New-York tribune., 1916-07-24
Ex-PreSident Will Never
Return to Venezuela, He
Says in Interview.
GIVES HIS VIEWS ON
MEXICAN SITUATION
Only Way to Deal with Bandits
Is to go Get Them" Says
Man of the Sword.

the mental perturbation, General Cip-
riano Castro, former President of Ven
eEuela, talked with reporter yester-
day at the Hotel Savoy. where he and
his wife. Sonora Zoiia dc Castro. are
staying 1t was his first extensive in
terview since the general arrived from
Port Of Spain, Trinidad, and was de-
tanned by the immigration authorities.
For nearly an hour General Castro
discussed affairs of the world and only
incidentally his own vicissitudes since
ne laid down the sceptre at Caracas,
eight years ago. He is a keen student
Of affairs and much interested in the
European war. lie had views about the
Mexican situation and the policy of
watchful waiting. General Castro was
a potent man of the sword in Nenezu-
ella and he does not believe in wait
ing too long
General Castro painted pathetic
picture Of conditions in Venezuela.
There was. however. only one person
for whom he had words Of scorn. That
was General Juan Vicente Come. mis-
former friend, who was VicePresident
when General Castro left Caracas be-
cause Of illness and who then seized
the reinS Of governm.nt.
ale was guilty Of an act Of trea-
son." said the former Chief Executive.
Physically General Castro has not
changed to any perceptible degree since
ne was here last, in 1913. And, for the
matter Of that. he hadn't changed
much since the interviewer saw him at
Mirahores in 1904. The pointed
beard he now wears more closely
cropped A slight tinge OF gray has
appeared in his hair and beard. In
spirit he is the same Castro, with the
same fiery enthusiasm and the faculty
to think quickly. His manner is less
restrained than when he had the cares
of state to occupy him end he laughs
and smiles more. He is happy in his
freedom from political and official
care. He is no longer a belligerent.
lie is now a man Of peace.
"Here am," he said, "in good health.
happy and contented. And have won
over the enemies of my country. All
at the same time had the American
Asphalt Company, the French Cable
Company and the English Railroad
Company to deal with, while the
enemies at home were fomenting inter
necine strife, which was being aided
by forces from Colombia. 1t was a
great trial, but l Strengthened out all
of it, even after Germany, Italy and
England declared blockade of the
Venezuelan ports"
Castro Thanks American People.
Castro showed he had a sense Of
gratitude. A voluntary statement that
he wrote himself was an expression of
thanks for the justice Of the American
people and the press, shown in his
trouble with the immigration Bureau.
Instead of resentment, he had only
praise and thanks. And for the Sec
retary Of Labor he also had compli-
ment General Castro's statement,
translated, reads:
81 want to give my thanks to all the
press in having risen in the cause OF
Justice and having contributes thereby
to the rapid result in my immigration
affair, this time as in 1918. | am also
grateful for the attitude of sympathy
this time as well ss the other, which
the American people have shown. The
Secretary Of Labor also has my sdmi-
ration and respect for the prompt
manner in which he acted on my just
petition of appeal as soon as received
in Washington, which act was an honor
to his government"
General Castro readily discussed the
war in Europe. He was much inter
ested in the submersible Deutschland,
saving, "That enterprise will add
greatly to the maritime prestige of
Germany" AS to Mexico, the general
agreed the only way TO deal with the
bandits was to 90 after and get them.
Reminded of the Colombian invasion
of San Cristobal in 1901, the fighting
Venezuelan spoke animatedly.
81 did not lose any time when
heard of the INVASION" he said. 1T
was a time when my country was be-
set from within and without by enc
mics. Immediately sent General
Davila and large force to the from
tier. There were no further invasions
from that direction.
"But ] am now private citizen.
an not going back to my country.
Probably next Saturday my wife and
I will sail for Porto Rico. where we
have n home, and where ! have several
sisters. One thing fingers in my mem
ory. 1t was the act Of treason on the
part Of Gomez.
People Starving In Venezuela.
"My information is that conditions
in Venezuela are terrible. People are
starving in different parts of the coun-
try because of the poor economic stu
alton. Political opponents of the gov
ernment are in Jail. where many have
starved 20 death and others have died
from heatings. Ny brother-in-lsw,
Simon Bello. is now in Jail. Some OF
the prisoners have been incarcersted
eight years"
ais there no hope for improvement
in Venezuela" the general was asked.
"Venezuela's only hope is in God y
General Castro replied. Il am sorry
for my country"
There is nothing revolutionary in
General CastrO's mission, though he
has seen or communicated with the
several Venezuelan generals now here,
enemies Of the present regime at
Caracas.
~ have nothing in common with
them" was his comment.
ENGAGEMENTS.
rnndo lnzf crnn