The New York herald., 1879-02-28
YHE VENEZUELAN REVOLUTION.
Sketch of the Administrations Of euz-
man BlancO and Alcantara.
GUZMAN AT ST. THOMAS,
The Expedition to Puerto
CabellO.

- IN -~A<A k'O>A1l1o1l W i IlOA ~
CabellO.
ST. THOMAS w. l.. Feb. IT, 1870.
pleasant voyage of five days and nineteen hours
brought your special correspondent to this curious
Danish city. the capital of the Danish West India
Islands, but with not more than three hundred per-
sons of Danish blood in population of more than
eleven thousand. The few Danes are nearly all
government officials. and if the complaints of
their arrogance and incompetency which I hear
on all sides are only half true the United
States is not the only country where
genuine "civil service reform" is needed.
is the only government that pensions of
incompetent ofice-seekers by giving them official
stations away from the home government.
But am drifting into other subjects than the
upon which the HERALD desired to furnish for
its readers detailed and accurate information and
must enter at once upon the subject OF the vene-
zuclan revolution. Before giving the details of the
latest news from the "man land allow me to briefly
advert to the recent political history of Venezuela and
trace out the causes that have led to the revolution
now in progress and apparently near its conclusion.
Previous to 1870 Venezuela had been in a state Of
almost perpetual violence and civil for twenty
Ave years. In April of that year General Antonio
Guzman Blanco. with the approval of large major
ity of the people. came into power. He ap-
pointed Provisional President invested with spe-
cial and extraordinary powers by convention
composed of delegates from all the States. In 1872
an election was had and he chosen without OPP
position President for four years from February 2
1873 governing the country thus for seven years.
During his administration. whchw the ablest and
most liberal that Venezuela has bed for half
tury. the country prospered in all its material in
terests. Roads, bridges. aqueducts and public build
ings constructed. A liberal system of public
scholastic first in venezueia-was established.
Among other important political changes made
during these years one intended to do
the probability of the of these civil
connections.
CHANGE CONSTITUTION
The constitution was changed as to make the
Presidential period two years. instead of four, and
torbdding his reelection 1t supposed that this
measure would prevent the resort to arms to over
throw an administration that had become obnoxious
to the country; that the people would submit for SO
short period rather than resort to revolution.
ALcANTARAs RULE
General Francisco Linares Alcantara was elected
President for two years from February, 1877. His
administration. especially for the last year. very
unpopular. wastoful and corrupt. He end his fol-
lowers attempted to the approval of the der
ent States for restoration of the constitution it
was before the change above indicated.
Failing in this he without authority of law issued
proclamation suspending the election for Presi-
dent which should have been held last October and
calling "comvencione constituents" to meet Decer3
ber 10. This Convention 1t was intended should re-
store the old constitutional provisions to tho
Presidential term ad Aoc name Acantara Provisional
President, and call election for four
years, for which term he expected to be
chosen. In Venezuela neither the press the
legal means the policy of those in power. They
have more faith in powder and balls than in laws
and legal proceedings. Instead of openly de-
nonncing and opposing the Illegal proceedings OF
Acantara's administration. they seemingly submit
ted to them quietly, but commenced at once pre-
pairing for revolution. On November 80 Alcantara
suddenly died.
A NEW DEAL or THE spous.
The Convention met December II, proceeded to
make the changes in the constitution above indi-
Gated and appointed General Valera Provisional
President The State of Carabobo. under the lead Of
General Cedefo at pronounced against the gov
ernment The States of Zua-Zaraccuy and Barcelona
meta followed in quick succession. Puerto Cabeo
rendered to General Cedefo afterward, and the
fort protecting the entrance to the harbor Janu
airy o. The forces of the government marched out
from Caracas under General Valera to meet the
lutionists under Cedefo. They met at La Victoria
the 4h inst. and after a very severe engagement Of
two days Valera was crushed and taken prisoner.
with his army.
TRIUMPH REVOLUTION.
The latest dates from Caracas to the Sth inst.
Cedcho then marching on that city. and COM
mittee of merchants had been appointed and were
startin. to meet him and arrange for the surrender
of the city without further resistance telegram
was received at Laguayra just the German steamer
T yhi brn mos us nc WA was lea vi
port, which announced that Cedeho entering tho
city of Caracas During Alcantara's administration
General Guzman Blanco has been residing in Paris.
Until after the above cited high handed and illegal
measures resorted Ito and Mcantara had died
he absolutely refused to again intervene in the
politics of Venezuela. All the pronu,ciamieptos
were made however in his name. and at the earnest
and urgent request OF these States and
the people he has returned to aid in saving the
try from the anarchy and ruin with which it is so
seriously menaced. He arrivrd here this morning
in the royal mail steamer Para and will proceed this
afternoon to Puerto Cabcllo by the French steamer
Guan. which has been specially chartered for his
use. accompanied by the steamer Maracaibo, and
about seventy yenezuelans who have been await
ing his rr.val.
BRIGHT HOPES FUTURE.
1t is expected that he will be proclaimed Provt
sonal President Immediately on his arrival and that
steps will be taken once call election From
the best information attainabc here II is probable
that the lighting will be all over before wo reach
Venezuela Commerce and industry are reported
almost entirely prostrated The new crop OF coffee
is not coming forward owing to these difficulties.
A few weeks of order and quiet will change all that,
however.
SUICIDE by HANGING.