Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-28
GOMEZ EXPECTED
TO RETAIN HELM
Venezuela President Likely to
Extend 20-Year Term
as Ruler.

| Special Correspondence of The Star.
| CARACAS, Venezuela, March 28.-As
the date approaches for the expiration
| of Gen. Gomez's presidential term
| April 19-the political situation is at
| tracing much attention.
| Will the general, who has ruled the
country uninterruptedly for more than
20 years. allow himself to be chosen for
another seeyen-year term, or will he
merely nominate his successor. accept
| ing perhaps for himself the post of
commandments of the national
army?
| In any event, it may be safely as
serted that the real executive will be
Gen. Juan Vicente Gomez again, Who
ever holds the nominal presidency, for
there is no one in sight competent to
replace the general In the actual direc-
ton of government.
Brothers Election Rumored.
Rumors are current that he intends
to put his half-brother. Gen. Santos
Matute Gomez, in the presidential
chair as his successor. Gen. Santos
Gomez was for many years and until
1925 president of the important state
of Zulia, whose capital is the city of
Maracaibo. 1t is in zulia also that the
great activity in Venezuela's petroleum
development is centered.
When, in 1925, Gen. Gomez made
new appointments of the presidents of
the federated states he failed to re-
appoint Gen. Santos Gomez and pop
ular report was to the effect that the
latters removal was due to the personal
opposition OF Gen. Jose Vicente Gomez,
son of the President and himself Vice
President.
Gen. Santos Gomez retired to the
neighboring Dutch island of Curacao.
where he has resided during the last
three years. His thrifty habits while
in Office enabled him to retire in pos
session of large wealth. which he has
since greatly augmented by the sale of
his valuable oil lands in the state of
Zulia.
Within recent months he has evil
IDENTIFY been restored to favor, for he has
returned to Venezuela and has been re-
siding at Maracay, the favorite resi-
dence of the President.
Put Kin in Office.
When Gen. Gomez was reelected
President in 1922 he had the Congress
elect his brother, Gen. Juan G. Gomez,
first vice president, and his son, Gen.
Jose Vicente Gomez, second vice presi-
dent. This action was universally in
terpreted as an intention to insure the
continuance or the dynasty" in power.
1t may be recalled that DR. Dominica,
Venezuelan Minister at Washington, SO
thoroughly disapproved of the action
that he published an open letter de-
nouncing 1t and forthwith resigned
Whatever the generals plans in these
elections circumstances interviewed to
disrupt them. In June, 1923, Gen. Juan
Gomez was aSsasSinated in his bed at
the palace of Caracas and less than
year ago a serious difference arose be-
tween the President and his son, the
second vice president, which resulted
in the removal Of the latter from his
post of inspector general of the army
and in having the Congress amend the
constitution by eliminating the Office of
vice president. Shortly thereafter Gen.
Jose Vicente Gomez went to Europe,
where he still is.
The prevailing opinion is that Presi-
dent Gomez will be his own successor
! and there is no doubt as to his superior
qualification for the Office His contin-
uance would be universally accepted as
best assuring the present era Of pros
perity and political tranquility.