The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-01-09
Is Used to Aid the Enemies of
the Venezuelan Government,
News of Grave Import Comes
from the Guiana Frontier.
TROOPS ARE THERE
From Demarara. and They Are
Thoroughly Armed.
A Proclamation Issued by CrespO
Causes a Sensation.

CARACAS, Jan. e.-News of grave I'M.
port has just been received from the
Guiana frontier. The government is
notified that troops with rifle and can
non from Demarara have arrived at
Guyini, station at the extreme limit
of the English claims in the disputed
territory, and the scene of the Yuruan
incident, where English officials were
arrested by Venezuelans. The num-
Der of the invaders is uncertain. Some
of the papers say there are over 1000,
but that is probably an exaggeration.
There are possibly a half hundred
Guiana police. The government gives
no official notice of what action it will
take There is joy here over the Eng
Iish defeat in Transvaal.
Political arrests continue. They
now number 600. The belief is in
creasing that the enemies of the gov
ernment are being aided by British
gold. 1t is even rumored that Eng
land will furnish the rebels with a
warship. The militia enlistments to
date number l., 200. In the case of
boys under 16, the authority of the
parents is required Among the appli-
eants have been ten septuagenarians
President Crespo has issued a re-
markabIe decree officially recognizing
the existence of the revolutionary
movement. He says that in view of
the fact the country is on the verge of
an international conflict he regards it
not as a revolution but as treason.
Then he cites the section of the penal
code declaring treason He asks the
presidents of the different states to
ratify his action, and he will also ask
congress to act. 1t is believed Cres-
pos decree is aimed especially at Guz-
man Blanco or Pojas Paul. who are
supposed to be treating with England
in the interest of the rebellion. the
penal code says any Venezuelan con-
niving with a foreign government
against the independence, the Institu-
tion of the sovereignty of the republic
is guilty of treason. 1t is rumored
that the leaders of the rebellion will
be executed, as the decree asks for au-
thority to infict the death penalty,
which is forbidden in Venezuela, ex-
cept in time of war or on occa sions of
imminent peril. Pojas Paul is at pres
ent on the English island, Trinidad.
There was big anti-English meeting
here yesterday.
The decree has caused a profound
sensation. Copies in the shape of
flying sheets are being distributed
by the police. 1t is severely COM
mented upon, the leading lawyers de-
claring that it is illegal Another SEN
sation has been created by the issue of
an order prohibiting communication
between ships and the shore. 1t is
especially aimed at the American citi-
zen, Schimma, the agent of the Red
line at La Guayra.
Captain Delanoa, of the Red line
steamer Philadelphia, made a protest
to President Crespo against the order
He said it stopped work on the vessel.
The president replied that the order
was necessary, but that he would try
to except Americans. There is no
official charge against Schimma.
Something serious Is. brewing, but ru-
mors are vague Jas to it's character.
The situation is alarming.