
outs, it was taken as assuring early
adjustment Of all pending difficulties
But it doesn't so develop.
Dispatches from Caracas say that
something very much like an impasse
has been reached in the negotiations
between Gomez and Buchanan. AS a
matter of fact the state department
has known here for some time that this
was the situation, but for various rea-
sons it was deemed advisable to allow
the facts to leak out thru Caracas. The
specific statement of the difficulty
which is Carried by the dispatches from
the Venezuelan capital is looked upon
as indicating that Mr.. Buchanan him
self made the facts public, under orders
from the state department here. This
is in line Of the policy OF assuming
that the United States was not a party
to the interference of Holland in Vene-
zuela affairs, tho it is we'll known that
this country was consulted and con-
sented to the actions Of the Dutch Coy
eminent which precipitated the crisis
in Venezuela.
Gomez is Afraid.
At any rate Gomez, inspired, it is
supposed, by fear, is taking a course
very similar to that of Castro. He de-
clines to consent to the only conditions
which seem to make final adjustment
possible, namely, the arbitration of GER
tain disputed points involving foreign
interests in Venezuela.
Back of GomeZs sudden change from
the conciliat tory to the stubborn and in
dependent attitude, it is believed here
is the fact that he fears concession en-
his part to foreign interests, will re-
suit in a revulsion Of public opinion
in Venezuela in favor of Castro. No
body knows Castro's plans, and nobody
knows to what extent he is supplied
with funds to carry them out. He is
being watched in Berlin with much in
terest, 1t is said, by representatives of
Gomez as well as by agents of the
powers which have pending differences
with Venezuela. The notion that he
has huge plant" of ready cash
In various European banks is
not taken seriously. The stories
have represented Castro as having
anything from ten to thirty million
dollars, where he could put his fingers
on it. From a usually excellently in
formed South American authority it
is learned that the best information
justifies the superstition that Castro
probably has a million or two in avail
able form, and that his fortune may
run up to five million dollars. but not
higher. People familiar with Venezuela
and with the relations of Castro to the
big corporations which he has granted
concessions, believe he must have got
away with a comfortable bunch of
cash, which assures him either life
of ease and comfort in Europe, or the
means to kick up new revolution in
a country where revolutions are as
cheaply and easily fomented as Vene-
zuela.
Between Two Fires.
If Gomez should start his admins
tration by wholesale yielding to
American demands, it is urged, he
would at once ALLEVIATE the whole lingo
sentiment of his country. 1t would
yearn for the fieshpots and vigor of
the Castro regime, and Gomez would
be in danger of having his predecessor
new revolt, based on the platform
Of no concessions to the foreigners.
This is the danger which comes into
full view with the announcement that
Gomez is not acting at all as was ex
pected. For week or more the state
department has been apprised of condi-
lions at Caracas, and wondering what
will happen. The new administration
of the department finds itself at the !
very beginning confronted with the
new situation, which is anything but
conf Portable.
Il What will happen If these negotia-
lions fail is a big question. Holland, |
1t is expected, would proceed with her
blockade and effort to apply the same !
screws to the Gomez government which
she was twisting down on Castro when !
he suddenly left the country The loss
Of prestige by the United States, from
q failure to bring order out of the
chaos, would be no inconsiderable fea-
ture of concern to this government.
Dispatches from Caracas with more
details as to the political situation are
awaited with the utmost interest 1t |
is believed there is politics. and prob
ably of the most complicated Kind, I
back of the development of Gomez's att
titude.
BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE.
Nau.n Ma EIac4raeuted Raisad Erona