The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-04-18
ON VERGE
OF NEW REVOLUTION
ny LOUIS HYDE


denoe in order to make the discovery
of their polling places we'll nigh i'm
possible. Others were simply rejected
as susrects--of being royalists or
Catholics The number OF deputies
was an important question. The DEM
ccrats wanted 1916. 1t will be remem-
bered that the first parliament of the
repblic granted 500 per month to each
deputy and senator. But at last the
democrats agreed to leo deputies in
stead of the 135 which seems to be in
dicated by the constitution.
Since General de Castro has assumed
charge he has cut the heart out OF this
bill \ decree has been issued alter
ing all those points of the electorate
bill which were intended TO be un-
fair, ambiguous and confusing. In ad-
dtion he DEGREES that hereafter the
Roman Catholic property in Portugal
shall be administered by Roman Cath
ollcs and not by men who might have
no sympathy with the work of that
church. Then, in order that no might
Rave a free hand to do as he jolly welt
pleased. General de Castro forbid the
Chamber of Deputies tstlll in control
OF Costa to meet and sent his own
| troops down to see that the deputies
| were not allowed in the chamber.
| 1t would be strange IL the great
European conflict had not had its ef-
| feet upon the affairs of Portugal
When war broke out the little republic
! found itself in an unhappy frame OF
mind. 1t was known that some sort
| of a treaty between England and Por-
tupal was In existence and 1t was Won
| dered If Portuguese troops would be
called upon to fight in France against
| Germany.
Portugal has many reasons for ont
| wishing to quarrel with Germany. The
+, latter was the republics best market
| for colonial goods, wines, cork. vol
fran and fruits, the chief dependence
| OF Poriugais agriculture. Moreover,
German merchants were more gener-
Gus In terms and prices than the mer-
| chants of any other country trading
with Portugal. Unless England called
upon Portugal to take part in the war
the best element in Portugal was over
whelmingly In favor of strict neutrality.
| trality.
| But Costa and his followers then In
office thought they saw a great OPP
portunity and some of them at least
saw visions of immense profits arts
ing out of army contracts. Also serv-
| ice either in Portuguese possessions
| In Africa or in France would keep
| busy the inconvenient military party
which was already beginning to
trouble the sleep OF the democrats. SO
| successful attempt was made to en-
broil the Germans In Africa with An
COLA, one of the Portuguese posses
sions.
A democratical officer on the south
ern frontier of that colony shot three
German officials dwo civilians and
| one lieutenant when, after they had
| invited them to dinner he arrested
| them and they attempted to escape.
| These officials came to the Portuguese
| border to inquire what had happened
| to the conveys of goods, which the
ne, baA oil ed
them to purchase. This incident was
exploited by the war syndicate and,
| instead of explaining it to Germany,
; the ministers used 1t to their own BEN
gift. Military expeditions were sent
] to avenge the rcprsals which the Ger
mans had threatened against the Por-
! tuguese.
Since General de Castro came into
| office there has been a change In tone.
| 1t is possible, however that 1t is toe
| late to draw back and that Portugal
| is now embarked upon war with Ger
many with all the important conse-
| quences entailed
It is in the fact that Costa and his
| followers will not take all this lying
down that the danger to the internal
| peace of Portugal exists. Adversely
| brings strange fellows under the same
bedclothes and it is said that the rad
| zeal democrats have actually Joined
hands against de Castro with the roy
alists.
AS these two strong men stand ar
rayed against each other, waiting for
an opportunity to strike with pre-
oision and effectiveness, meanwhile 4
story is told of a stormy meeting be-
| tween the two which hits off their
characters to, perfection.
| At the conclusion of an Interview.
when, after protesting in vain against
| the high-handed measures adopted by
| de Castro, Costa arose to go, he turned
| to his opponent ana said impressively:
II shall win out in the end. for |
have the press, public opinion and par
! lament back of me-"
| Huh" grunted de Castro, with
! quiet smile. Il have three better cards
| than that ! have the infantry, the
cavalry and the artillery"