Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-10-10
CARACAS HAS FALLEN.
Crespo's Troops Enter the Capital OF
OF Venezuela, and a Period OF shameful
Pillage Follows.

Crespos Troops Enter the Capitai OF
OF Venezuela, and q Period of shameful
Pillage Follows.
CARACAS, VENEZUELA, October g.
Caracas has fallen. The triumph OF
General Crespo over the Government
forces is complete. The revolution Is
victorious, says the Herald's Caracas.
Venezuela, correspondent under date OF
October s. After defeating tht army OF
the Government at San Pedro, General
Crespo began his march upon the CAP
ital Three thousand of his troops
entered the city last night. General
Crespo, with the balance OF his army, Is
at Calvari, short distance from the
city. He will enter the capital to-mor-
row. Had the advance troops OF General
Crespo's army been angels Of peace In
stead OF messengers OF war, their ad-
vent would not have been more well
come to the people OF Caracas. After
the crushing defeat at San Pedro the
government perceived that 1t had
played it's last card, and Acting Presi-
dent Polido and his Cabinet fled before
the advancing hosts.
DThe news caused an immediate panic
throughout the city. 1t grew in intensl-
ty as stragglers and refugees from the
defeated army came pouring into the
city. telling the terrified inhabitants
that General Crespo. and his army were
close at their heels. Confusion and dis
order reigned. People who had been
too cowardly to fight either for or
against the Government and many OF
Polido's soldiers took advantage OF the
situation to begin rioting and pilllaging.
Score OF houses were sacked. The riot
ers were no respectors Of persons, the
Spanish Minister being insulted. Act
ing President Villegas-Polido and the
members OF the Cabinet took advantage
of the confusion to slip out the city.
During the three hours that elapsed
between the iguominious flight OF the
Cabinet at the advent Of General Cres-
pos advance guard the looters simply
held possession Of the town. There was
nothing TO restrain them, and they plum
dered right and left, selling whatever
profitable property they could lay their
hands on. The followers o. Crespo, as
soon as they reached the city, at once
devoted their attention to restoring or
der. As they marched into the city they
were greeted with the applause OF hum
dreds OF their sympathizers, who have
long been shut up in the capital. 1t
was a good account Of themselves, too,
that Crespo's troops gave to the inhaoi-
tants OF the city by the business-like
way In which they dispersed the rioters
wherever they encountered them, and
put an end to their nefarious work.
La Guayra is in the hands OF Cresp-
lists. General Crespo has triumphed
all along the line. The war Is over.
Members Of the Government have
either left the country or are trying TO
get out OF 1t as fast as they can. Before
Crespo's detachment got here La Quay
ra was filled with rioters. Pillage and
plunder became general. How far
things might have gone II is impossible
to say II Admiral Walker, acting with
admirable energy and decision, had not
landed force of sailors and marines TO
hold the mob In check and preserve
order. There Is no doubt that much
property and perhaps many lives were
preserved by the landing OF tsj men
from the cruisers Chicago aud Kesr-
sarge.