New-York tribune., 1919-09-07
Government in
Portugal Upheld
For Strike Stand
Held Out Against Prepos'
ferrous Demands by Work.
ers, and Public Approved,
Though Inconvenienced
lNop Yor; Tribune
FOREIGN Press Bureau


The political situation in Portugal is
anIlyzed b. the Lisbon correspondent
Of "Tie London Morning Post in re-
cent article published in that paper
He says:
The present Portuguese government
came into power on Peace Day. It's
time has been mainly occupied with the
railway strike which began four days
later. Although the ,ength Of the
strike has occasioned great loss and H.
convenience, public opinion is satisfied
that the government should have dealt
with it as it has instead o. bringing e.
TO speedy end By accepting the pre-
posterous demands Of the strikers, WHO
have supported these demands By acts
of an openly revolutionary character.
The government, while refusing 20 ,rea,
with the strikers, has directed its ef-
forts toward regularizing the train SER
vice, and, after overcoming many diff
cultics, has been successful. There is
likely to be far less inclination TO
strike in future, and no sympathy wnat-
ever will be shown toward the strikers
Royalists Get on Easy"
While the government has shown
vigor in this and other ways IN com
batting Bolshcyism, certain tendency
toward moderation has also displayed
itself. With a few lamentable excep-
tions, the Royalist prisoners tried oy
the courts martial have received very
slight sentences. Lieutenant Duarte.
the devoted friend Of the late PresI-
dent. has been released from prison;
he has certainly not been conclliatory
toward those now in power, whom he
considers guilty of the Presidents
death. The bishops accused Of taking
part in the Royalist rising in the north
have not been banished, and relations
between Portugal and the Vatican have
been maintained.
Dissolution Of Parliament has been
accepted in principle. although there
are differences Of opinion as to its
practice. Some are still IN favor Of
the Parliament dissolving itself; others
hold that the President OF the republic
should have the right 10 dissolve It
only after consultation with BODY
composed Of the ex-Presidents OF the
republic and the ex-Premiers.
Like Another Parliament
So large body would constitute
virtually another Parliament. this year
alone furnishing a least four members:
Much will depend on the election OK
the new President OF the republic.
which is to be held al the beginning OF
the next month. II politician. po-
litical leader, be chosen The right OF
dissolution in his hands will increase
rather than diminish the danger OF
ore-par.y government.
General regret is felt that Admiral
Can:o 2 Castro, whose health has for
acme time past not been good. viii not
remain Pre- sldent. A friend cf the
murdered President, he was elected
last December 20 post which ne had
no. sought or wished for. and through
a period Of great difficulty has shown
an un.ailing tact and courtesy and won
the rcsrec. Of all No more impartial
mar Will be found TO preside over
portlga,'s des,:rics during the next
90 Years nor one more likely 20
maintain Portugals dignity high
among the nations.
The Democratic party is credited
with the irtention Of dissolving itself
Immediately after the Presidential
election. That in itself might be no
misfortune. tu. it is 70 be feared that
beneath this shutfling CT parties the
cardinal principle Of the republic VIII
remain uncr anged- namely. that the
rcpub.ic shcl, be represented By one
marty oniy, which shall allow the ex-
isterce c. o.her parties merely as de-
coys and never permit .hem 70 obtain
power so long as they maintain tseir
independeace or attempt 20 convert
their conservatism. from an abstraction
into practice.
Old Method Looms Up
Z Ina. is 60 i will be very regret
table. sccarse so long as there is 10
real oppcs sitior party and no reai OPP
position r.css 0pposl.ion VIII ireyi-
sab!v take the !orr OF conspiracy and
-evolgticn, and we shall come back -
The cid method OF violent changes Of
every few months.
IT. the il,eres. &C .s- repIDllc the
party now in power should encourage
the formation Of strong conservative
party " thin the republic and not harp
on the ABSURD old theme tina; co3seIva-
tive republicans are royallsts. The
5endcrcv % denolnce the opponents OF
a sing party as traitors. royahsts ana
enemies % Portugal has been and must
con,.n-c 10 be fatal obstacle 20 the
consolidation O: the republic. Nor vii,
IL mend matters y shat single party
change its name. The Democratic party
bv arr ether name will excite as much
opposition 4 It retains its spirit Of ex-
c.usiveness and intolerance. On the
other hand. if two great parties. the
radical Republican and the conservative
Republican, be constituted. and success
sive governments continue to act with
m ode ration and with vigor in maintain.
ing order, the republic need entertain
no great fears as to the future,