[To TIM EDITOR 07 TER espscrpros."1 SIR,—We have received from
a correspondent in Lisbon a copy of a Lisbon newspaper of 10th inst. with a report of certain Parliamentary proceedings, of which the enclosed is a translated epitome. 1 think you will agree with us in thinking
it important. The reference to San Thom6 in the last paragraph should be noted.—I am, Sir, 8te., TRAVERS BUXTON.
" SERVIcAES IN MOSSAMEDES.
The Governor-General of Angola had raised the question of making known to the servicaes of Mossa.medes that they were at liberty to work where and how they pleased, if only they did not become vagabonds.
Senhor Bernardino Roque asked the Colonial Minister if he supported the Governor-General in this, and he received a very definite affirmative.
Senhor Roque said he expected that reply, and then went on to try and show that such a procedure would ruin commerce and agriculture in the Province ; it is a small thing to say that the servisoes could go and work where and how they wished, but the result would be that they would leave their houses and their old masters who had a capital of more than 2,000 contos at stake, and they would not be able to get other servicaes, for the Governor would not be able to supply them. The Colonial Minister denied that there was any danger like that suggested.
Senhor Roque then insisted that what he had said would happen, and added that if the doctrine of the Governor-General of Angola was acceptable, it ought to become general in all the Province, and not only be applied to Mossarnedes. It ought to be applied to S. Thome also, for example,... and then it would be seen that not one servical would stay on the cocoa plantations."— Diario de Noticias, April 10th, 1913.
[These pathetic complaints of what happens if the allega- tion that the slaves are really free men is acted upon should interest our Foreign Office. It will be remembered that in the last White Paper it was stoutly asserted that those
whom we call slaves, i.e., the servicaes of S. Thome, are free, if indentured, workers !—En. Spectator. j
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