National Republican., 1883-02-28
A NEIGHBORIfOOD WAR.
The Recent Successful Revolution in
Ecuador-Tiow the City Of Esmeraiuas
WINS Taken.

The Recent Successful Revolution in
Ecuador-Tiow the City OF Esmeraiaas
Was Taken.
1t is q curious result of the unsettled state
of things in South America that nobody in
North America is surprised at any time to
learn that war has been carried on in almost
the next country TO his own without any in
timation OF it having reached him while the
fight was on. There has been complete
revolution in the state of Ecuador. The
steamer Granada brought news of il to San
Francisco last week. The Granada's advices
were up to Jan. 20.
Esmeraldas, the leading port on the coast,
and which has steadily upheld the movement
against Vientemilla, had been intrenched and
the garrison Of government troops seemed
determined TO remain there at all hazards in
order TO sustain the nominal pow er of the die
tat0r along the north coast. The revoutOnists
understood that until they obtained posses
sion of the port they could not operate with
entire liberty, and determined to attack IL. In
the first effort, made in August last, they were
unsuccessful, but now they have had better
fortune. A lengthy report of the action has
been sent to Senor Eloy Aliaro, who has been
nominated supreme director of the republic.
The revolutionary party were in camp ut some
distance from Esmeraldas, when their com
mander, Col. Luis Vargas t., received orders
to take the port. The small force was divided
into three divisions and at once put in motion.
The trenches had been built in the heart Of
the city, but outside and in the streets strong
outposts were stationed These were attacked
in three different quarters and promptly
driven in. The cen trail division succeeded in
the first rush in rea aching the square and oc-
cupying the houses in il, while the second
seized the first line of trenches in front of them
Firing all the time was continuous and heavy,
but the revolutionary party was resolute and
determined.
At length the government party were COM
PEELED to shut themselves up in the square of
trenches which was built round the landing
place, and it appeared as If they were deter
mined to resist to the last. The attackers
then commenced to throw up light earth
works for the purpose of laying siege to the
place, and thus averting the loss of life which
would have followed a hand-to-hand fight.
Firing was kept up all the time, and. u ma
chine gun in one of the trenches was kept
steadily at work. After forty-four hours
passed in series of slIirmishes, feints and
different maneuvers, in which q number of
lives were lost, the besieged commenced to
abandon their positions; but prior to doing so
the stores and dwelling houses were sacked
and the city set on fire in three places Safes
were blown open and their contents appro-
priated, and the soldiers were permitted by
their officers TO do as they pleased. The at
lacking party at once entered the city, and
the wounded were collected and attended to
and the dead buried. The attacking party
had thirteen killed and twenty-six wounded,
while on the side of the dictator there were
some forty killed and an equal number
wounded. Great bravery was exhibited by the
revolutionary soldiers, and the few inhabit-
ants who had remained in the town praised
the extreme moderation they exhibited after
the victory.
The movement has been surprisingly gem
eral and the people, as well as those actively
engaged in the revolution, are highly elated
at the success which Is attending their efforts.
Up to the present time the revolution has
been carried on without funds, while Viente-
milla has been in the receipt Of the proceeds
of the custom house and other taxes. With
the money thus obtained he has been able to
keep his army faithful; but it is highly im-
probable that, with diminishing receipts and
the whole country against him, he will be
able to prevent their joining the popular
side.
| A government has already been nominated
and triumviTate has been formed, consist
| ing of Don Pedro CarlbOs, Don Francisco
MOntalvo, and Don ElOy AliarO, tho latter
having been appointed supreme director unit
such time as the members of the triumviratI
can meet in city in Ecuador,