New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-02
COUP D'ETAT BY GOMEZ
Venezuelan S Plan for Obtaining
Two Presidential Terms.

The action Of President Gomez in as
Stunning dictatorial powers in Venezuela
is calculated 10 spur the opposition to
even greater efforts 10 depose him from
the chief magistracy. a dictatorship is
regarded by Nenezuelans in New York rs
merely the subterfuge by which President
Gomez hopes TO occupy the Presidency
for two consecutive terms. in defiance Of
the prohibition Of the constitution. The
period of dictatorship. il is held 10y
Gomez's friends. viii constitute regime
which will divide the first and second
Presdencies Of General Gomez into two
separate and non-consecutive terms.
The Nauonalists, headed by General
Jose Manuel Hernandez Gel MochO'D. who
was in Washington yesterday comforting
with officials Of the government have re-
Trained from definitely announcing their
plans until they should have proof that
President Gomez would try 20 perpetuate
himself I'm power beyond the constitution
al term Of four years.
The Castro uprising has, in one sense,
helped President Gomez out Of dilemma
II is known that he wants 10 continue In
office The elections were TO be neld In
that he would defy the law and have
himself reelected. nor did he suggest the
name Of any Of mis- confidential men as
candidate 10 represent him in the PreSi-
dency But he caused the imprisonment
Of r. Arcvalo Gonzalez, editor ~ "EI
Pregonero." because he had the temerity
TO suggest Felix Monies. a lawyer, as
candidate for the Presidency. The Presi-
dent also ordered the suppression OF the
newspaper
Ell PrcGonero" was put out Of hus.-
ness durins the administration OF Presi-
dent Castro. SeNOr Gonzaiez recently OBJ
tanned permission q President Gomez 70
re-estabiish the paper. 1t was closed up
after getting out two editions.
President Castro was able to perpetuate
himself in Office for nine years by the
same method that President Gomez q
now employing. T. e., susDending the
constitution. Castro used 10 DO that ana
declare himself provisional President
for a period. and then when he again
restored the constitution he did not. IN
his own view. violate the letter OF the
law forbidding two consecutive terms.
President Gomez was hard pressed for
reasonable excuse to continue IN office.
and be has now found II IN the Castro
uprising for his term as dictator IS
bound 20 extend over the period when
there should b. r Presidential election.
That mas been one Of the campaign
cries OF tho supporters OF General Her
nandcz They have insisted on an open
election. and expressed the conviction
that their chief would get majority OF
the votes IN an honest election. They
have waited % see II President Gomez
would permit the law to take its course
or would defy the constitution by re-
naming IN power. General Gomez has
apparently taken the latter course. and
lis action prosages more trouble for him.
for II was said last night that the Ma
tiona!!sts would take decided action infs-
pendeutly Of Castro. 20 whom they are
also opposed.
General Hernandez is a military vet
Gran OF great field experience. lie has
large following. and IN three-cornered
fight he would be certain 10 make things
interesting 70 both Gomez and Castro.
And that seems to be now on the cards.