The United Kingdom has been, for several decades, the main source of tourists to the Algarve and the relationship between the Algarve and the English is healthy and fruitful. But if, at least since 1960, relations between the two peoples have been one of cordiality, in January 1890 they were tumultuous, one of indignation and repulsion. So let's take a trip back in time to those fiery days in Portugal, and in the Algarve in particular.
The end of the XNUMXth century was marked by a rush from European countries to Africa. The African continent then became very attractive, not only as a market potential, but also as a territory that supplies raw materials.
Portugal already occupied territories there since the XNUMXth century, but its presence was modest and occurred mainly along the coast.
However, given the interest of the European powers, the Portuguese, with the argument of their secular presence, claimed rights above any other countries, which for a country of small dimensions, without economic and military power, would prove to be almost impossible.
It is in this context that the military reconnaissance expeditions to the interior of Angola and Mozambique emerged, led by Alexandre Serpa Pinto, Hermenegildo Brito Capelo and Roberto Ivens, in the 1870s and 1880s. Portugal thus tried to effectively occupy those territories, now so ambitious by its European neighbors.
Capelo and Ivens' expedition from Angola to the coast, that is, Mozambique, in 1884/85, just when, in Germany, at the Berlin Conference, the issue of African rivers was discussed (freedom of trade in the Congo and the Niger), motivated the Portuguese intention to extend its domain to this vast interior territory, between the two colonies.
The aspiration would be marked in rose on a card that would go down in history as the "Mapa Cor de Rosa". Portugal sought international support and obtained it from France and Germany, however, in relation to England, the old ally (since the Treaty of Windsor, in 1386), the opposition was total.
The Portuguese intention collided with British interests, namely the construction of a railway line between Cairo (Egypt) and Cape Town (South Africa), or, mainly, the gold exploration in the area that Portuguese wanted to occupy, by English mining companies already operating in South Africa. Interests that undermined the Government of Queen Victoria's consent to the aspirations of Portugal.
The dispute dragged on and would come to an end on January 11, 1890, 128 years ago. That's when, having failed diplomatic channels, the Portuguese Government received a memorandum from the British counterpart, which demanded that the Portuguese military forces, commanded by Serpa Pinto, immediately abandon the countries they had been occupying, Chire, Makokolos and Mashonas (currently part of the Zimbabwe and Malawi).
The episode would become known as the “Ultimatum” and, if Portugal did not consent, until the afternoon of that day, the British ambassador would immediately leave the country.
With the threat of cutting diplomatic relations, the Portuguese government gave in, not risking an offensive on Lisbon.
However, the popular reaction to the government's and King Carlos' condescension to English interests was one of fiery disapproval.
A little everywhere, in the big cities, but also in towns and villages, the population massively took to the streets, rebelling against the capitulation of Portugal.
The republican newspaper “O Século”, in the edition of January 14, 1890, entitled the subject as “The great national outrage” and headlines of similar content were repeated in the following days, having been transversal to the entire press. This was supported by a vast network of correspondents, who, through the telegraph, sent news from each location to the Lisbon newsrooms, a press that benefited from a wide and rapid dissemination through the railroad, galvanizing readers across the country.
The subject was also an opportunity for supporters of republican ideals, who did not neglect it.
Based on the aforementioned newspaper “O Século”, we will try to describe the reaction of the Algarve to the Ultimatum. Thus, the first news from the region appeared in the edition of January 17th and continued until the 24th of the same month.
Loulé was the first, while Tavira was the last. In this sequence, the Loulé correspondent informed that, on the 15th, around 500 people had walked the streets of Loulé, “giving cheers to Portugal, Serpa Pinto, the Portuguese navy and the Republic, and die to England”.
Two days later, the demonstrations continued in the village, with “a large number of people”, while all trade was closed. On January 18, the demonstrators, estimated at approximately 3000, accompanied by philharmonics, returned to the streets “against English piracy”. The correspondent further informed that the local Republican Center had raised the most lively protests, even condemning the regimes that were imposing themselves on progress.
In the former capital of the Algarve, Silves, more than 2000 people, “without distinction of political colors”, gathered in an assembly, on January 17, in which “they decided to express to the country their feelings of deepest patriotism, now wounded by violent dispossession of England”.
After the meeting, several groups accompanied by the national flag, covered in crepe (as a sign of mourning), continued through the city's arteries, giving patriotic cheers to Portugal, Serpa Pinto, academics and the press, in an atmosphere of “indescribable enthusiasm ”.
on the same day, but on Faro, the Academy and all social classes, estimated at more than 2000 people, roamed the streets, “in imposing patriotic demonstrations. Long live Serpa Pinto and all honorable nations!”.
