Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1909-01-02


upon the day Castro left. but because of the
fact that the United States had no diplomatic
representation in Castros land no reply was
forthcoming
throughout the little republic to put the re
storer" back in office in 1911 when his present
term expires.
Uneasiness on the part of American friends
of Castro mothered by the recollection of
the flight of President Gozman Blanco, who was
alleged to have carried with him to Europe
many millions of Venezuelan gold. Prior to
Blanco's flight he had twice visited Europe
while serving president.
To the general public, misled by the gibes and
cartoons of the press, President Castro is
greedy obstreperous tyrant. Yet Castro is not
wholly bad. even measured by Anglo-Saxon
standards, and his is of the most inter-
esting of present day personalities Of hum
BILE origin, he has made himself master of his
country; uneducated in his youth, he has been
for years earnest, plodding student;
biuffed" by mighty nations. he has called the
BLUM and usually made good" plotted against
by dissatisfied politicians of his land, he
has speedily put down every revolt That he
IS despot is true, but Venezuela needs des-
Eotic rule almost much as did Mexico when
rorfirio Daz became the virtual dictator of
nat country. Castro knows, every student
Venezuelan affairs knows, that his country
an prosper only when there Is reasonable
assurance of lasting peace: and strong hand
3 necessary to keep down the schemers whose
sft-recurring conspiracies threaten to cast the
country into the throeS of civil war.
The exploitation. of the natural resources
II Venezuela well the conduct of many
II its industries, is made by law the subject
n concessions granted by the federal govern
aaeEt- Right there comes the severest criti-
! S<sms of Gen. Castro based his administra-
fiOn of internal affairs. His salary as presi-
teut is not nearly adequate to his expenses and
! ais peculiar brand of patriotism and honesty
gill not permit him to steal from the revenues
N the republic. Therefore he engages
| N Otghf IDS who or,i-
2afsy act for themselves In this way he is
5artner in various large business houses, which,
presumably through his favor In the matter of
tusfoms duties and other taxes. able to
HnderseH their competitors When some in
zasfry seems especially profitable concession
Sor its monopoly is granted by congress to
friend of Castro, for trififng remuneration
This friend thereupon sells the concession to
seTeign capitalists and the price is divided.
Dine friend of the president not long ago sold
IA Europe concessions for monopoly of the
alanufacture of cigarettes. which is highly re-
s1unerative; for national bank. which will
start with the profits and prestige resulting
from handling all public funds. and for the
building and conducting of public and bonded
warehouses.
Another associate of the chief executive is
partner in a large drug house that offers its
-ares at lower prices than can other dealers
IA drugs. Yet a third has the exclusive right
10 import arms, ammunition and explosives of
al kinds; he has imported anything of
she sort, but merchants who desire to do so
rsast pay him well for the privilege. and his In
xozne from this source alone is considerable.
Among the later and most injurious conces-
ATOMS granted is that of buying cattle for the
Reetan meat trade of Caracas. The animals are
ronght from the country to place on the
kfskirts of the city and there are examined
agents of the concessfonaires- These men
lbcmn as unfit for food a considerable pro-
ION of the cattle and order their owners
we them home over the mountains When
por cattlemen have fairly started on their