The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1896-01-29
eR[SP9 ACCEPTS OFFER
Gen. Hernandez Would Fight Eng
land in Case Of War.
LETTERS BETWEEN THE TWO
The Host iliey Bet ween he V Venezuelan
Leaders Laid Aside III View of Their
Country's Need-Their Politic al RI
valry Is of Long Sta nding-COrdial
Words to Each Other.

MI ndtteO JepptT Vi tUt law IEii vi
De GraffeDreid Il Topper. ard who is pri-
vate secretary to ex-Minister Soteldc OF
Venezuela, today gave exclusively to The
Times two important communications bear
ing upon the Venezuelan difficulty. One
is a letter from Gen. Hernandez, now in
New YORK, and the other is the reply OF
President Crespo. They illsutrate the pa
triotic feeling of these Venezuelan leaders
and their attitude toward Great Britain.
New York, Jan. =. 1896.
To Gen. Joaquin Crespo, President of the
United States of Venezuela, Caracas:
Mr.. President:
/ am fully aware of the serious charaC ter
which the Anglo VeneZuelan frontier con-
troversy has lately assumed, both through
the American press and that of Caracas.
Il know that the government and people
OF Venezuela are preparing to use the Ie
climate right OF defense. and rcpcl by
force any violence which Great Britain
always ready to Cypress weak nationalities,
may exercise against our country.
1T is my conviction that as soon as we
are threatened from abroad. it is incuni-
bent on every good citizen OF Venezuela
not to hesitate before any kind OF sacrifice,
and hasten to render 10 his country, with
loyalty and abnegatiOn, the services i'm
posed by the paramount of his duties.
Il am, therefore, addressing you. Mr..
President. i'll order 10 make known to
the government and people OF my father
land that-bOth as a Venezuelan and
soldier OF the republic am ready 10 take
my place in the ranks OF the national Il rmy
whenever the time may come to defend
by force of arms the dignity OF the country
and the integrity OF our territory. Any
other line of conduct would. under actual
circumstances, be criminal and punishable.
As 1t Is my intention TO visit Central
America on private business during the
present month ] shall always be ready
whether in Guatemala or elsewhere. to
lose not a moment in going to ccupy the
post which my duty Will point out to me.
remain, Citizen President, etc, etc,
(Signed.D
JOSE MANUEL HERNIA NDEZ-
PRESIDENT CRESPO'S REPLY.
Caracas, January / 3. s96.
Gen. jose Manuel Hernandez. New York
Sir: i have learned with satisfaction
through your esteemed letter of the 2d in
slant, your patriotic intention of coming to
take your place i'll the ranks OF the national
unfortunately occur.
As a Venezuelan. ] cannot do less than
sincerely applaud your decided attitude
and cOngratu you on your conduct,
which raises you higher in the general es-
TEEN. As president of the republic. |
thankfully accept your offer in its name, and
am rlad To sign myself. yours, etc,
tsigned.) JOAQUIN CRESPO.
WHAT THEY MEAN.
There is no significance in these letters
apart from their patriotic character. and
the fact also that in venezdela's hour Of
need her sons are willing To lay aside all
personal and party differences in order to
support the cummon cause.
Gen. Hernandez and President CrespD
have been bitter personal and political enc
mites. The former has long had presidential
ambitions. and was credited. up To the
hour OF the diplomatic break with Eng
land. with active efforts to bring about
the overthrow Of the government party.
During the revolution. which finally
placed Crespo al the head Of affairs. Gen.
Hernandez fought TO overthrow the then
existing government in the hope of him.
self securing the presidency. In this he
was defeated by Gen. Crespo. who re-
ceived the honor. Then Gen. Hernandez
aspired To the governprship OF one OF the
largest provinces. and despite Crespo's en-
nifty was finally elected and served out the
term.
Gen. Hernandez has been for some time
detained in this country pending the de-
termination OF a lawsuit in which he is
involved.
His latest action is not taken as an in
dication OF the cessation of hostilities be-
tween himself and Crespo. but it will cease
for the time in view of the grave situation
the republic.