New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-18
TIE MTSToNES ARBITRATION.

The acceptance by President Harrison OF the
responsible office of arbitrator in the MlsioneS
dispute between Brazil and the Argentine re
public is a good augury for the coming era
| Of continental peace When the Pan American
| Congress adopted resolutions in favor OF COM
pulsorv arbitration ~ an CYpcdient for avert
ing war. Brazil was almost the first state to
act upon the high moral policy which had been
proclaimed. It not only exerted its influence
! strongly in favor Of the negotiation Of arbitra-
tion treaties which should have binding force
mon American States but also in its new
Constitution it expressly prohibited wars OF
conquest. In its practice it is now living up
10 its own high doctrine. 1t has consented u
submit the boundary questions which have
arisen from the Paraguayan War TO the arbltra-
ton of President Harrison.
The MiSiones question revives memories OF
the henicnant Influences Of the Spanish con
| ouest Near tie Equator the discoveries Of
Columbus were followed by the ruthless
marches of CortcS and pzarro, the overthrow
OF empires with a mysterious civilization the
determination of native races by bondage III
mines and the cnSlayement of hundreds OF
thousands of Indians in Brazil and the spanish
Main and Of horde of negroes from Africa.
In that throng of heartless advcniurers and
rapaciouS Niceroys only one figure, noble Las
CaSaS. stands ont rs the protector Of inferior
races: hut beyond the Equator n shadowy pro-
ccss n of Jesuit missionaries passes before the
eve and the light Of starry cross streams
across the reaches Of historic retrospect. For
enc hundred and fifty years the Jesuit fathers
enjoyed undisputed ascondancy in Paraguay.
They reduced the Indian language T. a written
id,orn. taught the natives the rudrnentS OF
wood carving and European agriculture, plant
ed orange groves cultivated ycrba tea. built
model villages and governed the country on
humane principles No work more wonderful
was ever done by Christian missionaries than
that Of the Jesuits in tho upper Parana and in
the region now known as the Msiones.
When the expulsion Of the Jcsuits de-
creed they offered no resistance, but quietly left
the country which they had governed humanity
and in;olligentlv No gr, alter misfortune could
have bcfallcn helpless and peaccablc people
than the enforcement of this edict. In the
course of single generation population Of
150. 900 employed in various industries aban-
dored the plantations and relapscd into bar
barsm. Then followed the reign Of three
D IL
h artrcnding struggle against three stronger
state, a simple minded people endured mani
fold suffeIingS for the sake Of "A tyrant who
had murdered his mother, brothers. rivals and
allies. They fought for their oppressor until
he himself was dead in the forests and three
fouiths of their heroic warriors were slain.
The victorious coalition. including Brazil. the
Argentine and Uruguay. retired from the old
Jesuit mission ground with an unsettled from
tier question: which has continued tO excite
suspicion and jealousy during years of secret
intrigue
The establishment Of the Brazilian Ropub-
lie was followed by an era of good feeling.
President Dc0doroS Minister of Forcign Affairs.
Bocayuya, went to Montcyideo and BucnO'
Ayres on Il mission OF peace and while the
convention which he made was subsequently
condemned by the Brazilian Congress. the qucs-
ton has been finally submitted 10 the President
Of the United States for arbitration 4 memo
rial of a former exercise Of similar Offices
exists in the opposite quarter OF Paraguay,
where one Of the new cities is named Villa
HAYES in honor Of the American President who
acted as arbitrator in dividing the Gran Chaco
between diSputing Powers. President Harrison
now has the responsible office of adjudicating
national titles 10 the working field Of the heroic
Jcsuits and the battle-ground of one Of the
strangc>t wars in history.