Year: 1870




conclusions in regard to the hopelessness Of


the struggle and have withdrawn their armies


from the scene of operations. Such with


drawal was made absolutely NECESSARY by the


popular clamor in Brazil and by the bank


ruptcy to which the empire was reduced. The


failure to overthrow Lopez while he remained


within easy reach of the allied armies, the


reckless extravaganza Of expenditure upon


the part of the Brazilian agents, the fears of


the Argentine people awakened by the over


bearing attitude Of their imperial ally, to-
gether with other and lesser causes, have con-
| tributed to the popular dissatisfaction in all


the allied countries and have atlength broken
down the dogged resolution Of the Emperor to
continue the war until the accomplishment Of
tho main object proposed by the treaty Of ALI


ance. This object, which the three nations
solemnly but most unwiseIy bound themselves
to attain before laying down their arms, was
to destroy Lopez or force him into exile.
This object has in no manner been attained.
Lopez, it appears, is still in Paraguay,
within twenty leagues of the direct geographi-
cal centre Of the republic, with an organized
force, holding tho Cordilleras of Caaguazu,
having fertile country in his rear, and so
intrenched as to render hopeless any attempt
to dislodge him by such force as his enemies
were capable Of combining for a further move
ment. With an army of but twenty thousand
men, and without hope Of reinforcements, the
allied generals saw the absurdity of attempt
il.
two hundred miles in the interior Of hostile
country and against a people who seemed to
have revived and improved upon the warlike
virtues Of the Spartan times. With true
imperial firmness Dom Pedro refused to believe.
But there is a logic in events to which even
empercrs must sometimes yield; and when at
last his trusted counsellor Parhafos, pro-
consul Of the conquered capital (Asancion)
confirmed the reports of the "Prnce Com
mander Of all the forces of Brazil, heir appa-
rent, &C., &C., as to the absolute impossibility
OF carrying on another campaign, the Emperor
sadly yielded to the popular demand and
resolved to declare the war at an end. But
there was o dificulty-the fatal provision in
the treaty of alliance in regard to the destruc-
ton or driving out Of the intractable Lopez,
who would not be destroyed nor driven outside
his country. 1t was decided to adopt the
expedient of our popular assemblages and
resolve him out. He was declared, therefore,
to be fugitive in Bolivia. But people who
had considered that story on several previous
occasions received it with distrust Moreover
the Bolivians made search and did not find
him. In this dilemma there came happy
inspiration to the great Parhalos, the Mephis-
topheles of the alliance BY the treaty of alli-
ance the future boundaries Of Paraguay were
TO be arranged so as to give to Brazil all the
northeastern portion of Paraguay down to
within short distance of Lopez's actual head
quarters in the cordileras. This arrangement
was of course conting ent upon the annihila-
ton of Lopez.


Now, pushing these proposed boundaries
little further to the south, we have Lopez in
Brazil-being in Brazil, out of Paraguay-and
therefore the war is at an end, the object of
the alliance attained. This being the case,
tnere can manifestly be no ilnpropriety in the
little matter of the boundary, or if there is the
provisional government will make it right
This is Brazilian logic-ingenious, but not
wholly honest. Nevertheless upon the
strength of this proposition comes the inevita-
BILE Lisbon telegram that ''Lopez is wandering
in the Brazilian deserts with few followers"
and soon after, of course, the Paris contradic-
ton, accompanied by the assurance that he
IL.
sand men," and later the announcement that
he is marching against the allies with
twenty thousand men. This force, there is
little doubt, will rapidly increase the moment
the pressure of the allied troops ceases to be
felt on that portion of the population now
within their lines. The provisional govern
ment will scarcely venture to remain in Para
quay, if, indeed, it does not surrender its func-
tons at in favor Of the legally elected ruler
The principal member of this government
fought for four years as an officer in Lopez's
army During this period he was three times
taken prisoner by the allies, and as many
times escaped from his captors and rejoined
his chief On being taken fourth time, how
ever, he consented to remain with the enemy,
and was made member of the ornamental
triumvirate known as the provisional govern
ment. 1t is not likely that he would make any
strenuous effort TO perpetuate the power OF
Brazil in Paraguay.


We are ready to accept, therefore, the an
nouncement of the allied governments that the
war is at an end. We have no sympathy for
them in their defeat and but little respect for
the puerle device with which they seek to
cover it and persuade the world that the prin-
cipal object of the alliance has been accom-
pished. We do not expect that President
Lopez will move Immediately on the capital.
To do so would be manifestly unwise; for the
reluctance of the Emperor of Brazil to confess
to the failure of war will no doubt delay to