Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-24

did pasture and grazing grounds through
out the year. The lanos are moreover.
one Of the finest regions in the world for
game, large and small. This is an ideal
realm for the true sportsman and lover
of adventure The best time to visit
the llanos is about a month after the
rainy season is over-namely in Novem-
ber-and the traveller may prolong his So
joIrn until April. He will find ample
opportunity to hunt the jaguar or South
American tiger and encounter the boa
constructor and dreaded crocodile Here
he will come in intimate contact with
the redoubtable llaneros or Venezuelan
plainsmen. natural born expert rough
riders. He will discover among these
five hundred denizens of the llanos a no.
mad!c race not unlike the Arabs in their
characteristics. 1t is they who proved
the most redoubtabe of all Spain's en-
emfes during Nenezuela's heroic struggle
for independence from 1910 TO 1925. They
are admirable horsemen. and under their
great leader Gen. PaeZ. rendered in
estmable services to the South American
liberator. Simon Bolivar. On one occa-
sion. in January. 1918. Bolivar found his
progress completely blocked by the broad
and deep Apure river, which he could not
hope to cross with his large army be-
cause the Spanards. with their gunboats
open boats propelled by oars. possessed
the only means of transport. 1t was then
that Paez promised that the boats should
be in possession of the patriots within an
hour. Brifiy addressing 300 of his BRAY
est cavalry lancers, he exclaimed: I'VE
must have those 1echeras (gunboats) or
die. Let those follow Tic (uncle) who
please. Without a moments hesitation
these almost naked cavalrymen. armed
only with lances. plunged into the water
IN spite of swarming alligators. and.
with remarkable expedition. captured
every one of the gunboats notwitfst and
ipg desperate resistance on the part of
the Spanish marines, who freely used
their firearms. This gallant exploit seems
Incredible, yet it was witnessed by Eng
lish offers attached to Bolivar's celebrat-
ed British Legion.
Schools Are Helping.
With many rude virtues. It is unfortu-
nate that the llaneros, misled by their
love of lavish display and finely orna.
mented swords. have, in the past. fallen
easy victims to the designs of militia ~
adventures and politicians, and have been
only too ready to engage in any reyolu-
ton which promised them glory and prof
it. Fortunately. the Venezuelan govern
ment is now establishing public schools
throughout the llanos. so that the chill
dren of the plainsmen will become edu.
Gated, and, in the course of time, will per.
ceive the advantage of supporting q
strong, stable, enlightened national gov
eminent.
Manufacturing and mining industrie.
have, as yet, made little progress in Vene
zuela. and the people are. in the main
according to location. engaged in agricul
ture and the exploiting of the product.
of the forests. That the natural minera
wealth is enormous is attested by the sin
gle fact that the stockholders of on
American company are prepared to wag
a fight against the Venezuelan gov
eminent for the possession OF tn
asphalt lake in BerrnudeZ state. which
apparently. contains millions of ton
of commercially profitable asphalt An
other source of future wealth lies il
the Imataca mountains. about fifty-fiv.
miles from the mouth of the Orinoco
where vast deposits of Bessemer iron ore
considered equal to the best Swedish
have been found. An American company
opened the first mines near the Island o.
| .Corosimo, where large vessels are able Il
approach within fifty feet of the shore. 1
is estimated that there are between $50.
600 and 200. 900 tons in sight, and the weir
has at least a thickness Of three to -four