The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-23
THE WASHBURN MIDDLE.
Abstract Of the Correspondence
Between Minister Tashburn
and the Paraguayan State
Department. ~
N, United States Minister Charged With
SheItering, Aiding and Abetting Con.
spiratOrs Against Lopez.

Sheltering, Aiding and Abetting Con.
spirators Against Lopez
Minister CHARLES A. washburn, ENJOY Of the
united States to the little republic Of Paraguay, has
managed to get up quarrel with the government Of
that state which would give Secretary VIM. II. Sew
ard Ane chance to show on his diplomatic writing
The ministers who have been under the latters In
xtructions in South America have signaly failed in
making those governments believe that there Is any
thing real in our friendship for them; but whether
On the right In the wrong Minister washburn has
brought US to the verge Of conict with people In
whose cause we protested unbounded interest.
X The readers Of the HERALD have already the
version Of Mr. Washburn In his letter OF September
~ to Mr.. Stuart British Minister In the Argentine
Confederation. 1t win be recollected that the trou
Die out of the evacuation OF Asuncfon ana the
declaration by the Paraguayan government that it
was military point. The American Legation alone
was allowed to remain In Asuncion, and several per-
sons, between the date Of evacuation and June 10,
took up their abode in the American Ministry.
On June 20 Senior Gumesindo Benitez,, Acting
Minister for Foreign Ambassador Jose Berges had
been removed and imprisoned for high treason and
c0nspracy-sent note to Mr.. Washburn to inquire
the Portuguese subject, Jose Maria Leite Perera,
was in his legation as the police had been informed
how long, why and wherefor. At the same time he
asked list all persons there not belonging to the le
cation. On June n, Mr. Washburn denied hts oblga-
ton to reply through courtesy he would though the
terms in which the information was asked justified
Withholding it. Senior Pereira ne adds, came to the
legation June 10 hts guest his motives In coming
were representations Of the French Consul He then
gives as requested, list OF the persons not belong
ing to the legation, but whom he had nevertheless
received within Its premises, some a. guests and
some in other capacities. In note Of the oath Of
February, which was not sent but asi an accompan.
nent Of that OF the 4th OF April Mr.. Washburn gave
- list Of the persons belonging to the legation
None Of these included in the present list
which Is AZ follows:-Mr and Mrs. Eden Mrs.
Thomas widow and three children, Mrs. Cutler
widow and two children, Mr.. and Mrs. Watts and
four children Mr. Newton and four children, Mr.
HileS-English; Don Antonio de as Carreras and
Don Francisco Rodrgues Larreta-Orientals; John
"A. Duffed and Thomas Carter--Americans; Jose
Maria Lcite Pereira and wife-P0rtuguese; Adolph
.BrOse-German.
= On June u Benitez requests the delivery OF Pc
rera to police officer, two hours after the delivery
of the demand because Pereira was accused and had
20 appear In court, but was sheltered Mt the
legation In contraventlon Of governmental
orders. Next day Washburn writes his great
surprises due respect was not shown him
an accredited minister; he requested TO deliver
mp guest, and to police officer. He quotes tattel
10 show that he is not bound To accede except for
some definite aud high crime against sovereign or
tuga and as such it might be imagined that Pereira
was entitled to ministerial immunities lie ASKS to
the lns 80 that crave one he may
On July II Benitez replies to Washburn's argu-
ments. The motives OF Pereirain seeking the
attributed to Representations Of the French
Consul were to escape from Justice; hence the
He denies Washburn's right 10 demand the charges
against Perefra, thus making himself sole judge Of
Washburn would not shelter persons Of different
Municipalities who ran away from their con-
s6ss tS SsruGr IN ~ 70 amo
without apparent motive, IN purely military post,
without other inhabitants than the American Minis.
Ter This guests and refugees might justly have given
rise to serious discussion concerning the extension
which Washburn wished to give 10 the immunies
OF his hotel; but the government had carefully en-.
deav0red TO avoid 1t, and had limited itself In the
matter to slight and friendly indications. The Legal
ton in the military port Of Asuncion must cease: the
cxercise Of the ministry and the immuntics OF lie.
cation are Incompatible with the place; by insisting
on keeping 1t there part OF its privileges especially
the right OF asylum, by the fact relaxed Persona
might abuse the asylum and become dangerous 10
the state. II not agents Of the enemy, whose ron
clads had already once sheled the place. lie
quests then the dismissal VI all not attached ~ the
Legation.
Next day he states that all but senores Carreras
with Rodriguez and servant. and Sonora Pereira VIII
leave voluntarily ON the same day Bentez denies
the right OF Carreras and Rodriguez 70 remain al the
legation guests They, too, are accused and must
be dismissed. lie dismisses Washburn's claim To
have guests by reminding him OF the fact mat
Asuncion IS q military post July IL Washburn
claims ministerial mmunities for Rodriguez ~
Secretary OF the Uruguayan legation IN 1854 and as
not having left the country since he held that post
Carreras and Rodriguez he claims to be friends of
Paraguay, although both Uruguay ans, whom the
allies would punish severely for their sympathy with
and support Of the little republic. This note OF
Washburns is answered by demand TO dismiss the
american. Porter Cornelius Bliss and the English
man, George Masterman. both also accused Of crimes
Next day Washburn replies that he always con-
sidered them as OF the legation, and IN q des-
S"nans tone the aSks 10Th Ssns i0r replies
Aasterman was dismissed from the govern
ment service and was engaged by Washcurn to per.
eminent, which made no objections, as he was stll
considered engaged therein. But he never
recognized by Paraguay a. q member OF legation.
Bliss was under government contract for literary
labor; failed 10 ufl his contract: owed government
a man as Of M
legation Both, he states, were menbef3 OF coil-
spiracy TO overthrow the government, under agree.
washbnrn's pernanence IN Asuncion--a military
post-as act Of cordial friendship, especially As IL
refugees sheltered In the Legation; but this did
not make u withdraw confidence from Washburn
mIaal. adding that wasbburn's servants, who were
Permitted TO 90 outside the limits for provisions,
Cere accused OF carrying communications between
me enemy ana the refugees In the Legation. But he
Nul not demand their arrest, AZ he trusts In WASH
burns honor 70 stop the offence OF hrs servants.
Next day Wafhburn wrote two notes to Benitez. In
the first he states that Bliss denies having any writ
Zen contract with government and also his liability
FOR money. Washbnrn admits that he never specified
in what capacity Bliss aud Masterman were ern.
pl0yed nj the legation he deemed II unnecessary
and now does likewise. lie claims that Minister
lherges In an ofiicial note recognized Bliss. lie
ctaiins that n they are guilty OF any crimes they
must according 70 international law be tired there
Sor IN their respective countries. He adds:-
he proved fun Investigation thai they mctprs
81 such combination shall be astonisbcd than 1
evew before Ever since the the Mr.
arman Who 10 much addicted 10 studies and In
v-hghuohs mas lfedthe e ~ recuse
waa anyone oude the precincts fega.
non, WINE " MI Bliss, who has nj while Inl.
male 20 rhnk so confidential all matters with me that
had supposed knew though, and hope and
AZ n