New-York tribune., 1906-09-10
WAR MENACES CASTRO.
Ell MochO Organizing ReUolt in Co
lumbian Territoru.

Venezuela which formerly the hotbed OF
South American rebellion, but which lately has
been enjoying unusual tranquility. is again
threatened with civil strife. The man ready to
lead the fight against President Cipriano Castro
is his enemy Of long standing. General Joss
Manuel Hernandez CEl Mocho). formerly Ven
ezuelan Minister a. Washington. leader OF the
Conservative party and veteran campaigner
The news was received I'm this city yesterday
that already the general is near the western
frontier OF Venezuela on Colombian territory
preparing to strike the first blow in an armed
conflict that he hopes will depose President
Castro and seat himself IN the Presidency at
Caracas
IL was only few months ago that General
Hernandez left this city. where he was staying
AZ the Hotel Empire. and sailed for BarranquilIa
Colombia. A short time before that he assured
A Trinune reporter that ne could never again be
induced 70 lead revolutionary movement.
When ne sailed from here for Barranauila Cen
sral Hernandez gave out that he was I'm in
health and was going 10 Colombia TO rusticate.
Il was not long. however before the news came
20 his friends In this city that he was on his way
up the Magdelena River. bound for Bogota II
was Immediately surnised. and as later devel-
opments prove. correctly that his mission was
TO confer with President Reyes, OF Colombia
who also is not on friendly terms with President
Castro
General Reyes, however, would not give to FL
Mocho the material support which he asked for
his insurrection, although II is understood that
he granted 10 General Hernandez permission to
organize his movement on Colombia soil. In
this he is actively engaged.
General Hernandez is in Santander, not far
from the Venezuelan border. at Los Andes the
native state Of President Castro. Although the
government or Colombia refused TO contribute
anything 10 the insurreciion. the Conservatives
IN that republic who now more potent there
than they have been for some years. have fur
nished the Venezuelan Conservative leader with
the elements Of war. he is fghting their
cause
General Hernandez has also enlisted the CO.
operation ef General NIantilla another OF Castros
enemies. and the popularity Of these two men
combined with the general opposition TO Cen
eral Castro. il is believed. VIII give the insur-
rection a good foothold.
The political situation in Venezuela has become
much complicated by the illness Of President
Castro Late advices from Venezuela say he is
even more seriously affected physically and
mentally than reports have told. He is at Ma
cuto. a seashore resort near La Guayra, suffer
ing from several attacks OF apoplexy. He is
compelled 10 keep 10 his bed. and receives only
a few OF his friends. Some doubt that he will
For a long time President Castro labored under
tremendous physical and mental strain and was
kept up by the liberal Of stimulants
Should Castro not return 10 health and
abandon hts office he will be succeeded by Cen
eral Vicente Gomez, First Vice President
President Castro's choice for his successor
was General Francisco l.. Acantara. president
OF the State Of Aragua. who graduated from
West Point about twelve years ago.
At a recent meeting between these two as
pirants for the Office at the home Of President
Castro. al Paraiso. a suburb of Caracas. they
became involved in a verbal encounter that
would have become hstic except for the inter
ference Of Mrs. Castro.
General Gomez has already sent emissaries 10
the followers Of General Hernandez. asking
their cooperation when he assumes control Of
the government. one Of these emissaries is now
in this city. He is DIT. Carlos Leon. formerly
justice OF the Supreme Court Of Venezuela. who
was at one time close friend of President
Castro. but who is now in disfavor for his open
advocacy OF General Gomez. He was compelled
10 leave Caracas rather suddenly. ana before
coming here visited Trinidad where there are
in exile several Venezuelan military leaders,
with whom he conferred. II is understood that
he has Eon a few o: these to the Gomez stan
dard. while others remain loyal TO General Her
nandez
The strength Of the insurrection soon 10 be
launched by General Hernandez will depend on
the number OF his former chiefs who will ad-
here 20 him in General Gomez becomes
President Should Castro recover sufficiently
sgain 10 exercise the functions OF his Office. the
insurrection. II Is said will be powerful move
ment The Hernandez uprising is separate from
the one Threatened by General Antonio Pareies
who came 10 this city from Trinidad recently
seek support fer his Undertaking. There Is in
Venezuela however. no man who can command
larger following than General Hernandez who
once before tried 20 overthrow President Castro
The decree issued July by President
Castro gTaGfiEs amnesty 20 al Venezuelan DO
litical eKi.es has been suspended except - these
who rsqrest thet they be permitted 10 return 10
fasir country.