The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-15
MON TEVIDEO,
Tho Existing Revolution and
Reason Therefor.
Montevideo Invss.ed-Vizit to the Bessie ring
Forces Outpost skirmishing-
Sudden larms.

MoNTEvIDEo, Nov. o, 1870.
For nearly six months past revolution has been
In progress In the Oriental republic which now
seems likely 10 terminate IN the "Blancosn ousting
the "C00rados" from the control OF the govern.
ment. The Blancos, under the command OF Apart
clio and Medina, some weeks ago defeated the gov
ernmept armies, under Snarez and Caraballo, and
since then have been mastering before Montevideo,
the capital The elections for members OF the Cham-
bers-whch here elect the President-were 10 nave
taken place yesterday, but In place Of peaceful
election OF the men who should determine the sue
cessor OF President Bait the arms-bearing popuia.
ton OF the republic is gathered, on one siae or the
other, to determine the issue by arms.
The Colorado party came into power five or six
years ago. under circumstances not calculated TO
insure peaceful tenure. There was at that time n
Banco administration; but Brazil, desiring the
alliance OF the Oriental republic In her war with
Paraguay, marched an army to Montevidec, and,
at the same time, moved up her fleet, to bring
the town under It's guns. and dictated the accession
OF Flores, Colorado. About taree years ago Flores
was assasslnated, the Coorados alege, By the con-
servatve faction of their own party. aided by some
OF the Blancos The latter however, deny having
had any part in the affair, and they seem 10 DC
borne out by the that the widow OF Flores re-
fused to allow it to be inscribed on his tomb that
SUCH was the fact. To Flores succeeded
always denied the validity Of the eec-
ton by the Chambers, or, indeed, that there was
any election at ALL Though General Battle Is, by the
accounts OF oil parties, an amable and honorable
man, there has never been, above stated, acqui-
escence In his administration the part OF the
Banco party.
1t must be acknowledged though, that when an
election Is held here 1t Is conducted quite often in
accordance with the tactics OF tie accomplished
xyln
New York city. The voting in Montevideo IS done
in the Cathedral "Matriz" ard on The morning oil
election strong body OF reliable voters ia the
tefest Of the party in power, each armed with an
argument still too much III vogue In this country
among the natives, w., long, sharp knife, head
the poll and vote often may be thought desla-
BILE before others may be allowed to approach the
palladium OF liberty AT two three points In the
city are posted bodies of reserves, having equally
reliable and convincing qualities with those just de-
scrbed; ana II later IN The DAY IS found that the
election is not going as 1t ought the rush In
\ and rectfy the wrong tendency by depositng as
many votes as may be necessary and intimidating
The rest OF the voters; else they upset the ballot
boxes ana break up the election III general
ln listening to the details oil political canvass and
election in Montevideo, Ihave had to rub eyes
realize that was not listening to the exploits Of
Boss Tweed's braves In the lower part Of New YORK
city.
1t is not to be expected that an administration
coming into power under such auspices as did that
OF Flores and the present one will be able to give
much consideration TO the opposite party or to the
general interests OF the country. 1t must OF neces
sty be largely engrossed in contrvances for RETAIN
ing power and Tor advancing the interests OF re-
tanners. The Blancos allege, know not with what
reason as the occasion for their hostile array In
anticipation Of The fearful methods OF election
the unlawful means by which the present admins
tration obtained power, the abuses OF its admins
trai0n and the impossibty OF securing fair cleo
ton under us auspices They allege further that
nearly the whole property interest OF the country is
Blanco and that 1t Is needlu for the general interest
that this party should assume control and point In
support Of their assertions. to tAe condition OF the
public treasury (Which Is certainly bad enough, the
currency and business generally.
However TINS may be, the BlancOs have defeated
the government armies sent 80 the Department OF
Paysander to put them down. and have now moved
their forces TO the capital 10 conclude the trial Of the
Issue. Their horsemen swarm about the ap
proaches to the city and have completely cut or
supplies coming IN from the surrounding country.
As a consequence the prices OF provisions nave
gone up fifteen fold and business OF all Sorts Is
tirely suspended.
The city is admirably situated for defence beng
on a peninsula not more than hail or three-quarters
of mile wide. Tue government has erected breast
works in the heart OF the CITY, not more than mile
from the Custom House and government buildings,
across all the streets leading from the country, and
It's advanced pests about mile further out, are
neyertle leSS within the city limits. Here they
confronted by the Blancos, wno at "Union,r u
suburb of the city about mile beyond, have put IN
operation all the machinery OF rival government,
even to daily government newspaper The Bancos
allcge also that they hold undsputed possession OF
the Whole interior. and have appointed their own
Geles or municipal officers throughout, without op-
position, but The government makes no DENIAL nor
AFFORDS any information. The government as it
stands to-day confessedIy has not sufficient strength
to attack its adversaries and RAISE the sege while
II Is wholly cut or from the interior and retains
entlre control only OF that small part OF the capital
tanning the custom House, fort and public build
sIty succumb, without the assault which Is now
daily threatened by the Blancos in the event or Its
continuing to hold out.
A few days ago procured pass and went in a
carriage to Union, the Blanco headquarters. When
! reached the Colorado outposts found myself
changing rife shots at long range in the principal
street. turning into side street made detour
teOus examination by body Of Gaucho horsemen
permission was given to continue on, which
that the Colorado advance was using the needle
gun. OF which few hundred have Deen purchased
% ear sas Tas Is a aenK the
OF their houses and putting their heads around the
corners occasionally to watcn the effects Of the re
S s5ss Tssks now . isT na being Inv, Wounded
She way to Union was every now ana then &C.
costed by Gaucho horsemen, armed with the long
carriage on their fiery little horses, Which they sit
and manage like centaurs, ana asked Tor 'vu-
tenes copper coin of tins country Of the value of
four cents. This done with the utmos; courtesy
OF address, and the grace and good nature or the
Acknowledgements In receiving one or two OF the coins
was q fair return. / found Union thronged with
Officers and soldiers on leave from the various camps
In the neignbernood. Union IS intensely Blanco IN
Its sympathes and the streets and the soldiers were
gay win ribbons and badges and flags OF The Blanco
colors-whlte and blue. Many OF the horsenen had
the red' ribbons ariisticay arranged in the tails
OF their horses, common method for the expression
oil political 1ecng III this country with both SIDES
About The streets and cafes found great NUMBERS
OF the youth OF good families, vino had come out
rom the city ana joined the i,anc0 Iorces Many OF
them were lads OF fourteen ana fifteen years Ol age
armed Ony Win revOivcr anu the inevitable knife,
stuck in the girde.
The Blanco encampments are scattered rreru-
larry Tor distance OF five six miles IN the
"c3mp0" about Union, according to The opportu-
nifty Tor forage, and each consists OF from 2ug RI