The Washington herald., 1911-10-31
Portuguese RoyaIiSts Not in
Favor of Braganza Rule

quarters should they be successful, is
the port par excellence of Portugal, as
its name implies, Porto -Gallia." A slab
set into the river wall commentaries the
most fateful day in that city's history,
March 29. 1SO9 when the great Napoleon's
army, under Marshal SouIt, took Oporto
at the point of the sword after two days
of heroic resistance. No quarter was
asked or given, and the steep streets ran
with blood. On that day 1900 Portuguese
perished in an almost unparalleled butch
cry, many Of those who had taken up
arms against the French invaders actu-
ally jumping into the Duero River and
drowning themselves rather than surren-
der.
Six weeks later Wellesley, with a small
band of British troops, swUoped down
upon Oporto, caught Soult mapping, and
caused him and the garrison to flee igno-
miniously to the Spanish frontier. The
surprise was so complete that the Eng
lish general ate the dinner that had been
prepared for Soult.
The future OF Portugal to-day Is a sub
tect on which no wise man would care
to dogmatize There are those who open
ly declare that the race is degenerate;
that its work in the world is done; that
1t is the sick man OF Western Europe"
just as the Turk is in the East I am
not prepared to state how far this
analogy can be traced or carried, for
the Portuguese people may evolve a
leader, as other countries have on the
very verge of the abyss, when emergency
and the desire for self-preservation de-
manded mon OF action to save the ma
ton and thus effect a regeneration. So
much is certain-if the Portuguese do not,
the European concert OF powers" will
soon be confronted with another interest
Ing but difficult problem. 1t does look
as though the new republic will be strong
enough to work out its own salvation
with its present leaders.
So far as external signs go at Lisbon,
the capital Of the country, there is moth
Ing to indicate that the republic is in
any way threatened Moderatos or ex-
tremists, both factions have rallied
around DR.. Bernardino Maschado and
DR.. Da Costa. The great bulk Of the
people adhere, so it would seem, strong
" and firmly to republican institutions.
When. however, one takes the trouble
and knows how to probe just a bit be-
meath the surface in Portugal, 1t becomes
at once apparent that those in authority
are in a state of high nervous tension
as to what is happening in the north,
the section Of which Oporto is the CEN
ter. A year ago, when the republic was
established, the north was notoriously
less enthusiastic than Lisbon. Since then,
there has been the disillusionment
brought about by the unfulfilled prom
ises of a new heaven and a new earth"
There have been the mistakes inevitable
in the case Of men who are novices
in the art of administration, and there
has been the violent attack on the
church, to which large numbers of the
ignorant peaSantry are devotedly attach
ed. The finances of the country are also
far from being on satisfactory foot
ing, and apart from the question OF an
attempt by the Monarchists to regain
power. the republican government still
have enough problems on hand to put
their craftsmanship to a severe test.
Under these circumstances it will not
be difficult to understand that the new
has had its nerves tried re-
peatedly by reports Of royalist inYasiOns
from the Spanish frontier. For a while
in the early autumn rumor succeeded
rumor and denial was followed by denial.
Capt Paiva Couceiro, who is the recog-
nized military leader of the royalists, has
been reported several times to have
crossed the frontier II is more than
usually difficult to obtain authentic in
formation as to the actual position of af-
fairs. The government issues reassuring
but the arrival Of a war ship
in the Tagus with some hundred prison.
ers on board is sufficient indication that
discomfort in the north is not only wide
spread. but may at any moment take ac-
tive shape.
No one will speak with precision as to
the forces which Couceiro can command,
their numbers, composition, or distribu-
ton. He is known personally to a large
number of people in Lisbon. all of whom
agree that he is a man of great bravery,
and some of his friends assert that he is
the sort Of man who will "either do or
die"
The success or failure OF his plans de-
pends upon how far he is able to count
on support within his own army. All
that has been written on that subject
has of necessity been mere conjecture.
Yet that and that alone is the crux of
the situation at Lisbon. Did not. a short
year ago, when the outbreak threatened
that ended with the flight OF King
Manuel, every minister OF the cabinet |
carry the assurance that the army ito
man" was with the King? And what |
followed? Now the republicans at Lis |
bon are proclaiming the loyalty of that |
same army to the new cause. Only |
events can show where the truth lies.
AS regards the funds with which the
-oyalists seem to be we'll supplied, all |
sorts Of rumors have gained currency. |
It is said in government quarters that
the Jesuits are finding the bulk of the |
funds. Another rumor credited by |
large number of people is that several
-ich Brazilians, anxious for court favor
and prospective honors, are also con-
largely to Couceiro's exchequer.
IN government circles the utmost conf
ience is expressed as to the ability of
he authorities to quell disturbances, and
that Couceiro has no real chance OF be-
ng able to establish a provisional gov
in the north-a plan which Is
understood to be his immediate objec-
tve.
The most curious feature OF the pres
mt situation is that King Manual has so
Insignificant a part in the actions and
discussions which the small group of rhts
PERSONAL adherents are conducting in his
,ehalf There is no personal enthusiasm
or Manual, and no particular enthusi-
Ism for the entire house of Braganza,
or that matter.
The monarchists are relying a good
leal on the disiIusionment which they
ma CINE the people feel in regard to the
,epublic Concerning what the govern
nent has done to Justify their continued
existence, It may be said, notwithstand-
ng the many and palpable mistakes that
lave been made, Portugal has better
nance Of reform under the republican
egime than under the monarchy.
II Is true that & revolution does not
hanze the character of a people, and In
,,,oI,,. r,ontbs the government has not