New-York tribune., 1902-08-15
SOUTH AMERICAN WARS
pEVOLUTTONIST VICTORIES
IN VENEZUELA.
prERTO CABELLo CAPTURED-AMERI-
CAN VESSELS SEIZED-CASTRO
HARD PRESSED

CAN VESSELS SEIZED-CASTRO
HARD PRESSED.
washington, Aug. 14-Minister Bowen, at
Caracas reports to the State Department that
the situation in Venezuela is extremely critical
ge says he is advised by the United States
Consul al Barcelona that the revolutionists are
saclzing that town and searching private houses
They are demanding money from foreign resi-
dents in exchange for a guarantee of safety of
fves and property.
The Navy Department received a cable dis
natch from Commander Mclean, reporting the
arrival Of the Cincinnati at Barcelona The
Marietta is at Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, and is
subject to the orders of Commander Mclean
Commander McLean's dispatch is in part as
follows:
Barcelona occupied by revolutionists. They
have imprisoned all civil officials and military
n+7cerS are in possession Of entire district
some pflaging done, but everything now quiet
Twenty-nine business houses sacked, mostly
foreign; also fifteen private dwellings
The fact that the Navy Department received
the above dispatch direct from Commander
Mclean at Barcelona shows that Minister
Bowers dispatch of yesterday from Caracas,
saving that the Barcelona cable had been cut
Was Incorrect The presumption at the Navy
Department IS that the revolutionists who
in control at Barcelona refused to allow mes
sages TO go through Caracas, where Presi-
dent Castro has his headquarters, and that
tbs accounted for the report from the Venezue-
Ian capital that the Barcelona cable had been
severed. The Navy Department officials cannot
believe that Commander Mclean would have
failed 10 report so important fact if the ca
bles had been tampered with. They are inclined
To think. after studying his report, that the
revolutionists in sacking the town seized what
l-1- -Fa=- ba,, a. hr1T
full not 70 disturb the interests Of Americans
or others whose governments might make trou-
bic for them.
FALL OF PUERTO CABELLO.
lust before the department closed a dispatch
was received from Commander Nickels. Of the
Topeka. at Puerto Cabello saying that the
-eyolutionists were in control, and there was
no danger Of an attempt to retake the town by
the government forces. Commander Nickels
acknowledged the receipt Of instructions di-
recing him to land a force in case Of necessity,
but said that the necessity for such a step had
not arisen.
In official circles the control Of Puerto Cabello
BY the revoIutionists is considered signal VIC
tory for that party. as it is place Of consider
able strat tegic Importance. 1t is town Of about
ten thousand people, spacious deep and
safe harbor. by means Of which. if necessary
troops and supplies may be landed or dis
patched 10 other places in the country. Puerto
Cabeilo is only a short sail from La Guayra-
which is not far from the Venezuelan capital.
A crisis in affairs at Puerto Cabello. where the
Insurgents have been gathering strength, has
existed fer some time. and to-days news from
Commander Nickels confirms the prediction that
q battle would soon be fought there. The To-
peka is looking after the interests OF Arner1-
cans in that section of the country. and Com
nander Nickels possesses full authority to land
q force if necessary and to prevent a lombard
Ynent without due notice. This action was
authorized at the suggestion of Minister Bowen.
and closely followed notice from the Germans
that they intended taking similar steps for the
protection OF German interests. Commander
Nickels's dispatch is the first official informa-
ton 10 reach washington that tbs revolutionists
have secured control Of Puerto Cabeiio
THREE AMERICAN SHIPS SEIZED.
The Navy Department has received the fol-
lowing dispatch from Commander Rodgers, OF
the Marietta, dated Pert-of-Spain. August II:
There are three American citizens at Angos-
ship sailed. City controlled by revolutionary
military chief Foreign subjects alarmed over
situation Three American steamers OF me
Oriroco Company forcibly detained at san FellH
for government use
Angostura is about $50 miles up the Orinoco
River. and the more modern name for it is
Ciudad Bolivar. General Matos. who is prac-
fically at the head OF the revolution against
Castro, took his town some time ago and left
one Of his Heutenants il charge According 10
Information now in possession Of the officials
here Castro is being hemmed in from three
sides at Caracas. General Matos advanced from
Bolivar to the northwest to q place called ORR
tuco about sixty miles south Of Caracas Ten
days ago Castro was reported as having left
the capital with a force to meet the revolution
ary general but he changed his mind and
turned to Caracas. The latest advices indicated
that battle was imminent on the plains imme-
diately south of Caracas
Early this week the revoIutionists took BARGE
Iona, to the eastward Of Caracas. and now,
according TO the last dispatch from Commander
Nickels they have obtained control of Puerto
Cabeuo 10 the westward. The fact that the
government had seized three Of the steamers
Of the Orinoco company at San Felix causes no
concern here, as il is understood that these
ships fly the Venezuelan flag. and the right to
impress ships for government use is well set
lied No further steps have been taken toward
sending additional ships to Venezuela, ana no
fresh instructions have been sent to the com
manders Of the American warships there, as the
reports received from them are considered salts
factory.
At the Offices of the orinoco Steamship Company.
IN this city il was said yesterday that informa
ton regarding the forcibIe detention Of Of their
vessels by the Venezuelan Government had been
received The company, which is an American
concern, has q feet Of nine vessels, all OF which
are under the Venezuelan standard. The operations
SI tne company are connne9 10 Trr;5s5
c1udad Bolivar and points on the orinoco Rover
REvoLUTIONIST ACTIVITY IN HAYTL
Washington. Aug. 14.-Minister Powell at