New-York tribune., 1907-11-25
KING A PRISONER.
RcpressiUe Measures Regarded as
ShO7ciRg Critical Phase.

Paris, Nov. 24-Reports that Portugal is
the eve of a revolution are received here with
caution as dispatches coming direct from that
country have been censored and those coming
across the frontier are held more or less under
suspicion. Both the reports of the Punishment
of the Crown Prince and the mutiny OF the fleet
denied by the Portugal Embassy here;
nevertheless, the making of arrests. the sus-
pension of a newspaper and other repressive
measures. which have been taken by what
Premier Franco terms IAN administrative die
tatorship," make it appear conclusive that mat
ters in Portugal have entered upon a critical
phase.
This condition undoubtedly has been precipi-
tated by the interview with King Carlos, pub
Iished last week. in which he announced his
absolute faith in Premier Franco and his inten-
tion to allow the Premier to choose the time
for holdi.lS the election OF the Cortes. The
parliamentary opposition. which has been stir
ring UP the country for months, expected
through a gigantic demonstration planned for
January to force the King to dismiss Premier
Franco but his majesty's bold Endorsement or
the dictatorship removes this hope abruptly.
consolidating the entire opposition in the dl-
! rection of republicansm.
A special dispatch from Madrid TO the Echo
de Paris" says it is rumored that collisions have
occurred between the troops and insurgents in
Lisbon and that many persons have been killed
and wounded.
Persons arriving from Lisbon, the dispatch
states report that Colonel Tasta, aid de camp
to King Carlos, has resigned and that several
regiments of doubtful loyalty have been dis
armed. All leading politicians. the dispatch
adds being shadowed by detectives and
many persons are leaving the country. The
King has refused TO sign decree extending
martial law throughout the kingdom
Senior Lima. the proprietor of the newspaper
''Vanguardia.' of Lisbon, which suppressed,
is in Paris. He says republic is inevitable
and that the issue will be decided before Janu-
airy 1. He declares that the people are hostile
to a dynasty, and that the army is dsaffected
/ IF the King cedes." he said. there will be
peaceful republic as in the case of Brazil. If
he does not, there will be a revolution with all
its violent consequences"
/ A correspondent of the Temps who has Just
returned here after an investigation of affairs
in Portugal had interviews with King Carlos.
| Premier Franco, ex-Premier Castro, Senior VII
hena, Councillor of State, and other opposition
leaders. He says that the situation is the out
growth of scandalous political conditions which
have been endured for years. The main object
of the members of the Progressive and Regen-
! Grafton parties, he says was to preserve per-
sonal emouments, and whether in Office or out
they protected one another's slnecures while at
the same time the members of the royal family
got advances" which were never repaid.
Premier Franco. when he assumed the dicta-
torship. cut off the parliamentary sinecures.
arousing the fury not only of the politicians
but Of the courtiers and the Queen mother. on
the other hand, he iegalized the Kings ad-
vances and increased his allowances by decree.
! the ground that the civil list was so small
I that the royal family obliged to sell the
! crown jewels, mortgage their property and
/ hypothecate their holdings Of government bonds
! He however Increased the salaries Of the poorly
! y1vgNao d
the army and navy, the net result OF these
chapges being a considerable saving to the
Premier Franco according TO this correspond
ent insists that tho people and the military
are loyal 10 the King and that tho surface ef-
fervescence has been engineered by tho poll
ticians-
Madrid Nov 24-The Liberal" has received
"A letter. which escaped the censor, that states
that the palace in Lisbon is surrounded by loyal
troops, but that the King is practically pris-
oner
The government will be interpellated to-mor
row what attitude it will take with regard
TO the Portuguese crisis. and will be requested
10 observe strict neutrality.
Lisbon Nov. 24-The government decree is
sued yesterday, in addition to extending the life
OF the DEGREES against the press until the Cor
tes assemblies, under which eight papers of LIS
bon and Oporto were suppressed creates an
extraordinary tribunal to judge. without juries.
persons concerned in conspraces or attempts
public or private. to provoke risings against
cial order and the security of the state. The
decree permits an appeal to the Court of Cas-
saton. but gives that court the right only to
annul or confirm the sentence Of the tribunal.
1n GeegadoR d OF IGTtuSuese t dssdents OF Rio de
eral thousand names, to Premier Franco. They as
| sured the Premier OF their warmest support in
his present policy. The Premier. in returning his
thanks to the delegates explained that Parliament
had blocked any attempt at progress by harassing
! the government in d series of underhand attacks
| instead OF discussing measures submitted il.
! The members of the delegation declared that they
| saw no signs Of unrest except among the poll
! ticians.
/ WILL URGE W4TERW4YS.