The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-12-16
IN FAR OFF PARAGUAY.
An Interesting Story of the
Natives, Their Habits and
Mode of Living.
South American Life as Witnessed
by Ex-United States Minister
Shaw, Now of Astoria.

rounds yesterday, dropped In on Mr..
Shaw, ithe Immigrant inspector, and
found him nicely located in his new
Office, placed ait his disposal by Collect
or of Customs Page. He found him in
quite q reminiscent mood, and listened
to the following interesting account of
Paraguay, as he saw it while United
States consul at Asuncon, the capital.
Regarding his presence here, Inspector
Shaw said THAT as yet, he had passed
no iIlnTigpants still he hoped, and saw
no reason after the completion of the
class Of immigrants from Europe to this
port.
He went ON to say that the history
of Paraguay was one of the most in
terestlng of the South American repub-
lies, especially that period under the
sway of Dictator Lopez, which, through
his arrogant measures brought on a
seven years war with Brazil, Uruguay
and the Argentine Republics, which al
most resulted in a GRAND victory for
the said Lopez,
The population of Paraguay, in 1865,
the first year of the war, was estlmat-
ed to be about 100000, and at the end
Of the seven years war he had reirced
it to about 100000, he consuming during
that period nearly 100000 souls, most
ly men, so that after peace was de-
clared, it was entirely a country of
women; women as officials, women as
police, and women are soldiers. One
would think that after going through
such a terrible period the people would
he crushed in spirit and down-trodden,
but it is far from the truth. They are
at the present time as 5hey were before
the war; just as arrogant and domineer-
ing. The population at the present day
can be estimated at about 100000, eX-
Guiding about 10000 Indiants in the
Gran Chaco, the ratio of women being
six to one man.
The city Of Asuncion, the capital,
is situated on the left bank of the Par
aguay river 1850 miles north of Buenos
ontlet to European and northern mar
kets, and 1850 miles south of Curumba,
Brazil, on the same river
The city is built ON side hill, and
1t presents very pretty view as seen
on its approach from the river front.
The river at this point is two and one
quaniter miles wide, with a depth of
twenty feet In the channel There are
three lines of weekly steamers connect
ing Asuncion with Rio Janeiro, Monte
vldeo, Uruguay, and Buenos Ayres. Ar
gentine Republic, besides numerous
freight steamers, also weekly.
The trip up the river consumes the
best part of a week, and is full of in
teresting points and incidents. The
scenery is very ordinary and monota-
nous, not to be compared for one mo-
ment with the beautiful Columbia o,
Oregon. The banks are low and heavil.
timbered, which in turn are grown with
a thick and rank growth of tropical
weeds, plants, and creepers, thus max
ing travel through it impossible. The
river is full of fierce and ugly-lool1ing |
aNgaltors, which, though harmless, in
spire one with fear. They affort great
sport and amusement ito the tourist. |
One passes from time to time quaint
towns hundreds Of years old, which |
have not changed one iota in the last
two hundred years. The people along |
the river are mostly employed in Gait
tie raising, timber cutting, fruit cul- |
ture. and cheese and butter making.
Any street of Asunclon is a duplicate
Of all others. They will compare in
width with European or American
streets of cities of the same size. The
population is a very mixed one Of about
81, ,O00 There is an excellent system OF
horse cars under the management Of an
telephone and telegraph company As
uncOn enjoys direct telegraph communf-
nation with Buenos Ayres and Monte
yldeo. There are five daily newspapers
and one y eeRly; also one illustrated,
such as it Is. AT the present no banks
are in operation, but one was under
piong formation q few months ago,
by local capital; whether 1t
will not go the way Of its predecessors
remains to be seen. The city enjoys no
sanitary arrangements or water works,
the river and private cisterns supplying
all their wants. The streets principal
ones) are well lighted with electricity
and oil lamps, and are also paved with
stone from an adjoining quarry The
police system, so far as patrolling the
streets day and night, is excellent. but
the rest of the system is very rotten.
The standing army in time of peace is
700 to 500, and in time of war every
man under 65 years is compelled to
serve. The navy at one period con-
sisted of one small steam cruiser, light
ly armored but It has long since fallen
into decay. One large and well-equipp-
ed theatre affords amusement for all
classes when times are good. Now and
then a stray circus or strolling v2ude-
Vile troupe will make it a point of
vantage for two or three days.
4 ksuncion is very old. Here may be
seen entire streets just as they were
200 wears ago, when the few acres call
ed Paraguay belonged to Spain, and The
Jesuits cuirlyated the land and civil
lied the Indians. The brick and sutcco-
mud houses arg low. ugly and monot-
onous; although in recent years few
really good residences have replaced
those that have fallen into decay. Ped
Ilers OF all kinds, classes and conditions
may be seen on the stree-s az all
hours; one has beau5ful handmade
'NandueAy" lace. Her mother taught
her the art, and she, the mother, learn
ed the secret from her Indian mother
before her. Another selling pottery.
another breadstuffs and candy; another !
mate cups and ''bombelIas.y and still !
another lottery tickets. which is the
curse Of all Lctia American Republics,