The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-02-24
Our Relations with Paraguay.

There is at the present time, one thing which
seems to grow more worthy OF the attention of
the public mind, and more interesting to debate
upon. when we consider the facts. We allude
now to the expedition already sent out by this
country against Paraguay. Since we have
learned something of that country, concerning
it's inhabitants, their manners and CUSTOMS its
climate, and its present form Of government, we
are beginning to wonder what will be the final
termination of this hostile procedure, against a
hitherto almost unknown country, whether
it will accomplish the end, destined for it to
accomplish, or not 1t is a settled fact, that
they are many years behind the age, as regards
the science of war; but with their knowledge OF
the country, their system Of warfare cannot
but prove of serious moment with our feet. No
doubt the question of ascending the rivers, has
been fully discussed by those interested, but there
can be no doubt, that such an attempt will meet
with many obstacles from the hands of the ma
tives rocks sunken in the river, and impedmentS
from the numerous hastily constructed forts
which will guard the various prominent parts OF
the country adjacent to the river.
The country in the immediate vicinity of the
rivers. is of marshy soil, infested with hordes
of insects, which continually harass the intru-
der
These swamps are inhabited by race of half
civilized who byconstant exposure, have became
impregnable, against the various forms of disease,
which will prove so effectual against the intro
duction of strangers.
The other portions of the country are blest
with the most luxuriant vegetation, having fer
tile plains, over which roam in droves, horses,
and cattle, and which yield spontaneously vari-
Gus kinds of vegetables, suitable for the existance
of the inhabitants. On these plains, and espe-
cay near to the principal cities, are passes which
are of themselves strongholds, where few of
the unorganized, undisciplined soldiery of Lopez,
may keep at bay an army of regulars. There
is only one way of overcoming this, which is by
the mode of fighting, adopted and used by Scott
and Taylor, during the campaigns, under their
generalship The navy of the Republic is of
itself nothing but the standing army exceeds
that of any other South American country, ex-
cepting Brazil.
The outrage upon the Water Witch is of
such gross nature as to warrant the adjusting
of affairs, but from the various sources of infor
nation, we learn that the force now en- route to
the Paraguay is entirely to weak that one false
STEP on the part of the commanding officer, will
be the means of the total humiliation of the
feet The latest advices which have reached
us, report most of the feet already in the Rio de
Ia Plata. Commissioner Bowlin's intention is to
proceed up the river in small vessel, to arrange
affairs with Lopez amicably, if possible, if not,
he will call upon the force in the bay to do it
for him. The report concerning the interpos-
ton of Brazil, in case the United States should
be the worse off, is entirely false, nothing rela-
tive to the matter having been arranged with
our Government.
1t is decided fact that there will be some
trouble in adjusting affairs satisfactorily, as
every approachable means have been resorted to,
for the harrassment Of our expedition.