PORTUGAL: No Enthusiasm

In the Boston Evening Transcript, a contributor recounted his impressions of Portugal: "I had the benefit of just four interviews, or contacts, on the subject of politics, with Lisbon men during the day. The first was with a grave middle-aged senhor, of superior appearance, who checked our hats at the Monumental Club. I ventured a Viva la, Republica as I passed in my hat. He looked at me in a manner positively icy, and said nothing. I made up my mind that he was a Monarchist.* "Next in conversation with the castellan at the Royal Palace at Cintra. This expansive gentleman said in French that he was proud to meet a citizen of the great Republic of America, which gave me a chance to express my satisfaction that Portugal was now also a Republic. A slight cloud passed over his face, and he said courteously: 'We have no politics in here.'

"Next I made sure of getting hold of a Republican in the chauffeur of the automobile that was hurrying us back from Cintra. I had Luisita ask him point-blank how he liked the Republic. 'Not at all,' he replied, in Portuguese, 'the Republic is no good. Better the old way.'

"Still another man who ought to have been a Republican, but was not, "was the driver of the horse vehicle that took us out to the vast and over-ornate Church-Monastery of San Jerorymos at Belem. Passing a large, grim building, he said: 'The palace of the President of the Republic, once the Royal Palace.' 'Are you glad of the change?' we asked. 'I am not, he said quite positively."