The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-04-09
Tho Approaching Terminntiou Of tho Para
guayan War.

Tho Approaching Termination Of the Para.
guayan War.
The news from Rio Janeiro states that
commission is en- route for Paraguay with
propositions for the termination of the war.
The main features of the proposed treaty are
the independence of Paraguay, free river navi-
cation and the remuneration of the Paraguayan
claims to a portion OF the Gran Chaco and
Matte Crosse The Gran ChacO bounds Para
quay on the west and is vast desert and dis
puted territory between the Argentine Republic,
Bolivia and Paraguay. Matte Crosse, Bra
lillian province, is only in dispute with refer
ence to its southern boundary line Brazil
claims the line of the Apa and Paraguay
claims the line of the Rio Blanco and Ybi-
neima-a strip which includes over twenty
thousand square miles, or nearly one-third of
the Paraguayan territory, as hitherto con-
coded by all the best maps.
Thus the allies terminate their great struggle.
To this inglorious end comes the famous secret
treaty of May l, 1865; and thus the views we
have always held-that the objects of the war
as expressed in that treaty would never be
accomplished-are confirmed. 1t has been
our delight occasionally to faunt this civil
LIKED treaty in tho face of this century; for it
bears the impress of European monarchical
manufactures curious Infringement upon the
treaty for Mexican Intervention by England,
France and Spain. No danger, however, of
suit for damages for the letters patent are
royal and monarchical, and the Paraguayan
war is waged in that interest.
To quote the words of Mr.. e. A. Hopkins, a
celebrated American pioneer, whose single
efforts have carried with them much of the
destiny of La Plata valley, ''The Rio de la
Plata has been the focus of European intrigue
made to subject these countries to monarchical
influences" How true this is may be proven
by the fact that after the date of their indie
pendence, first the Braganzas reclaimed the
right to rule, then Napoleon wanted Joseph
to be King of Spanish America. The empire
overthrow, France again offered to support
the Duke d'Oreans, Prince de Lucci, and even
Don Francisco de Paulo, brother of Ferdinand
VII, in an imperial effort. Upon the failure of
the Whitlock English expedition against BuenOs
Ayres England intrigued with the King Of
Portugal, then resident in Brazil, to create an
independent throne for Dona Carlota Joaquina
or for her cousin Don Carlos. This lady of
the Spanish Bourbons was first the wife of the
Prince Regent and afterwards of the Infant
Don Pedro of BraganZa. The Brazilian Court
entered heartily into the scheme. The whole
of the Portuguese and Brazilian troubles with
Uruguay, which have finally eliminated in the
Paraguayan war, began through these compli-
cations. 1t is too long a story to trace the con-
slant intrigues of England, which have been a
fruitful source Of troubles on the Plata river
from that date to the present. II may be
stated, however, that British influence has
never been exercised there except for the pro-
motion of British interests For long time
the Plata valley was the scene of warlike and
diplomatic efforts on the part of England and
France for commercial supremacy, and even
to-day the commercial struggle continues,
although in more peaceable manner.
The little republic of Uruguay was long
since completely PROSTATE. It has been the
battle ground, first Of Portugal and Spain, in
their early contests in the New World, and then
of France, England Brazil and the Argentine
Republic in their ambitious territorial, COM
mercial and monarchical struggles for the pos
session of valley in no way inferior to the
great basin of the Mississippi. Paraguay, feel
ing that her turn for the same process of emascu-
lation that has swept over Uruguay was threat
ened, battled boldly against it. Entity or nonen-
tity appears to be her war cry, and she does
WELL She may be all that spiritual, mental and
physical enslavement can make of naturally
docile and obedient people; she may be
governed by as bloody despot as ever dis
graced even the pages Of Argentine or Banda
Oriental history; but she defends glorious
principle, which, however well il may be ap-
piled in Europe, as in the case of Poland, is
foreign to this Continent. That principle Is,
no nation or combination of nations have a
right to dictate to any people what shall be
their form of government. Europe tried such
dictation in Mexico and signally failed through
the interference of the United States. A SINH
lar attempt at dictation is being tried In South
America, and hitherto, to our shame, we have
quietly seen IL progress in the interests of
Brazilian and European imperialism.
But while negotiations for peace are
pending the Paraguayan despot makes
bold front and holds the Brazilian forces
closely packed upon the sands around his
desolated and sacked capital The Brazilian
field marshal has retreated to Rio Janeiro
in disgust. The leader Of the Argentine troops
has quilted his command and gone to Buenos
Ayrcs. The allied army is dispirited with the
loss Of half its number in the late campaign;
the cholera Is in their midst their countrymen