The New York herald., 1922-05-14
Progress Made by Venezuela,
Once Land of Lawlessness,
Largely Due to Rule Of Gomez
Former Ruler Described as I'm
scrupulous and a CRATER by
L. S. Minister'S Wife.
WAS DRUNK WITH POWER
Where LawleSsness Once
Reigned in Republic, Order
Is Now Supreme.

he invited to dance. But should you
dance, General?" I asked, remember
ing that he carried two bullets in his
right knee. Pardon me. but try TO
think that I can do anything ] at-s
tempt" he responded. revealing one or
the secrets of his success. and he pro-
ceeded, much to every ones surprise.
TO waltz very well.
h.I.,nth v.n.zuo,, yov.s ,ge
And Appreciates Her Ruler
For several years now Venezuefa
has recognized Gomezs ability as a
statesman and points wit. pride to
his varied achievements-a genuinely
stable Government. harmonious for
eign relations. fleet of aeroplanes and
schools for aviators, numerous radio
stations, agricultural and botanical 2
experimental stations, almshouses and
industrial schools and the broad. beau
tifully built scenic highways which are
especially dear to his heart. Mi
During these years of difficult
achievement Gomez. like all other !
| leaders, has had his full share of criti-
cism and abuse. His countrymen, how
ever, l am happy to say, have not fol-
lowed the usual procedure of waiting
to carve grateful tributes on his tomb
stone. / shall always be glad / had
the privilege of witnessing the en-
thusiastic and wholly unexpected dem
onstration of affection Venezuela gave
Gomez last June. 1t was just after
the centennial of the battle of Cara
bcbo. the decisive victory of Bolivia
/ fa, he ;,,Aa ~
bia. from which Venezuela separated
| in 1888. In its celebration Gomez had
been entertaining for more than a
week the entire diplomatic corps in
Valencia and Maracay. No detail that
could make for comfort had been for
gotten by our thoughtful host. Each
diplomat had been assigned not only q
| house, but car for himself and an
other for his servants. There had
been festivities so continuous that the
/ General confided to me he had had to
take up two notches in his new Sam
Brown belt: all sorts Of interesting
excursions over new roads, including
marvellous ride through miles and
miles of primeval jungle down the
great new highway to the coast.
n IHTLffng Scene WIN q
Whole Army Taking Sacrament
The scene that will linger longest
in my memory is high mass on the
battle field with the General, the Diplo-
matte Corps. the vast crowd of visitors
and all the soldiers-infantry. cavalry,
field artillery and famous lancers-
kneeling to receive the Sacrament.
Then there was an unforgettable pic
ture OF the long procession of motor
cars. bright with flags, winding dowr
the mountain side. Gen. Gomez led
the way. very Rooseveltian--a resem-
blance he considers a great compli-
ment-in the almost exact duplication
of the American Khaki uniform and
campaign hat he has recently intro
duced into the Venezuelan army.
He was doubtless prepared for flow
ers and arches, songs by school chill
dren and the usual amount of cheer
ing which would greet any President
after such a celebration. But he was
wholly unprepared-as were. / think,
the Venezuelans themselves-for the
tremendous wave OF genuine affection
and emotion which surged through the
populace as he drove into Caracas, the
capital. Rich and poor alike. the
"eente" and those aristocrats who had
looked askance at first at an unknown
mountaineer. thronged to do him
honor. Amid the widest enthusiasm
he was escorted through n sea OF
flowers to the palace of Mirafiores,
where he was carried into the patio
and given the embrace" by every one
from the barefoot "cartero" to the,
stiffest old conservative.
Small wonder that there were tears
;, IN the Generals eyes; | know there
were in mine. For 1t was infinitely
more than picturesque moment
planned by an emotion loving people.
II marked the grateful recognition of
a life dedicated to service and to coun-
try. II proved that Gomez was ruling
not only in Venezuela but in the
hearts Of his people-where he de-
serves TO rule.