The weekly union record., 1865-04-08
Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay.

Some months ago, the misunderstanding
and disputes existing between the Empire Of
Brazil and the Republic of Uruguay lin South
Americsl, eventusted in 8 war. Since then,
the Republic OF Paraguay has entered the lists
upon complaints of her own, or through sym
pathy with her sister Republic, or both. Late
news from that scene OF action shows that the
contest is so earnest one, and bids fair to prove
"cruel and bloody This state of affairs
makes knowledge of the populations, military
and finances of the three belligerents necessity
in order TO have tolerable idea of the magui-
tude and importance OF the contest. The
Empire of Brazil is, from North 10 South,
2,540 miles in length, its greatest breadth 1850
miles, IFS area about 100000 square miles.
Its population in 1853 was 7l2l 000 Three
years later, it was about half q million more.
About 1000, 600 of this population are white.
l,l2l 900 mixed free people (mulattoes. mesti-
Zoes, e,c..) 100000 civilized Indians 10000
mixed slave population, and 1000 600 blacks
or African slaves The revenue ln 1859
was about Sl9 100000. In 1856. the standing
army was - $40; in lS51-5S, Is 500 men for
>ordinary, and 10000 for extraordinary times
besides the National Guard Of loo $50 men. a
species of militia. In 1851, the navy consisted
OF AZ ships in active service, 10 in ordinary
and % gunbosts; Is Of the ships 10 active
service were steamers, and the whole navy was
manned by 1900 men. The navy since then
has been largely increased. The great extent
OF the Brazilian territory and its sparse popu-
ation have made the warlike movements of the
Government in years past, in the suppression
OF rebellions and 10 other wars, slow, like those
OF the United States, compared with army
movements in the thickly settled and limited
territories of European countries, and will
doubtless be felt In the present operations
against the two Republics. Uruguay or Banda
Oriental, hes at the southern extremity of
Brazil and Paraguay little farther to the
North. a portion OF the Argentine State of
Corrientes lying between them. Uruguay is
about $50 miles in length breadth, 800; area,
72000; population in 1859. l..429 The
revenue in 1860 was about $4,000 000 The
total public debt was S25 100000. We have
no information as 10 the military or naval forces
of the Republic. Ii has an extensive foreign
commerce. Paraguay is about 400 miles in
length. and from 20 to 2l0 in breadth area
about 10000 square mileS-a little larger than
Uruguay the two combined being considerably
less than California. The population OF Para
quay Is estimated at about 600 600, less than
1000 being OF African descent. The Govern
ment is pretty nearly absolute, and, although
we have no statistics as to its military force,
yet II is known that, upder the Dictatorship of
Francia, it was strong power, able to defend
itself against all its enemies. The compactuess
of these two small Republics, and their proba-
BILE plan of carrying on the war, q defensive
one, their communication by water with other
countries, the difficulty which Brazil will find
in attempting to blockade the ports of Uruguay,
and to shut up Paraguay by closing its water
communications, will go far towards equalizing
the forces OF the contendiDg powers. Years
ago, Brazil found ii difficult and long job to
put down a rebellion in one of her interior
provinces. She will probably find similar and
greater difficulties in the war in which she is
now engaged