The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-31

General McMnhon's Report RIddied.
NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 1859.

In reply to the Associated Press despatch from
Washington, which appeared yesterday, az enbody-
Ing the views Of General Martin T. Mcmahon In rc-
gard to the character and probable results OF the
Paraguayan war, have written Communication
which to-day appeared in one OF the daily papers Of
this city. Bat inasmuch as the HGRALD's Washing
ton correspondence, appearing In your issues Of yes
terday and to-day, contains further expressions or
opinions from the same source which cannot pass
your columns for statement OF tho against the
bandit Of Paraguay and q criticism OF the views OF
the diplomatic ap0oglst for Lopez.
That General Mcmahon disagrees entirely with his
predecessor Mr.. G. A. Washburne in his opinion Of
Lopez, Is well known to the public, and those "a
mlliar 18th the course of General Mcmahon cannot
be surprised that he should declare that ~Brazil Is
wholly In the wrong and her object Is to absorb all
the small South American republics and to extend
the empire Of slavery"
Those who are acquainted with the character of
the Brazilian government ana with the origin OF tho
i've years' war between Paraguay and the allied
Powers know thai the facts are directly the oppo.
site Of the statements Of General McMahon All
Americans who have ever resided In Brazil know
that that so-called empire Is a monarchy only In
name, and that Dom Pedro H.. so far from being an
absolute ruler has less real power than the Presi
dent Of the United States. They know
that the constitution Of Brazil ID as Ube-
raj as that Of Great Britain. and far
tue leaders OF public opinion III Brazil, with the
Emperor at their head, have long since doomed tho
Brazil until the necessary measures can DO perfected
for Its speedy abolition. They know that Brazil, In
being an aggressive Power has never gained nor
sought to gain by conquest single acre from any
one Of the eight republics which border upon her
territory. They know that the only foreign war
which Brazil has sustained previously to the present
one resulted IN 1928 III the ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of the
which, with the aaa Of Buenos Ayres and the coun.
tenance OF France and England esta bshed Its indie.
That In 1865 Brazil had that feeble republic completely
ut It's mercy, and that, far from reannexlng 1t, or
even curtaiing It's limits 1t gave its aid to build up
o completely independent and sef-spstained govern
ment In Monteylde0. In short the old cry Of "Mon-
archy encroaching upon ,republicanisn" In South
America Is completely without foundation.
In respect to the present war, Brazil while agree
ing with the two allied republics continue the war
by treaty to respect the independence OF Paraguay
and now that nine-tenths OF that country has been
rescued from the grasp OF the tyrant Brazil IN full
harmony with her allies, has redeemed her pledge
by allowing the Raraguayans to form government
OF their own, whose permanence Is guaranteed By
treaty. The allies have carried their magnanmity
to the excess or permitting Paraguayan govern
ment TO be elected by the popular suffrage OF the
very men who were recently III arms in support Of
As to the origin OF the war demonstrated fact
erosion on the part OF Lopez. Minister McMahon
cannot deny that In December, 1884 Lopez Invaded
and occupied the deenceless Brazilian province Of
Mauo Crosse, after setting upon an unarmed Bra
lillian mall steamer, on board OF which the Presi.
dent OF Matte Crosse was proceeding In full peace to
his destination. Minister Mcmahon cannot deny
that thta was done without even the formallty OF
declaration OF war; nor can he deny that in April
1866, Lopez poured his troops, In the midst OF pro-
found peace, upon the adjacent Argentine province
OF Oorrientes seizing upon two Argentine vessels Of
utery OF ,ae on Hor
CRISIS" Minister Mcmahon cannot deny that the
officers and crews OF these vessels have persisted to
the last man IN the prisons OF Lopez by processes
best known to himself and that tho same
fate beiel another Argentine mani steamer which
arrived In Asuncion about the same time In utter
ignorance OF any approaching war. Minister McMa-
hon cannot deny that before Brazil and the Argen-
tine Republic could collect their wits together alter
the astounding violation of the laws OF war, Lopez
occupied the Argentine province OF Mis0nes and
poured 10000 veteran troops into the Brazilian pro-
vince OF lilo Grande. lie cannot deny that at the
same time Lopez had IN readiness q formidable
squadron equipped for the avowed purpose OF seizDG
confluence OF the rivers Parana and Uruguay. He
cannot deny that all these territories were pract
their occupation by Lopez, nor that the object OF
these pratlcal procedures or Lopez was the foupda-
ton OF an inland emplre with Lopez as absolute
Ing upon Paraguay.
will go further than this. and say shat Minister
Mcmahon cannot successfully deny that the empire
OF Brazil has been the early and constant friend OF
Paraguayan independence. Brazil was the first
Power to recognize that independence. She aided
Carlos Antonio Lopez father ol the present Dictator
to establish the routine OF his 1mprovised govern,
ment; sent him as counsellor one OF ner wlsest and
most disinterested statesmen-Senhor Plmenta
Bueno-and presented the young Paraguayan repub.
lie with splendid field battery to enable 1t to hold
out against the annexation policy OF Rosas, the Ar
In the discussions of her unsettled questions Of
boundary with Paraguay Brazil mas pushed forbear-
ance to the EXTREMIST iimlt-evsn allowing Para
quay to occupy territories which had been IN dispute
tary Power, and had never dreamed Of W War with
Paraguay, until, soreiy against her Will she was
forced to take up arms 70 defe end her own bones
then, did cine vow the overthrow Of Lopez, and with
her two allies, she has steadily persevered through
the severest strain upon the blood and treasure Of
the empire 10 vndcate her insulted honor. She has
spent hundreds OF millions OF dollars and poured Out
the blood 100, 600 to drive the bandit lopez I'd
tualy attained Minister Mcmahon thinks that the
allies are about TO abandon the contest Let him
think so. A few more weeks VIII end the tragedy,
but not In the way he anticipates
At the latest adyices the accounts most favorable
men. TO this pass IL now reduced the would-be
monarch OF q vast inland empire. But General
to the rescue. Ito tells us that Lopez was waited
upon IN Ascurra by delegation Of payagua Indians:
who rendered him the services OF 1000 warriors 10
assist In resisting the Brazilian invasion.
This Is certainty most important, II true. nov,
! am supposed to know sometn,ng so aDoa ~
the Payasua tribe OF Indians nave known all
their chiefs and head men, and have collected 2 vo-
caDulary OF their language. The tribe mas never
within the present century numbered ooo souis.
Upon that fact stake my reputation as an etuno!o
glst, that beIng the capacity IN which am most de-
slrous be known. The few dozens OF warriors VINO
scrpte into the service OF Lopez long siDce and have
shared In the general determination OF ninety-hve
per cont which has befallen the entire forces Of
fopez Nor Is there any other tribe OF Indians In
Paraguay upon which General Mcmahon can fail
back defy him to mention any.
There are several other points upon which am
desrous OF touching, especially upon the alleged
friendness OF the allies to our government but this
letter has become sufficiently extended. and must
close for the present. PORTER G. BLISS.
Europe contains forty-four different nations. num-
berlng in all 1885, 1000 900 OF Inhabitants The united
annual expenditure OF the various governments
amounts to 81 21O 0000 900, or 81 10 per head. Allow
ances to crowned heads amount to x43, 672, 000 or
sixteen cents per hoad the armed forces cost tho
sum Of s6l3, 1040 00 or, per head, 81 10. Inercs
payable on pubic debts amounts TO S572 $4,000 or
per head. 81 "a. Tho public debt OF Europe amounA
In lbDb 000 making xhi nan