The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-06 00:00:00

COTTON FACTORIES IN PARAGUAY.

Paraguay is likely ere long to become an impor-
tant commercial and financial customer of the
United Kingdom, owing to her successful resistance
under Marshal Lopez of the attempt to conquer her
by the Brazils, Buenos Ayres, and the Argentine
Confederation generally. Paraguay is essentially
an industrial country, and one of her most impor-
tant productions is cotton ; she has always pro-
duced cotton in sufficient quality for home pur-
poses, but trade of importance has been done
for exportation ; as the manufactured cotton
goods of England and the United States with
common fibre at 6d. per lb. would not encourage
the Paraguayan farmer, yet the staple is of a very
superior quality. Venezuela, the Brazils, Egypt,
North Africa, Queensland, and several other coun-
tries tried their utmost to produce cotton when
the American supply ceased ; and Paraguay, to
prove the resources of the country and its cotton-
growing facilities, sent some handsome samples to
the most available markets; but in the middle of
this new speculation there came the war ,with
the allies. The River La Plata was bloc-
kaded, all communication with Europe and
America was cut off, and in the two years' war it
may be easily understood that all the cotton,
woollen, and linen manufacturer have been vested
for manufacturing purposes. President Lopez,
nevertheless, has clothed his men, supported his
people, and now, according to the last advises, is
comparatively at rest and confident of the result.
Paraguay is determined to carry on the war to the
very last. When the result of the interview between
General Lopez and General Mitre was communi-
cated to the Paraguayan army by its young com-
mander, the soldiers broke out in one shout of deri-
sion against their enemies, and repeated hurrahs for
their country, its independence, and her Govern-
ment, and that they were w!lling to fight
for " ten years," if needed, and to the very
last man ; their success at Curupaity of
course animated them still more, as only 200 men
were lost there, when nearly 10,000 of the allies
were put hors de combat. The Paraguay army is
well provided with ammunition, and has plenty to
eat, as the crops of rice, maize, mandioca, :papas,
and sugar have been very plentiful, and the coun-
try is full with cattle; the article they probably
mightbe short of, if the war should last much longer
would be clothing ; the Government, therefore, has
ardered to work up all the cotton in hand-to cloth,
plying fair prices for the goods. The Government
has also opened factories for the manufacture of
hemp, which abound in Paraguay. Several years
ago machinery for all kinds of spinning purposes
had been imported from England, but Paraguay
did not then reckon that she herself would be her
first customer for cotton raised for thm European
market, although she is not the first country where
war and blockade have created branches of industry
they did not possess before.

Rumoured Arrival of Stephens in London.

A circumstance has been communicated to the
police authorities at Scotland-yard which leads to
the belief that the notorious Head Centre, Stephens,
is at this moment in London. The head organiser
of the Fenian conspiracy is suspected to have
arrived in the metropolis last Monday evening per
rail, and as tip presumed recognition was made by
a gentleman of position, the police are now actively
prosecuting their inquiries with the greatest
activity.

EXTENSIVE DESTRUCTION OF PROPFRTY.—Tho
following fires were officially reported this morning :
One of a very serious character took place in the immense
range of premises belonging to Messrs. Paton and Charles,
fancy soap and candle manufacturers, situate oz Bow-
common. Several hours elapsed before the fire could be
extinguished, and not before property valued at several
thousands pounds sterling was destroyed. The origin of
fire was unknown. A fire also took place in the premises
of a crinoline and staymaker, situate No. 3, Queen's-ter-
race, Commercial-road, Limehouse. The fire was confined
to the first floor. Another fire took place in the premises,
of Mr. Singer, oilman, 1, Garibaldi-terrace, Bermondsey,
which partly destroyed the shop on the ground floor.

A young woman was sentenced to death, at the
Stafford assizes yesterday for child murder, but as the jury
recommended her to mercy, it is not improbable that the
sentence may be commuted.