The Pacific commercial advertiser., 1893-04-24
He TELLS JUST WI T T3E z, R.
TUGUESE WANT.
Interviewed by an Advertiser Re.
porfer.-The Story of an
Ambiguous Petition.

Suese Colony nave lelC Tor gO0Q
while that they were entitled to
some representation in the Coun-
ellis of the Government. Yesterday
meeting was held to discuss the
matter. Mr.. J. M. Vivas was seen
by an ADVERTISER reporter who
found him very willing to give all
the information wanted.
"The officers of Company c
made representation to the Govern
ment several days ago." said Mr..
Vivas, son behalf of the Portuguese
colony. They were requested to
state in more detail just what was
wanted, and so we sent the letter
which was read at the meeting.
Friday we got an answer from the
Executive Council stating that the
matter had been brought before the
Advisory Council and the Execu-
tive Council had been appointed a
committee to look into the matter.
and they would probably recon-
mend that the first vacancy be
given to a representative of the
Portuguese colony"
Did you name a candidate to
the Executive?"
"We informed them that we
would not press any name upon
the colony but that the best way
would be to call a meeting of the
Portuguese Political League, which
is a branch of the Annexation
Club, and submit the matter to
them. That meeting was held to-
day, and the Club warmly ap-
proved the steps that had been
taken, and designated the President
of the League as their candidate.
During the course of the meeting a
communication came in, stating
that another meeting was being
held by P. A. Dias and M. A. Con
salves at the place Of business of
the latter, for the purpose of max
ing different nomination. A Pc
tition to the Council had been cir
culated since 4 o'clock in the morn
ing asking for the appointment of
a Portuguese to the Council, leav-
ing the name blank"
"Was the petition in the Portu-
guese language ?"
No, it was in English, and the
signers were told that it was not
for the appointment of anyone in
particular, but simply asked that
some Portuguese be appointed"
"Did you see the petition your
self, Mr.. Vivas ?"
"No; but I can bring a dozen
witnesses who have seen it,"
"What is the idea of this counter
movement-personal hostility to
you ?"
"To some extent it may be; but
I'll tell you my idea. They want
to put man into the Council who
will sell out the opinion of the
Portuguese colony by favoring a
protectorate."
Are they not annexationists
themselves?"
Mr.. Vivas thought they were,
but that they had a plan on hand |
to put in man who would jump
either way if necessary.
"What is the sentiment of the
Portuguese colony on annexation?
Is it unanimous2"
''It is unanimous" replied Mr.. |
Vivas heartily" The Portuguese
are the only race which is un-
divided on this question. I only !
know of one who has expressed |
the other way, and he |
wants protectorate, which the |
Portuguese do not want. They |
,avor annexation because they |
know it will benefit everyone of |
hem. And [ want you to note |
particularly" continued Mr.. Vivas,
'thct there is no ill-feeling or hos
ility among them toward the Pro-
Government. They support
t enthusiastically, and, by the
vay," added the interviewed as the
interviewer retired, "Thurston is
he most popular foreigner in the
Whole country with the Portuguese
colony. They recognize the fact