There were also warm speeches and exalted spirits, evident in a “burning desire for revenge against the usurpers of the nation”.
The night before, the Academy, “followed by a huge crowd of popular people”, had traveled through the streets of Faro, in “noisy demonstrations against England” and winning Serpa Pinto. In the street of the English vice consulate, the procession “broke into thunderous cries of indignation against that country and cheers for Portugal”.
Further on and with the French diplomatic representative and at the same time editor of the local newspaper “Districto de Faro”, prolonged ovations were raised to the press and to France. To which the vice consul thanked, saluting Portugal and its independence, the patriotic pride and in general “all the men of the future, on which this heroic country counts to fulfill its vehement desire for a national claim”.
In the district capital, there was even a commission “initiating the popular demonstration”, chaired by Veríssimo Manuel Martins, and which were members Joaquim Corrêa Telmo, Joaquim Cruz, José Estêvão and José Maria Belmarço.
On January 19, it was Estoi's turn to rise up against the English, and the Farense Academy moved there for this purpose. Two students from that village, from the municipality of Faro, “made the people understand” the propaganda against England.
The local parish priest joined in the protest, having spoken energetically against that country. There were also the usual greetings to Serpa Pinto, the country and the boos: “Down with English savagery! Below is the English trade”.
Also on the same day, but in São Bartolomeu de Messines, 500 demonstrators toured the village, with the “Portuguese flag unfurled, giving enthusiastic cheers to the Portuguese nation, Serpa Pinto, the Portuguese army and navy”. Simultaneously, a public subscription was opened, the proceeds of which should revert to the defense of the port of Lisbon.
At night, it was the people from Olho who showed their patriotic feelings: “perhaps 2000 people of all classes walked through the villa, with the national flag in front, carried by an aspiring navy; followed by music and the people cheering the motherland, independence and voices from below England”. He also informed the correspondent that the Spanish consulate had hoisted the flag, as well as a French factory.
On the morning of January 20, it was the turn of the Lacobrigenses to protest, in a “great patriotic demonstration”, promoted by Montepio Artístico. More than 2000 people walked the streets of Lagos, shouting cheers for the motherland, Serpa Pinto, the Portuguese navy and the Latino race.
In Monchique, the population, in large numbers and with great enthusiasm, gathered in the chambers of the City Council, on January 21st, with the city council having deliberated “to protest energetically against the unusual and savage behavior of the English government”. A commission to raise donations was also appointed to “increase national subscription”.
The following day, demonstrations took place in Castro Marim and Tavira. In the first case, the Castromarinenses promoted a “very important demonstration”. A philharmonic toured the town playing the anthem of the Restoration, accompanied by the usual slogans, cheer for Serpa Pinto, the Latin race and national independence. Meanwhile, "all the windows and balconies were full of patriots" were found.
In turn, in Tavira, about 3000 people traveled through the city, in a march aux flambeaux, in which the national standard followed in the lead. At the Chamber window, where the councilors were meeting, Luís Quadros spoke.
Next to the Spanish consul's residence there were enthusiastic ovations for Spain, France and Italy. That diplomatic representative thanked and raised a cheer for Portugal. The trade ended and “despite the rainy night, the windows were full of ladies, who accompanied the demonstration, cheering and waving handkerchiefs”. Acclaims were made to the motherland, Serpa Pinto, the navy, the army and the pirates die, reigning “general contentment”.
The people of the Algarve no longer retain reminiscences of these protests, but among the streets of towns and cities in the region, it is still common to find the toponym “Serpa Pinto”, attributed in that troubled year.
The reaction to the Ultimatum was the first collective ideological manifestation of Portuguese society and our great-grandparents were not far from it. As for the English, the agreement, although with some controversy, was eventually established in 1891 and with it the borders of Angola and Mozambique that have reached our days began to be delimited.
But the ceding of Portugal to the pretensions of the English marked the beginning of the fall of the prestige of the monarchy and of D. Carlos, in counterpoint to the republican campaign, which will bear great fruit in the Algarve, and which will lead to the proclamation of the Republic in Portugal, twenty years ago later.
But that was still future. For now, in January 1890, the English were the usurpers of the nation and therefore of the Algarve as well.
Author Aurélio Nuno Cabrita is an environmental engineer and researcher of local and regional history, as well as a regular collaborator of the Sul Informação
To know more:
– “O Século” newspaper, January 1890;
– “History – Jornal de Notícias”, No. 8, June 2017.
Note: In the transcriptions, the spelling of the time was respected.
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