The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1868-11-27
Prom South America - Disgraceful
Conduct of an American Minister.

COuOuCC OF an American u mister.
The New York Herald, of the 10th, says
that the Minister of the United States to
Paraguay has been getting himself into Sc.
rious trouble with Marshal Lopez. The
latter accuses Minister Washburn with
having entered into the conspiracy to as
sassinate the President, and it was charged
that he had received $l4O 600 for his &C
ton. The chief accuser is Senior Jose
Berges, the Minister of Foreign Affairs
who turned states evidence against the CON
spirators. He charged Mr.. Porter s.
Bliss, member of the Legation, with hav
ing signed a compact with the conspirators
Although Mr.. Bliss denies all these charges
in letters to his friends, the Paraguaya1
government has published letter purport
ing to have been signed by Mr.. Bliss, ad
hitting all the charges against his OWL
Minister. This letter is generally believed
to have been gotten from the writer by
means Of torture while in prison. TIE
whole population of the Rio de la Plata
are indignant at the outrages committed BY
Lopez in this affair, but regret that Min
lister OF the great republic would have ever
noticed such charges. The commander Of
the American squadron, Rear Admiral Da>
Wis, has taken prompt measures to vindicate
the insult to our flag. The New York
Euening Post contains the following edito-
rial:
Elsewhere we print :. letter from a
well-iDformed correspondent in Rio janet
70, who relates in language 1.-THE tone of
which shows the deep feeling which exists
among the Americans in Brazil) an extra.
ordinary story about the United States
Minister in Paraguay, Mr.. Washburn. II
is asserted that Mr.. Washburn left the
country, and abandoned to the barbarous
dictator, Lopez, two American citizens,
Porter S. Bliss and George F. Masterman,
both, moreover, employed in the legation,
and thus officers of the United States. So
incredible a story of sacrifice on the part of
a United States Minister must be received
as at least doubtful, and susceptible of some
explanation honorable to Mr.. Washpurn,
did not letter of Mr.. Washbulu's, which
will be found elsewhere, fully confirm it.
He relates in this letter, which is addressed
to the French Minister at Rio Janeiro,
that Bliss and Masterman were forced
from his side as he and they were passing
from the legation to the water side, where
they were to embark in a United States
vessel. Not only did he suffer this afro
cious violation of the rights of Americans
on his officers, but seems, from his account.
m hovyo onfotix, oboord The
waiting for him and sailed of, leaving them
to their fate without stopping even to re-
monstrate.
''Our correspondent in Rio adds still fur.
Their, that while the English and French
fleets are Fastening to Paraguay to rescue
their people, Washburn has not even call.
ed for our feet, which lies idly in Rio while
Lopez is torturing and numbering at bis
own street will. Mr.. Washburn's own let
ter condemns him. No such shameful out
rage has ever been suffered by American
citizens as that which he has tolerated. Nc
such weak minded person has ever repre-.
sented our Government abroad, or suffered
our flag to be dishOnored or the sanctity of q
United States legation to be violated We
will say nothing OF the reports which come
from Rio of MIR. Washburn' s ENHANCEMENT!
with Lopez-of bis corruption by tina. bar
barism. 1t is quite enough that he has
tamely submitted to have two American
citizens, besides a large number of persons
of other nations, taken from his legation
where they had sought refuge from the
fury of Lopez.
1--WE hope our Government will &C
promptly in this matter. The country has
. right to demand that the President sha |
send ovt, without the loss Of day, by tn,