New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-01-29
PARAGUAY.
THE LOPEZ CHARACTERISTIC WEBB VERSUS
REAR-ADMIRAL DAVIS.


REAR-ADMIRAL DAVIS.
onr.reoders are already aware that an unfortunate
diference between Gen. James Watson webb, Uhiteu
States Minister to Brazil. and Rear-Admral DAVIS
commanding our squadron in South American waters,
as to the proper course TO be pursued at the TIME Oh
the arrest Of Bliss and Masterman in Paraguay mas
been the couse Of much unpleasant comment at no
dc Janeiro not to say as Mr.. Webb puts It, OF posi-
tive scandal Mr. Webb's report Of the affair TO the
State Department has now been published ana from
this and the accompanying documents we snaIl Wy
to give as impartial account Of the Quarrel as can
be made after hearing only one slGe OF the STORY
Immediately on receiving news of the outrage at
Asuncon, Mr.. Webb wrote the following private
note to Admiral Davis oct. 81; .,.,,., -,
Nv Dp,u .D,uRAL: Inclose for your perisal letter
IN, MI ssrn think we should talk this matter over,
and see n anything be done 70 relieve the Wo le
per- o. eno ~ me of those cases in wmeh 10 do nothing
Is 10 do and it appears TO me tnt me d i st
least avert rcproaeh that Will otherwise ial upon
N sending washburn from the Ia Plata in United
States gunboat that Is quito unnecessary Our 0OletH
ment has brought him down from Asn.Sl1n; Az i fsS
demonstration sufficient Now our guy rs ~ ov ho az
the other members OF the Legation. No matr WHO NJ
pointed them, our obligation Is eQuany hao an an
will come 10 you az p or n'ue sColsL Ga Irite
pOinment at the Foreign ONCE at O'Clock ana Viz
This that Won may the matter over IN your mnd DC
tafo ioi Won If your boat the landing at l;46,
shall doubtless be there Your IElehd NLbD'
At the interview which took place in accordance
with this appointment. Mr. Webb seems 10 nave
urged the Admiral to- proceedsmmediateiy 70 the
River Plate with his whole squadron and demand the
release of Messrs. Bliss and Masterman Admiral
Davis for reasons which are not clearly explained IN
this correspondence preferred to wait either for in
structjons from home or for further Developments
Mr. Webb gives the following account OF what
Mr.. Uebb TO Mr. Se'rard,
~ LEGATION OF THE UNITED ssATEs J
RIO JAEXIRo oct "a 1863:
He declined doing anything; aud especially 70 hurry
his departure fixed for the ION ana got on on t % &
dress him an official note recnptnlaSng an HaS siE
spd s STehS iI Of 2s S Srht Of number
be said hoped would DO nothing Of the kind: re-
ton upon hin! for the employment Of the squadron IN the
present emergency and having done tna5 5S % @
Swered ~ will write n reply DO not choose 10 respond
SSV that on NV arrival at tie river viii investigate
tSe maTtor" irejoined; "There nothing 70 iuyesti-
poTs to ne Snd that aud ms letter tho Brush minis
er A. B@enos AyTe SfySg tS TSI letter. WSs not wor
thy OF credit his fears for his life had dlaqnalne9 I'm
nc Ne sas M vet recovered from his fears
lnsstod that knew Wasburn ana lndorseq az nc Iaa
~ or p faith in what others said then agreed that
our official differences OF opinion ~ regard 10 cues
tIo l' VI , 49, reiatiots =
The official letter from Mr.. Webb to tho Admiral
abiding to the interview Of the day before went On
- 'O-i0"' Mr, Webb TO Rcar-Admiral Deri'.
Preached the Guerrero at ESQ O'Clock p NJ am sorry
SeTe APPEARED 11S to exist wide difference q opinion
question OF du'y aud especially inIegafa 70 me gsvI
sey one those TO meet which our country Kecp
ny Sretecton Of our citizens aud the prompt yndcaor
OF our national honOr-whle you unfortunately lool
upon 1t event of no special sgniheanee and on,
which calls assumption Of any unusual RESPONSE
by your part because you hSYs no nsTuSIOIs y
contingency which, OF course could not be ioreSeeh ahc
you inquired what 1 would have you do; and an
send up 70 AsnneioG sTer alsbr6% Su 9s nave you
squadron. and demand the immediate release Of Mr.
States Legation Paraguay forcbly seized by Lopez
STsop 61 he yrsn as Mt Wsh6urn suggests they
have NOT already been put to death. And II the
stence SUCH in my JUDGMENT. the Importance Of this
action, In view Of It's influence upon the opinion OF the
OF our Government and the efficacy OF our navy, That
would have you transfer your flag one OF the smaller
vessels Of your squadron mp the Paraguay, and
make ouch demonstration at least as will prove that En;
persons it's citizens aud the diplomatic rights Of its
to me- that you had no facts
warrant the action recommend and solieit, and that
Of his visit TO AsuucOn and return to MonevdeO con
tanned nothing which demanded the proceeding desire
regard to LOpezs conduct toward our Legation IN Para
only accredited Minister Of the United States the Gov
eminent Of Paraguay has made his report which have
placed Ia possession and every word OF which III
dorse Aid in addition send herewith supplement 70
se BuenOs Agean Standard Of the 10Th Of September IN
British Minister accredited to the ARGENTINE Govern
giving full history OF events In Paraguay Tor the
past Elk months That document was sent 10 me 10y Mr.
Nashburn and desire to have 1t received as part OF
this official communication.
To this the following answer was returned In
speaking of it to Mr. Seward, Gen. Webb remarks
that the Admiral "is an exceedingly weak man. not
WithstaBdnR his accomplishments, and has those
about him who have led him astray One thing is
certain-we clnnOt both be right and one OF US
should be severely censured If not recalled"
Rear-Adntirdl Darts to Mr. Webb.
UNITED STATES FLAGSHIP GUERRERO,
FIEsT RATEJ RIO DIX JANERo, Oct 8, 1908 )
SIR: owe you, perhaps. apology, for not having
acknowledged sooner the reception OF letter of the
9Th Inst IA which you give me the unsolicited dement, Oh
sIuce your opinion is formed without knowledge Of
all the circumstances OF the case may not possibly at
tach so much value 70 II as you seem 70 expect Very
respectfully your obedlent servant, O. H. DAVIS,
RearAdlnlral Commanding South Atlantic Squadron.
His Excellency j. Watson Webb United States Minis
ter PenpOtentiary and Envoy Extraordinary to the
Mr. Vebb 10 Rear-AdnairaI Darts
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
BOA VIAGEM Oct. 9, 1868.
SIR: On returning from the United States Consulate to
tho ferry yesterday afternoon passing Portuguese
grocery known as Portuguese Joes the prOpre
tor stopped my carriage and placed my hands your
Ofcial letter dated yesterday, Oct g. in answer 10 my
Official letter OF the 6th delivered board the GEerTere
on the same day by my secretary in person.
To what you allude as Official duties am quite I'M
able TO determine Most assuredy have not attempted
20 interfere with the administration Of the affairs OF
squadron, and do not pretend even TO have knowl
edge OF its internal condition have conented myself
what in my Judgment, the honor and dignity Of our
country demand and wherein our people require that
protection which it is made the duty OF our navy TO
afford; and TO secure which 10 the sole object Of your
here, at the cost OF many millions annually TO
strict line OF my duty as better Information in regard to
what MINISTERS duty In an emergency like the pres