The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-10-27
MINISTER McMAHON ON LOPEZ.


WHILE the bravery of Lopez in defending
himself against tremendous odds has won him
deserved praise, the outrageous cruelty with
which he has been charged has prevented
him from having that sympathy that is usu-
ally accorded to the weakest party in such
contest. Lopez's side of the question, it
should be remembered, has not been heard;
and although many of the accusations against
him appear to be too well substantiated for
denial, it is nothing more than fair that he
should have the ear of the civilized nations of
the world to make such explanations as will
exonerate him if possible. General McMahon
our late Minister to Paraguay, is now in
Washington, and he speaks in warm terms of
praise of the valor and generalship displayed by
the Paraguayans, and he condemns many of
the actions of the allies The late Minister to
Paraguay represents Lopez to be possessed of
rare administrative abilities, and not more
cruel in the conduct of the war than the most
complaining of the allied generals. This is,
of course, very general language, but it is
worthy of attention The London S0turddy
ReCiea0, in recent notice of Mr.. Masterman's
book on Paraguay, remarks that according to
that gentlemans own statements, he and the
other English and American residents got
themselves into trouble through their own
wilful indscretion leaving out of the ques-
tion any criminal intentions on their part.
Englishmen, and Americans too, are disposed
to treat such people as the Paraguayans as
only half-civilized, and as therefore not emit
tied to any of the respect that they are COM
PEELED to show towards the governing powers
of other nations.
An Englishman will deliberately violate
law and custom in China, Paraguay, Mexico,
and other countries that he chooses to consi-
der outside the pale of civilization, and con-
slider himself the aggrieved party if his con-
duct is resented. He would not dare to attempt
anything of the same kind in France, Ger
many, Russia, or the United States, and
would receive no sympathy if he did attempt
it and got into trouble thereby. But, placed
in contact with a race that he esteems to be
inferior, and that possesses but little power or
political influence, he does not hesitate to
show his contempt for them on every occa-
sion, and to consider any infringement of his
liberty as a national insult. There is great
deal of truth in this, and it is not at all i'm
probable that it furnishes the key to the mys
terry that surrounds the conduct of Lopez
towards Messrs. Washburn, Masterman, Bliss,
and others who fell under his suspicion or
displeasure.
The accounts furnished with regard to the
slaughter by Lopez of some of his own kins-
men and other Paraguayans are so circum-
stantial that it is scarcely possible not to
credit them, especially as they are in full ac-
cordance with the traditional Paraguayan
policy, and General McNIahon will have to be
more particular in his explanations before he
can relieve Lopez from the odium that
now rests upon him. General McMa-
hon has confidence in the ulti-
mate triumph of the Paraguayans, and
he states that Lopez contemplates the restora-
ton of prosperity to his couNtry by emigrants
from the United States, to whom he will offer
inducements by grants of land to settle there.
If the future prosperity of Paraguay is to de-
pend upon emigration from this country, it
has but poor prospect before it. Some dis
gusted rebels who would not live under the
Government of the United States tried
Brazil, and were glad to get back very shortly
under the stars and stripes again, and the
number who will be tempted by all the acres
in Paraguay to put themselves under the rule
of man of Lopez reputation is exceedingly
limited.