Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-02-08
FUGITIVE Ex-PREMIER OF PoRTU-
GAL PURCHASES TICKET TO
FRoNTIER-HIs DESTINATION
is UNKNOWN.
FEELS NO REMORSE
FOR HIS CONDUCT
ALTHOUGH HIMSELF AVOIDING
INTERVIEWER HE DIRECTS ONE
OF PARTY TO GIVE A DEFENSE
OF HIS POLITICAL COURSE.

Madrid, Feb. Z. Ex-Premier
Franco and the members of his party,
who left here last evening on the
south express bought tickets only
to the frontier. Where they are bound
is not known, The former premier dis
played great nervousness at the rail-
road station when he was approached
for an interview and he explained
that under the circumstances he pre-.
ferred to say nothing, but authorized
member of the party to converse
with representative of the Associat-
ed Press and say for him he suffered
no remorse for his conduct as a
statesman On the contrary he was
firmly convinced the policy he had
pursued was the wisest one possible.
Francois Defense Of Self.
Portugal was in state of demor-
alization,'' said the spokesman, "and
every excess of liberty today while
having the apparent effect Of tranquil
ity, will. in reality, only add to the
violent passions of the people. which
later will explode with greater vio-
lence"
Franco does not believe the mur-
der of the king and crown prince re-
I
but that 1t was an act of madmen in.
stigated by passion for money they re-
ceived for their crime.
May Go To Switzerland.
Franco is now leaving Portugal,
but he does not take this step be-
cause he is trying to get away from
the results of his acts and policies,
but because he desires to avoid the
occasion for further political discus
sion which would only tnflame the
passions of the people"
In conclusion the spokesman said
he thought it probable that Franco
eventually would go to Switzerland.
Quiet in Lisbon.
Lisbon, Feb. IA good impression
has been made by the decree issued
by the new government nullifying re-
pressive measures still in force from
the Franco regime and the confidence
Of the press and the public in the new
ministry is growing.
Three Republicans Freed.
This attitude of the government
was exemplifed in the release from
prison today, of three deputies, prom
inent republicans, who were incarcer-
ated in January, charged with plot
ting against the state. They are An
tonic Almeido, Alfonso Costa and Sen
hor Santos.
The government in making an ap-
peal to the country to obey the law
sets an example by removing as far
as possible all traces of the regime Of
Franco, annulling the powers concen-
trated in the hands Of the cabinet, re-
storing the liberty of the press and
parliamentary immunity, revoking the
municipal boards appointed by the
former premier, and abolishing ex-
ceptional powers conferred on police
tribunals.
Elections to Be Held Soon.
Political prisoners may now go be-
fore the courts to be tried in accord
ance with the law. Elections will be
held as soon as possible.
1t is said that when Premier Franco
visited King Carlos to procure his sig
nature to the decree Of Jan. 81. which
gave the cabinet unlimited powers to
suppress agitation, the king said:
Il have presentiment that in sign
ing this decree am signing my death
warrant, but it is of little conse-
quence'