The St. Louis Republic., 1902-12-21
VENEZUELA'S REMARKABLE HISTORY.
Rise Fall Republic Thrilling
Narrative in the Days of Knight Errantry-The
Republics First President

The history of Venezuela since its free
dom from the Spanish yoke in 1891 and its
severance from the Federal States of Co
lombia is made up of petty revolutions,
plots. counterplots and complex politics sup
posed to represent a republican form of
government.
Nowhere else save in South American
Republic could such rapid and complete
changes occur in the Government for such
insignificant causes
With the other South American States
Venezuela arose against the Spanish rule
on July IA, 1911. General Simon Bolivar
commanded the armies.
The fight against Spain was conducted
by General Bolivar for ten years. with a
few intervals, when the countries in the
movement for liberty gave up. In 1872 Ven-
ezuela with the other countries, returned TO
the yoke on account of an earthquake
which destroyed many lives and was said to
be manifestation of Providence against
their efforts for freedom
At the battle of Carababo, in 1921, the
army of Spain was utterly routed by the
allies Bolivar was appointed Dictator of
the Republic and afterwards President.
n Spain did not, however. formally recog-
hize the rebellious States as Independent
until March 80. 1915.
Singular to relate. without trouble of any
from the confederation known as the Fed
eral States of Colombia. which embraced
the present Colombia and Ecuador, on NO
vember 26. 1899. and soon afterwards, at a
meeting of the Venezuelan notables. Cen
eral Peaz, who fought with Bolivar. was
elected President.
General Peaz at once set on foot negotia-
tions for the recognition by Spain OF Nene-
the presidency by Doctor Jose Vargas in
1895. 1t having been decided that the Pres,
ident should hold Office for two years ana
lot be eligible to succeed himself.
FORCED TO ABDfCATE.
President Vargas became -embroiled with
the military element. and shortly after his
election was seized by a dozen Generals
and ordered 20 sign abdication papers. This
he refused 20 do and was deported in con-
sequence to the Island of st. Thomas. For.
mer President Peaz. who had retired, al
once raised 1000 soldiers and marched on
Caracas, the capital, and captured 1t after
a months operations. President Vargas
was recalled. However, the military ele-
Ill 1896. On the expiration Of Nargas's term
Peaz was induced to succeed him, and in
isi2
-Four years afterwards war broke out be-
tGeen the negroes and the creoies. ,Peaz
kas recalled from his retirement and In
Eested with the title of Dictator. and, as
{the President was not satisfactory, was OF,
fered the presidency. However. Peaz did
not want the Office and supported General
Moncsas. who was elected.
General Monogas in lSis, in conflict over
matters of state with the deputies of the
etates of Venezuela, headed party of sol
diers <orcibly entered the Hall of Deputies
and killed several Of them. PeaZ then took
up arms against Monogas. but was defeat
ed ard captured In 1S.9. He was kept prs:
oner IN Caracls for nearly a year, released
and sent to New York.
ROTATED IN OFFICE.
The Monogas family, consisting OF father
md frra ma m ali ty, ~
Presidents Office until 1858. when a revoIu-
ton OF more than ordinary proportions
arose and they were put out of Office and
left the city. A provisional government wa,