The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-10
Tho Condition or the War the Plata
River.

10o CONntiOn Oh tue war ON INC Eiata
River.
The latest Geographic dates from the allied
lines in front of Angostura to the effect that
truce has been offered to Lopez with view
to peace. We have heretofore fully shown
the impracticability of following the army of
Lopez to the interior when he may be driven
from the river bank. At present he occupies
Angostura with force Of ten thousand men.
This point is about league from Villeta, from
which place the allies had such hard work to
dislodge the Paraguayan army. How little the
allied reports can be trusted is best shown by
the information we have received since the
affair at villeta. We were requested to believe
that Lopez had been 'driven to the interior
and escaped with but two hundred men out Of
his entire army" Now we have him not yet
driven away from the river bank and but three
miles distant from the scene Of the last battle.
This shows that he still feels himself stroug
enough to make front against the iron-clads as
well as the land force Of the allies. When he
shall choose to retire finally from the river
bank the war, 80 far az accomplishing its
objects is concerned, win just commence. 1t
is evident that the allies are fully aware Of
this, and, now that they have met with some
success in forcing the river line, are disposed
to negotiate for a termination of struggle in
which they have shown themselves entirely
lacking in military power and ability.
The fact that the Argentine Minister of
Foreign Affairs has gone up the Parana to
confer with Lopez is an indication of what we
have frequently foreshadowed- the Argen-
tine Republic now sees it for her interest to
withdraw from this suicidal war at the earliest
moment. The present incumbent of the Presi-
Dental chair of that government is Domingo F.
Sarmiento, who, better instructed than his am
bilious and unprincipled predecessor, General
suitable to La Plata valley and in opposition
to the aims of Brazil in that direction. We
are more likely to see the interests Of Paraguay,
the Argentine Republic and Uruguay banded
before the year closes than to see the war con-
tinued
The able and astute diplomacy of Brazil,
often used in the States to the southwest of
her to stir civil elements to warlike contact,
may be again brought to bear for similar pur-
poses, and the Gaucho element of the Argen
tine interior played off against the civilized and
controlling urban population upon banks of the
great Plata estuary. The Argentines will,
however, never give Brazil rest until the
Banda-O Oriental question, out of which grew
the present war, is decided. There is but one
way to decide this, and that is by war.
Uruguay will either be kept in constant tur-
moil by Brazilian intrigue or become a Bra
LILLIAN or Argentine province. For the pre-
sent, however, the object of Brazil is to keep
this weak and unfortunate little republic be-
tween its territory and the Argentines as
kind of neutral ground where both parties
may plot and make war to their hearts con-
tent. Under Sarmiento, however, it is pro-
bable that broader policy will be adopted,
and the Argentines win assist rather than
destroy the only element-Paraguay-which
had the courage to throw down the gauntlet
TO Brazil and defend the interests Of La Plata
valley against the aggressions of the empire.
We have no fear but, in accordance with
what we have always advocated, Paraguay
will still hold her own. In other words, the
objects for which the allies commenced the
war will never be accomplished.
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