The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-09-22
GEN. MATOS SAYS
CASTRO HAS LIED
DENoUNcEs AS FALSE THE RE-
PORT THAT HE WANTED EURO
PEAN POWERS TO CONTROL
VENEZUELAN FINANCES.

Willesstad, Curaco, September n.-A
has had an interview at Alta Gracia, In
the state of zulia, Venezuela, with Gen.
Manuel A. Matos, leader of the revolu-
ton against President Castro on the re-
port that General Matos intends, In case
of his success to turn over control Of
Venezuelan finances to certain foreign
powers.
Castro has isseud a decree declaring me
to be a taritor to my country because the
Cologne Gazette and the Venezuelan con-
sui at Liverpool, England reported that
I had already made an agreement to per-
NIT the finances of Venezuela to be con-
trolled 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 for
eign control would be contrary to my
ideas and to my character. l said re-
Gently In Paris. London and Hamburg
and l am not afraid to repeat 1t here,
that the government of Venezuela should
put an end to the spuandering Of the
country's revenue and administer the ma
tional finances, not for the benefit of the
few, but for that of all Yenezuelans and
the satisfaction of our territory.
Venezuela finances does not need to be
controlled. During the ten years between
1890 and 1900 Venezuelan customs pro-
duced s74,0O0OOO; during the same period
of time the legitimate expenses of the
country amounted to $4,000, 900 leaving a
surplus of $4.O0O,000. This $4OOO.O0O has
disappeared and instead of a surplus the
country owes 81, 200, 900 for interest. With
in six months after the establishment
of peace in Venezula l intend to show the
whole world what the finances of the
country are.
1t is true that 1 desire Venezuelan fin
ances to be controlled but not by for
eigners; they must be in the control Of
an honest Venezuelan who will admin
lister them properly.
In four weeks time, when we shall
have arrived in Caracas, 1 will further
explain my plans for the future of this
country
To Reoccupy Town.
Willemstad, Island of Curacao, Sep
tember H.-F'ive schooners, bearing about
1900 government soldiers under the com
mand Of General Castillo left Maracaibo.
venezuela yesterday morning in tow of
the Venezuelan government ship Zumba-
dor This expedition will attempt to re-
occupy LaVela de Coro, which is in the
power OF the revolutionists News has
reached here from Venezuela that the
revolutionary general. Mendonza con-
tinues to retreat with his rorces 70 the
interior of the country in the hopa-- of
drawing President Castro from Valencia,
Steamer Brings Refugees.
Kingston, Jamaica, September H.-The
British steamer Laplata arrived here to-
day from Colon bringing a large num-
ber 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 still sending reinforce
ments to the isthmus and the Laplata
carried 1000 government soldiers from
Savanilla to Colon. The Colombian revo-
lutionists are said to be massinR In the
neighborhood of the railway over the
isthmus. The refugees declare the situa-
tion at Panama and Colon to be extreme
ly critical.
Officers of Laplata say they were in
formed while at Colon that several lib
eral sympathizers had been imprisoned
at Panama because they violated the
order recently issued by the government
and appeared upon the streets OF that
city. Business at Colon is entirely sus-
pended The intention Of the revolution
lists would seem to be to attack the gov
ernment forces without interfering with
railroad traffic over the isthmus