New-York tribune., 1901-09-23
LIKE DEVILS ISLAND.
A FUGITIVE VENEZUELAN TELLS 4
STORY OF PERSECUTION ABOUT
GENERAL HERNANDEZ.

A Venezuelan who arrived a few days ago
from Maracaibo told TO Tribune reporter yes
terday a story of persecution about General
Jose Manuel Hernandez. who is political pris-
oner in Venezuela. This story in some respects
resembles the accounts of the treatment of Cap
tain Dreyfus while imprisoned on DEVILS Island.
General Hernandez who is equally we'll known
by the sobriquet lei Mocho' (The Mamed) be-
cause Of a crippled arm, the result Of bullet
wounds is the head Of the Conservative party
in Venezuela. He has led several revolutions
against the Liberal governments of the repub-
lie. Something like two years ago he started
a rebellion against President Ciprano Castro.
General Hernandez captured and incarcer-
ated in San Carlos Fort at Maracabo. He has
been there since. To fellow political prisoner
he said: II don't expect to leave this place
alive. as long as General Castro is President"
If there is one person whose power President
Castro fears he is Eel Mocho.' The latter is
recognized as an able military leader and has
a large following.
His political and military strength was re-
Gently shown in the organization Of a revolu-
tionary movement on the frontier. under the
leadership of General Rangel Garbiras. This
uprising, which President Castro called Co
lombian invasion" was in reality a Hernandez
movement, IT is said.
Immediately following this" said one Of Her
nandezs former fellow prisoners, now here be
gan the systematic attacks on General Herman
dez which his friends fear will end the veter-
ans career. The first move to transfer him
to the darkest dungeon In the foul smelling old
fort huge ball fastened to his ankle.
He is held incomuncado-that is. is
allowed to see him, nor is he permitted to com
municate with the outside world. He is even
denied the usual exercise about the prison yard.
His keepers take a fiendish delight in throwing
large live rats, spiders and other verrnn into
his dungeon, particularly when he sleeps. The
rations allowed General Hernandez only half
those required by man of his physique"
To Nicolas Hernandez, twenty-four years old
the son Of the general, who lives No 127
West SiXtyseventh- st. in this city, was repeat
ed this story of the treatment of his father He
said:
my father, but from another source. the same in
formation has reached me. 1t is terrible.
"fl Mocho' visited this city a few years ago,
and has many friends here. They are thorough
l. aroused over his treatment. They assert that
President Castro always adopts this method to
get rid OF persons who dare to oppose his rule.
1t is feared that General Hernandez, who is
hfty-two years old, will not live much longer.
The news comes that another insurrecton is
forming against President Castro. This effort
TO depose him will be made it is reported, by
persons OF his own party. The leadership OF
the movement is credited TO General Ramon
Guerra, who is Minister of War in his Cabinet.
and it is said that only because of this he
recently appointed to succeed Pudo as Min
lister of War. 1t General Guerra who eff
fected the capture of General Hernandez.