PARAGUAY: AREA, HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, POPULATION, ETC.
Paraguay has been called the most romantic of all the South American
countries, from the point of view of nature and history both. It is
a land of “dolce far niente” so far as agreeableness is concerned, a
land where nature is lavish and necessities are few; on the other hand
a region where the climate is not enervating, where energetic action
and enterprise are not altogether lacking, and where these find ample
reward. One of the two inland countries of the continent, having always
been such, she has no grievance on this account. In fact, being in the
heart of South America and almost surrounded by rivers, Paraguay has
in many ways a most favorable location for inland commerce, which will
surely bring her prosperity.
AREA, POPULATION, BOUNDARY
=Area.= Paraguay, generally called eighth in size of the South American
Republics, has an area of about 165,000 square miles, more or less,
according to the determination of the boundary dispute with Bolivia.
One hundred and ninety-six thousand miles is claimed by the Paraguay
Government. The more settled part of the country east of the Paraguay
River covers about 65,000 square miles; the section west, which on most
maps is given to Paraguay, though claimed by Bolivia, is more uncertain
in area, but may have 100,000 or more square miles. With the other
neighboring countries the boundaries have been definitely determined.
=Population.= As in several other countries, the population of Paraguay
can be estimated only, since no exact census has ever been taken.
Approximate figures given by different writers are 800,000-1,100,000.
=Boundary.= Paraguay has Brazil on the north and east; Argentina,
too, is east, is exclusively on the south, and partly on the west;
while Bolivia is west and north of the Chaco, the dividing line being
uncertain.
The greater part of the way rivers form the boundary line. The Paraná
separates Paraguay proper from Argentina on the south, and on the east
as far as the Iguassú River; north of the latter river Brazil is on
the opposite shore of the Paraná to beyond the Sete Quedas, or Falls
of La Guayra (higher up the Paraná is wholly in Brazil); the boundary
line then goes west and north along the watershed to the source of a
branch of the Rio Apá, which with that river it follows west down to
the Paraguay. Above the point of junction the Paraguay River has Brazil
on the east bank and for some distance the Paraguayan Chaco on the
west. Below the Apá, the Paraguay divides the country into sections,
as far as the Pilcomayo River, on the southwest of which is Argentina.
Below, along the Paraguay River to the Alto Paraná, Argentina is on the
west. The Chaco section may be said at present to be in the practical
possession of Paraguay, so far as it is occupied by any one except
savages.
HISTORY
It seems extraordinary that here in the centre of the South American
continent, 1000 miles from the sea, is one of the oldest cities, the
capital of the Republic, Asunción, founded a full century earlier than
Providence (1636), and 85 years before the landing of the Pilgrims at
Plymouth. Juan de Ayolas, sent by Pedro de Mendoza after the first
settlement at Buenos Aires (not long after destroyed), in 1536
established here a colony; then sailing up the river to a place he
called Candelaria, with a few followers he boldly struck off through
the forest towards Peru. Irala, left behind to await his return, proved
faithful; but after long waiting in vain, being obliged twice to go
to Asunción for provisions, he learned at last that Ayolas, after a
successful journey to Alto Peru, had arrived in his absence and had
then been slaughtered by savages: a tragic sequel of heroism, fitly
to be compared to that of Captain Scott, his achievement of the South
Pole, followed by the disastrous return journey.
Irala, later becoming Governor, was one of the few _Conquistadores_,
after many vicissitudes, to die peacefully in 1557. Until 1776,
Asunción was the chief Spanish city of the eastern slope of South
America. Buenos Aires then became the seat of a Viceroy, in that year
appointed.
In 1810, after expelling the Viceroy, the Argentines sent up a small
army, expecting Paraguay also to revolt, but she declined. However, in
1811 the Paraguayans expelled the Spanish Governor; in 1814 a despotism
under Dr. J. G. R. Francia came into being. At his death in 1840, his
nephew, Carlos Antonio Lopez, succeeded to power, followed in 1862
by his son, Francisco Lopez. This young man, who had visited Europe,
soon organized a well drilled army with the idea of becoming a second
Napoleon, in South America. His opportunity came when Uruguay appealed
for his assistance against the Portuguese of Brazil. Crossing Argentine
territory to invade Brazil, in spite of the refusal of Argentina to
give permission, Lopez became involved in war with both of the larger
countries and later with Uruguay. Although so small, Paraguay might
have held her own against one of the larger Republics, but after
making a desperate struggle for nearly six years, during which most of
the male citizens were killed, boys of 12-15 forced to fight, women
compelled to work in the fields and to act as supply bearers, with
cruel persecution from the Dictator, the army was utterly wiped out,
and Lopez killed in 1870. Three-fourths of the population had perished.
