New-York tribune., 1903-07-21
BATTLE In VENEZUELA.
GOVERNMENT WINNING.
More than 200 Re0olutionists Killed
an Ciudad BOliUay.

Soledad. Venezuela July TO- 2 p. m.-At
O'Clock this morning the engagement between
the government forces and the revolutionists
occupying Ciudad Bolivar began, in two differ
ent directions. The revolutionists opened the
battle. At O'Clock the smoke over Ciudad
Bolivar was thick that it impossible to
see the city. At : o'clock the government
troops. after hard fight. in which they lost
more than hundred men. captured the ceme-
terry. Al O'Clock the Venezuelan fleet. consist
ing of five vessels, shelled the government build
ing al Ciudad Bolivar. At 10 o'clock the revoIu-
tionists' flag had disappeared from the govern
ment building. and at IL all the streets near
that building were captured by the government
forces and charge of all the government
soldiers on the city was ordered.
The wounded were then beginning 10 arrive
at the government headquarters from all direc-
tions. and the tight was general but the move
ments could not be followed from here in con-
sequence of the smoke caused by the fire OF the
artillery of the revoIutionists which seemed for
midable. II was answered vigorously by the
government guns, and only a few shots reached
the fleet
At i'm the afternoon block of houses oppo-
site the government building was captured by
storm The revoIutionists seemed to be resisting
desperately
The Associated Press correspondent will follow
tile euN dnce WIN OIenerdl ftlVaS The latter is
waiting for signal from General Gomez. the
Venezuelan commander-in-chief who conducted
the attack from Miraflores to enter Ctudad
Bolivar, with all his reserves and fourteen guns
The spectacle furnished by the streets of Gu
dad Bolivar when the smoke cleared away
was heart rending. There We're more than two
hundred dead revOlUtiOnists in the streets be-
sides many wounded.
The battle at Cfudad Bolivar had tong been ex
pected. and known to have been inevitable
The revolutionists 90 the number of about $500
have successfully held Ciudad Bolivar. which is
an important seaport in the east for over a year
and half against reUeated attacks by the gov
ernmerst forces. According to General Hernandez
NenezueIas minister to Washington who az
rived here yesterday. only the ~ecaptUre &C Ciudad
Bolivar is now necessary for the re-establishment
Of peace in the republic The rebels are not only
well equipped, but have the great advantage OF
chief. at time Governor # the State OF
fighter. and is at home at the scene of the present
conflict He recently chosen chief of the re-
beliOu. as the successor of General Matos. One OF
his SubOrdlnateS Is General Antonio Paroles. an
other brave leader, who four years age, with
small hand. successfully held for several days the
city of Puerto CabellO against attacks from land
and sea by the government army.
General Gomez, who commands the government
of Venezuela
1t is feared that a much greater loss of life will
be entailed by the effort to recapture Ctudad Boil
war, as IL Is certain that General ROldndO Will
fight to the last to retain his stronghold
The port of Ciudad Bolivar has been closed to
shipping for several months. and local exporters
hope the battle now in progress viii be decisive,
much damage has been sustained by American
commerce as result of the closed port.