New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-05
GEN. HERNANDEZ ARRESTED.
CHARGES AGAINST A VENEZUELAN OFFICER.
THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST HIM MADE BY @. F.
rxnrpurIr. FORMERLY U. S. CONSUL AT
BOLIVAR. AND HIS wIFE-BAIL Sc
CURED IN TINE FOR THE GENERAL
TO CATCH A STEAMER FOX
HIS HOME.

CURED IN TIME FOR THE GENERAL
TO CATCH A STEAMER FOX
HIS HOME.
One of the most interesting and unusual stories OF
dioaeulties In South America has just been maze
known through suit brought into the supreme
Court BY George F. Underhill formerly superinteh-
dent Of the famous FL Callao gold mines OF ven.
exuela and for six years Consul Of the United
States at the port of Bolivar The complaint IL
asanst General Jose Manuel Hernandez. promi-
nent officer of the Republic Of Venezuela VIM
during the last week has been In the city.
The complaint is an extraordinary one. Generai
Hernandez, an officer in the army OF foreigh
Power Is arrested while travelling In TINS country
and held In $4,000 bail for an offence committed III
time Of war in his country against private ihui-
viduals Of this country. Two charges are mace
one by Mr.. Underhl on which $4,000 damages io'
business losses are asked. and one by MIS- ohoe.-
hill on which $zs.eOo personal damages are sought
The story told by the papers In the suit reaos hAe
q novel Of adventure.
In the summer Of 1892 Mr.. and Mrs. Underhill were
living at Bolivar Mr.. Underhill was the owner ana
manager Of the waterworks system OF that cny'
NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY.
In August. before General Crespo the present
President Of Venezuela, had established the reVo-
luttonary cause in that country General Hernandez
at the head of band Of revolutionary 1oiio"ers'
succeeded In defeating the Government troops uh-
der General Santos Carrera. near the City OF BOIL
var and In killing the latter. AS soon as the sue
cess Of Hernandez was known in Bolivar, Mr. ana
Mrs. Underhl being warned. prepared to Depart
but mob was formed Of the partisans Of Herman
der under great excitement against Cnderniii De-
cause he had repaired the steamer Nutrias Tor the
Government. although doing it under compulsion
and maintaining his neutrality in every way Inc
mob at the point of the pistol. compelled Mr. ana
Mrs Underhill disembark from the boat In which
they were about to sail, outrageously maltreated
them and hustled them through the streets tearing
the clothes from their backs. until they managed to
escape into a house. Mr.. Underhill was then cast
into filthy JAIL but was afterward released through
the fearless efforts of his wife.
General Hernandez entered the city the next day
and took entire control of 1t and of all its affairs
calling himself military delegate" Mr.. and Mrs
Underhil confined to their own house Armed
guards were placed about it and cannon trained
upon it, They were imprisoned there for two
months not even daring to approach the windows.
and their supplies were largely cut off. Finally the
house was demanded of them for the use of troops
Frequent demands were made upon General Her
nandez TO allow them. as American citizens, TO
leave the country. but all these demands were re-
fused Later Mr. Underhil became dangerously ILL.,
Finally the sale of the waterworks business was
demanded OF Mr.. Underhill. the sum offered being
5000 pesos, equivalent to about $1,000. He refused
1t had cost him $4,000 and was worth 100000
lie was told that United States gunboat would
never De dDe 10 get MIN out VI 'iio ei'y "SS' nv
sold the business. The offer then declined to $500
pesos about 5000. Under this extreme duress he
was obliged to surrender his waterworks-all he
had in the world-and then Immediately al
lowed to depart
THE GENERAL ARRIVED HERE LAST SATURDAY.
General Hernandez. against whom these charges
are brought, arrived in New-York from Paris last
Saturday For some months he has been travelling
abroad. With him his adjutant. Redro Her
nandez They have been staying at the Victoria
Hotel 1t from that place that General Her
nandez was taken yesterday morning In custody
OF Deputy Sherins Wagering and Donovan. war
rant for his arrest had been issued by Judge Gull
len. OF Brooklyn, and the bail placed at $4,000.
Admission Hernandez's room was gained only
by strategy. 1t managed by reporter. A
card sent to the General At first he refused
be seen. but later consented. The deputy sheriff,
Donovan, accompanied the reporter. WHO are
your asked the man who opened the door to adj
nit the reporter.
II am a sheriff" said Donovan. "and I have
come to arrest General Hernandez" AS he spoke
he pushed by the man at the door into the Cen
erals ROOM There were half dozen people there.
Hernandez was just dressing. There was confusion
at Donovan's words The General himself laughed.
a WERE he rs asked Ks h
made he grew red in the face. and controlled him.
Il am just about to start for Venezuela. l shall
Miss my IN Can Of not this have was D said az
General Hernandez was taken to the Sheriff $
@ ae ha for Of o
s NJ sas s BAH met e s ct ssseS 54 e
was accepted The matter was transacted with
days in which to answer the charges. He secured
as his counsel Coudert Brothers, and was then
he caught with only 4 minute to spare the steamer
Caracas. sailing for Venezuela
THE GENERALS SIDE OF THE CASE.
While at the sherns Office General Hernandez
ITo1o Ia
General Hernandez was under arms for the pres
ent government of Venezuela. When the Govern
ment forces captured Bolivia. Underh had shut
on the citys water but had been forced to continue
the ppiy The trouble between himself and I'm
derhl had been in the civil courts Of Venezuela
and had also been brought TO the notice Of Captain
Crowninshield. Of the United States steamer Kear-
the office q cadsnas SO MI Gaae1a
Of M d Of h %e
ad he ean hardly be held responsSe for
what he did in the service of his Government. I'm
he did not do it, and he was made to sell the
works to one Tomassi' representative of the Gov
General He5pandsz Is ,s one 10, Of TIE heroes
means msmd me has s" BEEN sPeat
and has many sears and, wounds. Wher,
ne pesD ~ Of hs
wh S oy n1r
fnent. He had always been enemy of Blanco
and Palaco, and his services were Of the first
Importance in overthrowing the rule Of the latter
General Hernandez feels very bitter toward
Uuderhn. though he admires Americans generally.
This whole matter will undoubtedly before
the Venezuelan Government and the United States
will probah;, be asked to make what reparaton
seems just"
Mr. Cnderh was seen at his home. No. go
Forty -fifthst.. Brooklyn. yesterday afternoon. His
story supplemented by the story of his wife was
full OF interesting and exciting details He gave
q viyidness to the story of their capture and i'm
prisonment which would have fired the blood of
any free man. The real cause of their imprison-
ment Mr. Cnderh says. his refusal TO repair
steamer for Hernandez Undsrhill says he did
affairs and so refused TO work for either side.
His story Of Hernandez's entry into Bolivia at
the head of force of the scum Of the country |"
was most graphic. The general. he says, had been
In prison in Bolivia but had escaped He gathered
iexaiistas' or from their arms. the sacred order
Of Winchester men They were tor Crespo. and