THE KING IN PORTUGAL.
PROJECTED VISIT TO FRANCE AND ROME.
A BULL TOURNAMENT.
London, April 3.
King Edward arrived at Lisbon yesterday, in brilliant weather.
On the Royal yacht reaching the mouth of the Tagus, salutes were exchanged by the British and Portuguese warships.
A Portuguese warship escorted King Edward into the river, where King Carlos, aboard a Royal galley, manned by eighty oarsmen, boarded the Victoria and Albert and extended to the King of England a hearty welcome.
The Sovereigns' interview, extended over an hour and a half, and at its close further salutes were fired.
A procession of historic barges was then formed, the first containing the two monarchs. A flotilla of steamers brought up the rear.
Indescribable enthusiasm marked King Edward's landing and the stately pageant which followed the procession to the Royal Palace being one long ovation.
Thousands of Portuguese had come to the capital to join in the national welcome.
The decorations of the city were of the costliest character, many balconies being hung with rich embroideries.
Windows, affording vantage points from which to view the procession, were hired for the occasion, and brought from £20 to £50 a piece.
Boxes at the Opera, which the Sovereigns attended in the evening, fetched from £50 to £75.
A dinner was held at the Royal Palace, and general rejoicings and illuminations were arranged for the public at night.
King Edward and King Victor Emmanuel will attend the review of the Italian navy and British Mediterranean fleet on the 28th, and the festivities in connection with the Royal visit will be continued until the 30th inst.
At the instance of the Vatican, it has been decided that King Edward shall visit Pope Leo XIII. The interview between the King and the Roman Pontiff will probably take place on the occasion of His Majesty's visit to the English college.
London, April 4.
King Edward will, it is expected, reach Gibraltar on Wednesday, and will proceed thence via Malta to Rome, and thence to Marseilles and Paris, where he will stay at the British Embassy for five days.
The "Times" correspondent at Paris, referring to King Edward's approaching visit, states that political and public feeling in France is friendlier towards Great Britain than it has been at any time for ten years past.
According to the same correspondent, the two Governments are resolved to study in a friendly and conciliatory spirit all existing and probable future subjects of difference.
Mr. Chamberlain, when at Funchal, on the Portuguese island of Madeira, during his return voyage from South Africa, was the guest of the Portuguese Governor.
Responding there to the toast of his health, the Colonial Secretary mentioned an interesting fact. He stated that the oldest convention to be found in the British archives was the first treaty of an offensive and defensive alliance between Britain and Portugal, which bad, he added, been recently confirmed.
During the King's visit to Portugal, Mr. Chamberlain's statement has been re-echoed by Portuguese statesmen.
Mr. Chamberlain is credited with having purposely broken his journey at Madeira, in order to make a speech preparatory to King Edward's visit to Portugal
King Edward went for a holiday excursion yesterday to Cintra, in the mountains of the same name, near Lisbon, and took luncheon at one of the Royal Palaces.
His Majesty afterwards received the foreign diplomatists at Lisbon, and deputations from the Cortes or Houses of Parliament.
Responding to an address from the Portuguese Peers, His Majesty recalled the memories associated with Torres Vedras, a Portuguese town 26 miles north of Lisbon, where, within its famous lines, Wellington defended himself during the winter of 1810-11 against the French General Massena.
Happily, remarked King Edward, both countries now enjoy most friendly relations.
The alliance of Great Britain and Portugal, dating for many centuries, which had been renewed and confirmed, could only tend to promote the peaceful development of the two countries and their respective colonies.
Responding to the address of the Chamber of Deputies, His Majesty said:
"I am much touched by this unprecedented mark of your attention to me on the occasion of my visit. I regard it as a national demonstration.
"It is with the greatest pleasure I make my first visit to Portugal since the accession to Court of my dear cousin, your illustrious Sovereign.
"I assure you, your presence and address are regarded by me as a renewed affirmation of the political alliance that has existed for centuries.
"I will not easily forget the heartiness of the welcome accorded me by all classes."
London, April 6.
King Edward has received ovations everywhere since his arrival in Portugal.
In reply to an address signed by 500 British residents of Lisbon, and another from British residents in Oporto, His Majesty rejoiced that the signatories had also participated in the magnificent welcome accorded him which, His Majesty added, afforded himself and the world a striking proof of a friendship and alliance, to which, in the interests of peace and civilization, it was impossible to attach too high a value or importance.
He hoped that their friendly relations with one of the greatest colonial Powers in the world would be seen to contribute materially to the development of the commerce and progress of both countries.
King Edward went on a motor excursion yesterday, and attended a State banquet in the evening.
London, April 7.
King Edward yesterday witnessed a bull tournament in Lisbon.
The Bull Tournament witnessed by the King at Lisbon was purely a spectacular display of the gymnasts' skill in evading the bulls, whose horns had been blunted for the occasion.
(NOTA: A corrida de touros passou a ser, portanto, um mero espectáculo de ginástica acrobática com toureiros a fugir dos bichos embolados. O rei Eduardo VII era o "patrono real" da Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, RSPCA. É uma explicação para a deturpação dos factos e as mentiras...)
His Majesty expects to arrive in Paris on May 2.
It is expected that President Loubet will pay a return visit to the King in London in the autumn.
According to the Papal authorities, King Edward will not visit the Vatican on tile occasion of his approaching visit to Rome.
His Majesty will, it is expected, write expressing regret at his brief stay in the Italian capital, and a hope that he will have an opportunity of visiting the Pope on some other occasion when making a longer stay.
London, April 8.
King Edward left Lisbon amid similar enthusiasm to that which was displayed on the occasion of his arrival.
At lunch on the Royal yacht King Edward affirmed that, beyond an alliance, there was a deep-rooted mutual trust between the two nations.
King Carlos was equally cordial.
Portuguese cruisers accompanied the Victoria and Albert for 20 miles.
In WESTERN MAIL, Perth (Austrália) – 11 de Abril de 1903