The New York herald., 1870-01-30
THE PARAGUAYAN WAR.
BRAZILIAN Webs Woven to Entangle Uruguay
and the Argentine Republic.
The Ambitious Yearnings Of tho Bra
xilisn Empire.
Startling ConSessiom Of Men Condemned to
Dsath-Asuncion Captured by Treachery-
Serious Allegations Against Mr..
Washburn : The Attempted
Betrayal Of Lopes for Gold.


A Monsieur Claude de Ia Poepe.has recently gwen
70 the Partisan public an interesting volume ON
Paraxuayan affairs It It entitled LA P0litique du
Paraguay This writer has written several other
books upon South American a1alrs, ana OeWays an
extended acquaintance with the same.
IL is clearly evident that the alliance formed be-
tween Brazil Uruguay and the Argentine Republic Ii
unnatural and the result Of temporary expedients.
Just before formation Brazil had her foot upon
neck OF Uruguay, having already occupied with her
soldiers or more Of the Oriental provinces Soon
after this the war between Brazil and Paraguay
broke out when, in order save herself from being
entirely suDjugated and annexed 70 the former
Power, Uruguay deemed 1t better to submit to the
dictation or Brazi and even 20 30 far as to aid
her IN the war with Paraguay. The Argentine Re-
public was induced to enter the coalition for reasons
nearly IDENTICAL The government Of that republic
IL something similar 10 what our old confederation
was. There Is federal government but in no
country OF the world the doctrine OF State rights
carried further. In the present contest, for In
stance the Governor Of Entire Rios has refused post
tvely TO take any part in the war; because he claims
that there ig no authority In the federal government
which compels him to do 80. 1t was only some nine
months ago that Zabala, the Governor of the pro-
vince Of San Juan, raised Issue with the Presi.
dent Of the republic in the matter Of electng Sen
one vacancy, but he desired to have two
Senators elected, which was contrary TO all law.
Zabais thinking after while that Of his friends
c0ud be chosen, convoked the Legislature when
his man was beaten. Soon Afterwards, on Q slight
pretext, he declared that an illegal body, and I'm
prisoned the members because they refused TO dis
perse. Brazil time and again availcd herself of
ss d ssr
N any political movement her agents began Operat-
tng in some one Of the PROVING OF the republic by
provoking dlifcnlties, TO arrange which the EN-
peror's government was generally called upon. SO
In fact 1t can be safely afrmed tnat the Argentnes
bscause or q fear thai the imperial government
would, IN case Of REFUSAL tnAict upon them
the norroIs or anarchy. There was smother
that they could relieve Uruguay from the
great danger that then menaced ner Tor with
tory on La Plata. beginning at it's mouth and run
ming back for great distance on the east bank Of
that river. Holding thus the reins OF commercial
supremacy In her own hands she would have been
aOe before long to have dictated her own terms to
At the countries bordering on that stream And this
ID Just what the Emperor's government seeking 10
accomplish by the war. Lopez saw the threatened
danger, and when his mouves shall have been thor
onghy understood other nations must give him
credit for foresight aud they can but admire his
hrnness Of purpose and patriotic endeav0rs.
Taking tins view ol the suoect land Il is the cor
Of Uruguay and the Argentine Republic nave no
interest IN tae success OF the brazilian arms.
7,
rejoice at the entire pr0stratiOn OF Brazilian credit
Tney have met with great 0ppos ton IN their re-
spectlve countries and TO make the alliance paata
BILE TO their own people nave been forced 10 JON in
the cry raised by Brazlyiz-, that Lopez was bad,
nnscrupulous man, and that he wished to restrict
the trade upon La Plata 1t would seem strange
that the President OF Paraguay should be actuated
by such views, when short time before the war ne
made treaty with England anu France for the Tree
navigation or La Plata
That Lopez has been guilty OF great errors there Is
but little doubt. 1t IS quite evident that Madame
vuna hna had Inn IN An vuIth HIN
ment Of AFFAIRS but IA all ages examples have been
furnished OF women exertlng too much influence
Brazil Is without doubt, on the road to ruin. She
ts already IN debt 81, O00 600, 900, and shQuld
the war continue for any considerable iIme
from the contest and IN that event VIII have
to curb her lust for further dominion and do
what she can towards llquidating her obligations
ana keeping her own people contented. We're
possible for her TO succeed In the present war
there would follow results extremely preudicIal to
long before she would absorb Uruguay, distract and
destroy the Argentine Republic and selhshly use and
control M tine La Plaza In her own interests. ~
are made as to the conduct OF Mr.. Washpurn, our
late Minister to Paraguay.
Benigno Lopez. the Youngest brother OF the Presi-
dent, is described as having been man OF bound
less ambition. He conceived the idea OF betraytng
government into the hands OF the allies. and
reward therefor expected to be made President OF
the republic. Another brother, Venancio Lopez,
two brothers-in-aw Of the President, and various
. conspiracy with Benlgno 10 betray the Paraguayan
cause. To these were added lew Uruguayans and
Argentnes, some Of whom had ran away as fugi-
uves from their respective countries because OF
having committed crimes therein AsunclOn was
captured by the treachery OF these partles some OF
whom had deserted the cause OF the President more
with the hope OF stopping the war and saving their
property than by reasons OF patriotism. As
soon as their yillany had been discovered Lopez
would have mad them arrested, but they ned pre-
Cpitately TO the residence OF the American Minister
VINO wrote learned dispatches to the President,
quoting from Martens, Bynkenh0eck, Vattel and
other writer's on international law, but on beng de-
manded at the Legation they surrendered them
selves. They were trled condemned and executed.
Previous 70 the latter event they gave IN statements
relative to the matter, which reveal the extent OF
the whole conspiracy.
Benigno Lopez declared that ne approached Mr..
Washburn upon the subject OF seeing the Marquis
OF Caixas, and advising him how the Brazilian
chieftaln could rake Asunclon. He (Washburn)
came To see Benigno the evening before he started
fur Caixas' camp, when BeniRnO explained TO
asnburn how the commander-n-c chief OF the
allies might penetrate into the interior, move
up towards the Paraguay and almost
surround the forces OF the President. which
would. IN fact, lead to the capture either OF the
Paraguay ans or of the capital III case the former
should retreat. He marked on the ground the plan
OF movement, which Washburn designed afterwards
on piece OF paper and carried with him over into
the allied lines. W3snOurn wa constantly holding
with Caixas uls er T0etence or or
1er1nQ his good offices to settle the differences be-