New-York tribune., 1868-04-09
THE P4RAGUAYAN W4R.

THE FORTRESS OF HrMA1TA--ITS SITUATION ENl
sTRENGTH-THE PARAGUAlAN sOLDIERs---
INFLUENCE OF THE JESUIT MISsIONs-PRLsi-
DENT LoPEZ-DisPkRITN OF STRENGTH BE-
TWEEN PARAGUAY AND BRAZIL And MIR
ALLIES. -
The war between Brazil and Paraguay. which
has lasted for tlree year. and the details OF
which have recently been Of quite commonpa char
acier suddenly acquired fresh interest from the IN
eligence lust O the desperate struggle between
the opposing forces at Humaita the principal stronghold
~ the Paraguayans The capture Of this celebrated Tor
ress has been for time pas the principal object "i
caded behind the walls Of Huuata President Lopez has
nueng defiance AZ the enemy Who have hitherto been un
able 10 make any sensible impression upon The Formidable
works in which he has iDtrcnched himsef But while
Iumaita remains IN the posScsson of the PafAguans,
an advance of the Allies upon Assumption the capital 0f
Paraguay. is npos,blity, a, the fortress enectuay
commands the nvrr Paraguay, the only available route
by which they could reach the capital The Importance
with winch IlmRitI has Tins becomc invested viii lns
tify "A some what detailed description Of the place
Hunaita stands On the left bank of tc Paraguay. ~
the distance of eighteen miles from tie mouth OF I'm,
river the Paraguay makes Ihthei abrupt nl, "nl,h
has received the name OF Nuca COR elbow de huuhh
lust at this the stream becomes very narrow,
being not more than about 2o yhrds dcros toward thr
right bank the water ~ rather shallow hut toward the
left bank it is OF such great depth that admits of Ncs
sells OF considerable tnnDago passing odalN WIN view
command the navigation Of the rNcf the Htrt fItsi
Lopez, father of the present President Ut Paraguay,
selected ths point Tor fortress ahn the WORK vas con
menced about fourteen years ago The original plan has
been gradually enlarged Hpon, ana hul'iia mas gioNh
into such mammoth proportions and such immense
strength that II may be- now Justly regarded rs The nh
raltar south America Along the whole extent ot the
described by the rvcra series oi batteries nave
been constructed some of them fascinated ana others
Jdrbcie and ninclOsed at the top the whole being
united by palisidc covered with gabons, ana pierced
with embrasures fOr the reception Of flying cannon As far
the batteries, about sO Of them having been brought
from England, and their number has been greatly IN
since that period ON the second Line oi drfehSer.
aud III the ncOslre circumscribed by the iorneatont
number 0f buildings are erected for the accommodation
Of the different services OF entire army quarter gene
rIl parks, magazines, hospital &c church has also
built and ts conservation Ia saint BOrronro OH the
I.to NJ
the presence Of the President o te Republic
The works constructed that every vessel passing
up or the stream Is covered by cross fire OF their
terrible artillery. Since tile with Brazil tOrpedOes
and other ob,triciions have been sunk the op
po,e Humaita, and the garrison has numbered FOR the
last two years from 5000 10 10000 men The allied troops
have made several desperate efforts capture the for
iroSs but in every instance they have been Tepulsed win
iitiusita has been defended by the Paraguayans
against the attacks Of the allies with the most obstinate
bravery The Paraguaysns. II would seelo. make excel
inrt Soldiers FrenclI writer says Of them. Broken
10 discipline by the educational system of the Jesnits The
PaiaguHyans possess all he qualities requisite 10 make
sodlers.bnd oDediencs and exaggerated patriotism.
Tbe traditions OF the Missions rogously preserved
All citizens soldiers either IN The regular army
the national militia, or the auxiliary guards. the ongeIs
have an insignificant salary and the common Sodiet re-
ceive only their clothing and food In me OF war NIL lhr
men are placed under This IL the habit oi IN In
dian tribe IN which the abOrcrs become Warriors st Tie
first call authority. They ara braves susSlnea py
national and religions eDthusasD' The influence Oi The
Jesuit Missions referred has been very great 10 mold
ing the character OF the Paragiayans These Missions
we're commenced the year 1850 aud continued III eH
jstence ill l767 when the Jesus were expelled nom the
Snansh dominOns They contributed largely IN training
the Indian tribes of Paraguay 10 tie habits of eiVlzed
hfe and tnelr effects remain 10 the present usy'
In this the ParHguayans nave hhu al tplt onu
sku chief the person OF President Lopez VINO IL NOT
only by yirne Of his Oce President OF te Republic
Chief OF the army and navy nut Is 10 so
tnal command Of the NATIONAL troops Lopez man Of
great and extraordinary energy lie Is the sou
OF the first President OF Paraguay ne was Dorn ~
Assumption lsI7, and Is therefore stu young man
After Receiving Instructions al home ne was sent to
FnrOpe 10 complete his studies, aud upon returning 10
Paraguay he was st once introduced by his fhther io
nnbc life In 1858 lie went 20 Europe a. an EmDassadOr
from Paraguay to ratify the treaty of commerce con
clnded by that country with France England ANA sard
MIA AT the time Of his fathers death N sepemDer so3
he held fhe OF Minister OF War ana Marine snu was
also OF the army OF the Republic Iu
mediately after that he was unanimousy pro1lsned
greSs agreeaby to The wish of NE deceased
father who in accordance with the preiogaNe ohJoyeu
by the President OF Paraguay OF naming BIS
had designated him his will TO n lhe Vachhl once.
Durlug his visit 10 Europe, Lopez hue Roou use
OF his lime I'm studying the different military systems Ol
tbr leading continental Powers aud since MS accession
TO the presidency he held out every possible snc0u
acemsnt 10 foreigner OF superior knowiedge ana ay
In the profession ~ 10 enter the faagihJan ser
Vice like his father he has neglected no means OF ae
veopIng .he military resources of the state ana NJ
armt IL. said IN he a model one Foreign officers om-
ployed TO give Instruction 10 the others Enylsh en-
glnres m employed at the founderlee ol Ibcuy 70 ~
rccne the manufacture Of cannon ana Dnets ana ts
vast arsenal Of villa Rca j. always hDunanty supPru
with arms nd munitions workshops nhd aisenas nave
hecn established ~ Assumption for the cohsrnelon ana
enuinme,t of vessels Of war and Paraguay has tDus
bfen enabled 10 create navy for herself