The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-06-07
The War between Brazil and Paraguay.

The War between Brazil and Paraeuav.
South America has just now its full of war.
Not only is SPAN trying conclusions with Chi
Ii and Peru, but Buriy Brazil and little Para
quay are at logeeIheads also. Perhaps not
one man III ten thousand knows or cares why
the South Americans are fighting among them
selves, yet it is well to be correctly Informed
OF the causes or pretexts OF conflict which
IS cOnvulslng great country-one of our best
customers-and which, therefore, in a greater
or less degree, disturbs our commercial rela-
tions with her.
Lopez, senior, Dictator of Paraguay. died in
1862, and was succeeded by Lopez, Junior. the
third In the Inst Of the Dictators OF whom the
celebrated DIR. Francia was the first and found
er. s-l
Lopez, senior, had given trouble to Brazil
by his neglect to execute in good faith the
treaties OF 1850, by which the right of way for
steamers bound to Matto Crosse up the river
Paraguay was recognized and sanctioned. He
delayed also to settle the boundary quarrel,
which had been source of discord between
the two Powers. But, by showing strong,
mailed hand, and by diplomatic ability. Brazil
succeeded ia averting military struggle.
When Lopez, junior, assumed the Dictator
ship, he Immediately sent to Europe for me-
chanics, and imported enormous supplies of
iron and machinery-nominally for the use of
the Asuncion and Villa Rica Railway; really,
it is asserted, for military purposes He is
said to bear grudge against Brazil for inter-
ferlng in the internal affairs of Paraguay.
In 1S6e-s4 the Ins and Outs OF the Repub-
Lie of Uruguay waged civil war. The ms
were known as the BLaheos, and the Outs as
the Colorddos. Really to protect her citizens
in Uruguay, or under that pretext, Brazil aid
ed Flores, the champion of the Outs; and pre-
sently the government of the country passed
into the hands of the ColorGdos. Lopez
watched this quarrel quietly, but, before Brazil
mtertered, sent her notice that he would re-
gard her Intervention in the affairs OF Uruguay
| as declaration of war against Paraguay
| And his acts soCn showed that he meant what
he said; for, on the 18th of November, 1864,
! without declaring war, he seized the Brazilian
| mail steamer and imprisoned her passengers.
| among whom were number, of naval and
military officers of Brazil. At tae last dates
they Were still In prison. Lopez did not even
permit the Brazilian Minister to get his pass
| ports until the American Minister used his
influence to that end. The step thus taken
was promptly followed up. Paraguavan
steamers b0mbarded Coinbra, Albuoueroue.
Corumbra and other places in Brazil. Assail-
| ed thus vigorously, Brazil was forced to pre-
| pare for war; but moved with tar less alacrity
than her fiery little enemy. Meanwhile Lo-
PEI demanded OF the Argentine Republic per-
mission to cross her territory in order to al
i et~s> - NC ASoiucllI Ot5 the OOlleNer-
aiion refused his permission; Lopez, thcreup-
on,-agaln without walting to declare war;
began offensive operations against her by seiz-
ing confederate steamers. Thus, Brazil. Uru-
quay, and the Argentine Confederation were
united in an offensive and defensive league
against the plucky but reckless Dictator of the
inland Japan OF South America.
In June last, Lopez was defeated in a naval
battle with the Brazilians; and in August and
September in military battles. But he still
holds out. We do not propose to speculate on
the probable results ofan overthrow OF Lopez
we have space only to remark that sits very
pretty quarrel as it stands. ."-Bostoa Adoer-
| fis9y,