The New York herald., 1870-02-08
THE BRAZILIAN SCHEME OF CONQUEST
, Project to Establish Military Station
at Aigueritas.
Dangers TO the Free Commerce of the Great
Rivers and to the Republics Of
South America.
WASHINGTON, Feb. !, 1870.

The real object Of Brazil In her war against Para
quay Is now beginning to be understood even by
many people who Joined In the unjust denuncIa atoms
hurled against President Lopez and who ussIsted
in the powerful effort to drive HIM from supreme
sway In his native country. They now sec that
Brazil has, indeed, played the cunning ro,e or the
monkey, and only used them as catspaw 10 brush
the sweet morsels from the heated Grepan and
swallow them up without sngeing It's own claws.
simultaneously with the announcement that the
war is ana that the invading armies are about
to Withdraw. leaving only few thousand behind to
prevent return TO the ante oeltun condition OF
affairs, comes very important ana significant re-
port that Brazil il about to establish military sa-
tton AT HiGueras, port in the Uruguuyan republic
fronting the island of Martin Garcia at the very
mouth OF the river La Plata A military station at
this point would give Brazil control OF all the water
communications OF South America and place the
surrounding countries In complete dependence upon
her. La Hepubtica, prominent newspaper pub
Ilshed In Buenos Ayres, thus aludes this new
Brazilian project
rumor Is In extensive circulation 10 the effect
that part OF the Brazilian army Ii 10 be stationed
ut aguerltas aud that contract has already been
signed for the supplying OF IL with all neccssar.es.
They are going to occupy tins post upder the pre-
text OF refreshing their men, but all people who give
moments thought 10 the subject anu take into
consideration the circumstances under which the
thing Is 10 be done VIII perceive The dangerous
character OF The enterprise The Brazi!lans WISH 70
establish themselves with respectable force In
front OF Martin Garcia vt the same time tAat ney
keep respectable meet IN the river
Tne full importance OF this PROJECT set forth
In the extract from this Buenos Ayres Journal
Should Brazil attempt to carry 1t out 1t VIII be sc.
rous obstacle not alone TO the South American re.
puDlics but TO the United States and all The Powers
OF Europe. will De powerful blow against the
freedom OF the rivers, which was guaranteed by
e4 bou.
rivers some forty or fifty war vessels while
neither Paraguay, nor Uruguay. nor the Ar
g6ntne Confederation has q single vessel OF
war 10 oppose her. Should Brazil there
FORE attempt to establish the proposed military
station at Higueritas ana succeed, the other South
American Powers would be placed completely under
her control; she would oblain absolute control OF ali
position TO shut out ali foreign commerce, Brazil.
let II be remembered, has always pr0tes ted AGAINST
the freedom OF the rivers, while Paraguay was the
first to sign treaties with the great Powers opening
to the commerce OF the world those fine waters.
Now, 10 IL not the part OF prudence Tor our GOV
ernmcnt to turn It's attention In good 70 THIS
new Brazilian projectg Would iI not DO well ior
Secretary Flsn to make some little inquiry IL would
seem TO be entirely proper under the circumstances
to instruct our Minister at Rio Janelro TO institute
an inquiry into the truth OF this report and found
correct, To take steps to prevent Brazt from gam
ing possession Of those rivers 1t Is the daty Of
government in another point OF view. Should
Brazil succeed III getting possession OF those rivers
the republics OF La Plata would soon be destroyed
and monarchy and slavery reared on their ruins.
humanity and commerce that the United states
should interfere.