In 1905, President Zelaya expelled an entire section of the Nicaraguan clergy, including Pallais, then aged 20, who moved to Paris and joined the Saint-Sulpice seminary to continue his theological studies.
In a series of poetry books, Pallais joined the Modernist revolution in literature and contributed greatly to its development in the Spanish-speaking world.
Books published during this period include: A la sombra del agua (In the shadow of the water) (1917), Espumas y Estrellas (Foam and stars) (1919) and Caminos (Paths) (1921).
In 1923 Pallais's speech Socialist Words, addressed for the first time in the country the burning social issues of the day from a Christian perspective.
Upon the accession to power of dictator Anastasio Somoza García, Pallais initially supported him, then had a major falling out which resulted in the loss of all his privileges.