Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/1269



Portugal is an independent State since the twelfth century ; until 1910 it was a monarchy. The last King was Manoel II. of the house of Braganza- Coburg, born November 15, 1889, younger son of King Carlos I. and Queen Mary Amelie, daughter of Philippe Duc d’Orleans. Manoel II. succeeded to the throne on the assassination of his father and elder brother, Prince Luiz Philip, February 1, 1908. On October 5, 1910, the republic was proclaimed, after a short revolution, and a provisional government established. On August 20th, 1911, a new constitution was adopted. This provides that there shall be two Chambers. In the first, which is called the National Council, the members (164) shall be elected by direct suffrage for three years. The Second or Upper Chamber (71 members) shall be elected by all the Municipal Councils, and shall be renewable half at a time every three years.

The President of the Republic is elected by both Chambers with a mandate for four years, but he cannot be re-elected. The President must be at least 35 years of age. He appoints Ministers, but these are responsible to Parliament. The President may not be present in the Chambers at debates. He is to receive a yearly salary of 2,600l, with 1,300l for allowances, or a total of 3,900l. yearly. The Constitution may be revised every ten years.

The Powers formally recognised the Republic on September 11, 1911.

President of the Republic. — Dr. Manoel Arriaga (elected August 24, 1911).

The Cabinet, which was formed on January 9, 1913, is as follows :—

Premier and Minister of Finance. — Dr. Affonso Costa.

Minister of the Interior. — Senhor Rodrigo Rodrigucs.

Minister of Justice. — Senhor Alvaro de Castro.

Minister of War. — Major Pereira Bastos.

Minister of Marine. — Senhor Freitas Ribeiro.

Minister for Foreign Affairs. — Senhor Antonio Madeira.

Minister of Public Works, — Senhor Antonio Maria da Silva,.

Minister for the Colonies. — Senhor Almeida Ribeiro.

Area and Population.

The Azores (3 districts) and Madeira (1 district), are regarded as an integral part of the Republic.

Area in sq. miles

Population

Per

Provinces and Districts

1900

215,267 357,159 597,935

1911

sq. mile 1911

Entre Minho-e-Dom-o :— Vianna do Castello

Braga

Porto

857

1,040

893

227,420 382,461 679,978

251-2 343-4 669-6

2,790

1,170,361

1,289,859

419-5

Tras-os-Montes :—

Villa Real

Braganza

1,650 2,513

242,196 185,162

245,687 192,133

146-S 73-7

4,163

427,358

437,820

102-7