Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-10-13
FALL OF CARACAS.
Triumph of the Revolution in
Venezuela

venezuela
The Acting President Supposed to Have
Sought Refuge on a Shfp-Rioters Do
Much Damage Adm. Walkers
Timely Aid.
NEW YORK. Oct 1O.-Caracas has
fallen. The triumph OF Gen Crespo
over the government forces is complete.
The revolution is victorious, says a spe-
cial dispatch dated October s.
After defeating the army of the gov
eminent at San Pedro, Gen. Crespo be-
gan his march upon the capital.
Three thousand of his troops, COM
manded by Gems. Guerrero, Rodriguez
and Fernando, entered the city of Car
acas Saturday night. Gen. Crespo, with
the balance of his army. is at Calvira, a
short distance from the city. He will
enter the capital to-day.
Had the advance troops of Gen Cres-
pos army been angels of peace instead
Of messengers of war, their advent
would not have been more welcome to
the people of Caracas. After the crush
ing defeat at San Pedro, the govern
ment discovered that it had played its
last card, and Acting President Pulido
and his cabinet fed before the advanc-
ing hosts. The news caused an instan-
taneous panic throughout the city. 1t
grew in intensity as stragglers and
refugees from the defeated army came
pouring into the city. telling the terri
fed inhabitants that Gen. Crespo and
his army were close at their heels.
Confusion and disorder reigned. Hun
n e
fugitives which had started from La
Guayra when the first news of the dis
aster to the government was received
Then all semblance of order was at an
end People who had been too coward
ly to fight either for or against the gov
eminent and many of Puido's soldiers
took advantage of the situation to be-
gin rioting and pillaging. Scores of
houses were sacked Those who had
the manhood to protest against such
outrages were menaced with death.
Many were cruelty dubbed and beaten
for daring to protect their property.
The rioters were no respecters of per-
sons. When the Spanish minister VEN
tured to demonstrate with a gang of
plunderers he was grossly insulted.
Acting President Pulido and the mem
bers of his ca binet took advantage of
the confusion to slip out of the city. It
is rumored that they embarked on a
ship in the harbor of La Guayra-per-
haps one of the government vessels. 1t
is impossible, however, to trace their
movements at present That they
sought safety in flight is certain.
During the hours that elapsed be-
tween the ignominous flight of the cab
met and the advent of Gen. Crespo's ad-
vance guard, the looters simply held
possession of the town. There was
nothing to stay them and they plum
dercd right and left, selling whatever
portable property they could lay hands
on. The inhabitants who had at first
dreaded the advent of Gen. Crespo's sol
diers, began to hope and pray for their
speedy arrival as the only possible
means of obtaining protection for them
selves and property against the brutal
violence and greed of the mob.
Their expectations were not mis-
placed. The followers of Crespo, as
soon as they reached the city, at once
devoted their attention to restoring or
der, and soon succeeded in REFRESHING
all open demonstrations of violence.
But of necessity, it will require some
time before the unfortunate city can be
again restored to a condition of tran
guilty. As Crespo's men marched into
the city they were greeted with
applause from hundreds of their
sympathiZers who had been long
shut up in the capital. It was
a good account of themselves, TOO, that
Crespo's troops gave to the inha bitants
of the city, by the business-like way in
which they dispersed the rioters wher-
ever they encountered them and put an
end to their nefarious work. How far
things might have gone it is impossible
to say, if Adm. Walker, acting with adj
mira BILE energy and decision, had not
landed force of sailors and marines to
hold the mob in check and. preserve or
der.
The sailors were warmly welcomed
by all who were not themselves seek
ing plumber. There is no doubt that
much property and perhaps many lives
were preserved by the landing of men
from the cruisers Chicago and Kear-
sarge.
The advent of the Crespoists was
hailed with delight. They met with
no opposition. There was no organized
force to oppose them. The remnant of
the government forces that reached
here was without officers to command
it. The officers had deserted. Amid
the confusion, one fact stands out
clear as the MONDAY sun: The revolu-
ton has triumphed.