New-York tribune., 1902-01-04
US was wrecked on Thursday night.

Venezuela from Fort France. Martinique. Of the
ilibustering steamer Ben Righ. or she has been
named the Libertador This steamer carries $50
and a large cargo OF and ammunition
for the rebellion against President CiprianO Castro.
Additional interest is caused by the cable an
nouncement that General Domingo Monagas. who
was a resident OF Brooklyn a few years ago, is one
Of the chiefs of Senor Manuel A Matos. who fg-
ures as the leader of the expedition and the up
rising General Menagas lived with his family at
No 335 First Place. and is well known here in
Spanish American circles. He. II was said yester-
day is to be the real leader OF the operations
against the Castro government. Sehor MaJos. who
supplied the money for the Ben Righ expedition
although he has been referred recently Cen
eral Matos, is not military man. He IS. In real
ity the executive head OF the movement, and in
the event OF its success will Immediately be de-
clared provisional President.
General Monagas has distinguished himself in
many revolutions in which he participated. some
times for and sometimes against the government
He comes from leading family in Venezuela ms
father General Jose GregoriO Monagas, was the
Iiberator Of the slaves. General Monagas Is a ma
tive of Barcelona, State Of BermudeZ. OF when ne
was Governor for eighteen years. on account oI
his great prestige ne will command the rebels lh
that part of the country. II is reported that the
hlibustering steamer has planned to land IN that
vicinity which in the eastern end Of the repuohc
General Monasas and his two sons, Antonio ana
Heraldo were passengers on the steamer caracas
a month ago from La Guayrd, Venezuela, 10 san
Juan. =. x. ANTONIO was Aoii4tt4S SCI % 49,
Venezuelan Consulate in this city. He and MS
brother will be aids on the STAFF of their father
Their departure from Caracas was at the ulne
when all persons suspected Of being enemies OF the
Castro regime were imprisoned by order OF castro,
The general learned that he was on the list ana
left the country before the police had an opportu-
nifty TO arrest him. But he was visibly nervous
while waiting board the Caracas for the steamer
to sail and when she did finally get under way ne
said:
Now. only God can stop me.
General Monagas was reticent about his plans.
but in talking with other passengers his severe
criticism of Castro presaged the step he has , now now
ernment forty miles OF rich land which he owned
at Barcelona, which are several coal mines,
They are being operated for the benehI OF the
flibusters, is also native Of Bermqdez He was
Governor OF Guayana under President IgiacQ it2
operations in CaraboBo General Guzman Alvarez
PTesdent l Of sa 5Re Repu6c darnE the
OF President Cresp9 Genera IN & ata % sr
There is little doubt that this rebellion Is 10 be
years is Not only has sehor Matos contributed lib
orally, but he has succeeded IN surrounding MN nIr-
He owns large coffee plantations and cattle
Twelve thousand MannIicher rifles. 100000 car
tridges and several rapid fire guns are said TO De
the supply carried by the fhen Ba Eigh on Thursday
stating that the 9rGeS mad desr9gTd &
eral Juan Pietr, is rdicued here by partisans OF
Pieri Pie has been oficaiiy reported killed twice
captured three times So there is little confidence
in the dispatches sent by Castro, and the general
opinion is that he hoped offset the effect OF the
Ban Righ's sailing by this latest message.
The only danger that now seems 10 confront the
rebels on their way Venezuela is capture on the
sea by the Venezuelan gunboats, which are on the
lookout for the flibusters 1t is remarked though.
that General Alexandra Ibarra, who commands the
feet is a brother-in-law of Senor Matos. General
Ibarra is a graduate OF West Point Military Acad-
envy.
The first object of the revoIutionsts IS to capture
a port and there and then proclaim Senor Matos
Provisional President He will then ask for the
recognition of the foreign powers the legal chief
executive Senor Matos, however. bearing in mind,
probabi the failure OF many revolutions be-
cause of lack of concerted action. has given e%-
plcit orders that a battle be fought until his
entire army is in readiness 1t is estimated that he
can easily obtain an army OF Is 600. The men who
sailed on the Ban Rgh mostly officers.