Evening star., 1940-05-26

opldnning, tutth the assistance OF
athe Rockefeller Foundation.
y BY DIR. E, o. KRAEMER.
,,L1SBON, May 10 (By Airmail to
NAN.A0.-For Portugal June 2
Win mark the beginning of a six
month period Of brilliant centenary
celebrations during which the coun-
Try will commemorate the 800th an
niyersary of its foundation and the
S00th anniversary Of the restoration
Of its political independence.
sSThe festivities, to be held in the
midst Of the European war, will pro-
Vde an opportunity for a grand
review Of Portuguese history, includ-
ing the activities and accomplish
p1ents Of the early Portugal as we'll
Is those OF the new Portuguese cor
porative state.
Looking over their history, the
Portuguese are particularly proud of
Tour facts:
1: That their political unity has
been maintained over such long
period. which is indeed something
-are on this stormy European conti-
aent.
a. That they have enjoyed an al
most unbroken duration of polit-
cal independence, interrupted only
,nce, and then for only so years,
rom 1880 to 1640, when their coun-
" was under Spanish domination.
3. That. at the opening of our
MODERN age, they have contributed
Substantially to the advancement Of
civilization by their well-knoWn,
gteat deeds of geographic discoveries
md explorations.
-, Revised Principles.
4. That, as q result of their revo-
ntion In 1926, they have broken
tvay from the many weaknesses of
he recent past and undertaken to
suild up new state on revised prin-
aples and with the firm objective
o restore the nation to her colonial
heritage.
Those who have studied Portuguese
history will remember that in the
course of its famous voyages of dis
overy and exploration, Portugal in
reduced to the knowledge of West
nm civilization more than two
birds of the globe. They will also
emember that Portugal succeeded
n: founding the greatest empire Of
I'll times.
Atthe end Of the 18th century the
Portuguese patronage of the East
severed Arabia, Ethiopia, Persia,
fghanistan, Kabul. Lahore, Tibet,
Sind, Central Tartary. India.
Burma, Pegu, IL states in the Malay
Peninsula. with the adjacent is
ands; Sumatra, Sunda, Batavia,
china, East Tartary and the king
IONS Of Korea and Japan.
In later years Portugal lost large
portions of her colonies, but she
can still boast Of having the nth
largest colonial possessions in the
world, comprising 2,0S1 1856 square
kilometers with q poulation Of more
than 100000. ~
Population Of 7,53s,l84.
The present population Of Portugal
is estimated at 1884,, ,484. About
4s2 900 Portuguese are living in
Brazil. About 10000 are in the
United States. Portuguese living in
the British and French empires
number roughly $4,000 and 10000,
respectively.
All Portuguese, wherever they
happen to be, regardless of their
blood, color or even their present
nationality, have been invited to
Join in these celebrations, so as to
have real family reunion of the
whole Portuguese world. 1t has,
furthermore, been the hope Of the
Portuguese government that other
countries would participate. But,
unfortunately, this hope has been
frustrated to a large extent by the
outbreak of the war.
Portugal's role in the history OF
Brazil and the affection and CO.
operation that have continued to
exist between the two countries
since the time of their separation
have placed the latter country in a
special position in regard to these
celebrations. The Portuguese gov
trnment has invited Brazil to come
and attend them not only as chief
guest, but rather as a member Of
the Portuguese family. The Brazil
government has readily accepted
sais invitation and agreed to par
Mcipate actively in the arrange
'ments.
., Celebration High Lights.
The celebrations will comprise re-
Ggious ceremonies, patriotic visits,
pAgeants and professions, popular
festivals, opening Of new institu-
tions, special dramatic and musical
performances, athletic meetings,
Aliun1inations and other displays.
nkThe great exhibition of the Por-
Aiguese world, the imperial parade
.9pd the Congress of the Portuguese
World, will constitute the high lights
q the celebrations. The exhibition
.Fill be held in Lisbon along the
northern bank Of the Tagis, at site
hear the monastery Of the Jeron-
mos 1T Belem, erected in the 10th
century to commemorate the dis
,covery of the sea route to India.
The imperial parade will present q
Reconstruction Of the eliminating
moments in. the Portuguese history,
p4st and present. And the Congress
Of the Portuguese World. designed
to deal with the history of Portugal,
vdn be held In the three universities
ot the, country-Co Coimbra. Lisbon
and Cporto. Its solemn inaugura-
ten will take place In the National
Assembly on July l., 1910:
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g. -, -.