Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-08-15
Several Stores and Private Residences in
City Have Been Pillagsd.
CRUISER CINCINNATI IS ON THE SCENE
Statement Of Minister Bowen That Gable
Had Been Out Proves Untrue.
AMERlcAN INTERESTS ARE NOT DISTURBED
RevoIutionists very Careful In sack.
Ing Baroslons to Touch No Prop
erty that misht Cause
Them Trouble.

WASHINGTON. Aug. 14.--Just before the
department closed a dispatch was received
from Commander Nickels OF the Topeka at
Porto Cabello. stating that the revoIu-
tionisss were in control and that there was
no danger OF an attempt TO retake the town
BY the government forces. Commander
NickelB acknowledged the receipt Of in
structiona directing him TO land force in
case OF necessity, but stated that the neces-
eity for such step had not arisen.
In ofncial circles the control Of Porto
CabeIlo by the revolutionists is considered
. signal victory for that party, as IL, is a
place Of considerable strategic Importance.
II Is a town Of about 10 900 people, situated
on spacious, deep and safe harbor hy
means Of which II necessary troops and
supplies may be landed OF dispatched to
other places In the country. Porto Cabello
IS but q short sail from Laguira, which is
not far from the Venezuelan capital. A
crisis in Affairs at Porto Cabello. where the
Insurgents have been gathering strength,
has existed for some time and today's news
from Commander Nickels confirms the pre-
diction that a battle would soon be fought
there.
Topeka is looking after the interests Of
Americans In that section OF the country
and Commander Nickeis was given full au-
thority to land force II necessary and
also to prevent bombardment without due
notice. This action was authorized at the
suggestion OF Minister Bowen and closely
followed a notice from the Germans that
they intended taking similar steps for the
protection Of German interests. Com
mander Niekeia, disnatch IL the drst ofn-
cial information that has reached Washing
ton that the reyolutlonists have secured
control Of Porto cabello.
The place called Angustura mentioned in
Commander Rodgers dispatch from Port of
Spain as In the hands OF the revolutionists.
is about $50 miles up the Orinoco river. and
the more modern name for Il Is siudai
Bolivar. General Aatos. 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 70 information now In possession Of the
enicials here Castro 4 being hsmmed In
from three sides at Caracas. General
Aaton advances from Bolivar to the north
west to place called orituco. about sixty
miles south Of Caracas. Ten days ago Cas-
tro was reported as having left the capital
with force to meet the revolutionary
general, but subsequently he changed his
mind and returned. More recent advfces
indicated that a battle was imminent on
the plains Immediately south Of Caracas.
Early this week the revolutionists took
Barcelona, 70 the eastward of Caracas. ana
now, according to this last dispatch from
Commander Nickels. they have obtained
control OF Porto Cabello to the westward
The fact that the government had seIzed
three Of the steamers OF the orinoco COM
paHy at San Felix Is not cause OF con-
cern here, as II is understood that these
ships ny the Venezuelan flag and the right
90 impress ships for government use il we1l
settled. No further steps have been taken
toward sending additional ehjos To vene-
Euela and no fresh instructions have heen
sent TO the commanders OF the American
warships there. as the reports received
from them are considered satisfactory.
situation Grows Critical.
Under Date Of Wednesday, August u
minister Bowen, at Caracas. reports to the
State department that the situation there
is very critical
Minister Bowen In the dispatch. the con
tents Of which the State department made
public today. says he lis advised bv the
United States consul at Barcelona that the
reVoiutionists are saelEing that town and
searching private houses. They are de-
manains money from foreign residents In
exchange for guaranty Of safety Of lives
and properly"
A. the time OF ming hts dispatch he hsa
heard nothing from Cincinnati or Marietta.
lie says the sackine Of Barcelona continues
ana that much valuable property is being
destroyed e
Al the Navy department cableeram has
been received from Commander Mclean
reporting the arrival Of Cincinnati At Bar
eslona- Marietta IL At Port Of Spain. Trim.
aoad. ana Y subject 70 the orders OF Com
mender Mclean.
The dispatch from Commander Mclean
Wes ssnt since that Of Minister Bowen.
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
Hem Caracas saying that the Barcelona
cable mad been cut was incorrect The pre-
sumption at the Navy department is that
the revoiuticnists who are IN control AZ
barceion2 refused to allow messages TO 20
throngh % Caracas. where Castro has his
neaaquarters. and that this accounted for
~, .epert IRON me Nenezuelan capital that
the bareeiona cable had been severed.
The Navy department ofnoials esnnot
cohesive that Commander Mclean wouId
have failed to report 80 important a fact
II the cables had been tamDered with. Thev
are inclined to think. after studying Com
mander AeLean'e report. that the rsvolu-
tionista IN sacking the town seized what
they could lay their hands on, but were
very careful not TO disturb the interests Of
Amerieans o. ssAers whose governments
might make trouble for them.
The Navy department is ln receipt Of the
following dispatch from Commander RodEers
OF Marietta. dated Port Of Spain. August II:
There are three American citizens a
Angustora. Vene1ufss f.ifs and DroDerfv
safe when ship sailed City controlIed hv
Evolutionary military chief Foreign sub
lean steamers, OI|noco company. forclbly
detained a san Felix for gopernment use.
Renews esrsnnsh 81 RebsIs
NEW YORK. Aus. 1l--cabllng from
Port OF Spain. Trinidad th6 Herald corre-
spondent saya. The fall a Barcelona into
the hands Of the Venezuelan revoiutionists