Revolution in Portugal.

Temuka Leader, Issue 5921, 13 October 1910, Page 1

Revolution in Portugal.

j LISBON, Oct. 9. I Dr Costa, the Minister «f Justice i» tlie now Govermment, states that the 1 Portuguese provisional Government 1 has received the final adhesion of the j military in the provinces. The Government intends to develop lay education, strengthen the defence;, promote the self-government of the colonies, establish real budgetary equilibrium, expel the monks and nuns, and issue a decree separating the Church and the State. The Marquis of Pombal has been arrested at Lisbon for sheltering members of religions orders and concealing' arms. The Marquis of Pombal is t descendant of the distinguished Marquis of that name who, amongst other thing;, expelled the Jesuits in 1359. The Observer's Lisbon correspondent, wires that the members of religious associations have been ordered to leave within twenty-four hours. The conspiracy which established the Republic was initiated by one admiral, six generals, eleven ex-ministers, 200 university professors and 57 associations, educational, agricultural and commercial. PARIS, Oct. 9. The Echo dc Paris stales that President Brega has issued an announcement that the number of killed does not exceed 50, ■ LONDON, Oct. 9. Sir Edward Grey has instructed the British Ambassador at Lisbon to consides his position at present strictly unofDcial. King Manuel is stated to possess ample funds. Members of the Royal House and many noble families have large investments abroad. Much of Queen Amelia’s fortune is invested in France. President Brega will occupy a portion of one of the palaces. LISBON, Oct. 10. Accounts of the fighting at Quelhas monastery and convent, originally received via Madrid, are now modified. Reuter’s special correspondent at Lisbon states that it is undoubted that shots trerc fired, killing two sailors. The populace magnified the shots into bombs, and imagined tkat a large force of Municipal Guards were inside the cosvent, but when the gate was battered down nobody was found. Search was then made for supposed tunnels connecting the convents with bomb stores, the inflamed people assisting the soldiers. The church connected with the monastery was wrecked ; statues, crucifixes, altars and partitions were demolished, and sacred relics stolen. A man nut a stole round his neck and began singing a mock mass. The officers aid their best to stop this ribaldry. A naval potty officer severely reprimanded a vmmg soldier wfc* was wearing a biretta during the search, and compelled him to doff it.

The correspondent explains 11 a t the strong feeling against the priesthood and a desire for emancipation from clerical domination, played a g)rater role in the revolution than animosity against the dynasty. The resentment was primarily aimed at the Jesuits. The populace in nil other directions showed remarkable restraint ior so .serious a disturbance of order, notwithstanding tll« total absence of police and the arming of a large section of the population. Armed parties on Friday light forced an entrance to the Trinas convent in Lisbon. The Sisters cf Charity placidly resisted and twelve of them were slightly wounded, and were taken to the hospital. The remainder were removed. The Papal Nuncio allowed his' residence to Ice searched for arms, and ths search proved fruitless. On Saturday night an excited crowd filled the streets singing and shouting in mobs. Cavalry and patrols of

sailor* guarding a church were shot [ at. Th« mob entering found nobody, within. i Stories of I tunnels w'ere renewed, and fresh search was made. The Republicans attribute the shots from the monasteries to priests wishing to create an impression of disorder and molestation. The Times’ Lisbon correspondent states that the transition was as smooth ns if one Cabinet had normally succeeded another. There was no trace of reactionary resentment. Almost the entire population arc wearing the Republican favour. The command to respect life and property is everywhere obeyed. Citizens are ordered to respect the police, soldiery, and priests. There are no movements in the provinces in favour of the old regime, Banka and offices in Lisbon and Oporto are open. The cruiser Newcastle has returned to Gibraltar. Telegrams from Lisbon indicate that the republic is generally accepted throughout Portugal. The proclamation of the republic has been formally notified to the Powers. All the colonies likewise accept it.