Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-22

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Sept. 21-The Brit
ish steamer La Plata arrived here today
from Colon, bringing a large number Of
refugees from the isthmus. 1t is reported
that, owing to the fear Of rebel attack, a
great many people are leaving Colon and
Panama. The Colombian government is
sending reinforcements to the isthmus and
La Plata carried 1000 government soldiers
from Savanilla to Colon.
The Colombian revolutionists are said to
be massing in the neighborhood Of the rail
road over the isthmus. The refugees de-
clare the situation at Panama and Colon to
be extremely critical.
Officers OF La Plata say they were in
formed while at Colon that several liberal
sympathizers had been imprisoned at Pan
ANA because they had vetoed the order re-
Gently issued by the government and APP
peared on the streets Of that city.
Business in Colon Is entirely suspended.
The intention Of the revolutionists would
seem to be to attack the government forces
without interfering with railroad trafic over
the isthmus.
soldiers Sail to Fight.
wILLEMSTAD, Island of Curacao, Sept.
21.-Ffve schooners bearing about 1900
government soldiers under the command Of
General Castillo left Maracaibo, Venezuela.
yesterday morning in the tow of the gun
boat zumbador. This expedition will at
tempt to reoccupy Vela la Decorator.
News has been received here from Ven
ezuela that the revolutionary general. Men
doza, continues to retreat with his forces
to the interior Of the country in the hope
Of drawing President Castro from Valencia.
A correspondent OF the Associated Press
has had an interview at Alta Garcia, in the
state of Zulia, Venezuela. with General
Manuel A. Matos, leader of the revolution
against President Castro on the report that
General Matos intends in case of his sue
cess to turn over the control Of Venezuelan
finances to certain foreign powers.
MntoS' Argument.
General Matos said: II know that Pres
ident Castro has Issued a decree declaring
me to be a traitor to my country because
the Cologne Gazette and the Venezuelan
consul at Liverpool, England, represented
that ! had already made an agreement to
permit the finances OF Venezuela to be
controlled by foreign powers. This is abso-
lutely false and to attribute such an idea
to me is stupid. The surrender, direct
or indirect, of Venezuela to foreign con-
troll would be contrary to my ideas and my
character. 1 said recently in Paris, Lon.
don and Hamburg and l am not afraid t.
repeat it here. that the government oil
Venezuela should put an end to the squan.
dering of the country's revenues and ad
minister the national finances not for tn,
benefit OF the few. but for all Venezuelans
and for the satisfaction of our territory.
Venezuela does not need to be controlled
During the ten years between 1890 and 19OI
Venezuelan customs produced E74, OOO, 600
during the same period Of time the legiti
mate expenses of the country amounted L
$40, 600. 900. leaving a surplus Of $4,000, 600
This "a, 1000 900 has disappeared and in
stead OF a surplus the country owes ST.,
200, 900, for interest. Within six month
after the re-establishment Of peace II
Venezuela intend to show the who'll
world what the finances OF the country are
ut is true that l desire Venezuela
finances to be controlled. but not by for
eigners, they must be in the control Of a
honest Venezuelan who will administe
them properly. In four weeks time whe
we shall have arrived in Caracas, l will fur
Their explain my plans for the future q
this country"
WASHINGTON, Sept. 21.-SecTetar
Moody said tonight there had not been
word OF news received at the Navy de
partment today concerning affairs on tn
Isthmus OF Panama. II was expected ths
Panther with a battalion OF marines woul
have reached Colon by this time, but NJ
Moody said he had not heard from the shi
today. At the Colombian legation a dis
I patch was received tonight from Mr.. OUR
' tero, the project OF Colon, which said h
E relations with Commander Mclean of Cir
4 cinnati were cordial.
No Friction.
PANAMA, Colombia. Sept. 21.-As far
can be learned in Panama. there has be,
no friction whatever between soldiers
: the Colombian government and the Anne
lean bluejackets who are guarding the III
{, OF railroad. TIL government ordered
soldiers to place distractions on the tTacl
TO aid in stopping the trains for inspe
4 tion. intended for preventing insuTge
troops from surprising the garrison. Cor
!; mander Mclean Of the United Stat
: cruiser Cincinnati complained Of this mea
ure to General SalazaT. commander OF [