Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-05-10
Rojas Is Swept
Out Of Power
Colombo Stampede
Kills 30 Persons

BOGOTA. Colombia. May 10
IR.-Dictator Gustavo Rojas
Pinilla was swept out of power
today.
Amid scenes of wild jubilation
in which 80 persons were crushed
to death. it was announced he
was turning over the presidency
to a five-man military junta.
Gen. Rojas was overthrow by
a, flood of opposition from the
Roman Catholic Church. the
business community and the
people.
He declared in q broadcast
from San Carlos Palace at $50
am: 1T would be impossible
that ]. who gave the. country
peace, should cause the country
useless bloodshed.
Troops Clear Plaza
Crowds began to assemble in
the capital in anticipation Of the
announcement. They jammed
the streets and Plaza Bolivar in
front Of the Capitol Building.
At least 30 persons persisted In
"a stampede when troops cleared
the plaza at $3.50 am.
Gen. Rojas declared he had
given command to "a military
group. The armed forces con-
tinue in command Of the coun-
try"
He announced q junta COM
posed Of Mai. Gen. Gabriel Paris,
Maj. Gen. Deogracias Fonseca,
Rear Admiral Ruben Piedrahita,
Mai. Gen. Rafael Navas Pardo
and Brig. Gen. Luis A. Ordonez.
Gen. Rojas said this junta
would have "the mission Of call
ing popular elections"
Thousands Of deIiriously Joy
full people swarmed into the
streets Of this capital high in the
Andes shouting demands for q
civilian as president.
Liberty" they cried.
Word Of Gen. Rojas' capitula-
ton started spreading at $3.50
am, after a night of conferences
between political leaders and tor
ministers Of the armed forces
BY 5 am. honking cars filled
with shouting men and women
many still in pajamas and dress.
ing gowns. converged on the cen.
ter Of Bogota. chanting in deaf.
ening rhythm. Cars and march
ing crowds advanced In all down.
town streets In solid masses.
Thousands packed the plaza In
front Of the Capitol, where Q
handpicked Constituent Assem-
bly, Wednesday night reelected
Gen. Rojas to a four-year term
beginning in 1858. Suddenly an
Officer ordered soldiers to clear
the plaza. Troops behind tanks
advanced on the crowd, using
rifle butts but not firing. The
crowd scrambled In panic, within
minutes the plaza was cleared
but Uttered with hats. shoes and
bodies.
30 in AmbnIances
Troops took at least 80 bodies
away in ambulances and army
cars. officials blamed the Officer
In command Of troops in the
plaza for giving the order to clear
1t. Tanks quickly took position
and with military police kept the
area clear Of demonstrators fol-
two blocks around.
1t was Gen. Rojas' action in
maneuvering himself into a Sec
ond term without a popular vote
which crystallized opposition Il
the former army chief Of stan.
From Cali. southwest Of Bo-
gotta. correspondents were per-
mitted by censors to report fol-
the first time today that ar
estimated 100 persons were killed
and more than 200 injured there
during q weeklong series Of anti
government riots. Earlier, a
government spokesman had
announced IL persons killed
Throughout the country in these
demonstrations, where student,
have been in the forefront.
Censorship was relaxed soor
after President Rojas relin.
quished power. The president'l
abdication signalled the end o.
a general strike which had para.
lyzed Cali for five days.
Call residents poured into tn,
. Continued ON Page A-lO. Col.