The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-20

General Crespo Died Fighting
for His Country.
MSURGENT LEADER MISSING
That Revolution Es Practically
Crushed-Its Leader Reported
KfiIed-COuntry Genuinely Grieved
Irreparabie.

Caracas. Venezuela, April 19.-There is
no doubt, at last, that Gen CrespO, ex-
president of this republic, has been kill
ed in battle. He and his forces, advanc-
ing from the east TO meet the insurgents
under Gen. Hernandez, were led into am
bush by the enemy. The government
troops made desperate resistance. and. in
fact, were soon able to take the often
sive and inflicted heavy loss upon the
enemy.
The fight took place on Sunday near the
little town of Acarigua, in the province of
Zamora, about 160 miles southwest of
Caracas and seventy miles south of Va
lencia The scene of the battle was
among the foothills of the Merida Cor
diileras, a region covered with dense
growth of scrub and forest.
The loss was very heavy on both sides,
and 1t is reported that Gen. Hernandez,
the leader of the insurgent movement. is
among the dead. 1t is believed here that
the results of the battle were so decisive
against the insurgents that their revolu-
ton, which has failed TO make the head
way among the people expected by its
promoters is practically crushed.
President Andrade expressed confidence
today that peace would be fully restored
with little delay. The prospect of re-
newed order, however, does not assuage
the general grief for the loss of Gen.
Crespo, the richest and one of the most
popular men in Venezuela, whose loss is
| regarded as irreparable.
Gen. Joaquin Crespo was of mixed Span
ish and Indian blood. He was born about
| fifty-four years ago. and was son Of
! the prairies. He increased his father
estates by strong personal efforts. He
| joined the Federalist party when he was
very young man and distinguished him
| self in the battle of CanO Amarillo, in 1871,
| by swimming river with his cowboys
and Indians and defeating the enemy.
| After the success of his party he was
| appointed president of the State of Guar
! leo He ended Guzman Blanco's revolu-
| ton and was made president of Venezuela
! in 1884, He resigned in 1856 and two years
later started an unsuccessful revolution
against Rojas Paul. He then came to
this city. His admiration for the United
States was unbounded and his sons were
educated there. He returned to Venez-
uela in 1892.
President Paul then turned his office
over to Pelacio. who represented Guzman
| Blanco The party opposed to Blanco
whe was in exile, objected TO this ar
rangement and took the matter TO the
supreme court. which decided against
Pelacio. He thereupon arrested all the
members of the supreme court.
Crespo was then on his cattle ranch.
He sent word to PelaciO to release the
members OF the supreme court. Pelaeio
refused and gathering a large force OF
cowboy soldiers. most of whom were from
his own ranch, he threatened to march
on the capital. Pelacio abandoned his
claim to the presidency and the judges
were released
Crespo was made provisional president
and was reelected for four years in 1891
He held office when President Cleveland
took the part of Venezuela against Grea
Britain in the Guiana boundary dispute
He was succeeded in September last by
President Andrade and then became gen
eral in chief of the army.