The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-15
Have Already Captured Several Cities
and Towns, Including Porto Ca
hello and Barcelona.
DECISIVE BATTLE PROBABLE
VENEZUELA'S PRESIDENT MAY
MAKE A STAND NEAR HIS CAPITAL.
Advices from the Commanders of
United States Warships and Minis
ter Bowen-Steamers Seized.

WASHINGTON, Aug. H-Under date of
the 18th inst, Minister Bowen, at Caracas,
reports to the State Department that the
situation there is very critical. AT the
time of filing his dispatch he had heard
nothing from the Cincinnati or the Mariet-
ia. He says the sacking of Barcelona con-
tinues and that much valuable property is
being destroyed. He also reported that
the cable was cut.
AT the Navy Department a cablegram
has been received from Commander Nc
Lean, reporting the arrival of the Cincin-
natl at Barcelona. The Marietta is at
Port of Spain, Trinidad, and is subject TO
the orders of Commander Mclean. The
latters dispatch to the department was in
part as follows: Barcelona occupied by
revolutionists. They have imprisoned all
civil officials, and military officials are in
possession of the entire district. Some
pillaging done, but everything now quiet.
Twenty-nine business houses sacked, most
ly foreign; also fifteen private dwellings,"
The fact that the Navy Department re-
ceived the above dispatch direct from Com
mander Mclean at Barcelona shows that
Minister Bowen's dispatch of yesterday
boJAA NhoN liz
cable had been cut was incorrect. Inc
presumption at the Navy Department is
that the revolutionists who are in control
at Barcelona refused TO allow messages to
go through to Caracas. where Castro has
his headquarters, and that this accounted
for the report from the Venezuelan capital
that the Barcelona cable has been severed.
The Navy Department officials cannot con-
ceive that Commander Mclean would have
failed to report so important a fact if the
cable had been tempered with. They are
inclined to think, after studying Com
mander McLean's report. that the revo-
lutionists in sacking the town seized what
very careful not to disturb the interests
of Americans or others whose govern
ments might make trouble for them.
THREE STEAMERS DETAINED.
The Navy Department is in receipt of
the following dispatch from Commander
Rodgers, OF the Marietta, dated Port of
Spain, Aug. IL: There are three American
citizens at Angustora, Venezuela. Life and
property safe when ship sailed. City con-
trolled by revolutionary military chiefs.
Foreign subjects alarmed over the situa-
ton. Three American steamers of the
Orinoco company are forcibly detained at
San Felix for government use"
Just before the department closed a dis
patch was received from Commander Nick
els. of the Topeka, stating that the revo-
lutfonists were in control at Porto Cabello,
and that there was no danger Of an attempt
to retake the town by the government
forces. Commander Nickels acknowledged
the receipt OF Instructions directing him TO
land a force in case of necessity, but stated
that the necessity for such a step had not
arisen.
In official circles the control of Porto
Cabello by the revolutionists is considered
a signal victory for that party as il Is a
place of considerable strategic Importance.
1t is a town of about 10000 people,, situated
on a spacious, deep and safe harbor, by
means of which; if necessary, troops IS
dispatched to other places in the
country. Porto Cabello is but a
short sail from Laguayra, which is not far
from the Venezuelan capital. A crisis in
affairs at Porto Cabello, where the insur-
gents have been gathering strength, has
existed for some time and to-day's news
from Commander Nickels confirms the pre-
diction that a battle would soon be fought
there. The Topeka is looking after the in
terests of Americans in that section of the
country, and Commander Nickels was given
full authority TO land a force If necessary
and also to prevent a bombardment without
due notice. This action was authorized at
the suggestion of Minister Bowen, and
closely followed a notice from the German
that they intended taking similar steps for
the protection of German interests. Com
mander Nickels's dispatch is the first Of
/ Al1Idl IN I IAAcNG q w 0Gll
ington that the revolutionists have secured
control of Porto Cabello.
The place called Angustora mentioned In
Commander Rodgers's dispatch from Port
of Spain as in the hands of the revolution
lists, is about $50 miles up the Orinoco river
and the more modern name for it is CiudaC
Bolivar. General Matos, who is practically
at the head of the revolution against Cas-
tro, took this town some time ago, and left
one of his lieutenants in charge. Accord
ing to information now in possession of tn,
officials here, Castro is being hemmed in
from three sides at Caracas. Genera
Matos advanced from Bolivar to the north.
west TO a place called Orituco, about forty
miles south of Caracas. Ten days ago Cas-
tro was reported as having left the capita
with a force to meet the revolutionary gen
eral, but subsequently he changed his minC
and returned. More recent advices indi
Gated that a battle was imminent on th'
plains Immediately south of Caracas. Earl!
this week the revolutionists took BARGE
Iona, to the eastward of Caracas, and now
according to this last dispatch from Com
mander Nlckels, they have obtained contro
Of Porto Cabello TO the west.
The fact that the government had seizeC
three of the steamers Of the Orinoco Com
pany at San Felix is not a cause of concerl
here. as il is understood these ships fly tn
Venezuelan flag and the right to impress
ships for government use is well settled
No further steps have been taken towar'
sending additional ships 10 Venezuela a1'
no fresh instructions have been sent 10 tn
commanders of the American warship
there, as the reports received from then
ora considered GafiSfaptOrV