Minister Russell to
the Secretary of State.
[Extract.]
American Legation,
Caracas, June 10,
1906.
No. 83.]Sir: Referring to my cable and last dispatch on
the subject, I have the honor to inform you that the difficulty between
General Castro and General Gomez has been arranged, as appears from a
proclamation of General Gomez, a translation of which is herewith
inclosed.
On the 5th instant General Gomez went to La Victoria to have an interview
with General Castro, and when he returned on the 7th the whole cabinet
resigned. On the 8th a new cabinet was named, four of the old ministers
being reappointed, viz, interior, foreign affairs, war, and public
works. The new ministers are as follows:
- Fomento—Arnaldo Morales.
- Finance—Gustavo Sanabria.
- Public instruction—Dr. Eduardo Blanco.
- Governor of Federal District—Gen. Emilio Rivas.
After General Castro’s retirement, and when a new cabinet was named by
Gomez, Castro was much displeased with the appointments for the
portfolios of finance, fomento, and public instruction; all these have
been replaced by others acceptable to both Castro and Gomez.
The new minister of fomento, Dr. Arnaldo Morales, was minister of public
works when Castro retired, and went out at the same time.
The new minister of finance, Gustavo Sanabria, is perhaps known to the
department as foreign minister during Mr. Bowen’s term of office.
The new minister of public instruction, Dr. Eduardo Blanco, has had the
same portfolio under General Castro, as also that of foreign
affairs.
The new governor of the Federal District, Gen. Emilio Rivas, is an Andino
and the personal friend of General Castro.
Two delegates from each State and Territory have been named to meet in
Caracas on the 12th and proceed to La Victoria to present to General
Castro the proclamations of the people requesting him to desist from his
purpose of resigning and come back to power. It is not believed that
General Castro will return for some time, but no one can tell what he
intends to do.
I am, etc.,
[Page 1446]
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
J. V. Gomez, First Vice-President,
in charge of the Constitutional Presidency of the Republic, to
the Venezuelans:
From my letter of the 24th of last May to the illustrious Gen.
Cipriano Castro, constitutional President and restorer of Venezuela,
you know the motives by which I considered myself obliged to retire
from the exercise of the functions of first magistrate of the
nation; and you also know the state of excitement the country has
passed through in these last days, causing profound regret to my
patriotic spirit as a faithful servant of the liberal restoring
cause.
Laying aside completely a pride misinterpreted when the affairs of
the country are at stake, and in consideration of the very loyal
sentiments which have linked me during many years of struggle to the
invincible chief of the liberal restoring cause, I deemed it
opportune as a pledge of that mortal authority which we must all try
to give to the illustrious chief, to go to the city of La Victoria
for the purpose of securing in a personal interview an immediate
solution to a state of affairs incompatible with the serene and
beneficent march of the public administration.
I am very pleased to announce to you that having found in the lofty
mind of General Castro the most noble desires to put an end to this
question, he has ratified to me his purposes and offers of aid by
collaborating with me in the discharge of my delicate duties.
Counting upon this patriotic promise, and with the hope, moreover,
that the illustrious chief of the Republic will consider the request
which the people are making to him to desist from his purpose of
resigning the chief magistracy and continue to preside over the
destinies of the country, I have gladly consented to continue in the
meanwhile to discharge my official duties.
I therefore call upon all of my compatriots to cooperate with their
good will and generous effort to cement the union of the Venezuelan
family and to maintain intact the conquests of the liberal restoring
cause with the progressive development in the interests of the
Republic and the maintenance of respect for its integrity and
sovereignty abroad.
J. V. Gomez.
Caracas, June 8,
1906.
