New-York tribune., 1910-05-23
QUEEN MAY Be EX|LED
Pia of Portugafs Extravaqances
Endanger the Throne,

Queen Marie ATnslie. made such heavy ne
cuniarv sacrifices during the few months
following his accession to the throne q
couple Of years ago in order TO clear off
the liabilities OF the murdered King 10 the
national treasury and TO his other creditors
that il seems very hard they should be
once more confronted by court scandals
OF a monetary character. of which the Re
publican and anti-dynastic press and party
are making the utmost capital II seems
that the sugar monopoly OF the island of
Madeira was acquired by an Englishman of
the name Of Hinton. who after having Sc
cured the grant made most indiscreet
boasts Of the fact that If he had obtained
the concession il WAS through the influence
or certain high officials of the Kings house
hold, whom he had, in his own words.
bought cheap" These boasts are now be-
ing made the subject of a legislative inves-
tigation, which is infiicting no end of in
jury upon the reigniag house.
To make matters worse one of the lead
ing drysoods firms OF Lisbon has just be-
come bankrupt, and it's managers sscrfbe
their ruin 20 their inability to collect a bill
from Queen Pia for goods furnished, the
bill amounting to some $4,000. 1t has been
running for years. and now the receiver in
against the royal lady for the payment of
the sum, which she herself cannot pay and
which her relatives declare it to be impos-
sible for them to settle. Unfortunately this
is not the only instance Of Lisbon trades
people having become involved in Difficult
ties through having accorded too extensive
credit 10 Queen Pia But this is a particu-
larly fragrant case.
Queen Pia is the grandmother Of the
present King of Portugal, a sister of King
Humbe-t of Italy and the only one VI the
iste King Victor En1manuels children VINO
inherited his inconceiva BILE recklessness and
extravaganza In money matters. In fact.
the greater part of Humbert's reign was
spent in paying off his fathers debts, a
particularly big creditor. though generous
one. being Khedive Isnail of Egypt Hum
bert also repeatedly came 10 the assistance
of his sister Pia, paying her debts, but ner
NEPHEW, the present King OF Italy. rs OIL
more economical character and declines TO
continue to furnish large sums of money
over and above her Italian allowance 10
be spent. not in his dominions, but either
in Portugal or in Paris
Not long before her sons tragic murder
it was claimed in the national legislature
at Lisbon that money had been oolaliSu
without proper warrant from the natlonal
treasury by the Queen Mother in order 10
settle some of her more pressing depts' ahd
these charges were confirmed in the iesis-
lative investigation following the accession
of the present King. He succeeoed IN eL-
fectfng a settlement Of the amount Which
she owed 10 the state, but now findS II pe-
yond his power to attend 10 her private
debts. the more so a she seems TO have no
conception whatsoever Of the Faiue u
money
It has been frequently urged that shs
should leave the kingdom and make her
home IN Italy. since her presence at LIS
hon constituted a source Of weakness TO her
grandson. whose position on the throne
seems bv no means secure. But she mas
turned a deaf ear 10 all renlonstrances, and
vas so broken by the murder OF her son
and eldest grandson that during the year
following the tragedy the matter was al
1nvzea 10 dron Now however, the demand
for her virtual banishment is being revived,
ana she may be compelled 40 leave in or
de;, 10 safeguard ManueFs crown,
Sbe has pie we'd q ve#E great role in For
tugsl during the foTty-eight years "hlch
have ELAPSED since she came TO LiSpol' at
the age OF fifteen. as queen Consort ana
wife of q monarch whom she had never
seen in her life before. having been Wedoeu
hz proxy TO him before leaving Italy her
husband. King Louis, was easysoing, apd-
thetie. never having entirely recovered from
the effects OF an attempt made to poison
him some months prior to his accession
snd was content to leave the relns or gov
ernrnent almost wholly in her hands quite
n rnastsrful and imperious in her way as
her father the Re Gallant Como OF lIaly,
she ruled Portugal with a high hand, brook
ing no opposition, and even after the acces-
sion of her son. the late Don Carlos she
managed 10 retain much Of her influence
especiaIlv that of social character Wheth-
ar she used this power wisely or not ls a
matter on which great diversity Of opinion
exists and there are many who insist that
the economic difficulties which are at the
root of all the trouble in Portugal are
largely owing TO her. OF course she mas
many enemies, who have not been remfss III
circulating about her all sorts OF infamous
stories But there is not a shadow OF
foundation for them. Queen Pia has been
an excellent wife and a devoted mother
whose two failinss are those which she in
he-ited from her father-nan1ely. impulsive-
ness and extraraeance.