The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1891-03-07
RIO De LA PLATA.
Lecture by Minister stevens on
Countries of that River.

part of the objects of the Associa-
ton We're mental Improvement and
entertainment Hitherto they had
known Mr.. Stevens by his genial
face and venerable appearance, but
henceforth they should know him as
a friend OF the Association.
Minister Stevens opened his paper
with a reference to the late financial
crisis at Buenos Ayres, as having
exerted an influence in America,
Europe, and even India, which was
strong enough to toppIe over one Of
the old banking houses of London.
He left New York in June, 1870, for
South America, and in "A days COW
cred the 400 miles to Rio de jan
GIRO. On the beautiful bay, which
he described, were steamers filled
with soldiers; cannon roared on ship
and shore, martial music filed the
air. The army was returning from
the theater of war, where one of the
most terrible tragedies of modern
times was enacted. 1t made scene
unique and fascinating.
Brazil was first settled by colony
of French Huguenots, who were
afterward expelled by the Portu-
guese. The lecturer would not
speculate on what might have been,
if the sturdy Huguenots had been
supported by France instead Of re-
ceiving her hostility.
Montevideo, capital of Uruguay,
was the next destination of the
American Minister. 1t was large
and beautiful town, correctly named
the "Queen City of the Rio de la
Plata" He was received by the
President. The country was in a
state of civil war, between the
Blancos and the Colorados, or the
white and red. 1t was prior to that
time a country of revolutions, but
since then these disturbances have
been growing less plentiful. This
gratifying change was due to two
great facts-railroads and improved
rifles. "Railroads and Remlngtons, ;"
according to Stanley, as well as the
Bible, were good missionaries in
Central Afrca-rihes to keep out the
saloons. (Applause.)
The problem was stated of how
Uruguay, with only 100000 popula-
ton, maintained her independence,
wedged in between the great coun-
tries of Brazil and the Argentine
Republic, with their millions of peo-
pie. The answer was the same as in
the case of the small states of Bel
GUM and Holland in Europe-the
country was too important IN the
balance of power and strategcal adj
vantage for any of the larger powers
to allow another to secure its posses
sion. The policy and diplomacy of
Central and Southern America wero
slippery and thorny; the descend
ants of Italy and Spain had not for
gotten the medieval statecraft of
Europe. This Rio de la Plata region
furnished vast scope for political
action, its area being large enough
to make twenty-four New York States
and five German Empires.
Paraguay was at the time of the
lecturers mission the theater of one
of the most sickening tragedies Of
modern times. The particulars lie
related later. Buenos Ayres, capital
of the Argentine Republic, and Mon
tevideo, capital of Uruguay, are
only 120 miles apart and about as
closely related commercially as New
York and Boston. AT Buenos Ayres
he found in President Samiento a
former representative of his country
at Washington a man as simple and
unpretending as Abraham Lincoln or
General Grant. (Applause.) He
was in power six years, carrying out
a very pubIic-splrited policy, in which
an educational system modelled on
that of the United States was in
augurated. A few months ago, he
died at the age of fourScore years in
the Paragua, an capital. When the
speaker first went to Buenos Ayres
it had population of 100000; now
it has half a million. Paraguay was
settled eighty years before New Eng
land. The Gpadanese (natives) be-
came converts to the Jesuits but
afterward broke away. They were
very peaceful and industrious peo-
pie. When the South American
countries became independent, Para
quay asserted her energy and had
the promise of career of prosperity.
A series of despotic rulers blighted
the prospect.
President Franzia gave the country
% years of despotic government.
He forbade the entry of foreigners,
and if any slipped in they had to
stay. The men were made soldiers
and the women had to work in the
fields. His rule was succeeded by
that of Don Carlos Antonio Lopez,
whose policy was more hberal-not
altogether diaboIical daughter. }
Then followed another Lopez, who
initiated Franzia, but without his
genius. Fr0nzla had been cuIogized
by Carlyle as typical "strang
man" IN 1862, at tile age Of So,
the second Lopez assumed the abso-
lute dictatorship OF Paraguay. With
an army Of 10000 men he provoked
conflict with BuzjI and her allies,
4 zoe, 900 people against $4,000, 900.
His father had len well-illled treas
ury, Now a desperate struggle Of
live years ensurd L0pel wanted to
make himself Emperor and Madame
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