Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-02-01

With the killing OF Gen Eloy Alfaro,
ex-president of Ecuador his brother,
Gen. Flavio Alfaro. ex-minister of war
and commander-in- chief of the revolu-
tionary forces: Gen Medaro Alfaro,
who is believed to have been a brother of
the two other Alfaros and Generals Paez
and Manuel Serrano. the leading lights in
Ecuador'c last revolution have been
snuffed out This revolution. although it
had been a long time brewing. began In
reality a few days following the sudden
death on December % last of President
Emilio Estrada.
The first of the drastic measures taken
by those who opposed the revolutions
were carried into effect last Thursday at
Guayaauil. with General Montero. who
was proclaimed president by the troops
after the death Of Estrada, was shot and
beheaded by a mob which later burned
his body The shooting OF Montero took
place in the court room where the general
had just been tried by court martial and
sentenced to IL years imprisonment for
his connection with the revolt. The peo-
pie, evidently enraged at what they con-
sidered too light sentence. rushed into
the court room and after Kidding Mon
tero's body with bullets. dragged It into
the open. Then they decapitated It built
bonfire and threw into the flames the
torso and head of the man who once was
a popular hero in Ecuador.
CAPTURED AT GUAYAQUIL.
Eloy Alfaro and Generals Paez and
Montero were captured January % at
when government troops
under Gen. IIeonidas Plaza forced the
revolutionists who held Guayaauil to
wounded in a battle a few days before
the fall Of Guayaquil. Medaro Alfaro
was captured January rs as he arrived
at GuayaQuil on board steamer with
a body OF rebel troops.
Eloy Alfaro was proclaimed presi-
dent of Ecuador by the populace in
January. 1906, after he had defeated
the government troops at Quito. In
October Of the same year he was elect
ed provisional president by the nation
al convention and held the office Of
chief executive until 1911. In that
year Gen. Emilio Estrada ran for the
OhlCe Win ld|Io AithiD as 9Il oDNOIl-
ent and was elected by q majority Of
over 100000 votes. Flavio Alfaro then
started revolt and in 1t he was aided
by President Alfaro. The charge was
made that Eloy was trying to set up a
in Ecuador. and from the
first the efforts to take away the pres
idency from Estrada met with re-
verses. Estrada's forces frequently
were victorious and with public opin-
ion against the revolt. Eloy Alfaro
resigned In August and later he and
Flavio departed for Panama Estrada
was then indicted into office and re-
his leath last December.
The Alfaros and their followers had not
been idle during Estrada's tenure OF
office. and there frequently came reports
OF their intention to start a revolution in
Ecuador When Estrada died. General
Montero, trusted lieutenant of the
Alfaros, had himself proclaimed presl-
dent by the radicals and the troops in
Guayaqul. Montero at the time was
communicative chief OF the military in the
Guayaquil district. He formed a prov!-
sional ministry and the new governme 1t
signed an act to ignore the constitutional
administration at Quito. 1t was said that
Montero was to hold the presidency until
the return Of Flavio Alfaro from Panama
and then turn over the reins Of govern
ment to him. FlaWo departed from
Guayaquil almost Immediately and was
followed shortly by Eloy Alfaro Gen
Leonidas Plaza was the favored candi-
date for the presidency of the Quito
government.
Severe fighting followed the outbreak
Of the new revolt and the United States
to Ecuadorean waters to protect Ameri-
can interests. The fighting continued with
varying successes until Jan. 10 when the
the rebels suffered bad defeat IT
Yaguache, northeast OF Guayaquil. Four
days later Guayaluil capitulated 20
General Plaza.
Eloy AifarO and Generals Montero and
Paes were found In hiding and were then
only saved from death by the interven-
ton OF Gen. Julio Andrade OF the govern
ment forces. Later they were taken 10
the Quito penitentiary.
General Paez won his title on the field
OF battle. II was in 1906 He was in COM
mand OF force Of government troops
which defeated n band of rebels near the
River Azoguez and In recognition Of his
skill in commanding men he was made a
general.