Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-27
CARACAS In DANGER.
Insurgents Gradually Closing in
Upon Venezuela's Capital.
THE MINISTER'S SONS MISSION
Brings Him to This Country With
Secret Message for His Father.
STORIES OF THE WAR THAT DISAGREE

steamer Caracas, from La Guayra ana
Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, arrived at her
dock in Brooklyn this afternoon. On her
trip to La Guayra the Caracas found the
United States war vessels Chicago and
Keersarge there and was glad to see the
Concord riding at anchor in the harbor OF
Puerto Cabello.
While the Caracas was at the latter port
a body of dozen United States marines
was sent on board from the Concord and re-
mained on board rs long as she was in port
Puerta Csbello is in possession OF the
insurgents, or Crespists, and the marines
were placed on board the steamer as mat
ter Of precaution. No indignities were
offered to the steamship people by the in
surgents, but it was thought best to guard
against any emergency.
While the Caracas was in the harbor of
La Guayra, no attempt was made by the
Venezuelan Government officials to modest
people on board or interfere in any way
with the steamer. No marines were placed
on board her.
Upon Secret Mission.
Peraza, the Venezuelan Minister to this
country, was at the dock to meet the Caracas
at Brooklyn. On board were his wife and
son. The son had been entrusted with
mission from the Venezuelan Government
to his father, the Minister. This mission,
his brother Carlos said, was in rela-
tion to the South Portland, which
has sailed from Trinidad with arms
and munitions of war, for the revolutionists
of Venezuela, it is said. The Minister de-
clined to disclose what the instructions were
that he has received from Caracas. He said
har ruio bod ftrcf fn hou
his son before making public the intention
of his Government.
Carlos Ballot, the Minister'S son, after
having had talk with his brother Nioamor,
said the news from Caracas was very en-
couraging for the Government He said
General D. Monagas had left Curacao for
Caracas to take command of the army.
While at Curacao he received nu-
merous kilograms from the Govern
ment calling him to take command.
He has an army of $500, and when the
steamer left, was preparing to march for
Puerta Cabello, where Crespo, the insur-
gent chief, is in command. Generals Castro
and Ferraro are in possession of Maricaibo,
and General Purlido, relative of the Pres
ident, is at Caracas with 1000 men.
Stories That Don't Agree.
Mr. Ballot said it was reported that
Crespo and Guerra, two of the chief revolu.
tionists, had quarrel at Puerto Cabello,
which produced state of anarchy among
the insurgents 1t was said that Crespo
had challenged Guerra to duel. The re-
suit of the quarrel was not known when
the steamer sailed. The Government, ac-
cording to Mr.. Ballot, has declared Puerto
Cabello in state of blockade and has Or
dered all vessels to enter merchandise at
C,orro Horu tho h1onk ode will he en-.
forced is not made clear as the Government
has no navy.
The friends of the revolutionists give an
entirely different picture of the state of
things in Venezuela. Senior Lopez, well
known Venezuelan in that city, met several
friends who came on the Caracas. He said
the present Government of his country was
tottering on its last legs and would shortly
collapse entirely. 1t was making few last
struggles before being completely overcome.
At the present time the Government was
centered in the capital. Caracas. Outside
of that city the Government was not recog-
nized.
The people throughout the different
States are in favor of a new form of Gov
ernment, and in few weeks the present
guerrilla warfare will close by the downfall
of the few men struggling for their Govern
ment positions: The Ministry of the Gov
ernment, he said, was taken away in captur-
ing the service of the Government revenue.
Puerta Cabello, Maricaibo and other places
where customs receipts are taken are now
in the hands of the insurgents. The only
place left is La Guayra
Gradually Closing on the Capital.
Crespo, he said, occupies Valencia, and
La Guayra, with 1000 m en- and is slowly
encircling Caracas and cutting off all sup
plies. He could march on the city and cap
ture it, but that would result in much blood
shed, which he Is anxious to avoid He did
not believe in the reported quarrel of
Crespo and Guerra
Mr. Lopez received information that a
battle occurred near Barquisimento short
time before the Caracas sailed. The en-
gagement was between the revolutionists
under General Colino with 1900 men and
strong force of Government soldiers. The
battle lasted for several hours and ended in
a victory for Colino. The result was loss
of somewhere about 3, 200 on both sides.
The officers of the steamer Caracas said
there can be no doubt but that the revolu-
tionists are steadily gaining, and that the
present government cannot last much longer.
The first officer said that the insurgents
were closing around La Guayra and Caracas
Shortly before the steamer sailed 300
rebels had taken possession of small town
near La Guayra, and were not disturbed by
the Government troops
They said that Puerta Cabello, which was
captured by Crespo after stubborn fight,
looked as if destructive storm had passed
over it. The fighting must have been terri
hIe