File No.834.00/140.
The American Chargé
d’Affaires to the Secretary of
State.
[Extract.]
No. 34, Paraguay.]
American Legation,
Montevideo,
May 30, 1912.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a report of
Consul Ferris, at Asuncion, Paraguay, dated May 13, regarding the
political conditions in that country up to that date. * * *
The question of the choice of the presidential candidate, however, may
lead to some difficulty; there are four names suggested, not counting
that of the Provisional President, Señor Gonzales Navero. Theso four
are: Señores Gondra, Schaerer, Franco and Velásquez. According to
reports received from Buenos Aires, Gondra, who was president in 1910
and later overthrown by Jara, had refused the nomination, though it
appears that were he to accept he might count upon more unanimous
support than any other candidate. Señor Schaerer is the capitalists’
candidate, and is fairly popular with the army and lower orders. Most of
the intelligent elements of the people, however, oppose him. This is
especially true of the university element. If Señor Gondra is not to
accept, they have their own candidate in the person of Dr. Franco, of
the law faculty, and a man of some ability. The fourth candidate
suggested is Dr. Velásquez, a scientist of note in Paraguay, and a man
who it seems has aroused no distinct antagonism among the voting
elements. * * *
I have [etc.]
[Inclosure.]
The American Consul at
Asuncion to the American Chargé
d’Affaires at Montevideo.
American Consulate,
Asuncion,
May 13, 1912.
Dear Mr. Pennoyer: I have to report that
at 2 o’clock in the morning of the 11th instant Colonel Jara with
his entire force consisting of 1,600 to 2,000 revolutionists
attacked a force of about 4,000 Government troops at Paraguari. The
revolutionists were completely defeated. According to information
which I considered reliable in the main, about 900 were killed and
died of wounds on both sides. Colonel Jara was mortally wounded and
is either prisoner or dying at a house in the country where he had
taken refuge. All of his leading officers but one or two were
killed.
This brings to a definite conclusion the period of internal warfare
which began in January, 1911, when Jara overthrew the Radical party
then in power, by a coup d’etat. As before reported, that party
returned to power March 22, last, when it gained a victory over the
Colorado party, which had succeeded the Jaristas. Since that date
the Provisional Government of the Radicals has been engaged in
suppressing the Jara insurrection, with which the Cívico party had
become identified. The elimination of Jara and the overthrow of the
Colorados and Cívicos leaves the present Provisional Government in
undisputed control of the whole country. I believe that the leaders
of the party in power will act without conflicting ambitions and
will maintain order in this country. The attention and energies of
the people, whch have been entirely distracted for the past 18
months, can now be expected to follow commercial lines.
Yours very respectfully,
