The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-09
LIKE DEVILS A
N~enczuelan's story of Persecution
About General

New York Tribune.
A Venezuelan who arrived a few days
ago from Maracaibo told a Tribune re-
porter a story of persecution about Gen.
Jose Manuel Hernandez, who is a political
prisoner in Venezuela. This story in some
respects the accounts OF the
treatment of Captain Dreyfus while Inn
priSOned on Devils island.
General Hernandez, who IS equally we'll
known by the sobriquet 81 MochO" 0the
Maimedl because 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
government of the republic. Something
like two years ago he started d rebellion
Hernandez was captured and incarcerated
in San Carlos fort at Maracaibo. He has
prisoner he said: 81 don't expect to leave
this place alive as long as General Castro
is President"
If there is one person whose power Presi-
dent Castro fears he is lei Mocho." The
latter is recognized as an able military
leader and has a large following.
His political and military strength was
recently shown in the organization of a
revolutionary movement on the frontier
under the leadership of Gen. Rangel Gar
bras. This uprising, which President Cas-
tro called a Colombian INVASION" was in
reality a Hernandez movement. il is said.
Immediately following this" said one OF
Hernandez's former fellow-prisoners, now
here, began the systematic attacks on
General Hernandez which his friends fear
will end the veterans career. The first
move was TO transfer him to the darkest
dungeon in the foul-smelling old fort. A
huge ball was fastened TO his ankle. He is
held ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS is, no one is al
lowed TO see him nor is he permitted to
communicate with the outside world. He is
even denied the usual exercise about the
prison yard. His keepers take "a fendish
delight in throwing large live rats, spiders
and other vermin into his dungeon, particu-
larly when he sleeps. The ratiOns allowed
General Hernandez are only half those re-
quired by a man of his physique"
To Nicolas Hernandez. twenty-four years
old, the son of the general, who lives at
No. 12T West SiXty-seventh street in this
city. was repeated this story of the treat
ment of his father. He said:
1T has been some time since / have
heard from my father. but from another
source the same m has reached
me. 1t is terrible."
lei Mocho'' visited this city a few years
ago and has many friends here. They are
thoroughly 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 insuTrection
is forming against President Castro. This
effort to deDose him will be made. it is
reported. by persons OF his own party. The
leadership of the movement is credited to
Gen. Ramon Guerra. who is minister of war
in his Cabinet. lie is another fighter who
is feared by Castro, and ii is said hat only
because of this was he recently appointed
to succeed Pulido as minister of war. 1t
was General Guerra who effected the cap
ture Of General Hernandez.