The New York herald., 1868-11-17
The Paraguay War-AIarshaI washburn I'm
the Field.


the Field.
We have had to chronicle Tie defe at OF q
dozen and one generals in ther attacks upon
Paraguay since the struggle opened for the
domination Of the Plata valley, Yesterday IT
came Marshal Washburn's tun. IL appears
that this brave marshal wishet to overthrow
the Paraguay government br an internal
movement, and signally failed in the attempt.
1t is strange that Mr.. Sewads diplomatic
clerks cannot mind their own business. We
remember that for the first year Of the war
Minister Washburn made himself extremely
obnoxious to both Brazilians md Argentines
by conveying intelligence to President Lopez
OF the allied movements and their military
strength. So partisan were his efforts that
representations were frequently made to our
State Department by the then Argentine Min
lister to the United States, Hn Domingo F.
Sarmiento, who offered to Mr!Seward nume-
rous proofs of the unwarrantalle interference
of Mr.. Washburn in the wal Our govern
ment paid no attention to thu evidence pre-
sented. Our Minister at that TIM was 80 hand
in-glove with Lopez that he almost belonged
to the government of Paraguay instead
of the United States. Til strange how
matters have changed since Marshal
Washburn's visit home. MOI he describes
Lopez as terrible despot tho every three
months massacres and imprsons more men
than his little despotism hods, while he op-
poses q very bold front t, the allies and
always soundly thrashes thm with inferior
numbers whenever they attact him. We can
not understand how ii is thlt Mr.. Washburn
could not find as much comfGt, as many nice
little dinner parties with Lopiz and as agree
able entertainment this last yar of the war as
in the first two years.
It Is unfortunate that wehave never been
able to obtain the Paraguajan accounts Of
their internal troubles and bf their battles
against the allies. We havelittle doubt they
would put an entirely new face upon every
phase of the Paraguay question. The arrest
of Bliss and Masterman inst Is they were en-
barking for Buenos Ayres must have been
made for good State reasons.
Our Ministers to South America have, in
most cases, sadly misreprGented us. The
Paraguayan mission was created and has been
maintained without reason. There is nothing
there for minister to do-at least no one but
member of the ubiquitous Washburn
family could find enough in Paraguay
to keep his pen or ais brains from
getting rusty in any Stale work unless
by entering into the politics Of Spanish
America and getting up little pronuncia-
nsiento on his own account. The whole east
coast of South America has been sadly afflicted
by Mr.. Seward Of late years At Brazil espe-
cially we are represented byone Of our ablest
financiers, who, if reports are true, has not
given up his old idea of establishing very
extensive national bank on specie basis,
receiving large subscriptions for the purpose
even from the Brazilian government, probably
say ifty-two thousand six hundred and sew
enty-ave dollars thirty-seven and half cents
more OF less.
The latest telegraphic news from the seat o
war informs us of very severe allied defea
at Villeta, to which place the ParaguayaI
forces were withdrawn after they evacuated
Humaita. As we have often heretofore stated
the allies will have little chance of holding
more than the shores Of the rivers surrounding
the country. When they advance from thu
cover of their iron-clads Lopez is master
of the situation. Perhaps the late battle q
villeta will be practical lesson to the allie'
that they cannot conquer the country, ant
may induce them to agree to an honorable
peace.