The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-10-01
REVOLUTION IN VENEZUELA.

REVOLUTION IN VENEZUELA.
The Venezuelan revolution is pro-
crossing. The rebels are generally
successful. Negotiations for peace have
failed and the government is in a fair
way to be overthrown. President An
drade is reported to have escaped from
Caracas on his way to New York. Cen
eral Castro has concentrated the insur-
gent forces before the capital. 1t is the
eve of a great battle. Fierce encounters
have occurred during the week at San
Christobal, Ell Cobre, Cardero, Tower,
Arrales and Barquisisimito, and on
Lumbados mountain. No government
fcrce has been able to check the onward
march of the rebels. The administra-
ton is discouraged. General Domingo
Monagas, a patriot and a popular
leader in the eastern part of the repub-
lie, raised an army and rendered it to
the government. Upon it's arrival at
Guanta- in Barcelona, the soldiers
heard for the first time the cause of the
people and they declared in favor of the
insurgents. With these General Castro
has an army of about $4,000 men.
One great trouble with Venezuela is
her military system. 1t comprises more
commissions than munitions of war.
There are too many men wearing side
arms and not the right proportion bear
ing rifles. Five years ago the official
census gave a list of 1892 generals and
a standing army of 500 men. The gen
erals We're supported for emergencies
in which event every male citizen is
subject to CONSUMPTION. In the province
of Carabobo the muster rolls showed
449 generals, 627 colonies and 1000 other
officers, but no troops. The people OBJ
ject, for these officers are on the pay
rolls of the government. These and
similar abuses are said to be RESPONSE
BILE for the present uprising. BY the aid
of this military despotism the present
chief executive was installed. He was
unpopular with the masses. His stand
ing was with the army. President
Crespo, his predecessor, was a worthy
leader. He made his mark in history,
accumulated fortune incidentally led
a successful revolution himself, put his
to death, and ruled the
for several years, giving the
people an unparalleled period of pros
perity and peace. His rule was auto
cratic, but so is the administration of |
public affairs in all Latin republics, of
necessity But Crespo made a mistake |
and presumed too much upon his popu-
larity When he decided to retire from |
office ne named a. favorite as his sue
cessor, instead of according to the peo-
ing their own president. Trouble en- |
sued, but the people had their way. |
They were permitted to vote, although /
the elections were conducted by the
The result, as announced, |
was Andrades election. The public |
doubted, questioned, disputed, wrangled !
and finally rebelled.
Owing to the strength of the new |
president in the eastern provinces and |
the popularity of the ex-president
everywhere, the instruction smoul-
iered for awhile. The flame began to
IloHl0S
ago. 1t is blazing high at last. Andrade
has flown with his fortune, no doubt.
[f he still has any further political as
oirations he win go back in year or
-wo and start counter revolution.
1t is strange conduct for Venezuelans
% indulge their prevailing passion and
larry on a revolution just now. while
Harrison and eminent
British lawyers are discussing the
dispute between Great Britain
Ind Venezuela before a court of inter-
rational arbitration. 1t is to be regret
ed that such occurrences are frequent
n South America, and particularly in
the cradle of South Amer
can independence, the home of Bolivar
he Great. We have always taken more
interest in Venezuela than any other
ATTN republic of the southern CONT
lent. There is a statue of Simon Boil
-ar in Central park in New York. He
vas Washingtons friend. Washington
vas his model. There is statue of
ur great revolutionary leader in the
,ublic square of Caracas, and in ali the
taeues and pictures of the South
american liberator which are scattered
IL over Venezuela but one decoration
ppears upon his breast-the medallion
i*en him by the family of Washington
earring the Inscription, Portrait of the
ounder of liberty in North America,
resented TO him who has acquired
I