Not yet has the country recovered its previous condition and numbers,
several revolutions having interrupted its growth; the last in 1911-12.
Curiously, the people pride themselves on being one of the most
homogeneous of the South American Republics and the best fighters.
GOVERNMENT
The Government organized in 1870 is of the usual form with three
branches. The President, elected for four years, is not again eligible
for eight years. There are two Houses of Congress, a Senate of 13
members and a Chamber of 26 Deputies. A Permanent Committee of Congress
sits during the interval between sessions, both to provide for
emergencies and to prevent usurpation by the Executive. The Judiciary
has a Supreme Court, two Superior Courts of Appeal, Civil and Criminal
Courts with Lower Courts and Justices.
The section west of the River is under military command; the part east
has 23 electoral districts with subdivisions. As in Argentina, all
persons born in the Republic are deemed citizens.
There are said to be 20 Districts, some of which along the Paraguay
from the north are Concepción, San Pedro, Villeta, Pilar; farther east
Caraguatay, Yhú, Paraguarí, Guaira, Guindí, Caazapá, San Ignacio, and
Encarnación. All have capitals of the same name except Guaira, the
capital of which is Villa Rica. Data as to area and population of these
is lacking.
An unusual official is a Defender General of the Poor, of Minors, and
of Absentees.
POPULATION
The Paraguayans claim that their people are nearly pure Spanish,
with slight admixture of Guaraní, this being the most numerous,
intelligent, and peaceful of the Indian tribes of that region.
Preserving the spirit of the invaders, they are an unusually hardy
race for one on the edge of the tropics. While Spanish blood and
culture largely predominate in the capital, the population of the rural
districts is more primitive in character.
The number of the people is uncertain, but may reach 1,000,000,
including 50,000, some say 100,000 wild Indians belonging to several
tribes, chiefly in the Chaco. In the eastern section of Paraguay proper
there are probably not over 25,000 persons, most of the population
being east and south of the mountainous section and especially near the
Paraguay River. They say that there are no idle or poor in the country,
although many may be seen barefoot in Asunción; as the simple life is
popular, little clothing is needed, and food is abundant. (Of late
the standard of living has been rising.) For this reason the country
people generally lack energy and ambition. Most of the inhabitants are
engaged in agriculture, some also in pastoral pursuits. The native
women are called superior to the men. Burdens thrown upon them during
their great war made them resourceful and independent. The men as a
rule are peaceful unless they have been drinking _caña_, which is now
forbidden by some large employers of labor. In the section east of the
mountains are uncivilized Indians of the principal tribes, one timid
and retiring. Some of the Cainguaes at times work in the _yerbales_.
The Indians in the Chaco are of a number of different tribes of a low
order of civilization, who are mostly nomads, and live by the chase and
fishing. A few work at _estancias_ spasmodically, never for long.
EDUCATION
Education is backward, though the percentage of illiteracy, if about
60 as is said, may be less than in some of the other Republics. With
the scattered population, chiefly in the country and in small towns,
to provide educational facilities for all is impossible. There is
a University in Asunción with five Faculties; secondary schools in
Asunción, Pilar, and Villa Rica; and six Normal Schools. A School of
Commerce with night and day classes does good work in the capital,
where the _Instituto Paraguayo_ is of important cultural value,
recently receiving a library of 2000 volumes in English from the
Carnegie Peace Foundation. The _Banco Agricola_ has done much for
the diffusion of general education as well as more specifically in
agriculture. As in other countries, some young men go abroad to study,
either on Government scholarships or with private means.
PRESS, RELIGION, ETC.
=Press.= The capital is well supplied with newspapers and periodicals;
little journalism exists elsewhere.
=Religion.= The religion is Roman Catholic, but there is complete
toleration for other creeds. An important work has been carried on
in the Chaco by W. Barbrooke Grubb and others of the English Church.
Schools have been established, with an industrial and intellectual as
well as a religious centre. Civil marriage alone is legal.
Telegraphic communication with the outside world is carried on by
way of Posadas and Corrientes, but frequent interruptions in service
have made it unsatisfactory. There are over 2000 miles of wire in the
interior. Wireless is used by the Government to communicate with the
garrison towns. There are stations at the Capital, Concepción, and
Encarnación. In 1919 there was no Telephone service in Asunción, as
the station had been destroyed by fire; but such service existed in
Concepción, Villa Rica, and Paraguarí.
=Money.= The Money in use is paper, the standard, a gold peso equal
to the Argentine, 96.5 cents. The paper peso varies in value, in 1920
being worth five cents. The value of exports and imports is declared in
gold, an Exchange Bureau supplying local money at the actual rate. Thus
fluctuations affecting commerce have ceased and business has improved.
=The Metric System= of weights and measures is usual.