Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-04-02
REFUSED AT ORTIZ
The RevolutiOnists Defeat the
 Government Troops.
REBELS CAPTURE GuNBoATs.
Fleeing Senators Captured and Put in
 Prison With General Saluzzo.

Endorsements Marching to Join General
 CrespO-The Head Waters of the OrinOcG
 River Now Under Control of the Insurg-
 ents-FOreign Commercial Houses Are
 All ClOsed-A Run Has Been Made on the
 Bank of Venezuela.
 PANAMA, April 2.-The Government troops commanded by General Rodriguez have been repulsed tnear Ortiz. They met the forces that were marching from Orinoco to re-enforce General Crespo, the leader of the revolutionists. There was sharp engagement, in which Gen. eral Rodriguez's forces were compelled to retreat, though the loss was not heavy on either side.
 The revolutionistS occupied Ortiz, a town of 7,500 in the State of Guarico, and then began an advance on Cura, 8 city of 10, ,000 inhabitants 60 miles south west of Caracas.
 The success at Ortiz was followed by the seizure of the national gunboat, Nueve de Julio, which was stationed at Esmeralda, on the Orinoco River. This success gives the revolutionists the com mand of the upper end of the river and and will be of great advantage in future operations.
 News of these reverses has greatly de- pressed the followers of President Pala- cio, who continues his dictatorial course. Meanwhile the cause of the revolution ists is growing in popular favor.
 General Balista is marching from Zamaras with ], 1000 soldiers to fight for the revolution.
 The President informed Congress that he would resign the moment his success sor was elected and the centralized form of government proclaimed under the new constitution which has been ratified by the States. The President thus named was under Palacio's decree to be the first under the new constitution and was to be ineligible to reelection.
 These terms were not accepted. They were denounced by the opposition in the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, the Federalists declaring that they would insist upon the election of 8 new Presi- dent before proclaiming the new consti- tuition.
 When the news of this refusal was taken to PaIacio, he issued 8 decree dis solving Congress and sent troops to arrest members who refused to bow to his will.
 Senators and Deputies fled when Pala- cio's soldiers marched into the halls of Congress, evidently fearing a repetition of the scenes when Managas forcibly dissolved Congress in 1648.
 Palacio's soldiers pursued the fleeing members. General Saluzzo, the leader of the Federalist members and candidate for the speakership, was caught and dragged otf to prison. He battled bravelv to escape, but his fight was useless.
 Senators Gondoleri, Silva, Gregorio and Rivera and. Deputies Bustamente and LopeZbaralt, whose opposition had es- pecially incensed President Palacio, were captures as they fled from the capital and were put in prison with General Sa- luzzo.
 Many private citizens who were known to be in sympathy with the offending Senators and Deputies were arrested, and they, too, are now in jail, with the members of the Supreme Court and other polit prisoners.
 The dissolution of Congress and the ar rest of it's members caused tremendous i excitement throughout the city. Those who had shown sympathy with the oppo- sition sought places of refuge. Some fled from the city.
 Foreign commercial houses were all closed. Protests were made by foreign residents against the policy of President | Palacio, but these acts did not GllaY public apprehension. To the fear of personal violence was added the fear of loss of propertp and @ financial panic | followed.
 A run was made on the Bank of Vene- zuela, where the government has de- posits amounting to $3.OOO,O00 All the gold in the banks has been withdrawn from circulation. Paper money is de- preciating in value. Great distress Is threatened.