The Sun.
London, England, 1867-10-22 00:00:00

winning party will have learned by experience to
subordinate their own immediate personal interests
to the ultimate advantago of the people at large.

The news which reaches us from La Plata con-
firms the rumours which had previously gained ground
respecting the altered fortunes of the allies. The
valour and determination of the Paraguayans will,
there is little doubt, have saved the independence of
their gallant little State, notwithstanding the tre-
mendous odds which at first sight appeared to
threaten them. The triple alliance is in a fair way
of breaking up, and certainly for any good the allies
are doing each other it may very well come to an
immediate end. By some extraordinary blunder,
or series of blunders, of which the Paraguayans
have not been slow to take advantage, the
allied fleet and forces have alike got caught
in a trap, and the consequent disputes
between the Argentine and Brazilian Commanders,
who, not unnaturally, each laid the blame of their
common misfortunes on the other, are likely to
bring the war to a speedy termination. The news
which we received some time since by telegram,
and which is now communicated more in detail,
was to the effect that the Brazilian fleet had passed
Curupaity, but were unable to advance and make
an attack on Humaita could they force a passage.
The Paraguayans had retaken Curuzu in their
rear, and it now seems that they have so
completely sown the river with torpedoes and
other obstructions of the kind that the Brazilian
fleet is hemmed in and unableeither to advance or to
retreat. It is as much as it can do to keep out of
reach of the artillery of the fortifications of
either side. This would of itself be bad enough, but
the army is in a very peculiar position, and being
unable to co-operate with the fleet is obliged to
entrench itself at Tuju.-cud from threatened attack
by the Paraguayans. President MITRE, the Buenos
Ayrean commander, throws the blame of this
dilemma upon the Marquis CAXIAS, the Brazilian
leader, who of course returns the charge with inte-
rest. An ill feeling has sprung up in consequence,
which is likely, as we have said, to break up the
alliance altogether, and if it produces this effect it
will be matter for congratulation. The allies

are exhausting themselves to no purpose :
they are keeping up the war at heavy cost
without any prospect of ultimate success,
since the natural strength of the country so
well seconds the valour and determination of the
Paraguayans that they can offer a formidable
resistance to any invaders. Humaita is a place
of considerable strength, and has effectually im-
peded the progress of the invading fleet, a fact of
which the Paraguayans have taken advantage to
strengthen Curupaity also. They have thus two
powerful fortifications, from which the invaders
are glad to keep at a respectable distance. The
Paraguayans at the first outbreak of the war expressed
their unalterable resolution to maintain it at any
cost or sacrifice until their great object was attained,
and their national independence fully. recognised.

They have upheld their resolution valiantly, and
henceforward the other and stronger Powers must
learn to respect the gallant little State who refuses
to submit to their oppressive and overbearing policy.
Brazil has already more than her share of the South
American continent, and the course she has pur-

sued is not such as to entitle her to increase her
possessions still further. As for the Argentine
Republic they are more than tired of the fruitles3
struggle, and the opinion of the people is
openly expressed. A significant incident has
just occurred in a change in the Argentine
Cabinet. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the
Minister of Education have both resigned, and
their successors are strongly in favour of peace.
The Argentine press is declaring loudly that the
war has lasted too long already, and the reap.
pearance of cholera at Tuju-cue and the neighbour-

hood will not be likely to alter this opinion. I

is feared. that the camp will again have to be
romoved—a matter which, under the circumstances,
is not very easy or desirable. Some decided
course will very soon be forced upon the Allies,
for it is impossible that fleet and army should
remain long in an inaction which invites attack.

If the Paraguayans hold out a little longer—as
there is no fear but that they will do—they will
be able to tell the world a very different story
from that which their enemies have for a long
while past so industriously circulated.