The sun., 1892-04-01
REVOLUTION IN VENEZUELA.
TIE REBEL TROOPS DEFEAT IN THE
FIRST ENGAGEMENT

They Leave 600 Dead ON the FseId-The
Insurgents VIII Recruit Their Forces
HefOre They Try Il AgnIn-A I1ong and
Desperate War Believed TO be at Hand.
PANAMA. via Galveston. March 31.-A French
mship which arrived here to-day. brings
authentic news OF the uprising in Venezuela
against President Palacio. The officers say
that tho country Is in an anarchistic condi-
tion. and that life and property In the neigh
borhood Of Caracas are in constant peril
The rumors Of q recent battle between Pres
ident Palacio's troops and the insurgents un-
der Gen. joaquin Crespo are confirmed. The
battle was fought near Caracas and lasted for
three hours. At first Crespo g forces were sue
cessful and drove tho Government troops
steadily back on the road to the city. Reinforce
mcnts for Palacio's army arrived as tho re-
treat was becoming rout and the Government
troops made a stand on the wooded hill
Crespo's men were outnumbered almost three
to one. the Government having 1900 troops to
their 5000. They tried to to storm tho posi-
tion on tho knoll three times. but were driven
back with loss Of 300. The Government
troops then took the offensive. and followed
the insurgents. who retreated. leaving 800
dead on the field.
Zamora with tho intention Of joining another
strong. Dotachments OF the Government
troops went in pursuit. and several skirmishes
took place. IN which the revolutionists re-
pulsed Palacios men. The revolution Is spread
ing and tho insurgent forces are aug
mented daily In Eastern Zamora the people
are taking sides with Crespo and many soldiers
have deserted the Government. Crespo, the
French officers say. has tho reputation OF be-
ing the best General in Venezuela. He is q
brave fighter. but his policy at present is to re-
main inactive while his forces are swelled by
deserters from Palacos army and by discon-
tented citizens. Even the most loyal
citizens have been rendered restless by the
despotic measures to which Palacio has
resorted to suppress the rebellion. Spies Of
the Government are everywhere. and hardly O
day passes without the arrest Of some con-
spicuous man for ,utterances supposed to re-
fleet on the Government The prisons are
crowded and the newspapers are muzzled.
Large quantities OF arms have been landed
recently on the coast near Cabello. They are
OF American make and are known to have bsen
distributed among Crespo's troops. When he
shall have recruited and armed his forces suf-
fciently for long campaign. Crespo is be-
lieyed to intend to march at once on Valencia.
the capital Of Carabobo. or upon Caracas.
Tho Government is preparing for des-
perate defence Of both cities. The garrison
in each has been doubled. and men are at
work night and day throwing up earthworks.
Extraordinary supplies have been stored in
the Government buildings In both cities,
and the roads have been fanked for q dis
tance Of thirty miles with small detachments
OF soldiers. The Government has an over
flowing treasury. and Is supplied with an
abundance Of small arms and considerable
number Of cannon. The insurgents have COM
parativsyy few field guns.
Both Valencia and Caracas are already gov
erned as II in q state Of siege. Spies are In
every place OF public resort and have made
their way into many private households. Ar
rests are made without apparent cause. and
men are held prisoners without examination
or trial.
Conspicuous men not in full sympathy with
the Government fear to 60 alone In the streets
at night for fear of being seized and locked up
on false charges. Many have left the city to
escape such fate. after having been warned
that the Government spies were watching
them.
revolutionists Is the popular one. and that in
case Of two or three victories for Crespo the
great majority Of the people would throw of
the semblance Of loyalty and join their for
tunes with his. The Government has more
money and better drilled troops than the revo-
iutionists. and the issue, OF the conflict is
therefore uncertain. At all events. they say.
the struggle will be long one.