Page:Letters from the Battle-fields of Paraguay (1870).djvu/437



RETURN TO BUENOS AIRES. 407

Colonel Thompson (Chap. XXV.) been explicit upon the subject of the alleged confederacy and atrocities. But that officer frankly tells you, " I know very little about the subject myself, and probably hardly any one knows much.^' It is therefore necessary to seek information out of Paraguay, and for that purpose to compulse even common report.

It would appear that shortly after February 22, 1868, when the Brazilian ironclads had fired into Asuncion, many Paraguayans began to despair of the cause. General Bruguez, who had risen to that rank in June, 1866 ; others say the Minister of Foreign Afi'airs, Don Maria Jose Berges, was deputed by the citizens to perform the pleasant operation which is popularly called '^ belling the cat.^^ I have already told you the result of the attempt.

Shortly after this time the Allied Army began to hear a succession of rumours touching the tortures and executions of Paraguayans, and of foreign employes, as well as refugees. The subject was new. Up to that time the Marshal-Pre- sident had preserved a certain character for moderation, and despite the reports which are always set on foot concerning an enemy, he could not be accused of cruelty. In July, 1864, we read in Mr. M. Mulhall ('^ The Cottonfields of Paraguay and Corrientes/-' p. 106) : " I thanked the President for his kindness, and withdrew very much disposed to view favourably a country with so intelligent, affable, and progressive a ruler.'"' He also remarked, " The govern- ment of President Lopez is not only the best adapted for the people of Paraguay, but a model, moreover, of order and progress, from which the Argentine, Oriental, Bolivian, Chilian, Peruvian, Venezuelan, Columbian, and other South American administrations, might advantageously borrow an idea.^^ (p. 91). After the fatal check at Riachuelo, we learn from Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson (Chap. VII.) : " A sailor was shot for cowardice the evening the steamers