Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-11-21
Venezuela Is Pr0-Gern1a11

The Washington Post learns from
Venezuela that the government OF Ven
ezuela at the instigation of German
commercial interests, is openly cam
paigning for the central powers by
suppressing pro-ally newspapers and
putting their editors and directors in
prison without any explanation. In
this manner was suppressed FL F'ono-
grafo (the Photography, of Caracas
and at the same time the suppression
was ordered of the paper of the same
name in Maracaibo, state Of Zulia- on
it's thirty eighth anniversary. The gov
ernor of that state, however. refused to
obey the order of the Caracas admins
tration, stating that no reason existed
therefor: but in permitting the paper
to continue publication he counselled
its editors not to print anything often
sive to the Germans.
When the British minister in Caracas
protested against the suppression of Ell
Fonografo, on the ground that El Eco
Aleman (the German Echo), of that
city, was allowed free rein to carry on
an extensive propaganda against the
allies, the Venezuelan government re-
torted by suppressing the pro-ally pa
per La Igualdad Equality. of Cuidad
Bolivar and made FL Correo de la
Tarde AFTERNOON MaiD, of the same
city, a German propa gandist news
paper. its official organ.
In order to iunsure in an indirect
manner the suppression Of this journal.
which is a thorn in the flesh Of the Ger
mans and consequently of the Venezu-
elan government, the latter has estab-
lished a prohibitiye duty on paper and
imposed upon all users thereof the
keeping of a daily record of amounts
imported and consumed. which is to be
inspected by officials appointed for the
purpose.
A refund of portion of the duties
will be made after consumption OF the
paper under supervision OF the govern
ment for purposes satisfactory to 1t.
This means that after the exhaustion
of its present supply OF paper Ell Fono-
grafo cannot afford to import more and
will have to suspend. Moreover. the
government will not permit the stock
of paper left on hand in Caracas when
Ell Fonografo. of that city, was sus-
pended to be sent to Maracaibo for the
use of the paper there Of the same
name and under the same manage
ment.
While newspapers which sympathize
with the allies are thus ruthlessly be-
ing suppressed by the Venezuelan gov
trnment. openly when possible and by
means when openness falls.
German propa gandist publications are
allowed and aided to carry on, upon a
large scale, campaign Of abuse and
OF the entente allies. The
most important OF these journals is Ell
Eco Alenan fthe German Echo), of
Caracas, a weekly magazine. This
maEazine is made up exclusively Of eH-
tracts and fictitious extracts Of articles
attacking the allies, taken from real
and imaginary publications all over
Latin America and from the press of
Germany and Austria and the neutral
countries OF Europe.
FL Eco Alernan is distributed gratis
thruout Venezuela and all the countries
Of northern and western South America
and in Central America Its weekly
issue Is 13o. 900 copies. 1t is filled with
vile abuse Of the allied governments.
particularly Of the United States. and
seeks by all means to prejudice Latin
Americans against President Wilson.
casting constant reflections upon his
motives In leading his country into the
war.
This insidious propaganda in nom
inally neutral country Is thus openly
ca Died on by the Germans, allotted by
the Venezuelan government. When any
one says Venezuelan government, one
means one man. General Juan Vincente
Gomez, PRESIDENT elect, commander-in-
chief Of the army, dictator OF the desti-
MES of Venezuela. The Venezuelan
congress is pitifully subservient to his
every within. altho the large majority
OF It's members are at heart pro-ally.
as are Venezuelans in general Gomez's
sway Is absolute. No one in the gov
eminent dares take any important step
without consulting him. and all admit
II. The incurrence OF his displeasure
means imprisonment or death.