The New York herald., 1869-04-22
THE PARAGUAYAN WAR.


Change of Commnnders-Strength Of the
Allied Forces.
BUENos AYREs March IL, 1869.
Two months have elapsed since the decisive battles
at and near vIeta, resulting In utter defeat OF
President Lopez and the escape Of a handful Of his
army as fugtives. Less than 100 men went with
him. few cavalrymen could have arrested them,
and SO might have ended the whole affair.
No pursuit has yet been made. After long
months Of inactivity General Caxias. chief
OF the allied forces. was removed by his impe-
rial master and substitute was sent to relieve him
While the new general was on his way all General
Caxias' successes occurred and after q series Of
brilliant battles, each one victory and when his
stubborn opponent in a four years. war was fugl-
tive only few miles distant order recalls Gene
raj Caxias and replaces him with an untred man.
General Guillermo de Souza having like his prede-
cessor everything to learn has been occupied in
learning it. Meanwhile Lopez is accommodating a
force in Pirabebe, where he now has over 1000 meu
and forty guns.
Lopezs pace Of retrear is about thirty leagues
from Asuncion, and nearly up to that city do his
troops venture to sweep away supplies, TO recon-
notre or to bring away families to swell the crowds
at Prabebe. The story is confirmed OF an outrage by
these troopers that hardly credible at first. 1t
was tha they fell In with sixty families, who were
up their allegiance to Lopez, and they were mur
dered on the spot.
An expedition TO attack Lopez has been talked Of
for over two months, put 1t has not been ready 10
start. Guides offer to show the way, horses are
bought mules shod, and all the time Lopez's
forces are accommodating; but the expedition, for
reasons known at headquarters, does not set out.
The number of men reported by the allies as ready
for operations is 26 000 about three times the
force OF the discounted but recruiting Paraguayans
Probably the disparity has been great frequently
the result.
The latest reports of the condition Of the allied
forces at Asuncon are very dlscouragang. Caxas,
whose recent successes made him great favorite
mas gone nome Vemoved) and his staff, very long
Icsacle has peceny died tne ne %
chief Is low with consumption, General Osorio Is
still suffering from his wounds received in Decem-
Der, and the Rio Grande cavalry Is afoot. In the
midst OF this, the orders have come TO the allied
army to prepare for a movement. Active prepara
lions are made for an expedition Purchases OF
horses and other preparations are made Tor move-
ment supposed to be towards the retreat OF Lopez
in Paraguay is very slow. The Paraguasans them.
selves do not seem to desire provisional govern
greatly on the efforts made outside without GOV.
ernment on the spot The purpose Of the triple ai-
ance cannot be carried out and it feared by the
allies themselves Ii will be simply the occupation Of
the conquered territory by the conquerors pushing
tue lines OF their governments Overit.
been heard from General Mcmahon, United States
Minister to Paraguay. 1t seems incredible but
not come to hand. The United States gunboat
kansas was sent 10 that region TO be near him and
venlent but she got aground, and after a great
many weeks OF delay she got OF the bank and has
come down. She is now at Montevideo, and the
United states gunboat wasp has gone mp to take her
place. Captain Kirkland, OF the Wasp. asked
of the allies few troops with nag of truce 60
TO Lopez's camp 10 find General McMahOn; but 1t
was declined, the ground that there was no GER
Ianty but the officer bearing the Gag Of truce would
be shot.
The very latest letter nom the army Is from the
best correspondent there who writes that the num-
ArQeltiuns
% 800.
Tue financial conditioni at MontevIdeo Is very
shaky. The free banking system or virtually Free
has nearly ruined the country. new minister has
Just been chosen. whose character gives greater
ndence.
There three or four cases OF cholera every day
both in Buenos Ayres and In MonteviGso.
Latest from the Seat of war-Rcfuaecs Re.
turning to Asuncion-Better Aspect of AZ.
fairs-The Proposed Provisional Govern.
ment-Remnant Of the Paraguayan Fleet.
BUESos AYREs, March 14-Evening.
The steamer from Paraguay arrived bringing the
agreeable news that many Of the families ordered by
Lopez 10 the mountains OF Ascurro have escaped and
returned to Asuncion, but the country from Luque
out Is unsafe, being secured by Lopez's troops
gathering arms and forces.
Since the arrival Of Ministro Paranhos at Asuncon
affairs there have assumed q better aspect The
town s orderly and property OF every description Is
dictionary troops has moved out Of Asuncion, and
according TO the most reliable advices It was ar.
ranged on the 18th inst the BraZllians would march
20 Trinidad there 20 incorporate with the Argentine
division, ana then strike out for the mountains.
lt appears that the town of Pirbebe is com.
petey deserted and all the Paraguayan troops hos
farther Into the mountains; but the allies are wen
supplied with guides and II Is generally supposed
tie expedition In question will bring the war q
The river Paraguay continues rising and has
already hooded It's banks i'm every direction. Ger
rito, the place at the mouth of the Paraguay river
formerly used as an arsenal by the Brazilians. is
completely covered by water and hardly the tops OF
houses visible. The remnant OF the Paraguayan
fleet Is anchored in small river, at the mouth OF
which the Paraguayans have sunk a large
steamer r, to preclude the possibility Of pur.
Hood tide. Large shipments OF every description OF
merchandise have been made from Asuncon TO
The country is rich with supplies and the bulk OF
Indian corn sent to Asuncion has been sent back
shortly expected at Baires, where confer
ence viii be held to discuss the possibility OF pro.
Vlslonal Paraguavan government.
The fine American built steamer I'll took fire at
about eleven O'Clock p. NJ, while at anchor In the
Inner Roads, and burned TO the waters edge. Moth
ing whatever was saved, and four OF the crew are
missing. The Port Captain and men put OF
TO render assistance, but It was useless,
no hands being on board to scutte her. The popula
uon OF tue town remained up all night, gazing at the
awful a spectacle, and such was the crowd on the
mole mead that at one time it was feared the mole
Wonll give way. The n was built IN the United
States ast year, and belonged to company Of about
uhriy shareholders In thus port and Monevideo.
QUO eost ASl,OOo. Believed fully insured.
Cointc pEu Appointed Commant ntier-in- Chief Of
the Allied Army-Position of Lopez aud Pros
poets of Another Campaign.
RIO JANEIRo, March 20, 1869.
The only special news In regard to the state OF
'peace In war" In which the campaign stI remains
is the appointment Of the Emperors son.in-aw. the
Comte d'Eu, to the chief command OF the BRAZILIAN
forces now In Paraguay. The decree appeared upon
the 24tb nominating my beloved and much prized
son-in-law TO the commandin chief OF all the forces
operating against the government Of Paraguay II