New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-18
FL MOCHO," VETERAN
WARRIOR, IS HERE
Noted Venezuelan, After So
journ in New York, Will Go to
Visit Son in Porto Rico,
Is A VOLUNTARY EXILE
Hernandez, 18 Times Wounded,
Presidential Timber, Friends
Say, Because of Dislike
of Castro and Gomez.

New York is again entertaining, I'M
officially, noted Latin-Anerican gen
eral. General Juan j. Estrada, former
President Of Nicaragua, had hardly got
10 Sandy Hook Saturday on his way
home when there arrived another and
even better known warrior. The new ar
rival is General Jose Manuel Hernandez
a self-expatriated son OF Venezuela and
veteran Of many hard fought battles
General Hernandez, who is known as
"El Mocho" i'm every country where
Spanish is spoken. came quietly and UNI
announced in r. Spanish steamer.
General Hernandez is also toe well
known I'm this city for his presence 20 be
long unnoticed. But he was SURPRISED
last night when reporter of The
Tribune asked him at the Hotel Empire.
where he IS staying. TO tell something
about his plans.
General Hernandez comes here from
Paris The last newspaper reference TO
the general appeared about three weeks
ago and said that he was abroad pre-
pairing an Instruction on large scale
for the invasion OF Venezuela AMI the
humiliation OF the government of Presi-
dent Juan Vicente Gomez The tr,ith IS
that General Hernandez has not been
doing anything OF the sort. and comes
without even a machete hidden IN his
luggage.
However, that does not mean tttt h.
thinks that bis country IS doing az well
| under the Gomez regime as 1t ought TO.
Far from that General Hernandez - OF
the opinion that Gomez's is simply con
tinuatiou of the policy of General Cipriano
Castro, and the veteran was an implac-
able enemy OF President Castro. who was
tho political preceptor OF his successor,
General Gomez And so Gener2l Her
nandez IS not in favor OF the present
government
Quit Office for independence.
There Is nothing selfish in this oppo-
sition. General Hernandez relinqulshed
AT official Office that paid salary of 800
a month to be able TO assert his indie
pendence He was one Of the political
leaders who thought they saw tho poliu-
cal rehabilitation OF Venezuela whom Cas-
tro was told he need not return. In com
mon with the others he volunteered his
assistance.
General Hernandez has travelled extern
slvely I'm Europe and studied the forms
OF government there as well as IN the
United States, and Il was believed that
he would be q valuable man In the new
Gomez government. He vas appointed Z
member Of the Government Council
which Is a sort Of governmental executive
committee.
lie soon learned that President Gomez
was not going TO live mp TO the high
ideals that he had enuncia ted. and "El
Mocho" resigned his office. He went 10
Europe and has remained there In his
self-imposed exile until he came here a
few days ago. His last visit here was
about four years ago.
General Hernandez, who also was for
merry Venezuelan Minister at Washing
ton, came by his sobriquet because Of an
injury 20 his hand in one Of the numerous
battles in which he has fought, Ell
Mocho" meaning '"The Manned" lie has
been wounded IN battle eighteen times.
He is one OF Venezuela's leading military
and political characters. and his NIFTY
seven years have not united him for
further service in the field, for he - stili
strong, vigorous man.