The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-03-11
LIBERTY OR DEATH
GENERAL MAT0S SAYS HIS FOL-
LOWERS WILL NOT
GIVE UP
COUNTRY FAVoRs REVOLUTION
War Which He Is Inaugurating VIII
Last Until Liberty Is Gen.
eraI or Every Man
Is Dead.

Correspondence Of the Associated Press.
W lLLEMSTAD, Island of Curacao,
Feb. T.-Having received information
that the Venezuelan revolutionary steam
er Bolivar, formerly the Ban RICH, would
lay during the night off the island OF
Curacao, a correspondent of the Asso-
4ciated Press left this port yesterday even
ing on steam launch and cruised about,
without lights, for three hours in the vi
entity OF the spot where the Bolivar was
expected to communicate with the shore.
AT Has p. m. a black mass was de-
serted more than a mile off, and without
lights or noise, the Bolivar was soon
almost upon the launch. The revolution
lists steamer stopped and anchored. Sig
nails were exhibited from the shore and
from the launch. Soon afterwards
naphtha launch came alongside the steam
launch. The former was manned by two
Venezuelan officers and three men. One
of the officers, the correspondent was in
formed, was Senior PARA, Gen. Matos'
private secretary, and the other was Col.
Felix Ambard.
1t was agreed that the correspondent
should go aboard the Bolivar, which he
did, and was presented to a number of
generals, some of whom spoke English.
The correspondent was asked to wait
until Gen. Matos had finished writing
some cable dispatches which were to be
sent on shore.
The Bolivar is a vessel fabout 900
tons, very clean and well kept. lighted
well with electricity and mounting four
powerful cannon, several Calling guns
and five 15-pounders. She is commanded
by an Englishman. The artillery is
served by Frenchmen and VeneZuelans.
After few minutes Gen. Matos ap-
peared dressed in a suit of blue serge,
without braid or gold, in striking contrast
with the other generals and wearing a
small cap. The correspondent questioned
Gen. Matos about the revolution and es-
pecially as to the cause of the delay in
his operations. He replied:
Il was educated in a manner at once
theoretical and practical and [ am en-
deavoring to apply this theory and this
practice in the attempt which [ am now
making to save my poor country from
the anarchy under which it is at present
grooming. l have taken my decision only
after deep reflection To stir a country
which is gagged by the most frightfuI
tyranny is no easy task. The country is
almost to man in favor of the revoIu-
ton, but the people have neither arms
nor money. /, we, for in this work | am
not alone, having with me almost all tAe
chiefs of the Liberal party, have already
obtained much. My emissaries have al
ready set cut and within two weeks the
that the hour of revolt has arrived; arms
Will then have been distributed ard the
thousands who are awaiting US will be
ready to take the field
To risk the life of others Is a matter
of grave responsibility. We are now SOW
ing; but tomorrow we will reap. | am
preparing our revolution as the Germans
prepared the war of 1870 The unexpected
arrest of large number Of leading mon
has retarded the movement; but 1t does
not matter. The current will soon be so
strong that it will sweep everything be-
fore it and Castro, the representative of
a cause which is both wicked and disas-
trous to my country, will find himself
alone with his andinos''
To my question whether he thought the
revolution would be of long duration,
Gen. Matos answered:
Perhaps. for we shall not admit our
selves vanquished until every chief. every
man, lays dead and our resources are e.
hausted. We will submit to ruin and
death rather than see Venezuela governed
and debased by such ruler"
An effort was made to ascertain from
Gen. Matos what his future plans were.
but he begged to be excused from answer
ing the question. lie said he would hoist
anchor Immediately for an unknown
destination