The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-10
Bolivia and rsrazi,.

| Our news from Bolivia, published yester-
tent existing among the opposers OF the gov
ernment on account of the treaty lately
concluded between that republic and Brazil.
This treaty is Of such great interest to several
of the Standardization States. to the imme-
date parties and the trade of the valley Of the
Amazon, that 1t is well for US to give 1t little
attention. First, it should be stated that at
the date of Spanish American independence
the boundary lines between the Portuguese and
the Spanish possessions in the New World had
never been determined In fact. The treaty Of
San Idefonso Of 1777 gave the demarcati0ns
between all the possessions Of the crowns of
Spain and Portugal, both in Asia and South
America. Spain appointed her commissioners
to trace the line in the New World; but Por-
tugal failed in this, and, consequently, at the
time that South America had cut aloof from the
peninsula the boundary question virtually
remained unsettled. The Portuguese colonists
had, however, in the meantime, overrun much
of the territory beyond the frontier fixed upon
by the treaty, and In the earlier part Of this
century were occupying vast tracts Of land
upon which, through the neglect Of their
Spanish neighbors, they firmly established
themselves. Therefore, in all the treaties
thus far made between Portuguese Brazil (now
independently, and her republican neighbors
the empire has firmly sustained the uti possi-
dctis theory, and has thus far been very sue
~ IN ;lo {, -
far as Uruguay was concerned Brazil forced
her boundary line by military domination
She also endeavors to force OFF the northern
third Of Paraguay nj the point Of the bayonet.
Peru, in d treaty Of October %, 1851, settled
her boundary question ON the basis OF pos
session. Bolivia follows, and in . treaty of
limits and navigation Of March 81, 1867,
draws the boundary line between republic and
empire far within the limits designated for her
in l777. The San Ildefonso treaty gave her some
ninety thousand square milessmore Of territory
than she now possesses. 1t was perhaps wise,
however, for her to settle at once this vexed
question of limits with Brazil, for 1t has for
more than three centuries been constant
source of annoyance and fertile cause
of the backward condition Of both East
crn Bolivia and Western Brazil. The
ninety thousand square miles above men
toned are practically Of no value to-day,
although they may, in the development of the
Amazon valley trade, become Of vast impor-
lance, as they are cut by the Purus, one of
the finest Of the Amazon affluents.
Bolivia, under this late treaty, commences
new existence; and it is only comparatively
small party that can declsim against the wis
dom of the present government In settling a
question which threatened war with power
full neighbor, who might at any moment absorb
the magnificent aud productive provinces of
Santa Cruz AID Chialuitos lying i upon her
frontier
With reference to the internal condition of
Bolivia there can be no question of an i'm
menso onward stride since the present power
full government assumed control General
Melgarcjo, the President, is probably the ablest
| soldier in South America, while he has had
the rare good sense to select Secretary Of
State and of Foreign Affairs-MarianO Donate
Muhoz-who is thoroughly American and one
of the most progressive men to De found
in any Spanish-American country. Under
this rule Bolivia has for TIRES years
past enjoyed a tranquility unknown to
any of her neighbors, and for the
first time in her existence has given proofs OF
her desire for contact with the world by send
ing numerous foreign ministers to different
countries, by encouraging the Introduction of
American enterprise, by cutting cart roads,
conceding railway privileges and inviting the
capital of the United States to transport upon
her afIluents of the Amazon her immense
trade--a trade which up to the decree of
. Brazil, September 7, 1867, giving her an ont
let to tho Atlantic, Bolivia has been forced TO
carry on muleback across the Andes. This
same trade has OF late years been entirely con-
trolcd by Peru, as it has passed through the
Peruvian port Of africa. - II is not therefore,
| surprising that Peru should make a protest
against treaty which is the first step toward
turning the Bolivian commerce from her con-
| troll aud pouring II into the Amazon. to enrich
| that great valley and help build nh immense
| city at its mouth. Henceforth tho interests OF
Bolivia are more or less linked with those OF
Brazil and upon the wisdom Of both will
depend whether their twelve millions Of in
| habitants march to glorious future or re-
main in dormant condition in the occupation
! Of three and half millions Of square miles Of
she most fertile part of our Continent.
BUrrEr TAKING THE BULL BY THE HORNS. -
General Butler has taken the first step in Con-
yrcsa gor sunnorfiuv and afreu OthpniuU the al /.