The Sun.
London, England, 1869-01-29 00:00:00

PARAGUAY.

No additional light has as yet been thrown on the
alleged defeat of Lopez. The latest news brought
to Buenos Ayres was to the 9th Dec. by the Esmer-
alda, which was favourable on the whole to the
Paraguayans. The Standard of that city announced
the Allied position to be critical, as Caxias, unable
to attack Lopez at Villeta in front, had thrown his
army into the Chaco to operate against the rear.
The heavy rains and the rise in the river had com-
pelled him to recross, his situation then becoining
critical, the passage being only accomplished after
considerable loss. It was not till the French steamer
had left Buenos Ayres, and was about to depart
from Monte Video that the news of the great
victory arrived. All as yet known is a tele"
gram from General Osorio to the commander of the
Argentine troops at Lls Palmas, a few miles below
Valleta, closing with the statement that the war was
over. Allowing that Osorio, as we had anticipated,
had from the rear successfully attacked a
p sition
impregnable to the Brazilians in front, and that
Lopez had been compelled to retire with heavy loss,
it does not follow that the war is over. Two con-
siderable natural fortifications lie on the road
from Villeta to Ascension, to which he could re-
treat, and the Allies only account for half his
army, even if their numbers be not exaggerated, for
Lopez was said to Lave from 12,000 to 15,000. men•
A correspondent on whom we can rely, and who
knows all these countries well, writes to inform us
that he had seen a letter, dated Bahia, 28th Dee.'
from a gentleman who always gives some little de-
tails to his friends on the Paraguayan war, and whO
is in a good position to do so, wherein no mention is
made of any battle having been fought up to the
latest dates. Although our correspondent does not
credit the report, which he alleges to come fool
the Brazilian Legation, yet we in a measure do,
believing that Lopez has retired from Villeta, 'find'
ing his position untenable, after Osorio's flank
march ; indeed the previous mail had announced a
considerable movement of carts and baggage ant'
mals in the Paraguayan camp, which it was thought
indicated an early intention on his part to retire.
We imagine the truth will be found in this, that
Lopez intended to fall back and had carried out
his design, but not without severe loss, for it is not
an easy task to abandon a position long held in the
face of an enemy vastly superior in number. Lopez has
then in all probability lost men, guns, and material,
but made good his intention of evacuating his fur'
tifications at Viletta, and taken up another Post
which the Brazilians will be compelled to invest'
His Excellency Gen. M'Mahon had an interview
with Lopez, who agreed to give every satisfaeti°
the United States could justly claim, so these dila'
cul ties are likely to be amicably arranged. It is pietas
well that the American Minister, with a strong
squadron behind him, is on the spot ; and we hope
that Admiral Davis will remain in the river, where
his presence can scarcely fail to be a check on B ra'
zilians dealing with the people of Paraguay. 11/
London the news of the Slave Empire's success wag
regarded from a business point of view. Paraguay
is a nonentity in the markets, but Brazil aqd her
allies take eight per cent. of British exports. Great'
therefore, is the rejoicing, on intelligence which the
mercantile community believe will strengthen the
empire and enable her to consume more of the goods
they are always ready to sell. If this be net se
elevated standpoint from which to view the 9.1,1eg:
Lion, it is at least a practical one, and the instinct
of the trader is too strong to be overcome, except
where his own country is concerned, when the
stronger feeling of patriotism overcomes the - ru°r°
sordid feeling of gain.