Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-31
CASTRO IS DETAINED
Taken to Ellis Island Pending
Decision in Case.
ASSUMES NAME OF RUIZ
Board of Inquiry Will Hold a Meet.
ing This Afternoon.

NEW YORK, December 31-Cipriant
Castro, ex-President of Venezuela, seek
ing entrance to this country after a Ion:
residence abroad, was taken off tn,
steamship La Touraine at quarantine to
day and removed to Ellis Island, pendin,
a decision whether he will be allowed
to enter the United States
Castro is travelling under the assumed
name of Ruiz, but was easily identified
by the officials. They were accompanied
by an interpreter, and on boarding Ii
Touraine Immediately held q conference
with the captain. He directed them t
Castro's staterOom, where they presented
their credentials and explained that they
had orders from the government to take
him to Ellis Island
eff those are the laws of your country
must comply" was Castro's only com
ment.
His baggage was hastily gathered and
he was taken on board the government
boat Immigrant, which started immediate.
ly for Ellis Island. Castro was dressed
in dark suit and a fur-lined overcoai
and wore a high silk hat. He carried a
gold headed cane His skin was Sallow
but he appeared in good health.
Board to Make Inquiry.
Castros detention originated with the
State Department at Washington. The
order for holding the Venezuelan at quar-
antine was received by Commissioner vii.
liams of the bureau of immigration Sat
urday from Secretary Nagel Of the De-
partment of Commerce and Labor. This
order instructed Commissioner Williams
to examine Castro as to his right to enter
the country under the immigration laws
, and stated that Castro must not be ad
mitted without reference to the depart
ment heads at Washington. Arrangements
made by Commiss 'oner Williams provided
for the calling of special board of in.
quiry at Ellis Island this afternoon to
deal with his case.
Plans to examine Castro as to his phys.
ical condition at this hearing were made
early in the day by Commissioner Will
l:ams. The first witnesses to be called
were physicians Of the immigration serv.
ice, who will testify as to his PHYSICAL fit
ness to enter the United States. Castro
has been suffering for some time from
an infectious disease. 1t Is reported. and
this alone might be sufficient ground to
warrant his deportation.
Whatever the outcome Of this hearing,
= was understood that Castro would be
allowed to make the usual formal appeal
Cor rehearing in case the decision TODAY
IS against him. This would delay proceed
ings for a sufficient time to enable the
government to obtain documentary evil
dence from Venezuela of charges made
against him there.
Sends Wireless Messages.
AS La Touraine neared land Castro in
wireless messages. declared that he was
coming to the United States simply for
q visit and for travel. One of the mes
sages read:
ct am going simply as traveller for a
short sojOurn. with the idea of seeing for
myself the great nation OF Washington,
Of Lincoln and OF Jefferson"
Another message read: MY coming
proves that / am neither revolutionist
nor a sick man. Each OF these terms ex-
cludes the other. Truth cannot be dis
torted That you should insult me simply
because I visit you is Uncomfortable"
The deposed ruler of Venezuela is ac-
.ompanied by his valet, who went with
him to Ellis Island At the detention sta
ton, Commissioner Williams secretary
said that Castro would not be closely
fine