Q2 1903; CARACAS
-- A story is circulating in Venezuela which illustrates President Castro's sense of humour. A certain wealthy
South American died without a will. His disappointed heirs expectant thereupon conspired with a notary. A string was tied around the dead man's neck, and
the notary proceeded to request his assent to the bequests agreed upon by the conspirators.
"You leave your cattle to Maximo, your house to Maria, and your coffee to Jose?"
At each of these questions, the string was pulled and a nod was obtained from the corpse. Then the notary mentioned a bequest to himself, but the holder of the string did not pull. The notary's exclamation accuratly describes the existing national situation, concluded the Venezuelan President. Threatening to tear up the document, Castro stated "The string must be pulled for everybody or there will be no will."
"You leave your cattle to Maximo, your house to Maria, and your coffee to Jose?"
At each of these questions, the string was pulled and a nod was obtained from the corpse. Then the notary mentioned a bequest to himself, but the holder of the string did not pull. The notary's exclamation accuratly describes the existing national situation, concluded the Venezuelan President. Threatening to tear up the document, Castro stated "The string must be pulled for everybody or there will be no will."



