The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-03-25
LETTER FROM OUR SPECIAL
CORRESPONDENT.
A Lisbon Bomb Faetory-Anarchistic
Newspaper-Clericai Prisoners
Germany, France, England.
London, March 13, 1911.

London, March Is, 1911.
To trace the rise of the present
power in Portugal one must go back
to the day when Lisbon and Europe
were Mortified by the crime which
robbed a nation of it's King and a
noble woman of her husband and son
in one moment. So much hinged on
the horror stricken moments of grief
which followed, when surrounded by
false advisers, and longing to avert
further calamities, the BraganZas sent
Senor Franco, the Dictator as he was
called, into exile and began to rule
with a hand whose gentleness was
mistaken for timidity. The very men
who are now trying Senor Franco are
men who were arrested for conspir-
acy by his orders not long before the
murder Of King Carlos. The old Min
lister has made defence which has
reused admiration and sympathy
wherever it has become known-for
the present rulers of Portugal are too
fearful of their rocking authority to
permit the press of Portugal a free
hand, and it is only through foreign
correspondents that the educated citi-
zens can learn anything of the fight
this strong man is putting up not
merely for himself but for his country
and her faith.
Senor Franco says he has nothing
to hide from his accusers and his only
crime is loving Portugal too well.
With regard to his revival of certain
laws against treachery, he says, men
whose first act was to revive obsolete
laws against the Jesuits can scarcely
indict him on this head. His very
trial is an act of betrayal and treach-
cry for an amnesty was granted by
the new Government to everyone,
after they came into power, but it
evidently did not apply to their own
enemies. When the judges who first
tried Senor Franco dismissed the case
on this very head, they we're pun
ished for their temerity in exercising
justice. Such is the honor of these
enemies of God and His Church 1t
is certain the Senor Franco will have
leading role in Portugal's regenera.
tion when his chance comes, unless
the revolutionaries do away with him
in the meantime, and despite his own
present determination to take no fur.
ther interest in public affairs.
A Lisbon Bomb Factory.
But even Alfonso Costa and his
crew must bend a little to public
opinion Some time since a municipal
museum was opened in Lisbon by
order of the Government and in this
there was chamber of the Revolu.
ton, in the center of which under q
glass case were displayed the hat
cloak, and dagger Of the principal
assassin of King Carlos, as objects
of special interest, and veneration
There were also specimens of various
types of bombs. Indeed Lisbon now
enjoys the unenviable reputation ot
a bomb factory, the manufacture o1
these detestable and f1endish weap
ons being now recognized in
dustry of the capital. AS the
supply is an international one, and
and anti-religious, European opinion
is being brought to bear upon the
matter, but as yet with little avail
The Government is making pretence
of moving and has recalled the
bombs distributed to private indi
viduals at the time of the revolution!'
In two other matters 1t has also haG
rrSu r.& h
museum is to be dismantled, and an
other ambassador, Senor Teixeir;
Somes, has been chosen in place o
Senior Magalhaes Lima for the Cour
of st. James. When the news tina
the latter rufflan was to be appointed
to London reached England, there wa!
an instant outcry among the Catholic!
of the country, who did their best t.
rouse the feeling of all Christian peo
pie against such representative,
man who edits one of the most sour
rilous rags in all the lurid list of tn
anti-Christian press of Europe, mai
! who is a professed atheist who wa
concerned in the murder of the King
and has inspired all the most violen
deeds of the Revolutionaries. Fo
once these representations had effect
The excitement in England warne
the Government in time for them t
take heed, and another man of les
obnoxious history was appointed i
his place.
An Anarchistic Newspaper.
But Magazines Lima has still th
whip hand of Portuguese government
His paper, III SecuIo" inspires tn
dregs OF the populace with lust {
blood and hatred of religion. It ha
been publishing series of article