The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-30
DEATH OFGUZMAN-BLANC0.
FORMER PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA
HAD BEEN LYING IN PARIS.
Was a Power in Venezuelan Affairs Even
After His Retirement from the Country
Had Been the Leader of Several
Revolutions Was Enormodsly Rich.

Had Been the Leader of Several
Revolutions Ho Was Enormotisiy Rich.
Sp,etat cabe Ds,Bdteh to TEE suw.
PARIS. July 2a.-Antonio Guzman- Blanco.
formerly President Of Venezuela. is dead.
For more than thirty years Antonio Guzman-
Blnnco had either been the official head OF the
Government or the power behind the throne.
Like all OF the Presidents OF that country, he
became enormously rich from his political HE.
but he established many reforms He was
born in Caracas in 1880. the son OF journal
lat named Guzman. As his father was we'll
known agi,ator Of the Liberal party. tho young
man. who had determined to shine on his own
account. added the name OF Banco In order
that he might not be coniounded with his
father. lie studied law. but at an early age
went into rotics and came to this country as
Secretary OF the Venezuelan Legation at Wash
ington In 1853 he was banshed from his
country bv Gen. Castro. who was then Dicta-
tor He went to ST. Thomas and the Island OF
Curacao where he met Gen. Juan G. Falcon.
by whom he was engaged IA gen eral secretary.
In 1859 he ACCOMPANIED Falcon on his inva-
sion OF Venezuela After a:number OF battles.
they were finally defeated In 1880. and they fiod
to the West Indies. whore GuHman- Blanco sue
ceeded in raising money and mon enough to
allow him and Falcon to make second inva-
sion OF Venezuela in 1851. Guzman- Blanco
commanded the insurgents at the battle Of
Quebrada- SEGA In October. 1852. and the vic
tory he won did much toward tho ultimate
success Of the insurgents six months later. On
May -. 1888. the treaty OF Coche wac signed.
by which Inez. who was then Dictator. agreed
to a odicate in thirty days and general as
semby was called to meet at Victoria to organ
lea government. At this assembly Falcon
vas chosen President and Guzman- Blanco was
tad FnE n N
Finance. and in iaj4 and 1897 he went to Lon
tiated loans. In 1875 he went t9 France as
the Ambassador OF Venezuela. While he was
i in favor Of two % av9lr ehes
and Urrutla. They could not hold the Gov
afterwaId elected. Guzman- b aneo. as soon
as the news reached him. went to Curacoa'ano
Immediately formed a revolutionary parry. In
made ,he Droysonal President H ruled iof
1919 and revolution followed. GuIman.
nns 2t R n1 sssn IN
office for one term and then:turned the Coy
eminent over to his friend Gen. Crespo, while
years time at the expiration OF respo's term
Of office, Guzman;- Blnnco returned to Vsne-
In 1852 he ominally retired from public
life and went to Paris to live. As he was worth
MANY millions and fopd OF ostentafion. 70 sur
prised even the Parisians by the magnihcenoe |
OF his enterta nments. Up to his death. how
ever. he was tho real power behind the throne |
In the management OF the af1aire OF his coun-
try.
GLzman. Blanco: abolished clerlcalsm in
Venezuela and established a general religious |
liberty. He built railroads. He improved the |
public roads. He adorned cities. one OF his |
favorite plans being to erect'siatues OF him |
self At one time. in the city OF Caracas alone. |
there were seven statues OF him. but In the |
revolution Of 1889 these were destroyed by the
\, tNt,11 Ia ttp rAHN aAH
under his leadership.
Guzman -Blanco greatly resempled the late |
Roscoe Conk!lng.in appearance. A widow and |
five children survive him. One OF his dauxh- |
tiers. Carlotta. who was born In Caracas In |
1882. was married on July |. 1888, in Paris, N |
the Duo lie Morny. son OF the Minister OF For |
eiGn Affairs to Napoeon III. Of France.