The morning journal-courier., 1908-02-06
APPEALS DEGREES OF DICTATORSHIP Portugars Young King Does Away With Measures Ob.
 noXiOus to the
 People.
TRANQUILITY SPREADING
Some Pessimists Who Believe That the situation is Not as Hope full as it Ap-
 pears.

Lisbon, Feb. 5.-The commission ap- pointed under the dictatorship to re- place the elected municipality officials has resigned, Former Premier Fran CO.'S father was attacked by mob in one of the principal streets to-day.
 The king has signed three decrees. One of these repeals the decrees issued by Franco which restricted the freedom of the press. another repeals decree issued on January 31, which suspended the privilege of immunity from prose cuticn of members of the Parliament and extended the powers of the crimin- al examining judge The members of parliament now under arrest. will be liberated The Oficial Gazette win pub fish these decrees tomorrow.
 In spite of the present tranquility in the capitol and throughout the country and the general optimism as to the immediate future still there are pessi- mists who believe that revolutionary activity is more widely spread than ap- pears, and that the situation for the throne is not improved by the combn- ation of young and inexperienced king under the domination of an ador- ed mother with reaction1ry clerical tendencies, a makeshift ministry and a premier who is a soldier rather than statesman.
 The pesslmists have found an argu- ment in the news that Franco although his downfall is complete, does not in tend that the campaign which he un- dertook against the rotation system of politics shall be abandoned.
 Francos admirers believe that it means his dramatic re-entry on the political scene at an opportune mo- ment.
 The announced intention of the new cabinet to put an end to repressions and restore the "old liberal monarchy which has existed m Portugal for sixty years has had seemingly sooth- ing and quieting effect on the country. Tranquility is reported from every where in the interior. The young king has declared that he will never con sent to another dictatorship.
 Troops are less. conspicuous on the streets of the city to-day, and If Sat urday the day of the funerals, passes without incident the present phase of the crisis through which the country is passing may be regarded as at an end
 The willingness of Senhor Machado, the republican leader. and the repub- llcans generally, to acquiesce in the present situation if their friends are released seems to ensure a return to less strenuous modes of political war fare. Generally speaking, another upheaval in the near future is consid- cred practically impossible
 Intense interest is shown in the former Premier Francois whereabouts. The drama centers about him, but he remains in seclusion. seemingly crush cd in spirit He declines to see cor respondents to offer defense for his policy and. explain his downfall ar his decision to retire completely from the political arena His elimination Is re- gretted by the commercial classes and foreign elements. who are convinced that his sole object was the good of the country
 The young king himself believed ir Franco. The day after the tragedy wholly unhosoming himself to life long friend. he said:
 'I intend to retain Franco He was my fathers friend and shall be mine "
 It is we'll known. however. that Dow ager Queen has always been hostile te the former premier, and latterly Queen Amelie shared the view that the dicta- torship had been carried too far She is said to have remonstrated with him that it might end in a tragedy and in. voked him in behalf of a milder course in memory of what her own family had suffered in France.
 On the day of the assassinations amidst the confusion of that memor- able scene in the arsenal quadrangle where the royal carriage took refuge when beside herself with grief, she turned upon Franco and cried: This Is what your work has done"
 The reconcilia ton of these two utter anccs with the influences represented I; believed to furnish the true key to the secret of Francois downfall.