Evening journal., 1892-04-01
ONE CENT.
FIGHTING IN VENEZUELA.
A Desperate and Bloody Civil
Conflict in Progress.
REBELS LOSE THE FIRST BATTLE

They Are Badly Repuised aud Lea~e 500
Of Their Dead on the Field-rhe Pris-
ons Crowded and the Newspapers sus-
zIed by the Government
PANAMA, via GALVESTON, April la
French steamship which arrived here today
brings authentic news Of the uprising in
Venezuela against President Palacio. The
officers say that the country il in an anar.
chistic condition, and that life and property
in the neighborhood Of Caracas are in con.
slant peril
The rumors Of a recent battle between
President Palacio's troops and the insur
gents under General joaquin Crespo are
confirmed The battle was fought nea
Caracas and lasted for three hours At first
Crespo's forces were successful and drove
the government troops steadily back on the
road 70 the city. Reinf5rcements for Pa
lacios army arrived as the retreat was be.
coming rout, and the government troops
made a stand on the wooded hill Crespof
troops were outnumbered almost three to
one, the government having 1900 troops to
their 5000
RThey tried TO storm the position on the
knoll three times, but were driven back
with loss Of 800. The government troops
then took the offensive, and followed the
insurgents, who retreated, leaving 800 dead
on the field
The Revolt Is Spreading.
The insurgents retreated toward eastern
zamora with the intention Of joining an.
5000 strong Detachments OF the govern
ment troops went in pursuit, and several
slrirmishes took place, in which the revolu.
tionists repulsed Palacio's men The revo-
luton is spreading, and the insurgent forces
are augmented daily. In eastern Iamora
the people are taking sides with Crespo aud
many soldiers have deserted tho govern.
ment.
Crespo, the French officers say, has the
reputation Of being the best general IN
Venezuela. He is brave fighter but hif
/ policy at present Is 10 remain inactive,
while his forces are swelled by deserters
from Palacios army aud by diacontented
| citizens Even the most loyal citizens have
been rendered restless by the deepotic meas
ures 10 which palacio has rcs0rted TO sup
press the rebellion Spies OF the govern.
ment are everywhere, aud hardly a day
passes without the arrest Of some conspicu.
Gus man for utterances supposed to reflect
on the government The prisons are crowd,
ed and the newspapers are muzzled.
ELarge quantities Of arms have been landed
recently on the coast near Cabello. They arr
OF American make and are known to have
been distributed among Creapo's troops.
When he shall have recruited and armed his
forces sufficiently for o long campaign
/ a.. 4
once on Valencia, the capital Of Carihobo,
OF upon Caracas.
The Government Determined.
The government is preparing FOR a des.
perate defense Of both cities. The garrison
in each has been doubled and men are al
work night and day throwing up earth
works. Extraordinary supplies have been
stored in the government buildings ia both
cities, and the roads have been Hanked for
a distance of thirty miles with small detach-
ments Of soldiers.
The government has an oyerf0wing treas.
ury, and is supplied with an abundance OF
small arms and considerable number OF
cannon. The insurgents have comparatively
few field guns.
Both Valencia and Caracas are already
! governed as II in a state OF siege Spies are
in every place Of public resort and have
made their way into many private house.
holds Arrests are made without apparent
cause, and men are held prisoners without
examination or trial
Conspicuous men not in full sympathy
with the governmei Z 'ear to go alone in the
streets at night FOR ~ OF being seized and
locked up on false charges Many have left
the city 10 escape such Gate, after having
} been warned that the government spies
, We're watching them.
The French officers say that the cause OF
the revolutionists is the popular one, and
that in case of two or three victories fol
Crespo the great majority Of the people
. would throw of the semblance Of loyalty
: and Join their fortunes with his. The gov
ernment has more money and better drilled
q troops than the revolutionists, and the issu,
r OF the conflict is therefore uncertain. Al
all events, they say the struggle win be
long one.