The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-11
RUIN IN VENEZUELA.
Dictator Mendoza Stealing All
He Can Get Hold of.
cREsPo NOT YET IN POWER.
The United States Wsrshtp Chicago
Sent to La Guayra in Taste to
Join the Concord and Kearsarge.

PANAMA, Sept. lo.-[New York Herah
Special. News comes here of a state OF
affairs bordering on anarchy in Venezuela.
While the governments old soldiers have
been plundering private houses in La
Guayra and Caracas, Dictator Men.
doza has assessed the estates
of Guzman Blanco for $780,
those of Rojas Paul Mammatos and An
drueza Palasco for 500, 600 easn; Crespo
$4,000; Santa Anna, s25,000= and other
wealthy estates proportionateiy. de
orders Immediately the confisc4.ion of es-
tates and the imprisonment q the man
ayers unless the amounts are paid at once.
He has robbed and closed tae Bank OF
Venezuia, taking all the gold and
silver in sight, and compelled
the directory to agree TO print
and issue to him 5000 in paper money
per day for the use of the telephone be-
tween Caracas and La Guaysa, denied
to anybody except himself; &c has sus-
pended passenger traffic On the railroads
and denies passports to people.desiring to
leave the country. Clearances have been
refused to foreign vessels, and they have
been compelled to appeal to warships for
protection in leaving port. Tie bishops
have been banished. the churches robbed
and the priests put in Jail. Altogether
there is reign of terror.
New YORK, Sept. 10.-The steamship
South Portland, loaded WITH large
Quantity of munitions of war, it is sup
posed, were intended for use in
the revolution in Venezuela, and.
ostensibly being shipped to PoFt-ofSpain.
Trinidad. to supply the ordinary demands
of commerce. was today prevented from
sailing by Collector Hendricks, and an of
ficer was put on board of the vessel to
detaid her pending an investigation into
the alleged intention of her master to vio-
late the neutrality laws.
WASHINGTON CITY, Sept. 10.-Admiral
Walker was instructed this afternoon by
Secretary Tracy to sail the flagship
Chicago at daylight tomerrow for
La Guyra, Venezuela. to look after
American interests in that couetry. This
action was determined upon today at a
conference between Secretary Tracy and
Assistant Secretary Adee. of the state de-
partment, who, in the ABSENCE of
any later information from Minister
Scruggs, Is of the opinion that
this government would be better repre-
sented by an additional naval Yessel with
an officer of high rank in command,
in southern waters, pending settlement Of
the internecine troubles now attending that
republic. Il Is stated that no word has
been received Of late from the canister in
Venezuela representing that the occasion
demanded stronger naval show, and to
Chicago is only sent precautionary meas
ure to assist the Concord and Keersage. Ac-
companying Admiral Walkers orders were
instructions, the nature Of which officials
refuse to divulge, but it is believed he is
directed to pursue a vigorous: course in
dealing with the situation, especially in
connection with foreign aggression, and to
protect American lives and property
should it be necessary. 1t is understood
the Chicago will proceed to La Guayra
without touching at any pors en- route,
and that she will 60 with az. possible
haste.
The Venezuelan colony here f. jubilant
over the announcement from Gen.
Crespo that he was at Puerto
Cabello on September s. snd had
then received the invitatiosf which
had been sent out to h5n from
Caracas. He assures his friends that he
will not 60 without his army, He has
with him fully 10000 eplendidiy
equipped troops. By Crespo's orders one
yf his own generals and three soldiers
have been shot. After the capture of Villa
de Cura, Gen. Rafael Blanco was charged
with assaulting a young girl. He was
arrested, tried by court-martial, found
guilty and shot. The three soldiers were
caught stealing and they, too, We're court
m artialed and shot