FIGHTING.IN PARAGUAY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1081, 21 March 1911, Page 5

FIGHTING.IN PARAGUAY.

. DICTATOR DEFEATS REBELS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Oapyrieht (Rec. March 20, 10.30 p.m.) Buenos Ayres, March 20. Severe fighting has taken place at Villa rfosario in Paraguay. Tho dictator, Colonel Jara, routed tho rebels, killing Dr. Ilequelme, Minister for tlio Interior, in the late Government, and capturing other rebel leaders. Tho dictator admits that he had four officers and a hundred men killed. The rebels' losses are unknown.

The War Minister of Paraguay, Colonel Jara, who was elected President in January, has I 'been" virtual dictator of the country for several months. In July last lie engineered a revolution whereby .the ruling party, the Civicos, wero driven into, exile after severe fighting in the capital. The President fled and in his .place Colonel Jara, at the head of _ a newly-iormed party, the Liberals, installed the Vice-President, a puppet. He himself assumed the portfolio of War and the other offices were filled by'his .comrades. The new Ministers took up their residence in the balTacks, and to make their position still more secure they banished the leaders of the Colorados. The Colorado? had held power for 35 years, had been overthrown in 1901 by the Civicos. in whose rank's then was Colonel Jara, and liad helped Colonel Jara to overthrow the Civicos when they had passed him over in the distribution of spoils. In December a new President and VicePresident assumed office —Senor Gondra ar.d Senor Gaona—Colonel .Tara retaining [ the all-importar.t post of War Minister and the sunreme dontrol. Colonel Jara is described as a young man of great energy and determination, fearless, and | with a genius for intrigue.