New-York tribune., 1908-02-03
THE TRAGEDY IN PORTUGAL.

IT will probably be difficult If not impossible
for some time to- determine precisely the origin
of and the responsibility for the tragedy at LIS
bon The first impressions We're that one OF
tbe ,nurderers was a Spaniard and
Frenchman 1t would be grateful to be assured
that the plot was conceived and committed by
aliens and that no Portuguese had any share III
IT. and doubtless there are enough crimlnaH!
dIsposed persons. in various lands of Europe TO
make such thing possible. But, on the other
hand il seems doubtful if international an
archists would have selected the royal family
Of Portugal of all countries, their victims. 1t
is moreover notorious that there have of late
been ant-governmental and anti-dynastc plots
in Portugal itself. There have been attempts
to murder the Prime Minister and at least 10
depose the King In view of these crcum-
stances it is inevitable that presumption of guilt
shall lie against some traitor6us and falsely
called Republican conspiracy among the Port
uguese presumption which is much strength
ened by the fact that not the King alone Dut
the Queen and the two princes all the members
Of the royal family were the objects of muir
derous fury. The scheme was to exterminate
the House Of BraganZa.
Assassination is in any case eXecfabie IN
the present case it is invested with every con-
ceivable accession of wickedness and unreason-
ing vileuess 1t was utterly cowardly to at
tempt the murder of helpless woman and OF
boy in his minority. 1t was sheer de'litry TO
assassinate an amabe young prince who hao
not vet reigned and whose whole character and
repI,te were such as should have commented
him 10 affectionate regard As for The King
himself he had many claims 10 the love ana
gratitude of his people. In private life he was
nylre genial and manly. In public AFFAIRS ne
was honest liberal and enlightened. No SOW
ereign and no head OF state of whatever name
more sincerely desired the welfare OF 1he people
than he did In fact, his virtues were SO dlS-
fing1iShed as to make him enemies among the
vicious. His desire for religious freedom made
the bigoted sectaries hate him. His Liberal
principles of government made him odlouS 10
reactionarles His honesty anu his support OF
an honest minister's strenuous efforts TO root
out the sordid peculatons and crimes when
had impoverished and oppressed the PEOPLE
brought unon him the enmity Of every thiei ana
villain i'll the public service. We shall be sur
nrised if it is not eventually found that the
King fell victim TO the resentment OF those VINO
hated him because Of his goodness and because
his virtues were a bar to the gratIhcatlon OF
their evil passions.
Happily the hideous conspiracy was not en-
tirely successful. The King and the Duke OF
Braganza were slain, but the queen ana her
Younger son escaped The latter was badly
VI
fo the throne of his father. At nearly nineteen
years of age he gives promise of high character
and ability and under the present guidance OF
his mother-a daughter of that Count OF Faris
who served in our army and won great esteem
here-he may be expected 10 fulfil the 1uhc'ohs
of q constitutional monarch TO the Grathcatloh
of all believers in ordered government. Happily.
TOO Mr. Franco. the brave reforming Prime
Minister has escaped the fury of his foes, ana
we may expect him TO continue on resolutelE III
The course which he has been pursuing so
greatly fer the good of Portugal. y dictator lie
IS no doubt, and whether because OF the uh-
bridied corruption which plundered the lahd pP-
fore his advent or the murderOuS Vlllany when
now makes it a land OF mourning. we know OF
10 country which more needs a dictator OF
benevolent heart but of iron hand than Fortu-
gal X is likewise encouraging and reasSurlnS'
that in this appalling crisis the little Lusltanlah
kingdom does not stand quite alone 10 pre-
cisely what extent the strength OF England IS
available for her support is uncertain But 1he
close personal, dynastic and political relations
between the two countries give assurance that
in The time of her need Portugal will not be
without an efficient friend. Neither will she he
without the deep sympathy and earnest good
wishes of the world.