The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1869-02-26
@fntral Snttlnatntt.
THE %PARAGUAYAN WAR.

GoNhthhhons
Correspondence Of the Now York world.l
BurNos AHREs, y. A., Dec, "a, i968.-The
Washburne affairs in Paraguay are taking
q singular turn. The two men on whom
Mr.. Washburne depended as witnesses for
himself are in custody under charges that
must be tried at Washington, involving
them and Mr.. Washburne, oil IN q conspir-
acy to overthrow the Paraguayan govern
ment. This Lopez declares was under
taken in the interest Of the allies, and was
paid for in Brazilian gold. On this pre-
text Lopez iustihes his arrest of these two
men, Bliss and Mastermnn, notwithstand-
ing that they were members Of the United
States legation.
The American feet Wasp, Kansas, Quin-
ibaug and Pawnee, went up to convey the
Minister, and to demand these men. When
the Minister landed the P~araguayans gave
q salute, and Lopez sent o guard and con
veyance 10 bring Minister Mcmahon at
ono 10 headquarters. He wa prepared TO
give mp the two Americans at once, and, in
Justification Of his arrest Of them, gave o
COPY of the evidence he had that these
men, with Mr.. Washburne, had attempted
10 overthrow his government for Brazilian
pay. This Mr.. Bliss confessed under oath,
but. on going abroad, he stated that he
had done this to save his lifo; that he had
no hope Of eseapo from additional tortufes
except az undor arrest, and that he had
suffered until words had lost their moml
value, IL they would rescue him. He viii
o 20 to the United States with all the
testimony in the case, and the whole mat
ter will DO reviewed before the highest
court.
The spy system Of Lopez ia we'll known.
Young Bell, Of Georgetown, d. C., fell q
victim TO the falseness and suspiciousness
of Lopez, and tho Omitted States Ministers
are so closely watched that daily written
reports nre given in ct Lopez's Office de-
failing their acts and words Of the day be-
fore. Even the Minister'S wife cannot go
shopping or make O coll without being fol-
lowed by spies.
Tho United States Court will hardly give
much heed to tho afidnvits OF parte, aud
unhoard by the accused or his counsel,
when the witnesses are within reach Of the
power aud the torturcs Of Lopez.
These steps in tho matter will make a
thorough investigation indispensable ut
Washington. We shall await II here with
great interest
The hast letter gave an account Of the
bloody battles by which Villota was APP
preached by the allies. 1t was supposed
then that an immediate attack would be
made on Angosturn, q strong series Of bat
teries close BY. The iron-clads are abreast
Of il, and sometimes run by. Marshal CG1-
las IL Just nbo7e II, having crossed above
by going around on the Chaco side and
taking Villeta first. He is without shelter,
with no hospital. and very poor means Of
retreat and with a bold, eXasperated foe
before him OF, il is said, TO- 900 men. Gen.
eral Gelly Obes Is on the other side Of Lo-
per, but they nre separated by impossible
marshes aud lakes, so that tho Argentine
portion Of the army is not in a condition 10
do Lopez much harm.
The general impression is that the war
must soon close. When the chief leader
begins to send abroad gold, it ia supposa-
BILE that he expects soon to 30 where his
treasure is, It is now supposed that vari-
GUS men-of-war have conveyed for Lopez
boxes Of specie to Europe. Lopez once
out Of the way tho war would soon close.
The people are not fighting for their coun-
try, nor for liberty, but for Lopez. On the
contrary, Lopez has issued a proclamation
that not a man of CaXias's army, not Mar
shall Caxias himself, can escape.
Two chief Generals Of the allies, Argollo
and Osorio, are wounded, and are treated
in bullock carts.
NAhAA NNANANf hAkNAAAAN 1AAulaAtA "
Foreign Affairs, has gone to Paraguay,
on a secret mission Of the government.
The South American Navigation Com
pany, which has had FIVE steamers on tho
Panama river, is winding up and offering
its steamers for sale. The steamboats, now
building in the United States will surely
como 10 griof if they come hore.
NEws n o BRAZILIAN SOURCES.
From the Diaiio de Rio, Dec, 20.
Yesterday (the 22d Of December) the
steamer Guapore, from Montevideo, entered
this hnrbor with important news from the
seat Of war. On the 18th there was a san
culinary combat in the pass called Toros,
or Baldovinos, close TO the trenches of
Villeta. The combat was bloody, and the
valiant General Viscount de Herval, who
commanded the vanguard, being the first
under fire, was wounded. The Paraguay
ans lost LOCO men aid nine pieces Of ar.
tillery. On the same day Villata was at.
tackled, and after three hours fighting the
enemy was compelled 70 submit, and the
place was taken. The ParaguRyan army
was completely routed, 200 men escaping
with difficulty, who fed with Lopez,
wounded, towards Luquo. About 5000
prisoners remain in tho hands Of the allies,
sixteen pieces of artillery, eleven flags.
much army baggage, and a great quantity
OF the munitions of war. Tho Paraguay
ans were commanded by General Cabal-
lero, who was killed by o ball. Almost
all the wounds in the action were OF 30
grave a nature that tho greater part have
died. Angostura was abandoned by the
P~araguayans, who left much artillery there
Of large calibre. The headquarters of the
Marquis de Caxias are in Villettn. The
~Paraguayan prisoners declare that Lopez is
not attended by any mombers of his fam.
lily. They have fed towards the Cordille-
ras. Tho squadron maintained O terrible
bombardment against all the positions
Of the enemy. The P~Graguayan forces
which fought in Villeta were fourteen bat
talions Of infantry, 1000 cavalry, and 800
men OF whom the guard of Lopez was COM
posed. The cavalry Of Rio Grnlde, under
the command OF Baron de Triumphe,
worked prodigies Of valor, and took the
greater part Of the prisoners. The wound
OF General Osorio is of slight consequence,
and did not prevent his keeping his place
at the head Of his army. Lieutenant Col.
onel Guedas was killed in action. Luque
is near TO Asunoion, and the whole Brazil
ion squadron has already assembled the
riyor TO occupy the capital Of Paraguay.
These adyices arc Of the most gratifying
character, because they chow that the war
is almost at au end. The rejoicing in
Buenos Ayres and Montevideohs very great.
In Rio Grande and Santa Catharina, where
the steamer touched in its progress TO Rio
J~aneiro, the new was welcomed with the
greatest enthusiasm.
The PRESENTATION OF WINE. - The
French government, which purchases a
large amount of the cheaper wines for the
So 30 tn nws.V L.. ..-AN 80
ng, by special commissioners, the efficacy
Of u new process, which consists Of simply
heating the wine 10 the temperature Of los
to 1876 degrees Fahrenheit. Aeertaln num-
Der Of bottles Of Cote dor of 1868 were
subjected to the heating process in that