Year: 1870

O~~>s~~~S~~ss


WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1870.
Tho Paraguayan Qucstion-Interview Of
President Lopez Son with President
Grant-Cause Of Minister McnIahon's With
draWal.


Don Emlliano V. Lopez, son OF the President or
Paraguay, had an interview with President Grant to-
day. The President gave mis- visitor very cordial
reception, giving him an audience ahead OF several
Others who had been waiting before the arrival Of
Lopez. In explaining the object OF his visit Lopez
commenced by stating that ne had no official char
acter. He came simply as Paraguayan citizen to
ask OF the President of the great American republic
who was also the protector OF all the other republics
to listen to an appeal for ordinary fair play which
he intended to make In behalf Of the people
Of Paraguay. Lopez then went on TO state
that the United States government had done not
only great injustice but o positive injury to the
republic OF Paraguay by Withdrawing at critical
moment from that country the diplomatic repre-
sentative Of the American republic. Some six
months ago." said he, minister Mcmahon was re-
called from Paraguay, ana new Minister mas since
been sent there to represent the American govern.
ment. II the United States government SAID he,
"Would even now accredit Minister to the real
Paraguayan government 1t would not be long before
the bogus government Of Rahahos-set up In Para
quay by the allles-would be broken up.n The alb
sence Of such representative, he declared was the
only thing that gave even color to the transparent
provisional government.


President Grant interrupted Lopez at this point to
remark that the only reason our Minister had been
withdrawn was because NO communication could
be had with him. All correspondence mad to pass
through the lines OF the allies and was frequently
stopped In trdasttu.


1od IN In al hpt
manly style by observing that the reason alleged
was not SUFFICIENT one. He reminded the Presi-
dent that in 1853 the United states and the great
governments Of Europe made treaty with Para
quay and some other South American governments,
by which the freedom OF the river La Plata was
guaranteed. The United States, therefore, had a
right to pass up that river and to communicate
without obstruction with Paraguay. and especially
In transmitting diplomatic communications. The
American government, in assertion or Its own dig
nifty, should enforce that right.
The President asked what force President Lopez
stll had at his command and how he was situated
as to obtaining provisions.


Lopez answered that, OF course it could not be
stated accurately how many his father still had
under his military control, but taking the accounts
OF the allies 1t was admitted to be from 1000
to $4,000. The Brazilians put the Paraguayan force





about 49, 900. AS to provisions, however he could
speak with more certainty. In the region OF country
where his father most probably Is there was great
abundance Of provisions in fact enough to give the
Paraguayan army subsistence for years.


President Grant inquired how that army was
armed.


Lopez replied that IT was not Of course armed in
the best STYLE but that 1t had enough to successfully
resist all attacks and that its position was impreg
nable.


The President inquired as to where President
Lopez was, to which young Lopez answered that
was question that could not be satisfactorily ex-
planned. IL was certain, however, that he was In
Paraguay and not in Bolivia.


The President, after asking some other questions,
told Don Lopez that he would take the matter into
serious consideration.


The japanese Spoliatlon Treaty.


Some time ago the House OF Representatives
passed resolution inquiring whether some 5000 900
in gold had been paid to the United States as in.
demnity for aggression upon our commerce. pursu-
ant to treaty with japan IN October, 1854; whether
the money had been received in the Treasury, and II
So what disposition had been made OF II. Secretary
Boutwell, replies that the department has infor-
nation in relation to the payment or disposition OF
the money, the books showing that no such amount
has been deposited.


Expanding the Area of FrecdOm-AnnexatiOu
Of the British Possessions in North America.
the fact is gradually developing that q part OF the
rccy the administration Is to acquire as much as
possible OF the territory lying our borders or ad-
tacent thereto. 1t whispered around In admins
tatlon circles that movement has been on foot for
some time looking TO the annexation OF all the Brit
sh possessions IN North America, ana that In short
time the matter will be so far matured as to bring
it officially to the attention Of Congress. When the



said thought 1t would be SUFFICIENT II we could annex
that part OF tho British possessions known as the
Dominion. Prominent members Of the Senate Com
mttee on Foreign Relations, including Mr..
Sumner, urged that it would just be as easy
to annex all OF British North America as q
portion OF 1t, aud 1t is said the President Is
now Of that opinion. The details OF the movement
have not been dvulged, but enough is known to
warrant the belief that the annexation Is to be
made virtually as settlement OF all our claims
against Great Britain the most practical statesmen
believing that we Will never get any other kind o
settlement. How far the matter has progressed
may be gathered from the statement OF prominent
member Of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
10 gentleman, that "the British possessions will be
annexed before the taking Of the next censusn The
resolution offered by Senator Corbett to-day, pro
viding for the annexation Of British Columbia Il
may be stated is independent OF the movement
referred to- that gentleman not being familiar with
what is gong on in the state Department and in the
Foreign Relations Committee.


Fund for the Relief Of Sick and Wounded


S0ldierI


The Secretary OF War to-day transmitted to the
Senate draft OF proposed bill providing for dispo
stion OF useless military reservations. He alst
reported to the Senate that BY section seventeen
an act to amend an act for enrolling and calling on
Q
was provided that members Of religious denomIna
tons conscentiousIy opposed TO the bearing Of arms
should procure exemption from military service
when drafted thereinto, by the payment such per
son as the Secretary OF War should designate the
sum Of sso to be applied to the benefit OF the sicR
And wounded soldiers; that there is now in the Trea