No. 493.
Mr. Stevens to Mr. Fish.
Montevideo, February 13, 1872. (Received March 23.)
Sir: There are now substantial reasons to hope that the civil war which has long scourged this country has terminated. If the Argentine-government under a former administration, in wanton defiance of the statesmanship of common sense, entered into an alliance with Brazil by which its natural antagonist was strengthened to its own disadvantage, and even aided to force a revolutionary party into power in Uruguay in order to secure a third party to said “alliance,” events have taught wisdom to the first-named power. Sarmiento and his cabinet, instead of playing into the hands of the empire by conniving at or looking with indifference on the protracted internal struggle of this country, have exerted their influence to bring about a suspension of arms between the hostile parties. Some weeks since an armistice was secured with a view to negotiations for peace. It is understood that finally a basis of compromise has been reached which has the approval of this government and of the commissioners of the revolutionary party. Substantially the same line of policy has been agreed on which I confidentially and unofficially urged on the Uruguay President and cabinet some months since. But as the “treaty” has not yet passed all its stages to a public and practical fact, I will await the next monthly steamer before 1 give more details of the transaction which now has such hopeful aspects.
I am, &c.,