The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-08-01
NEW INsURGENT LEADER APPEARS
AGAINST THE AUTHORITY OF
PRESIDENT CASTRO
DR.. RAGEL GIRIRDAs, REBEL,
Reported on the Colombian Frontier
at the Head of an Army
of Five Thousand
Men.
VENEZUELAN CONSUL DENIES

WILLEMSTAD, Island of Curacao.
July 31.-Dr. Ragel Girdiras at the head
Of 5000 men, mas revolted against Presi-
dent Castro, of Venezuela. The in
surgents are near San Antonio de
Tachira, on the Colombian frontier. The
Venezuelan government has sent 10000
troops to the scene of the uprising. The
situation is grave. Other outbreaks are
expected. The whole country is ready to
rise against President Castro. Constitu-
tonal guarantees have been suspended
and complications with Colombia are
feared.
MARTIAL LAW DECLARED.
WASHINGTON, July 81-The state de-
partment today received the following
telegram from the American legation at
Caracas:
Martial law has been declared in
Venezuela by the president of the coun-
try in consequence of the invasion of
revolutionary force from Colombia. 1t is
reported that an army of 10000 men will
meet the invaders"
[ p to the hour when the departments
closed today the state department had
not called on the navy department for
ship to go into Venezuelan waters In
view Of the serious condition of affairs
there, and the unsettled condition in the
neiShbOring republic of Colombia, it is
not improbable that an American war
ship will be sent to the scene of trouble
Tor the protection of American interests
If ship is called for some difficulty
might be experienced in finding q suit
able vessel for the mission. About the
only ship available at this time is the
small gunboat Machias, fitting at the
- Boston navy yard. That vessel, now
ever, would not be ready to sail for about
Two weeks. There is not single Aneri-
can Warship in southern waters. In case
Of extreme urgency one of the battle
ships now in commission, of course could
be sent.
CONSUL GENERAL DENIES.
NEW YORK, July S1-El Gonzales
Esteves, consul general for Venezuela,
when he saw the dispatch from WilIem-
stad said that there was no truth in the
report of a revolution in Venezuela.
As late as 4 o'clock yesterday after
noon, he added, 81 received a cable mes
sage from the minister of foreign af-
fairs in Venezuela which read: "An
right Country at peace
DR.. Ragel Girdiras, who, it is said, is
at the head of the revolution, is only a
physician and has had no military train
ing. He is not capable of directing mill
tary movements. 1t is true that he is
opposed politically to President Castro.
For that reason he left the country ana
IS now hiding in Colombia across the
border, but he is not q revoIutionist.
Nearly all the revolutionary element lives
on the island of Curacao and from there
they are continually sending false stories
Of revolution in Venezuela.
b. Gonzales Esteves, consul general of
Venezuela, said tonight: 81 have just re-
ceived cable message from President
Castro, which says that Dr. Rangel Car
viros has been routed on the Colombian,
frontier A battle has been fought be-
tween the revolutiOnists and our govern
ment. We have achieved a great victory
and Venezuela is at peace. I have re-
ceiVed orders to transmit this information
to all our representatives in Europe"