Revolution Succeeds in Ecuador

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 126, 31 May 1944, Page 5

Revolution Succeeds in Ecuador

PRESIDENT TAKES REFUGE IN U.S. EMBASSY Received Tuesday, 9.45 p.m. NEW YORK, May 29. President Arroyo del Rio, of Ecuador and all the members of his Cabinet re signed to-night after the revolutionary junta seized power at Guayaquil, states the Associated Press’s correspondent at Quito. Crowds paraded the streets in Quito hailing the former President Ibarra. Del Rio wa3 a firm supporter of Pan-American solidarity. He handed over power in the Senate to the VicePresident, Doctor Fausto Navarro Alleade, after which he sought refuge in the United States Embassy. Earlier reports stated that numerous persons were killed and wounded in street fighting during a revolutionary uprising at Guayaquil in Ecuador. The revolt, headed by General Villamil, included supporters of Valasco Ibarra, former President now exiled in Colombia. The Associated Press correspondent said that revolutionary troops, supported by tanks, seized the Carabineros' barracks at Guayaquil after a night battle, in which there were numerous casualties. The United Press correspondent says that at least 50 persons were killed and 100 injured. The revolutionists announced that they staged the revolt because they were dissatisfied with the anti-democratic proceedings of the present Government. They demanded free elections and the return of ex-President Velasco Ibarra. The Associated Press’s correspondent reports that the revolt was designed to forestall the election scheduled for next week which the revolutionists claimed would be farcical because tbe formei President would not be allowed to return to participate in the election cam paign. The revolutionists seized control of Guayaquil after 10 hours of bitter street fighting and organised a provisional junta which is meeting in the Government Building. Rehabilitation “That this meeting is not satisfied that returned men are treated appropriately in financial assistance. Advances should be made at cost, and the freehold of farms and homes should be made possible. Also a returned man should be allowed to choose his own occupation. ’ ’ —This was a remit carried at yesterday's inter-Provincial conference of the Farmers' Union in Palmerston North yesterday.