Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-05-18
Wonderful Development Of
American AIT Colony.
Opera Season Successes and
Possibilities In Future.
Situation In Portugal Now Com
r,ands Eyes Of All Europe.

Mail Correspondence

painters who had come TO IaflS 10
learn would stay to teach. The
prophesy has been fulfilled.
Ten years ago the American art col
ony was of moderate proportions now
il not only far outnumbers that OF any
other nationality but bas developed
into school of painting, the leaders
of which are such men as Friesoke,
Richard Miller. IL. 0. Tanner, Myron
4 Barlow, Lionel Walden and Chauneey
Ryder. Every year, drawn by the
growing renown of these painters, an
increasing number of art students land
from America. The young masters
mentioned above are bcs'ieged with APP
plications for tuition. and the big
French academies such as Julians, are
becoming alarmed at the diversion OF
what was once n most profitable
stream The Montparnasse Quarter.
! the art center of the south bank of the
Seine, once the cheapest quarter in
Paris, is now becoming one of the
dearest. most expensive. for it is here
that all the American students pitch
their tents; one street, the Rue Bois-
senade. has barely French resident,
and is popularity known as Little
America Women take a prominent
place among the opponents of the new
school. Elizabeth Nourse and Beatrice
Howe are probably the best women
painters in France. They have re-
ceived every distinction that for
eigner can receive. and their pictures
are to be seen in prominent positions
at the principal exhibitions in Paris
and the provinces.
The work of the new school is quite
distinctive, resembling neither that of
eminent French painters nor that of
the home American celebrities, its
principal characteristic is its eminent
~ decorative quality. combined with
graceful composition and rich and
harmonious color equally distant from
the GOODNESS of Whistler and the blaz-
ing effects of the advanced impression
lists.
The brilliant success of the Italian
season of opera in Paris last spring
wien the Metropolitan company from
NV York brought crowded houses to
:. the Chatelot theatre has led to other
foreign theatrical enterprises for this
season. The "Societle Musicale" of
which G. Astruc is director. has begun
a program OF Russian dancing at the
Chatelot This will be followed by a
Beethoven festival and a live English
musical comedy THE Quaker Girl"
Astruc and George Edwardes express
the opinion that there is q great future
for American and English musical
comedy In Paris.
The political eyes of Europe will be
turning soon upon Portugal where the
elections for the constituent assembly
have been fixed for May %. Thus far
the Young republic has weathered the
more or less serious conspiracies to
restore young Manuel to his throne
and the dangers of partisan strife. |
The elections are looked forward to as
a test or the republics power of en-
durance
Senior Jeao Chagas who has just
Z been appointed Portuguese minister TO
France is enthusiastic over the future
fXlories of his country aud sends this
a1i1essasc to Ainerica:
8 1eWe are confident that once the con
sStituent assembly is in working order
the greater powers will follow the cx-
ample of Brazil and the Argentine re-
public in giving official recognition sc
the republic OF Portugal. We trust
that Anleritf win be among the first
for in that country NC feel that there
is "a peculiar sympathy for us in our
efforts for greater and trucr Poriu-
gal"
senior Chagas considers il idle to
discuss The possibility of the restora
ton of the crown. ANY move in
that direction he said would be
serious but only in She sense that it
would be fatal for these who attmept-
cd It, Let the world be assured that
the great MASSES of the Portuguese
people have done forever with the
monarchy. There has been talk Of Iii
visions among the Republicans. But
these splits are not dangerous. The
people are too wise to destroy their
own creation by stupid party quarrels.
You have III America, in New Eng
land particularly. a large Portuguese
colony. Our reports from there are
excellent: | mean of the spirit of their
progress as good citizens, their in
tense love for education and their
growing interest in the national life. |
That illustrates the whole question for
us at home. 1t indicates the natural
aptitude and drift of the Portuguese
towards democratic form of govern
ment in which all may have a voice.
THE Portuguese republic was not
surprise 1t was q political solution
expected for long time past. The new
nation has alerady made more prog
ress in q few months than the old
regime could have accomplished in Il
century. Among the laws promul-
gated are those affecting the separa-
stion of church and state, the RESPONSE
\ bility for paternity the civil status,
Migratory military service, the sup
.~kyession of the religious orders and
secularization of education. 1t is
We'll recognized that the monarchy app
probably compromised the country's
finances, The republic is endeavor
ing to reconstitute them by scrupulous
and intelligent management. The in
terest on the external debt will be paid
promptly. There is no intention to
have recourse to frequent loans to
emerge temporarily from difficulties"