Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-14
CRITICAL FOR CASTRO
SAID TO BE SURROUNDED By IN
sURGENTS
Minister Bowen Reports Transfer Of
Executive Branch Of Govern
ment From Caracas.

The following cabfegTam was received al
the State Department from United States
Minister Bowen at Caracas. Venezuela, yes.
terday:
Il am informed by the minister for for
eign affairs that the executive branch of
the government has been transferred from
here to Guaicaipuro, about twenty miles
from here. 1t is understood that the main
armies have met near Victoria this morn
ing yesterday, and an important engage
ment is imminent"
1t is gathered from the above telegram
and advices that have preceded 1t that the
crisis has been reached in the Venezuelan
revolution. 1t would not surprise the Off
cials here were the rebels under Gen. Matos
to occupy Caracas, setting up capital of
their own and a provisional government
Mr. Bowen. our minister, would then be
confronted with the necessity of recognizing
either the Matos or the Castro government.
The fact that Matos may be in possession
of Caracas when he applies for recognition
would doubtless be a powerful element In
affecting Mr.. Bowen's decision But the
mere location of the capital is not, after
all, the only determining factor, and the
minister must base his decision upon the
facts which show the existence of a real
working de facto government.
Castro's Position Critical.
WILLEMSTAD, Island of Curacao, Oc-
tober 14.-The government Of Venezuela,
owing to the fear that the revolutionists
might make night attack on Caracas, and
in view of the fact that Vice President Vim
cente Gomez left that city yesterday morn
ing with all the troops available, 800 men,
to reinforce President Castro, has been
transferred to the provisional capital of
Venezuela, in the Guacaipuro district, sur
rounding Los Teques, without any town or
village being stipulated as the headquarters
of the ministers. Consequently, the seat of
government may be in q railroad car or in
some other place unknown to the general
public. The Venezuelan government was
also actuated in this matter by a desire not
to reply to the questions of the foreign min
listers, who have been daily asking for re-
the persons or properties of citizens of the
countries which they represent.
The latest news from La Victoria, where
an important engagement began Monday
morning between the army of President
Castro and the forces commanded by Gen.
Matos, Mendoza, Peraloza and Riera, states
that President Castro was surrounded by
revolutionists, and that his position was
critical.
Los Teques is one hour by rail from Cara
cas-, in a mountainous region situated 4, 100
feet above the level of the sea, easy Of de-
fense and thought by Gen. Castro to be i'm
pregnable. From there he intends to bar
the only roads leading to the capital and
to oblige the revolutionists to give battle.
Desertions From Castro.
Gen. Castro has opposed to him skillful
enemy In Gen. Luciano Mendoza, an elderly
man, who has taken part in a great many
revolutions and who is considered to be the
best general of the country. Mendoza's 8
junction with Gen. Matos, the revolutionary
leader, at last puts the latter in a position
to assume the offensive.
The revolutionists now have 10000 troops
cautioned at San Sebastian. San Juan de
Los Moros, Qua, Ocumare and Villa de
Cura. On the other hand, desertions have
played havoc with Gen. Castro's army, and,
apart from his 1000 to 5000 Andine troops.
he has no one to rely on. Betrayals, so fire.
quent In those latitudes when governments
are threatened or doomed, have begun.
1t Is now said that If the President is de-
feated In a decisive battle he will endeavor
to reach La Guaira and flee to Maracaibo,
from where he will continue the struggle,
having already prepared the way by send
Ing there large quantities of arms and am
munition.