The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-31
Venezuelan Denied Admis-
sion to United States
as a Visitor
MINISTER SUSTAINS
ADVERSE REPORT
Castros Unwavering Refusal to An
swer Questions Regarding Killing
of General Paredez Given as
Cause of the Order

Washington, january S0.-Ciprano cas-
tlo. former president of Venezuela, was
today denied admission to the United
States as visitor by Charles Nagel. Sec
rotary of Commerce and Labor. The
Venezue1an's unwavering refusal to arr
swer the question whether, while presi
cent of his country he was party %
the killing of General Paredez was the
cause of Secretary Naeel's order for his
deportation.
The cabinet minister sustained the Re
Fort OF the immigration authorities
against Castro on the ground that his
declination to answer may In itself con-
stitute an admission by conduct of the
commission OF felony. The immigratioa
law bars from entry any person convicted
OF or admitting the commission of crime
involving moral turptitude. providing is
| Is not purely political offense. Tile
secretary held that the murder of Pare
eez was not a purely political crime.
Must Make Answer
Further, the Secretary declared that
an alien was compelled to answer yes
OF no any pertinent question regarding
his admisslbity. If permitted TO re-
fuse he maintained that the immigration
service might just as well adjourn"
| The alleged information against Castro
was furnished the department Of com
raerce and labor by the state department.
and Secretary Nagel in bis decision.
| frankly admits that, but for the state
departments action, Castro probably
would have been admitted without ques-
ton. "Ciprano Castro's FORMER position
as president of Venezuela" he added.
would. under ordinary circumstances,
have furnished further lnducement for
such action. The immigration bureau.
/ he declared had followed the same
course in this case as that pursued IN
any other where official warning had
been given regarding the character Of
an allen
1T is Officially charged. said Mr. Ma
tei. shut eaatro. while president OF
Venezuela and in fun possession OF Inc
authority OF that state directed the kll-
| ing of Paredez without trial or hearing
OF any kind, paredez at that time having
been made prisoner while engaged in
rex olt against Castro
| The Information that Castro ordered
| the killing of the general under these
| circumstances Mr.. Nagel declares TO pe
Specific ana confirmed bY
copies of original telegrams
The Secretary admitted the decisions
In extradition cases seem to hold that
such crime would be political, 'ai-
though this view has been questioned
by high authority" Consideration, he
added, however, must be given 10 the
fact that the alleged offense was not
committed by person engaged in
revolution against constituted authority,
but by the president of the republic in
full control of the authority of the state,
who denied the benefit of the very law
y hich he charged to preserve" Also the
secretary pointed out that the immigra-
tion law was amended in 1903 so as TO
exempt offenses purely political and
not involving moral turpttnde."
Not Purely Political
II cannot assume. said Mr.. Nagel
| that any act of violence, committed by
| the highest authority of the state during
a disturbance in disregard of constituted
| authority, must under all circumstances.
be regarded purely political and not
ily diving moral turptitude. If such a
conclusion were to be accepted. then
burning at the stake, subjeoting q VIC
tim to torture, indeed any offense
committed by official in charge woelG
satisfy the exception, provided the act
is committed during political excitement
and against a participant"
Regarding the broader question to
the right of an alien to answer well d-
rected questions to determine his ad-
nissibility the Secretary holds that fhes
recognition of that privilege would result
virtually in the admission of all aliens
because of the failure of proof against
thom lie disagrees with the contention
that the admission OF the commission
of a felony cannot be forced under the
immigration law but must be voluntary.
The alien is not In a criminal court
where he might stand upon his rights
and refuse to make a confession" con-
cluded the Secretary. "He is before an
administrative body asking for the privi-
lege to enter and he is under the neces-
sity of qualifying for that purpose"