Year: 1869

ANSWER OF THE DICTATOR TO THE CALL FOR


sURRENDER-HE WILL TREAT ON HoNoRA-


BILE TERMS.


WASHINGTON, June 27.-The following is the
answer OF President Lopez to the summons by the Allies
20 surrender:


HEADQUARTERS IN PARAGUAY, Dec "a, 1868 p. m.


The Marshal President of the Republic OF Paraguay
reply to your EXeelenees the Generals Chief OF the
Allied Armies engaged in with tho nation over which
he presdes because OF the tone and language unusual
and nconsisent with the honor OF soldier and the dig
nifty OF Chief Magistrate with which your Excellences
lay down my within the space Of twelve hours in
order TO terminate so prolonged struggle threatening
spilled and which has yet TO now DO not consent TO


the laying down Of arms and holding me responsible in
person before my country the natons Nnch your TX
celences represent, and the civilized world neverthe-
dering thus tribute TO that same blood so gener-
ously poured out, as wen Dy my people as
sentiment Of religion, humanity, and civilization,
which your EXceencies invoke IN your demand. These
sentiments are precisely those which influenced
me more than two years since to rise above all the official
dscourtesy with which the elected ruler OF my country
cora I'M conference with His Exceiiency the General
in-Chef OF the Allied Armies and President OF the Ar
Reconciliation OF the four sovereign States of South
America which had already begun 70 destroy themselves
est effort met with other reply than disregard and 81
lence upon the part Of the Allied Governments and new
and sanguinary battles upon the part Of their armed
representatives, your Exceences can bear witness
Since have seen more clearly the tendency OF the
of paraguay and, depiorng the blood which has been
shed in so many years OF strife, l was silent, and
placing the fate OF my country and her gen.
erous sons in the hands Of the God Of
nations, fought her enemies with the loyalty and earn
estness have shown, aud still ready To continue
fghtng until the same God and our arms decide the
definite fate OF the cause. "


knowledge which you Of & e which ~
sources every day increasing. have no such lntorna
tion. but have the experience OF four years, during
Win
never prevailed against the sefdenial and courage OF
the Paraguayan soldier who fights with the resolution OF
an honorable citizen and Christian man that narrow
grave may open for him in his country before ne VIII see
her in any manner Inundated .-,.,.


Your Exceencies have had the goodness to remind me
that the blood poured out at orora aud ADay should
have decided to avoid the boodshed OF the 2st o
current month but your EXcellences forgot without
doubt that these same actions have demonstrates IN au
vance how certain is the dependence which place On
blood which falls to the earth Is new ODgalOh 70 IuoSe
survive; and before such an example can my poor
heart be afrghted by the threat very unchvarous
permt me TO call 1t SOY which your ExceAencles nave
deemed ii your duty to convey TO met
the Republic Of Paraguay my country. because have
defended her do defend her, and will yet defend her
fulfill t TO the last extremity and for the rest leaving
my deeds to history have an account only TO my Cod
note OF e. and OF where the responsibility rests for
my part am still disposed to treat for the termination OF
ents but am not disposed TO hear one word as to the
laying down OF my called for by your Excelencies


Thus, in my turn believe comply with my impera |
tive duty religion humanity and civilization on the
CRY which have just heard from my friends chiefs
officers, and troops, 10 whom have communicated the
demand Of your Exeences, and with that which owe


ask your Exceencies TO excuse my not quoting the
date and hour OF your notification nasmuch as 1t bore
none and was received in my lines at "A this morning.
''D A''p 'O'' -1''-'A'''' '-." FR1Sc1sco s. Lorxz.


Henry casasO and BrgadisrGeD. John A Gsiand IbeS