Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-27
DOM PEDRO INTERVIEWED.
His Hopes and Fears for the Future of
His Country.

Dom Pedro has been interviewed by a corre-
spondent of the Press news association in
Cannes He called upon the ex-emperor, was
kindly and courteously received, and had a
most interesting conversation with him, the
illustrious exile calmly but freely speaking his
mind on recent painful events for the first time
His voice was little husky, but otherwise
his enunciation was distinct, his words meas
ured and his mind appeared to be perfectly
clear. The consolation and solace of his pres
ent life is derived from literary pursuits; he
reads great deal, and enjoys literary work.
He is engaged in the composition of memoirs of
his life and reign not to be published until after
his death.
II believe" said the ex-emperor, ''what has
happened will be permanent unless an attempt
Is made TO set up a dictatorship. Even an un-
popular sovereign is to be preferred TO mill
tary dictator, whose rule would be fatal to any
country"
The emperor was asked, "What do you con-
slider the direct cause of the revolution" and
without hesitation replied:
THE abolition of slavery. approved every
measure dealing directly with abolition, and
made personal efforts to save the bill which
provided for gradual abolition. This created
enemies for the crown and augmented the
ranks OF the republicans. When the decree
granting immediate freedom was presented for
ascertain what the public sentiment was The
slave owners threatened to resign from the cab
met II l signed the decree. and the republicans
threatened disruption if did not
The decree was signed. True to their word
the slave owners resigned These and others
joined the republican party out of revenge.
experienced difficulty in forming a cabinet.
To avert what forsaw l consented to grant
the majority of the demands made by the re-
publicans, even advised the formation of a re-
publican cabinet. inviting Gen. de Fonseca to
seat In 1T. This L did that there should be no
pretext for what did take place. / sent a dis
patch begging Fonseca to submit the question
OF revolution to the people saying that if the
majority wished it l would yield. got an in
direct reply: The revolution is accomplished
l fastened to Rio only to be made prisoner"
He was asked if antipathy to the religion of
the princess his daughter had anything to do
with the revolution.
He replied, No. 1t was true" he admitted,
that the princess did not enjoy the conf
dence OF the masses, namely, because her hus-
Dand, the Count d Eu, was foreigner. Still
he was respected by the whole nation"
lis the report true that before the revolution
broke out you had intended to abdicate on De-
cember In favor of the princess?'
mo. The story was invented by the repub-
licans to arouse the army and give a pretext
for revolt. 1t was only intended to review the
troops on that day."
Q.-Do you think of abdicating now? Al
nave no such intention.
Q.-Who would you name to succeed the
princess? A.-That prefer not to discuss
Q.-What do you think of the future of Bra
zill Al fear there will be division inter-
naliy, as the north and south were never on
good terms.
OFF you should be elected president of the
republic, as some of your friends propose to
offer your name, would you return to Brazil?
A.-With all my heart. No matter whatever as
emperor president or private citizen, would
gladly return to die among my people.
With these words the interview ended,