The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-09
SOUTH AMERICA.

American Affairs In Paruguny-Return OF me
Fleet 70 Buenos Ayres-P0sitiOns Of Lopez
and the AlIies-Probable Ending Of the War.
BuENos AYREs. Dec. %, 1858.
The American neet that went to Paraguay has
nearly all returned. There was left there the Kan
sas at the service OF the United States Minister,
General McMahon who remains at his post; and
though the government there is migratory, vet he
takes his chance and for the present follows the
peregrnating fortunes Of Lopez's camp. The Wasp.
nagshp for theoccasion, the Pawnee and the Quini-
baug have oil come down. The Wasp had on board
the two young men, Porter G. Bliss and George F..
Mastermann. who were arrested by Lopez just as
Minister Washburn was leaving Paraguay They
were demanded by Mr.. Mcmahon and were at once
surrendered by Lopez.
They knew 80 much OF L0pezs AFFAIRS and charac-
ter that he felt obliged to give them up, and yet
he throws discredlt upon them by accusing them OF
conspirng against his government. This was q Sc
rous offence against the laws Of the United States,
and so these two men were placed under arrest by
the Minister.
the testimony Of witnesses was TAKEN and the
confessions OF the accused were written out sworn
anu signed IN presence OF Lopez and the United
States Minister and other witnesses. Win en- on
beard Bliss stated at once that he had confessed all
before witnesses to escape further fortunes and that
he knew that his only hope OF escape from Paraguay
was to 20 away under arrest.
Testimony was alse taken seriously involving Min
ister Washburn as also concerned IN a conspiracy
against Lopez's government. MIR. Washbnrn knew
OF this before he iet and asserted that witness
could be found on the subject beyond the range Of
Lopez's tOrtures. One thing IL cerain-a thorough
sitting Of all this will be made at Washington.
The facility with which any charge can be made in
Paraguay, and the low price OF an aflidavt when
Lopez wants one, will go far to throw doubt on any
accusation he might maze. especially II under the
smoke Of it some OF his own little peccadiloes could
be concealed
the latest advces to you gave the chief facts Of the
battles before Villeta and the abandonment OF that
series OF batteries II was reported that Lopez had
retired, then, inland to Lugne, but later accounts
state that he went in person, with the rest OF his
forces, to Angostura, about league distant where
there 10 natural defence In the width OF the river
and nature OF Its banks. There will be persistent
effort made TO hold Angostura as 1t IL the last de-
fensibie place on the river II It's lost then Lopez
will retreat towards the interior Of the country where
tron-clads Will be reared less.
There are daily encounters OF various kinds near
Angostura The allies VIII run up the United States
flag and under run by or go very close up TO re-
conn0itre. Again the Paraguayans will cover up
batteries with brush and old hides, and when an in
cautious steamer comes too near open fearful can
nOnading.
On the day that the Wasp lay on Angostura the
Brazilians opened IRE on the camp from the ron
cads hurting their shells above and all around the
Wasp. She dropped down the river.
The most dangerous enemies OF the allies now are
the heat mud. mosquitoes and camp vices. The suf-
ferings OF the wounded are dreadful. There are no
hospitals above Angostura and It IL too dangerous to
go by with wounded, and the road through the
chaco Is SO mry that Il IL almost death to sound
mule to 20 by 1t up or down,
The position OF things to-day Is this:-Marshal
Caxias rs at Nilleta with the Brazilian army. Gene
| raj Geily Obes IL at Pa,nas about league below
Angostura the hard nut Is between them, while the
allied squadron is abreast OF the fort. Between Pal
| mas and Angostura there swamps impossible by
| man or beast. Thus the allied army IL divided into
| TWO wings, and Lopez with perhaps 10000 men. II
between sem an Ia swans oner nun prolecsio.
OF an attack. Caxas' assault will be made under
/ great advantages.
| When the United states Minister. Mcmahon landed
at Angostura the Paraguayans fired q salute, and q
conveyance sent for him 10 bring him at once to
| Lopez quarters where he highly hOn0red. Ont
OF the men on board OF the Wasp desired to enter The
Paraguayan service and the Admiral permitted him
The general impression here Is that the war II
about over. Ii not to end by the exhaustion o
Lopez, IL may end by diplomacy. Lopez may o
last retire. stories are told which are believed,
his shipping large quantities OF gold to Europe.
Mariana Naela Minister OF Foreign Affairs IN THU
repuific has gone TO the seat OF war; and will per
| haps obtain diplomatic talk with Lopez himself