The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-05
PERSONAL SIDE OF
PREMIER BRAGA

revolution, but also OF that of Brazil:
for by his teachings as professor of his
tory and philosophy he has prepared the
ground for both movements. He is a
pleasant. quiet. and very modest, gray
haired man of about sixty-seven, whose
unassuming manner may be inferred
from the fact that after having been
elected president OF the Portuguese re-
public lie returned 10 his transformations
home. in the suburbs OF Lisbon, travel
ing In seeond-class compartment, as
usual, and quietly receiving the congrat-
uiations OF his friends, rich or humble,
"hile deprecating the frantic ovations
OF his fellow-p passengers.
Senior Braga is a poor man He lives
u, ~ an intellectual atmosphere. as il were.
having no wants, he IS nevertheless the
Iichest OF men. None seems better fitted
70 occupy the position he now holds, for
ms well known probity commands uni
versal confidence. He desires II N he
understood particularly that the revolu-
lloh had neither military nor personal
aims. but, Ike those OF Brazil or Tur-
Key was an outcome purely of philosoph-
iSal IDEAS. The Braganza dynasty had
Ialled TO Keep abreast OF modern ways
ana progress, rendering nothing to make
me people masters OF their own des-
TIMES.
Inc portuguese upheaval, ike the two
preceding ones, according TO Senior
braga. was based upon the emancipation
OF popular sentiment and was aimed at
a complete realization of civil life. I'M
trammeled by prejudices or clerical rule.
one means, the new president saws. bv
which the late dynasty endeavored 10
maintain its position was 10 menace ths
people with British intervention in order
to crush popular sentiment. lust as
though the ancient land antiquateO al
lance between the two dynasties had
not been also one IN behalf OF the two
peoples. The Senior Is sure that the
British people would understand and even
would sympathize with the struggle Of
the Portuguese for liberty and the cause
OF progress.
Braga is the Victor Hugo Of Portugal.
He has published about 80 volumes all
dealing with topics OF interest 10 the peo-
pie. Philosopher. historian, poet. 70
mancer, statistician. humanitarian mas
slonate socialist he f. revolutionary
from conviction. The nation respects
him. for the whole nation believes in his
disinterestedness. his integrity. his devo-
Ton 10 duty and his enlightened patriot
ism
Born in 1873 on the island OF ST Michael.
one or the Azores group, his childhood
was one or extreme poverty. As boy
ne had TO earn his own living and help 10
support his parents. His natural leaning
toward letters drew him into a print{ng
office and he felt himself 10 be a success
when taken on as compositor. He has
always lived mOdestly, even economically
and In absolute accord with his sociaIistic
principles. His income consists Of what
he earns as professor Of sociology in
Lisbon University. say about 81 660 a
year. He has never taken payment for
his books, so he could enlighten the peo-
pie
II Is now more than thirty years thar
Senior Braga began his great republi-
can campaign and he has delivered some
thing Ike 1000 lectures IN all parts Of
his country. lie IS remarkably eIo-
quent man with q forCefuI diction One
article Of his personal attire has become
80 well known in Portugal that IL has
become by-word II is a RUSTY looking
umbrella which he Invariably carries
under his arm The late King Dom Car
los. though he knew perfectly well
Braga sentiments, openly showed the
high opinion he held for him. and when
Braga was secretary OF the ROYAL Acad-
envy, the avowed revolutionary and the
monarch, whose son ne was 10 depose.
often were seen IN amicable c0nversa-
ton. But Bragg. though frequently in
Ytted. never entered 4 royal palace
London Is the scene Of one Of most
popular historical poems by Or. Braga
Il Is entitled, "Os doze de Inglaterra. %
The action is laid al the court OF Richard
II. the characters including Chaucer and
Froissart. in addition TO a number OF
other names we'll known in British his
tory. The Twelve Of England. who
figure in the title are recreant knights
who have cast aspersions on woman
hood and, OF course. are punished For
their lack OF chivalry Twelve Portu-
guese knights set sail for England TO
avenge the cause OF the fair sex and they
rout their ungallant adyersaries The
poem contains many charming pictures
OF medieval life. and In some respects
is reminiscent or tHe works % another
revolutionary poet. William Morris
BY the way, IS IL not remarkable that
the Portuguese revolution Of 1910. which
placed the Bragsnzas upon the throne.
like the present one. mainly was the
work OF writer's? No doubt that Cardinal
Riclfeleu, whose policy II suited. rem
dered the movement which he had nursed
important aid at the crucial moment. But
the spirit Of patriotism which made the
upheaval possible was created by poets
like Andrade and historians like Bran
dao. who told OF the heroic days before
the sixty years Of captivity Of Spain. and
Of the deeds Of Albuquerque. Of Vasco da
Cana. OF Maghellan. They aroused the
people by appealing 10 the past. The ap-
peal Of Senior Braga was different II
was all acs 'emic and pointed to A theo-
retical future.
Britain has proposed that all Of the
powers recognize the republic Of Portu-
gal at the same time. Germany was the
first to accede. This has given rise TO
the rumor that Britain and Germany in
tended TO take over the Portuguese col
onies. The new government. be II I'M
derstood. has no idea OF relinquishing its
hold upon even the least valued Of the
Portuguese possessions. incidentally.
nc AcN iSpuo4iS - III a po9llloh 10 meet
all Of its financial obligations and for
eign interests will not suffer through the
establishment OF the new regime. which
contemplates a great reduction in useless
expenditures.
II is not the easiest tling to under
stand how the political game Is PLAYED in
Downing street. Britain leads all ma
lions in asking not only a recognition Of
the new republic in Portugal. but asks
a recognition by all other governments
at one and the same time. Britain. Just
the same. has allowed itself to become
the asylum for the eXiled Braganza
family king Manuel and all
When. pray, has England not become
the asylum for eXiled royalty? All this