The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-04-17
THE VENEZUELAN WAR.
One Hundred and Fifty Killed and q Large
Number Wounded at the Battle Of TrujiilO.

New YORK. April 16.-The Red D-line
in Brooklyn to-day from Laguayra, which
place she left April 9, and brought the in
formation of a battle between the govern
ment forces and the revolutionists at Tru-
jIllo. Venezuela. X. VI. Bartleman. secre-
tary of the United States legation at
Caracas. was q passenger on the Philadel-
phia. He Is on a sixty days leave of abb
sence and is going to his home at Boston.
Among the passengers was Carlos r.
Brun, who is thoroughly conversant with
affairs in Venezuela. Mr.. Brun said that
Caracas on account of the disturbed condi-
ton of the country. What follows is the
substance of what he said: A fierce battle
took place between the government forces
and the rebels on March %. at a place
called Trujillo. about four hundred kllo-
meters from Caracas. in which it was re-
ported that $50 were killed and a large
number wounded. The government forces
were under of Gen. Cipriano
Costri. and were sent out into the couE-
try to break up o gathering of
the rebels. The revolutionists had
been concentrating at Trujillo. m
were under command of General Aranjo.
The government forces bad made a forced
march and came upon the rebels in the
morning. A struggling fire commenced.
The rebels were slightly superior in mum
bers, but greatly deficient in discipline and
equipment. Being badly organized. the
other points of vantage and kept up
an intermittent fire. The government
forces made O charge and drove the
rebels from behind their shelter. The
latter again rallied in q piece of woods.
and. exborted by Aranio. made stubborn
resistance. After firing had been kept ND
for an hour. the government forces were
ordered to penetrate tho woods and clear
out the rebels. 1t was at this point that
the heaviest fighting was done. and the
governments forces were repulsed. but again
rallied, and. owing to their superior disci-
pline and arms. were able to scatter the
rebels. The latter fled In all directions.
and left the troops under COstri victorious.
1t was said that the rebels numbered
several hundred. and from the conflicting
number killed 1t was thought hat the
battle was o costly victory for the troops
of PalaciO.
affairs in Venezuela are in o state of
anarchy from the fact that there Is at pres
emit no constitutional government. The
term of Palacio as President expired Feb.
10. and there has been no election for q new
President Palacio retains his position as
head of the government illegally and by
force. Any report that the trouble in Ven
ezuela has been settled arises from
ignorance or willful perversion of
facts. The term of the President
of Venezuela was formerly two
years and no President could succeed him
self. Paiacio. desiring TO ~prolong his DOW
er. got Congress to mako the term of Presi-
dent four years. with eligibility to succeed
himself. This was done. but was not to
take effect unlil after Palacio's term. Con-
gress thwarted Palacio's ambition. and
then followed the quarrel between Pala-
clio and Congress. the Court of Appeals and
the Supreme Court. In the meantime Pa
lacio's term as President expired in Feb
ruary. and no election has been held nor
can be held in the present condition"
Captain Chambers. of the Philadelphia.
told another story. He denied entirely the
reports that there has been civil war and
general insurrectlOn in Venezuela. THE
Philadelphia he said, laid for five days
in harbor ut Puerto Cabello and five days
at Curacao. Afterward we paid a return
trip to each port. Everything In Venezuela
was perfectly quiet. In fact. all things
considered. | never knew of the country
being In o more tranquil condition"