Evening star., 1952-04-10
Bolivia Rushes Troops
To Que|| Revolution;
Fighting Continues
BY the Associated Press


Bolivia's -off1cer government
rushed troops from 155 miles
away as fighting continued
through the night in a revolt
trying to overthrow the junta
regime which seized power II
months ago.
The rebels are hackers of Vic
tor Paz Estenssoro, exiled leader
of the National Revolutionary
Party (MNR) who won the most
votes among six candidates in
last years presidential elections
but never gained Office.
Brig. Gen. Antonio Seleme. In
terror Minister in the military
junta, turned against his fellow
officers and helped lead the re-
volt which began at dawn yes
terday. At least 18 persons were
killed and so injured during the
first days fighting.
Army Reported Loyal.
Most of the army repeatedly re-
manned loyal to the military re-
gime. It's forces gathered strength
at the El Alto airport garrison.
on a plateau 1000 feet above La
Paz, and launched a night attack
by bright moonlight on the rebels
in the capital city.
Gen Hugo Ballivian. head of the
government, repeatedly took
refuge with his garrison at the
airport. The army also held Mira
flores garrison in La PaZ, denying
the rebels stocks of guns and am
munition there.
The rebels. who included some
army and police officers. report
edly still held the Illimani radio
station in La Paz and the sub
urban workers district Of Villa
Victoria last night, but troops
from Ell Alto mounted an attack
ut dusk against Villa Victoria.
Mortars crumped. machine guns
clattered and rifles cracked. The
rebels were reported forced out of
several points seized earlier and
the army appeared to be gaining
the upper hand.
Residents Stay in Homes.
Radio appeals for workers and
students to join the rebels drew
little response. Residents of La
Paz, a city of 100000, crouched in
their homes behind tightly shut
tered doors and windows. The
streets remained empty except for
troops and truckloads of armed
civilians.
Built 12,400 feet above sea level,
La Pas is the worlds highest cap
ital. Gunshots cracked sharply
through the thin mountain air.
Several parts of the city were re-
ported badly damaged by mortar
fire. Z:
Mr.. Paz Estenssoro, leader Of
the MNR, is the idol of the tin
miners in this tin-rich nation.
Ia Buenos Aires, Argentine, where
he has been living in exile since
1946, he said he had expected the
revolution because "for the past
two months Bolivia has been liv-
ing in desperation"
There have been weeks with
out meat or bread" he said, des-
cribing the Ballivian regime as
indecisive and inefficient:
Tin Dispute With RFC.
Bolivian tin exports, which
finance purchase of much of the
country's food, have fallen because
Bolivia could not agree on prices
with the United States Recon-
struction Finance Corp, its chief
customer. The Bolivians de-
manded $3.50 a pound; the United
States refused to pay more than
SLIP and last January contracted
for large amounts of Malayan tin
at $118
Mr.. Paz Estenssoro polled 54,129
votes out of 126,125 in the presi-
dental election last May 6. Be-
cause he failed to get majority
Congress was to pick a President
from the three leading candidates
Before the legislators could act
Gen. Baliivian seized the govern
ment, threw out the election re-
suits and abolished Congress.