The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-29
THE oHIcAao AND KEARsAReE.
They are Now Watching American
Interests in Venezuela.

A-A-IA - Al ' O44DAASA4s
UNITED STATES STEAMSHIP KEARsARGE,
LAGUAYRA, VENEZUELA, Sept. 20.
After leaving Savannah with many re-
grets the Kearsarge went with the rest OF
the squadron to witness the graduation ex-
ercises Of the naval cadets at Annapolis
Md. l was notified by the department 70
Join her at Portsmouth, n. h She was not
my choice, and il was with peculiar feel
iugs, hard to describe, that l came aboard
the old craft which had crushed one of the
greatest hopes Of the confederacy, and which
was now TO be my home for several years.
She was built IN this same yard and some Of
the gray-headed mel engaged in re-
pairing had helped 90 fashion her
some twenty-five years before. he made
hurried trip from Portsmouth to New York,
and took on stores for a six months
cruise. There was a veil OF mystery over
hanging everything which only the captain
could penetrate, so that the rest of US had
resigned ourselves for any sudden move
that might be made. Suddenly one Sun
day morning we left in such haste that two
OF our men who bad been on liberty we're
left behind After a six days trio We were
amongst the West Indies almost before we
knew IT. After good deal
Of cruising, on behalf Of the
Hon. John s. Durham, United States
minister TO Hayti, we, at last, IN the early
part OF September found oursel yes at Port
au Prince. On Sept. s we started for La
guayra in obedience to orders from Wash
ington. We had rather a rough passage on
account OF the strong trade winds. The
crew were drilled constantly and were in
excellent condition for any emergencies that
might arise. The high mountains Of south
America were sighted at daylight Sept. 10,
and we could soon see occasional traces Of
their tall peaks through the riffs III the
clouds. AT noon we could make out the
town, which consists OF an irregular group
of thatched-rooted houses rising
in tiers from the beach to some distance up
the mountain slope. A long stone "break-
water" juts out and shuts off the inner har-
Dor, in which we are lying, from the heavy
swell. Against this "Ureak water" and on
the beach farther down, the surf beats with
a continuous roar. As we entered the har-
Dor We c ,uld see a train toilng up the
mountain slope to Caracas, 5000 feet above.
The steepness Of the grade is lessened by the
zIgzag course which the track
takes, and which is not uu-
like the winding staircase of
light house. macuto, the little winter re-
SORT of Caracas, lies III tue opposite direc-
ton and about five miles distant from La.
guayra. In the left part of the town, and
overlooking most of it from the slope is the
bull lighting arena, now used as a fort and
occupied by $50 men. The fort lies some
distance above this and has a garrison of
5O0 men. There is an other body of men
quartz ed in the public square down in the
town, and the whole place Is surrounded by
sentfies. 1t is pretty certain that the gov
eminent Will make last desperate stand
here. The rebels are in possession of Pu-
erto Cabello, and on Sunday they CAPTURED
Macuta, driving the government troops
pacK TO the outposts of La
guayra. Crespo, the rebel general,
10 gaining power every day, and is con-
stantly receiving reinforcements by deser-
ton from the ane ny. A skirn ish took
place Monday night at 6 O'clock, the rebels
being again victorious. Crespo is gradually
tightening his net, and is making prepara-
tions for the decisive action Of the war;
decisive, because Caracas falls with her sea-
port, and the government falls with Cara
cas-. The government affairs are managed
by council OF twelve, who take turns as
president, each holding that office for one
day. The troops are very young as a rule,
some OF them being mere boys.
They all have the dark Span
part OF the country. The only attempt at
uniform is displayed in the cap, which has
a yellow band for the government troops;
that OF the rebels being red. In all other
respects the two uniforms are similar. The
pay or private soldier is % centimoc, or 5
Cehts per uaY. iney lounge about the
square, some Of them in hammocks swung
under the trees, aud attesting eloquently to
their natural incidence. In one corner a
group is pitching pennies and carrying on a
desultory conversation in Spanish, which is
hardly distinguishable from the chatter of
the parrots in the trees Just outside. Each
man keeps his gun constantly In his hand
and seems to be always ready. Their ra-
tons are served out to them, and consist
y n - IL.
harbor presents quite a warike appearance
with its Spanish, German and three Ameri e
can men-of-"ar. The Chicago came in last
night with Admiral Walkers flag at the
mast head. She was saluted by all ships in
the harbor and returned them. No sooner
had the echoes died away than we signaled
over to find out the result of the Sullivan
Corbett fight, of which we wee still in
ignorance, and which we regarded as OF
grave Importance. Another fight is ex-
pected this evening, but al! is now quiet.
A. MIDDLE.