Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-09
A SERIOUS CRISIS IN PORTUGAL.

| Madeira. and seven for the colonies. These
latter are elected directly by the people,
from those who possess rank or scientific
titles or an annual income above 1000
francs.
The king may convoke the cortes on ex-
traordinary occasions. prolong the session
or dissolve the chamber. The new chamber
should be convoked within three months
following the dissolution. The president of
the chamber of peers is appointed by the
king; the president of the chamber of depu-
ties is elected by the chamber subject to
ratification b? the king The ministers
responsible to the sovereign and to the
cortes. They may be accused and prose-
cuted by the chamber of deputies before the
chamber of peers.
There are three stages in the present po-
litical difficulty in Portugal-the closing of
the cortes, the changes in
present the ministry, the dissolution
Troubles of the cortes. Two par
ties direct the proceedings
of the chamber-the party known as the
'regenerators," which succeeded the old
party. the "chartists' and the progress
list" party. The chief of the ''regenera-
tors" which. In fact. is the right, is NJ
Hintz Ribero. The chief of the progress
lists" representing the left" is NJ. Luciano
de Castro.
A third party has been formed recently
under sthe name of liberal regenerators,"
under the leadership of NJ. Joao Franco,
and 1t Is this party which is actually in
power NJ. Joao Franco has undertaken to
govern by coalition with his friends the
progressists by means of liberal con-
centration. Due to that concentration the
reform of a public accounting has been
voted, and because of violent attacks
against the monarchical regime and the
person Of the king law Of repression
against the hp asked the
difficulties and discomfort have grown, and,
finally, the government following divers In
cidents, the greater part of which have not
been disclosed. has been led to declare the
chamber closed, and has subsequently dis
solved 1t.
Among the incidents of the situation
which have transpired Is the revolt of the
students Of the University of Coimbre. NJ.
Joao Franco. convinced Of the inutility If
not the inanity of juvenile manifestations
in questions affecting government (as ap-
parent In Paris and st. Petersburg), and
which were made the subject of violence
and disorder in the cortes. promptly pre-
scented to the king the decree closing the
chamber. M. Franco gave further proof
OF his energy by closing the turbulent Uni
versty of Ccimbre and the Polytechnic and
other establishments Of higher instruction.
Unfortunately the government has no
budget voted. In the commencement Of the
Budget applicable to the fiscal year
Lacking, (from June 80. 1907, to June
80, 1909 before voting the
budget Of the preceding year. Now. while
the constitution permits the government to
maintain in vigor the budget for the fol-
lowing year, the budget for 19O6-19O7, not
being voted, the 'reconduction'' or going
back becomes unconstitutional. The min
listers, wishing to accord full liberty of ac-
n e.
signed. M. Franco attempted to recon-
struct the cabinet with the progressists, but
failed and rendered his resignation. The
king refused to consent, and the repair of
the ministry was effected with the aid of
the liberal regenerators" element. M.
Luciano Monteiro accepted the portfolio OF
foreign affairs; NJ. Teixeira de Abreu that
of justice; NJ Martini de Carvalho that
of finance.
Pending the date of the next elections.
which, 1t is assumed. will be deferred
until October or November, the govern
ment multiplies its promises. To junction
aries 1t announces Increase of pay; to manu-
facturers 1t gives the hope Of taking of
the customs taxes; to agriculturists de-
cree on the wine culture crisis; to work
men 1t will give a pension.
The official journal of NJ Joao Franco
recently published the following: THE
pretended ministerial dictatorship will be
limited to the PRONUNCIATION. under form of
executive DEGREES, of indispensable laws for
public administration, and particularly
those which were discussed in the cortes.
and of which the public has already suffl-
GENTLY appreciated the advantages. 1t is
said in ministerial circles that the govern
ment will know how to perform Its duty
and assure the welfare and the future of
the country with or without the cortes."
It is not possible to be more absolute.
But, as one may imagine, the people do
not think that way. Parliamentarians
maintain that dissolution under the condi-
tions In which it was produced Is uncon-
70 fhrno ton
to abandon the posts to which the govern
ment appointed them. 1t is said likewise
that NJ Veiza Beirao declines to accept the
mission to represen: Portugal at The Hague
conference.
In conclusion the situation may be
briefly resumed thus: Parliamentary inn
potency; illegal situa-
ton of the budget for
19O5-1906; d o
Sefious' among the universities
and. still graver, sedition among the
crews of the vessels Of war. The situa-
ton is incontestably grave.
The organ of the regenerators, the
Noticias de Lisboa, accuses government
Of betraying the crown and of endanger-
ing the monarchy. LIE Temps does not
go so far, but admits that faults have
been committed by the Portuguese
government, which public opinion in
France, animated by sincere sympathy
for Portugal. hopes may be repaired
completely, promptly and decisively."
LIE Temps Of recent date contains the
following note on the Portuguese crisis:
The administrative dictatorship assumed
by the cabinet Joao Franco following
the dissolution Of the cortes continues
to provoke the unanimous protestations
of all parties. The deputies Of the dy-
nastic party, as well as those OF the re-
publican. propose to go en- masse to the
royal palace to protest, and II that man.
Hesitation will have no effect they will
appeal to the comices.
THE chiefs of the two grand parties,
progressists and regenerators. propose
joint action with the council of state to
obtain solution of a situation that is
abnormal, incompatible with the parlia-
mentary constitution and which cannot
continue.
Many rumors are af1oat concerning
the resignation of the council of state
which was not consulted about the dis
solution; concerning the reform OF the
chamber OF peers and other dictatoriaI
mea sures which the government pro-
poses; electoral and administrative re-
form: the negotiation of loans for the
construction of ships of war, destroyers.
'torpedoes, and the payment of the float