The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-24
BRAZIL.

Return of Ministers Webb and washburp-
Policy of the Emperor Regarding Para
guay-State Of the War.
RIO JANErRo Nov. 20, 1s8s
Ministers Webb and washburn 90 in this packet,
the former for temporary absence. hear that the
missionary ill-treatment at Lorenzo in the st. Pauo,
on the 18th, has been the subject Of q reclamation
made by General Webb for punishment Of police
authority, who said to have connlved at the out
rage perpetrated against the Presbyterian congre-
CATION lately gathered there by the missionaries, a
pand OF forty disguised persons having fallen
upon and beaten the hearers who were
leaving the place Of service on that day,
Deaing without mercy or distinction OF sex
or aye, the seventy persons who had gathered to
the preaching. The police authority is accused Of
not onE conn,vng at the attack but also OF neglect
ing TO Make the usual inquiston into the affair." be.
Ades reiesing as mailman man who few days
before haogone In search Of the Bible seller with
pistol In MS hand AS mentioned last month, OF
late the missionary and priest partisans have be-
come very aggressive and epithetical, so that out
bursts OF pgotryike that which occurred at Lorenzo
are not extraordinary.
IL Is certain that the Ministry has haen for Gonna
lime In a condition II internal fermentation upon
the question OF the var. The Premier, Itaborahy
opinion that the condition OF the finances RENTERS IL
Imperative To conclude the war at once by entering
.neo negotauons Win Lopez, abandoning the at
tempt to enforce that clause OF the triple treaty OF
alliance when makes II sin. qua non OF peace that
Lopez be forced to abdclte the Dictatorship ana to
leave Paraguay and the River Plate. Councils OF
State have been held upon it and Tie matter laid be-
fore the Emperor; but ne Is unyeiong in his deter
minaton not to enter into any compromise OF the
original determination Of the allies, and he SAYS
''lf any negotiation be entered into with Lopez it
cate II procedure be carried outn taborahy Is
not prepared to run the Emperor aground in the
matter, and the idea remains sti In allegiance, but
Is at q crisis.
1t is, however, becoming more and more apparent
TO all that the frmness OF the Emperor has deeener-
ated INTO obstinacy. and that financial crash is in
evable II he do not give way. Setting aside the dis
puted point between the supporters and attackers OF
Caxias as TO the military capacity and management
OF Tie Brazilian generaissmo, II Is evident that the
defensive powers OF the Paraguayans are extraordi.
nary both from the spirit Of the nation its faith In
Its ruler ana the difficult nature Of ITS country Each
new position taken up proves still more difcuit to
attack, aud entails vastly increased cost for the sup
ply and equiplng OF the allied forces. Hitherto the
allies have derived great assistance from their fleet
and transports, owing TO the Pdraguayans sacrificing
otner considerations TO that OF maintaining the
mand OF the river ana preserving the steamers and
other crait which escaped destruction at Riachuelo
and limbo. once however, the Paraguayans abar-
ao0 the river and retire 10 the strong positions which
they possess more inland the allies Will have to trust
only 10 an army OF 5000 men, rapidly disappearing
BY disease and their conveys viii DE harrassed and
'ut on BY the faraguayan cavalry, whom Lopez has
ing avoided rtsking, and whom lie has been making
Tcat efforts TO put on the best possible footing for
j We time whsn their services would be most useful
The conviction has therefore gained general cred.
zee that even If Caxas be successful In enectng the
" gr movement ne Is attempting on the river side II
w q ontY result IN Lopez removing 10 Lanbafe
% tro Leone aud tue mountains, one afier another
49, Alng 20 battle, but wearing out the pursuers by
lot ays and oy a constant harassing guerilla war.
art Tor which the people, INJURED 20 hardships and
IA w savage liie anu the country almost wilder
less and with its most fertile region behind the
non ntains. so admirably lend themselves.
M eneWs nom the war IL Chat the road In the
-hac 0 was expected to be ready about the 2ith OF
Soye mber and hat so good as possible afterwards
M an tempt would maze TO cross Argollo's CORPS
)f H. 90 men % the real or the Paraguayan posi-
lop AsuncIoD T. reported 10 be toerably well for
lled md the IaTay1ayans have been working hard
sveryw mere 10 Rdaru tneIr positions from beng
.urned Perlaps by the next packet TO Europe we
NAV he ar OF tbe nanklng corps having crossed and
Dr p,f teral stack which Caxlas Il said TO intend
making at rue same time
a reeo pnoissance was made upon the "a, but n
pny con drmed the opinion that the assault In front
wouid be excessively dangerous, as the men wosIld
have 20 sade three miles m water breast high,
through hicn no cannon could be dragged, and
would hsv TO cross a very wide and deep drain rgH
uuder the 'araguayan cannon.
Most OF IA lrOn-clads are above Ancustu-n one or
other descet dng for stores every and then and
getting toie ably well hammered. TOrpedoes have
been again SEQ, but none have taken eject the
vessels. The Paraguayans, however, noticing that
the iron-clad5 were always going up and down at
night placed four in the channel so that no vessel
could pass whthout striking one but IA Brazilian
luck would hay It, OF their vessels had 20 90 or
Ia too great slrry 10 wait for night and thus dis
covered the trap IN time
Sarmlento's releasing the Paraguayan prisoners
held by the Consideration has apparently rlade the
Brazilian government apprehend 'odlous c)mpari.
sons" and the semi-onlclal journal has come out
with notice. trying TO explain away the uberaty
Of the measure.
Exchange, TX pence per mIres; soyereigls II.
$500; gold. l53 " l55.