The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-11-19

exported TO Cuba, which receives II charged
with the cost and damaged by the taint and
sweat Of two voyages across the Atlantic Is
IL a wonder that Cuba is restless under such
ruler
We do not assume to predict the result of
the present rising in Cuba, any more than
that Of the simultaneous revolution in Spain.
1t may be that the Spaniards will crouch to
the yoke Of a new monarch, and that Cuba
may be forced to submit once more to the
despotic domination of Spain. But, II So we
shall feel aud rejoice that the disaster is in
evitably transient; that Spain shall yet be
republic and Cuba an independent, selfgov-
erned State, seeking alliance and fraternity
wherever her own interest and inclination
shall dictate. Meantime, we tender the pa
triots of either land assurances of the sym
pathy and good wishes OF very large portion
OF our countrymen.
Our Imprisoned Citizens in Paraguay.
From the N. T. zSn,es
Marshal Lopez, Dictator OF Paraguay, began
and is endeavoripg to end his lawless career
by insulting the UHited States. His first act
in the war for the control Of the Paraguay and
Parana rivers was to drive our gunboats out
OF those streams and our commercial and
Government agents fIom his cities; his last act
has been to indirectly expel our Minister
from the country, charged with a conspiracy
to overturn his Government and assassinate
him.
Minister Washburn's denial OF this charge
was totally unnecessary; no one will for a
moment credit the assertion of Lopez and his
agents that our Ministers to Brazil and Para
quay were in league with other foreign agents
to revolutionize his Government The letter
of Mr.. Bliss, which forms the burden of proof,
is unworthy OF credence; if voluntarily given,
its admissions Of former unworthy acts throw
q hOnaatv n
and if drawn from him by torture, as is be-
lieved, 1t of course has no value. This charge
may be SUNNI arily dismissed as unworthy of
discussion but another of more serious import
is made against Mr.. Washburn, and one which
he may find not more difficult, but certainly
more necessary, to fully disprove. 1t is that
of cowardly abandoning the attaches of his
legation to Imprisonment by Lopez.
Mr.. Washburn has been waiting at Asun-
oion for many months the arrival of his sue
cessor, General Martin Mcmahon. From
February last to September /, his Legation
was house Of refuge to the foreigners in the
capital OF Paraguay. Men, women, and chill
dren of foreign nationalities fooked to his
residence on the fall of Humaita, and asked
the protection Of his flag. Even other foreign
Ministers were compelled to do so. The fear
which actuated these people was not inspired
by the approaching Allies; they did not seek
security of person and property from the
armies and fleets Of the Brazlians and Argen-
tines; these they would have gladly welcomed
as deliverers. 1t was the Dictator Lopez, in
whose capital they resided, to whose Govern
ment some of them were authorized repre-
sentatives, whom they dreaded. Impressment
into depleted army, led by a despOtio aud
cruel General, robbery and assassination at
the hands of half. savage, dsOrganized army,
was what they dreaded.
Mr.. Washburn appears to have freely &C.
corded them the protection Of his flag. Nomi-
pally, legation is the territory of the foreign
Government whose representative occupies it;
in theory the flag which surmounts the build
ing is all powerful to protect. Bat practically
foreign flags have no power; foreign Minis
ters have no protection other than that
which the powers to whom they are accredited
choose to accord them. Lopez was not dis
posed to accord Minister Washburn any. He
first ordered him TO dismiss all foreigners uu-
connected with his legation from his house.
They left of their own accord rather than COM
promise Mr.. WasabUrn, and We're at once i'm
prisoned. Lopez next demanded the dismissal
of two ATTACHES Of the American Legation. Mr..
Washburn refused, but they were arrested
while going on board the United States steamer
Wasp, and yet remain in the hands of Lopez
Minister Washburn left in the steamer, un-
able to enforce their discharge. 1t is evident
that he had no power to rescue his attaches,
ernment. What will it doi
Prompt action is necessary. The condition
of Paraguay is such that no foreigner is safe
there. A terrible state of anarchy prevails.
"The country" says Mr.. Washbdrn, SIS en-
tirely denuded of its male population. All the
ploughipg, planting, and sowing is done by
women. Women must yoke the oxen, do the
butcheripg and all the other work usually
done by men. There are many women also
with the army to do the labor of men, and
thus relieve the troops; but none, believe,
are forced to bear arms.
"Lopez," he adds, "loads his prisoners
with heavy fetters sometimes two, three or
four pairs, and besides togs them if they do
not give the testimony he requires, till they
die. Many persons, his own people, who have
escaped tIom his power, and whose families
| have been tortured and otherwise prosecuted
| TO death, have sent messages TO him threaten
ing TO kill him at sight, should they ever meet
| him; he, therefore, dares not treat with the
| enemy, for so many have sworn to pursue him,
the world will not afford him a refuge if he
once has 10 army between him and his enc
mics; he knows the country to be lost and
| ruined; he has no navy, and, in my opinion,
not more than one-fitth OF the land forces o
the enemy" Oar citizens in prison there are
as helpless and unprotected as were the Eng
| lish in Abyssinia, and only equally prompt
| action will save them from a harsher fate.
ParsOn Beechtr Oh the Situation.
From 'Btick" Pomt,Gys ". Y Democrat
Plymouth Church was political last Sunday
evening. The great representative OF the
| Tl,Htak . IA.