The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-04
Venezuelan Exile Finds
Friend in George Cor
don Battle.
WRIT OF HABEAS
CORPUS GRANTED
Return Passage to Europe Can
celed. and Famous Prisoner on
Ellis Island Will Fight for
Privilege. Thus Far Denied
Him, of Paying United
States a Visit.

New York, January 3.-The Federal
Courts were invoked to-day IN behalf
or former President cipriano castro
Of Venezuela. and a writ Of haoeas
corpus was granted TO bring him be-
fore a judicial tribunal. which may
determine the cause or MS ue'"hl'"H
at this port.
II was charged that Castro was be-
ing illegally held at the immigration
station on Ellis Island. where he mas
been detained since his arrival on
French liner las. Tuesday. and the
court will BE asked 20 set him al NDei-
". The writ is returnable January 10
before Federal Judge Holt. Castro I'M
mediately upon finding his right 10
land was being questioned, had declued
10 return voluntarily TO Europe. anu
engaged passage on the steamer
Arnerika. sailing tomorrow. To-day
However as soon as he learned the
writ had been granted, he Cancelled
his passage.
The starting OF local proceedings I"
determine the status OF Castro came az
2 surprise TOR the tormer VENEZUELAN
executive apparently had given up
wfthour regret his declared Intention
of paying this country WISH anu
had declared his intention of returning
TO Europe as soon as a steamer could
carry him.
Battle Starts Action
II was stated al the office of George
Gordon Battle. who applied for the
writ. that il grew out OF visit paid
F,uis Island Yesterday by II. A Con-
tent. He reported to Mr. Battle. who
advised the visit Mr.. Content stated,
that after talking with Castro he be-
Geved the Venezuelan was being held
IN violation % the immigration laws
and that improper questions were be-
ing put 10 him in an effort to make
him commit himself and thus give
specific cause for OBTAINING him, II tnat
nroved necessary II was then de-
tsrmined to apply for the WRIT "a the
interests of public citizenship
As soon as the writ was procured
messengers hurried to Ellis Island and
served Byron II. Uhl, assistant immi-
grafton commissioner. with q copy OF
the document. The granting of the
writ does not. il is stated. give Castro
The right 10 leave Ellis Island. and he
is expected to remain under detention
there until other means are decided
unon TO release him, pending final dis
position OF the case
The petition asking for hearing
for Castro asserted that the ATTORNEY
who went 10 see him yesterday was
granted permission for an interview
only uDon condition that he would not
make any suggestion 10 Castro by
which the latter might make effort 10
land in this country. and that when
the lawyer gained access TO the Nene-
zueIan. he was accompanied by repre-
sentatives of the immigration authorr
ties. who remained present throughout
the talk. II was declared that Castro
informed the attorney that he had de-
sired and intended to visit this coun-
try for period of about three months.
and that he stirl desired TO make such
visit.
He Desires TO Land
The petition declared that because
Of restrictions imposed upon commu-
nication with Castro IL had been i'm
possible to get his signature TO the
pe;ition. II was declared. however.
that Castro desired to be discharged
and 10 be allowed to land. and that
he had instructed the petitioner TO
make the pending applics ton in his
behalf
The concluding paragraph declared
that Castro was being detained with
out authority Of law and in violation
of his rights. privileges and immun.-
ties under the Constitution and laws
Of the United States, and that H. -
not in any classes excluded by law
from admission into this country.
II the writ is rejected. the attorneys
fntimated in all probability the case
viii! be appealed and carried II neces-
sarv TO the United States supreme
Court II il is sustained. Castro VIII
be free to land and travel about M
CONTINUED on seventh Page