Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-22
TIE p4RAGUAY REV0LUTIoN.

The Paraguayan revolution has contin ued
several months, and at last accounts Monte
video was closely besieged. 1t is struggle
between two parties, the Blancos aud Col
orados, for the government. The Colorados
have held the government for the last five or
six years. The elections are generally car
ried By fraud and violence. The Blancos have
thus far defeated the government armies sent
against them, and shut them up in Montevi-
dec. From letter in the New York Herald
dated Nov. we copy the following:
A.few days ago procured pass and went
in . carriage to Union, the Blanco head
CHARTERS. When l reached the Colorado
outposts found myself under fire, the ad-
vance Of the respective armies exchanging
rifle shots at longe range in the principal
Street. Turning into a side street made
defour to the Blanco line on the same Street.
Alter courteous examination by body OF
Gaucho hOrsemen permission was given to
continue on, which availed OF without much
delay, having observed that the Colorado ad-
vance was using the needle gun, OF which
few hundred have been purchased by the
government. The inhabitants along the
Street, on either side, were standing in the
shelter of their houses and putting their heads
around the corners occasionally to watch the
effects of the rifle practice. This kind Of
desultory warfare has now been goi lg on for
the last three weeks, few men being wound
ed daily and now and then one killed. On
the way to Union l was every now and then
accosted by Gaucho horsemen, armed with
the long lance universally carried by them,
dashing up to any carriage, on their fiery
little horses, which they sit and manage like
centaurs, and asked for ''sintenes,' copper
coin OF this country OF the yalne OF four cents
This was done with the utmost courtesy OF
address, and the grace and good nature OF the
acknowledgement in receiving one or two OF
the coins was a fair return. ! found Union
thronged with officers and soldiers on leave
from the various camps in the neighborhood.
Union is intensely Blanco in its sympathies,
and the streets and the soldiers were gay with
ribbons and badges and flags of the Blapco
colors--whitc and blue. Many Of the horse
men had the "red" ribbons artistically ar
ranged in the tails of their horses, common
method for the expression Of political feeling
in this country with both sides. About the
streets and cafes found great numbers of
youth OF good families, who had come out
from the city and joined the Blanco forces.
Many of them were lads of fourteen and fiji
teen years of age, armed only with a revolver
and the inevitable knife, stuck in the girdle
The Blanco encampments are scattered
irregularly for a distance of five or six miles
in the ..campo" about Union, according to
the opportunity for forage, and each con-
sists OF from 200 to 500 horsemen, uniformed
and subject to little discipline, and armed
with the lance or carbine. Each camp is
under the command of one whom the men
have chosen as leader, or whom they follow
on account of his local position or influence in
his province. They are generally the owners
Of large estancias. l visited and talked with
several Of them, and found them in all instan-
ces men whose qualities had evidently given
them ship. They spoke with ent re
freedom OF their purposes and their strength,
and all declared that they would listen to no
terms short of unconditional surrender OF the
government into their hands, and declared
that if their leaders--to whom they acknowl-
edge no subordina,ion in any way, except
such degree Of obedience MS each one consid-
ers necessary for the attainment of the COM
mon unprecedented into any compromise,
they themselves would draw off and carry on
the war on their own account.
/ may say, by the way, that the Colorados
are equally decided in their expression of
determination to enter into no compromise or
surrender with the Baneos. The Spanish
Minister and other foreign diplomats have
been endeavoring to bring about some settle
merit In the Interest of foreign holders of prop
erty in the city, but SO far without success.
Should the Blancos assault the city it is I'M
derstood that Mr.. Stevens, the American
Minister, together with the Brazilian and
Spanish Ministers, have arranged with the
government to land forces from their respect
i've squadrons TO protect the government ware
houses. in which are deposited the goods OF
foreign merchants, and also the banks, which
are mainly the property of foreigners. An
assault is now hourly expected. and should it
be successful there WILL no doubt, be some
sacrifices to the violence OF party feeling,
though the Blanco leaders profess the utmost
moderation.
Night b,fore last at little past midnightth
bell on the Cathedral Matriz sounded the gen.
eral alarm and the cannon on tue breastworks
were fired to give notice Of an advance on the
part of the Biancos. The bell continued to
be rung for an hour, and, with the sounds of
continuous firing and the noise OF orderlies
and squads OF cavalry galloping madly through
the stre.ts, gave the impression of general
attack. In the morning rode out TO the out
posts TO make inquiry-ior the morning pa
pers here go to press late in the afternoon OF
the preceding day-and found that the uproar
was caused by the advance of regiment of
Blanco horsemen up the Moline road, it is al
legged, for the sole purpose Of atiording chance
for some seventy Of the Colorados to desert TO
them with their arms, or ''to pass" as il is
termed here. Al any rate, this being accom-
plished, they Withdrew. and for all the uproar
and heavy firing there was not Il single man
killed or wounded on either side.
Meanw lille, in the city and throughout the
country there is complete paralysis OF every
industry and of commerce. In the town the
poor have no employment and find it difficult
70 procure the commonest food. Cows were
soiu yesterday for 500, the ordinary price
being from eight to ten dollars; beef in the
market is worth fifty cents per pound, the
usual price being three and four cents. Of
milk aud vegetables there are none or next to
none 10 be had at any price. In the country
the sstssmcteyos are suffering from both lack OF
labor and for want of market, while their
cattle and horses are being swept in for tie
support Of the troops on either side. Mean
While, ~ sit writing this, at intervals hear
the sounds Of firing in the desultory warfare
Of which T. hare spoken, and of the contin-
Bsur~ Of which no one ventures to predict the
sagth.