Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-02-08
FRANCO STOPS IN BORDEAUX
Spanish Soldiers Guard Train Until it
Reaches Frontier.
INTERVIEW WITH Ex-PREMIER
He Says Time VIII Bring a True
and Fair Judgment Of His Con-
duct-Has Abandoned
Politics.

BORDEAUX. France Feb. 7.-Ex-Pre-
mier Franco and his family left the
South Express here today and took up
their quarters at hotel near the railroad
station, where, It is said, they will remain
until tomorrow.
HENDAY, France, Feb. 1.-THE South
Express passed through here this morning
Ex-Premier Franco did not leave the train
at the frontier. but continued on to Bor-
deaux.
The train was guarded by Spanish soldiers
as far as the frontier The representative
Of the Associated Press Travelled with
Senior Franco as far as Henday and on
the way Franco finally consented to discuss
the portentous events of Saturday.
THE tragedy was a sad blow for me, I"
he said. II have been struck to the heart.
Yet, in spite of everything, l hope to see
my country recover have confidence in
the future of Portugal and IN the monarchy
which has been so cruelty tried. When I
offered my resignation told Queen Amelie
that all monarchical parties had rallied
around the throne and that my friends
would give the ministry the most loyal and
the most complete support.
81 wish henceforth to live in peace, far
from the politics l have abandoned for
ever.
Il believe that time will bring true
and fair judgment of my conduct and with
this / content myself"
Senior Franco denied with INDIGNATION
the public statements that Queen Amelia
has accused him of being morally respon-
sible for the assassination of the king.
Franco Departs from Madrid.
MADRID. Feb 7-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. Some say
their destination Is Paris. where this train
is due tonight, but In other quarters It is
declared that the eventual destination Of
Senior Franco is Germany, where he in
tends placing his son in a university
Franco is accompanied by his wife and son
and one Of his intimate friends, Senior
Novas.
Senior Franco was approached for an
interview He explained that under the
circumstances he preferred to say moth
ing, but he authorized a member of his
party to converse with a representative of
the Associated Press and say for him that
he suffered no remorse for his conduct
as statesman, but on the contrary he
was firmly convinced that the policy he
had pursued was the wisest one possible
Portugal was in state of demoraliza-
tion." said the spokesman for Senior
Franco "and every excess of liberty today,
while having an apparent effect on tran
guilty, viii in reality only add to the
violent passions OF the people which later
win explode with greater violence.
Murder Act OF AIadmen.
Senior Franco does not believe that
the murders OF the king and crown prince
resulted from an elaborate political plot;
they were the acts of madmen instigated
by passion for the money they received
for their crime. The best proof of this is
found in the fact that after the assassina-
tions, when the monarchy was passing
through its critical period and the nation
was without a government, no serious at
tempt was made to proclaim a republic.
Senior Franco is now leaving Portugal.
but he does not take this step because he
is trying to forget his acts and policies.
but because he desires to avoid the oc-
casion for further political disturbance
which would only inflame the passions of
the people,"
In conclusion. the spokesman for the ex-
premier said he thought It probable that
Senior Franco eventually would go to
Switzerland.