PORTUGAL'S REIGN OF TERROR.

Grey River Argus, 10 April 1912, Page 8

PORTUGAL'S REIGN OF TERROR.

. LONDON, Feb. 2... "Liberty, liberty, what, crimes are committed in thy name!" When the Portuguese monarchy, was first overthrown enthusiastic democrats in the Old Country declared their belief that tlie~.change of regime would mean the opening of an era of happiness and. prosperity for the Portuguese.: people. The Republican leaders .in their., proclamation told us that there was to be "an epoch -of austere . morality and rmmaculate justice," and urged, their followers to lot one interest alone^T-the interest ol the Fatherland — animate them, and to let "generosity to the conquered bo the basis of their moral programme." - . . But the creation of the republic has not produced the expected miracles^ and, indeed, the news that is now fil^tenng- through to Britain as to.. th<? treatment meted out to unfortunates suspected of loyalist leanings, suggests that the Republican Party in Portugal have modelled their conduct on that of the men who established the Reign of . Terror in France. Some weeks ago a committee of prominent British residents in Portugal was formed to investigate the condition of the thousands of political prisoners awaiting trial in Lisbon and the provinces. Up to Tiie present only two gaols — including tha largest" and best equipped in Lisbon — have been visited; but the grave abuses revealed were held to justify the issue of a provisional report. This has just readied London, via Tangier, as documents' posted within Republican territory often miscarry when they happen to contain ani',. criticism of Republican methods v The names of the authors are witheld for fairly, obvious reasons, j but we are assured that the report is an accurate and impartial record of the work of competent observers. Its contents are sufficient to make one's blood boil, and it is difficult indeed to find words to characterise the treatment meted out to people suspected of entertaining anti-Repilbli-can views. They are herded in cells and dungeons not fit for human habitation, and are subjected to sufferings far more cruel than those inflicted upon vicious criminals. Most of these victims of Repulican tyranny have not even been tried or condemned. They have been arrested simply on suspicion. They are made to suffer because they belong to "reactionary" families, or because they are believed to entertain clerical sympathies, and .even the first Prime Minister under the new Constitution has declared that probably one-third of the political "con spirators" are innocent.