Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1901-01-29
SEVERE FIGHTING
IN VENEZUELA
Insurgents Apparently Gain
ing the Upper Hand.
FEDERAL TROOPS MUTINY


ed to Be Giving Aid to Rebels.
Venezuelan Authorities to Protest.
Atrocities by Government Forces.
NEW YORK, Jan. 28.-A Herald dis
patch from Port of Spain, Trinidad,
says:
Details have been received here of
fierce fighting last week on the main
land near Guiria and Curapano, result
ing in tha final defeat of the govern
ment troops, Several hundred men were
killed in the engagements. Curapano
has been captured by the insurgents
and large quantity of arms and am
mun1tlon taken. lrapa and Guira, ports
on the Gulf of Para, have also been oc-
cupled, despite the activity of the gun
boats that are patrolling the coast.
Reports from Caracas also indicate
grave conditions. Persons here who
are in touch with the situation are in
formed that a chief of battalion Of the
government forces i'll Caracas has re-
volted. The cause of the mutiny is
said to have been an order issued. by
President Castro that certain prominent
persons suspected of being in league
with the rebels should be shot. The or
ders were given to one of the military
commanders and disobeyed
Trouble Growing.
Trouble i'll the central states seems to
be growing, although the censorship
prevents details from beng sent. 1t is
reported that the rebel leaders are re-
ceiving aid from Colombia and that a
vigorous protest will be made by the
Castro government AS Colombia has
long believed that President Castro has
been giving aid to the rebels in that
country, there is possibility of a serious
clash.
The chief lighting on the main land
took place near Irapa. A force Of 900
rebels, having 200, 900 rounds Of ANNA
milton captured at Carupano and part
received from tilibusterers, entrenched
themselves near Los Ceuvas, a town
few miles inland from Irapa. They
were closely watched by / 100 govern
ment soldiers. One Of them left the
shelter of the entertainments to seek
food in their camps. A party of the
enemy made u sortie and captured the
man before he could reach his comrades.
Rebels Put to Flight.
The main body of the rebels opened
fire on the government forces and the
latter charged the intrenchments. They
were driven back several times, but con-
t1nued the attack five hours They
gained no substantial advantage until a
battery of four field guns were brought
up. These shelled the position of the
rebels, and finally they retreated, carry
ing most of their supplies. They had
eight killed and four wounded, but the
government forces are said to have lost
$50 killed and 27 wounded in the fight.
Eleven women who were with the troops
were slain duIing the battle. The town
was abandoned by the rebels during the
night and was entered by 800 govern
ment troops the next morning. The in
surgents retreated to Irapa, and then
marched into Guiria to obtain ammuni-
tion and reinforcements. They had
been followed by the government forces,
but returned from Guiria and gave bat
tie, compelling the enemy to retreat.
Charges of Atrocity.
Charges that many atrocities were
committed by the government troops
are made by persons who have fed here.
1t is declared that neither national
ity nor sex were respected by the SOL
diers. Armed men are said to have
staggered through the streets, fright
enlng men and women by threats of
putting them to the sword and compel
ling them to pay large sums i'll order to
save their lives.