River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-10-23
VICTORY FOR CASTRO.
ReyOIuti0nists After n Seven
Days Battle.

New York, Oct. 2o.-The following
dispatch was received from DIR. Tor
res, Cardenas, secretary to the presi-
dent of Venezuela:
Caracas, Venezuela, Oct. 1S.-Gen.
Castro communicates sweeping vic
tory after seven days bloody battle.
Three thousand casualties in the
rebel camp.
(Signed.) TORRES, Car6enas.'
Three thousand dead and wounded
on one side alone-that of the insur-
gents-marks the conclusion of the
greatest battle Venezuela has ever
known. Gen. Castro, the president
OF the republic, has won the seven
days battle just concluded. according
to an official cable dispatch received in
this city by E. Gonzales Esteves, con-
sui general of Venezuela. The forces
p1tted against each other were the
armies of Gen. Castro, the recognized
chad of the republic, and Gen. Matos,
head of the revolutionary movement.
The battle took place near La Vic
torla, on the western coast of Vene-
zuela. The army of President Cas-
tro numbered 400 men, with Is
guns. Gen. Matos, leader of the rev.
olution, and Gen. Mendosa were not
present when the fight began. The
only rebel generals engaged were
Gems. Guevara, Tore, Crespo and
Antonio Fernandez, who had with
them about 3,1O0 men, representing
the advance guard of the revolution
lists.
Willemstad, Island of Curacao, Oct.
2U.--One of the leaders of the Matos
revolution in Venezuela, who is at pres
ent in Curacao, has furnished the fol-
lowing details and explanation of the
retreat of the revolutionary army
from Victoria. Hesays the rebels only
abandoned the fight after being con-
WINGED that La Victoria was impreg-
nable, and after President Castro had
refused to come out and attack the rev
olutionists outside of La Victoria.
Twice did the revolutionary general at
tempt to force President Castro to take
the offensive, and twice the president
refused.
When the rebel reenforcements ar
rived at La Victoria last Thursday
President Castro and his forces were
located at a point on the German rail
road. The rebels made detour of the
city and cut off he only road of re-
treat open to the government forces
They were then short Of ammunition,
and had it not been for the arrival Of
train bringing them half million car
tridges, it is believed that Castro's
forces would have been annihilated
Preparations for their retreat had al
ready been ordered.
The revolutionists stationed near,
Caracas, some 1900 men, under the
command of Gen. Ramos, are alone re-
sponsible for the retreat of Gen. Men
dosa. They permitted the train carry
ing ammunition to the government to
leave Caracas and reach La Victoria.
This train had an escort Of only 100
men. The men under Ramos did not at
tack it, nor did they destroy one of the
so bridges between Caracas and La
Victoria, over which the railroad runs.
An added proof that the government
suffered terribly in the La Victoria
fight from the repeated attacks of the
rebels is found from the fact that Pres
ident Castro does not pursue Gen.
Mendoza. The latter's plan in with
drawing from La Victoria is to oblige
President Castro to abandon the po
sitions he holds there. The rebels suf
fered losses, but the government did
also. President Castro's forces are re-
duced to 3,100 men, while Gen. Matos
still has 5000 men in the field 1t was
not rout, but methodical retreat.
In conclusion, the rebel officer said that
the revolutionists, within a few days,
would be found near Caracas.