The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1868-12-17

NorNags Rome. GREECE. Turkey, Per.
sIa, Egypt, Liberia, Morocco, Tripoli
Tunis, Muscat, Siam, Borneo, and
Madagascar. Cordial relations have
also been maintained with the Argen.
tine and Oriental Republics. ,,T -,
The expressed. wish of Congress
that our national good offices might
be rendered to those Republics, and
also to Brazil and Paraguay, for bring
ing to an end the calamitous war which
has been SO long raging in the valley
of the La Plata, has been assiduously
complied with, and kindly acknowi-
edged by all the belligerents. That
Important negotiation, however, has
thus far been without result.
Charles A. Washburn, late United
States Minister to Paraguay, having
resigned, and being desirous to return
to the United States, the Rear Ad-
miral commanding the South Atlantic
squadron was early directed to send a
ship of war to Aseunsion, the capital
of Paraguay, to receive Mr.. Washburn
and his family, and remove them from
Situation which was represented to
be engendefed by faction and foreign
war. The Brazilian commanders oi
the allied invading forces refused per-
mission to the Wasp to pass through
the btockading forces, and that vessel
returned to its accustomed anchorage.
Remonstrance having been made
against this refusal, it was promptly
overruled, and the Wasp therefore re-
sumed her errand, received Mr.. Wash
3burn and family and conveyed them
to safe and convenient sea port In
the meantime an excited controversy
had arisen between the President OF
Paraguay and the late United States
Minister, which, it is understood, grew
out of his proceedings in giving asy-
lum in the United States Legation to
alleged enemies of that Republic. The
question of the right to give asylum is
one always difficult and often pnedue-
tive of great embarrassment. In
States well organized and established
foreign powers refuse either to con-
cede or exercise that right, except as
to persons actually belonging to the
diplomatic service. On the other hand
all such powers insist upon exercising
the right of asylum in States where
the law of nations is not fully ac-
knowledged, respected and obeyed
The President of Paraguay is under
stood to. have opposed to Mr.. Wash.
burns proceedings the injurious and
very improbable charge of personal
completely in insurrection and treason
The correspondence, however, has not
yet reached the United States. afta-
Mr.. Washburn, in connection with
this controversy, represents that two
United States citizens, attached to the
Legation, were arbitrarily seized, COM
mitted to prison, and there subjected
to torture, for the purpose of procur-
ing confessions of their own criminali-
ty and testimony to support the Pres
dents allegations against the United
States Minister ..-E,y g.. rtI-itf ~,
Mr.. McMahon, the newly appointed
Minister to Paraguay, having arrived
at LaPlata, has been instructed to pro-
ceed without delay to Ascension, and
there to investigate the whole subject
The Rear Admiral commanding the
q. s., South Atlantic squadron;t has
been directed to attend the new Min.
lister, with proper naval force, tc
sustain such just demands as the occa.
sion may require and to vindieate the
rights of United States citizens referred
to, and of any others who may be ex-
posed to danger in the theat er of war
With these exceptions friendly rela-
tions have been maintained between
the Unitrd States and Brazil and Par.
aguay. r...........s.....-....
Our relations during the past yeal
with Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Chill
have become especially friendly and
cordial. Spain and the Republics OF
Peru, Bolivia. and Ecuador, have ex-
pressed their Willingness to accept
the mediation of the United States fol
terminating the war upon the South
Pacific coast. Chill has not finally de.
clared upon the question. In the
meantime the conflict has practically
exhausted itself since no beligerant
hostile movement has been made by
either party during the last two years
and there are no indications ofa pres
ent purpose to resume hostilities on
either side. Great Britain and France
have cordially seconded our, PROPOSE.
tion of mediation. / do not forego the
hope that it may be accepted by all
the beligerents, and lead to a. secure
establishment; of peace and. friendly
relations between the Spanish-Ameri
can Republics of the Pacific and Spain
a result which would be attended will
common benefits to the beligefents,
and much advantage to all commercial.
nations. ~ ,,5f-.- az, .,..;..s--.....
communicate for the consideration
of Congress the correspondence which
shows that the Bolivia Republic ha:
established the extremely liberal prin
ciple of receiving into its citizens hlI
any citizen of the United States, or o.
any other of the American Republics
upon the simple condition of voIunta
ry registry, The correspondence here
with submitted will be found painful.
replete with accounts of the ruin anc
wretchedness, 6 produced by recen
earthquakes of Unparalleled. severity
in the Republics Of Peru, Ecquadol
and Bolivia. The diplomatic agency
and naval officers of the United State:
who were present in these leeqntrie'
at the time of these disasters, furnished
all the relief in their power to the suf
ferers, and were promptly rewarded
with grateful and touching baeknoWl
edgements by the. Congress OF. Peru
An appeal to the charity of our fellow
citizens has been answered by mucl
hberality. In this connections / sub
NIT an appeal which has been made by
the Swiss Republic, whose Govern
ment and Institutions are Kindred tt
our own, in behalf of its inhabitants
who are suffering extreme, destitution
produced by recent inundations. Oul
relations with Mexico during the yeal
have been marked by an increasing
growth and mutual confidence. aTs'H :
The Mexicalt government has no
yet acted upon the three treaties pro
posed here last summcr-For estab
fishing the rights Of natulalized citi
zens upon liberal and just basis; fol
regulating Consular powers and fol
the adjustment or mutual claims.
All commercial nations, as well a
all friends of Republican institutions
have occasion Ito regret the frequen
local disturbances which occur il
some of the constituent States of Co
lumbia. Nothing has occurred, how
ever, to effect the harmony and cordia
Observation-Disclosures for seYeralyear,