Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-10
General Uprising in a vene-
Zuelan Prison.
( OFFICERS KILLED
Gen. Gomez, Warden, Gets Away by
Assuming a Disguise.
BARRACKsANDQU
Government Fortress on San Carlos
Island, in Lake Maracaibo. Scene
Of Exciting Revolt.

CARACAS, Venezuela. October TO-
Government troops today occupy San
Carlos fortress and prison on San Carlos
Island. at the entrance to Lake Mara
caibo, following Fridays INSTRUMENTATION
when troops conspired with the criminal
prisoners and some Of the latter escaped.
NO political Importance is attached by
the government to the revolt.
WILLEMSTAD, Curacao, October TO-
capt Johansson of the American Red d
line steamship Merida, who brought the
llrst news of the revolt of prisoners at
the san Carlos fortress on Lake Mara
calbo, Venezuela, gave further details to-.
day OF what the crew witnessed Ac-
cordins to reports which he gathered six
omcerS were killed. but Gen. Prato Co
mez. a brother of President Gomez. and
warden OF the prison, escaped by assum-
ing a Disguise
The soldiers barracks and the generals
quarters were burned and 200 prisoners.
some OF whom had been incarcerated be-
cause OF their allegiance to the lost cause
OF o., former President Castro, escaped.
These are reported to be wandering about
the northern part of the republic and
there are many uncOnf1rmed rumors con-
corning their whereabouts and intentions
toward the government.
The Merida arrived of San Carlos IS
land. twenty miles below Maracaibo. at 7
CROCK on the morning Of October and
round q fire raging on the island and the
nag over the fortress al half-mast. The
captain sent the purser in a small boat
win the usual passport to be signed by
the general commanding the fortress and
to drop the gulf pilot. AS the small boat
neared the shore six armed men waded
out. and pushing the boat back into
deeper water scrambled aboard. They
asked to be taken on board the Merida
saying that they were escaped prisoners
the men confined in the prison havina
risen, overpowered the officers and taken
possession.
Fight Outside Fortress.
At the same time heavy firing was
heard, and from the ship men could be
seen fighting outside the fortress Capt
Johansson refused to permit the escaped
men to board the Merida, but put them
down the bay. The purser had promised
to return to the fort with the pilot boat,
out the men would not let him do so.
The Merida then proceeded to Mara
caibo. carrying there. apparently. the
first news of the revolt. Troops were
hastily embarked upon q schooner, and a
new commander for the fortress entered
q sloop. and the two vessels sailed for
San Carlos late that same afternoon.
Later in the day Capt. JOhansson was
notified that the government was in pos
session of the fortress. and he was given
permission to proceed. The Merida re-
turned to San Carlos. arriving there at 7
O'clock Saturday morning. The ruins
were still smoking, but all was quiet. A
white flag was fying. but there was no
sign Of the troops.
Planned to Capture Ship.
a colonel who appeared to be in COM
mand of the island reluctantly signed
the ships papers, but the Merida feared
to proceed lest she encounter a Vene-
zuelan gunboat that might challenge the
regularity of the papers.
Later the steamship proceeded to Cura-
Gao. The mate reports that the soldiers
barracks and the general quarters were
destroyed, and says that he was told that
six officers were killed, but that Gen.
Gomez escaped across the lake by as
Stunning fictitious name. Two hundred
prisoners, he was told, reached the MAIN
land in small boats. He saw a few men
and one woman on the island.
1t is believed here that it was the inten-
ton Of the revolters to seize the Merida
and escape by her. This plan was thwart-
ed by Capt. JohanssOn's refusal to allow
the armed party to come aboard.