Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-07-08
VENEZUELA CRISIS
President Takes Command of the
Forces in Person, Which
Is Significant.
his FRIENDS ARE VERY CONFIDENT
While Others Think He Heads For.
lorn Hope-His Brothers
Army Routed.

Washington. July S.-The state de-
partment has received a cablegram
from United States Minister Bowen. at
Caracas. stating that the Venezuelan
government has communicated to him
the fact that President Castro has de-
cided to personally lead his troops
against the revolutionary forces in the
field. and that Vice President Gomez
has assumed charge of the executive
branch of the government. The news
conveyed in Minister Bowen's dispatch
is regarded in different lights among
South American diplomats in Wash
ington. The prevailing view is that
nothing but most acute situation
would cause President Castro to drop
the reins of government ut Caracasan
take personal charge of the Venezuelan
army at Valencia, and in these quar-
ters it is firmly believed he is to lead
Il fOrlOrn hope. and must surely sue
cumb TO the threatened heavy on
slaughtS of revolutionary forces.
Others Believe He VIII Win.
In other quarters. however. conf
dence is expressed that Castro will re-
pei the impending attack just as he has
done many others that have confront
ed him in the past years of his ad-
miniStration. and further enhance his
record as Il fighter Valencia Is Il town
second in Importance only to Caracas,
and lies about 100 miles from the cap
ital, almost directly west 1t Is the
base OF military operations. has II large
population, and in many respects is the
most important town in the republic.
1t is regarded here as the open
sesame TO the capital itself, and it is
believed its capture would herald the
early capitulation of the seat of gov
ernment and the occupation of the
yellow House" at Caracas by the
revolutionary leaders.
Castro Changes His Plans.
Willemstad, Curacao, July S.-Pres-
ident Castro. of Venezuela. left Cara
cas- Sunday for La Guayra. taking with
him his private guard of 500 veteran
soldiers and General Ferrer. as chief
of staff. The president reached La
Guayra at - O'Clock in the afternoon.
and left there at midnight ON the
steamer OSSun. his destination beiEe
Guanta or Barcelona. about 100 miles
"ast of La Guayra. He intends To re-
organize the government forces at and
about Barcelona, and assume the Of
fenSive against the revolutionistS at
once. Nobody at Caracas can explain
This change in President Castro's
plans. which were at first to go to
Nolencin. and the step taken is con-
sidered to he IA perilouS as the inVa-
sion of the Valencia district by the
main army of the revolutionists. This
force will he opposed by the govern
ment army under General Seferino Cas-
tillo.
Government Force Completely Routed.
Later in the day news reached here
from Venezuela to the effect that 5000
government troops under General Mo-
destO Castro. the presidents brother.
We're completely routed July 3 between
Barcelona and Aragua by troops Of
the revolutionary army under the com
mand of General ROlando. The gov
ernment forces lost all their ammuni-
ton and equipment, and many of the
soldiers deserted to the revolutioniStS
during the engagement. After the bat
tie the revolutionary army moved on
Barcelona and surrounded that city.
The inhabitants We're panic-Stricken.
the shops were closed and the streets
were barricaded.