PORTUGUESE REVOLT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 902, 8 October 1910, Page 4

PORTUGUESE REVOLT.

A REPUBLIC PROCLAIMED. DETAILS OF THE RISING IN LISBON. London, October 5. A telegram from Paris states that a wireless message has been received there, dated to-day, stating that a revolution is in progress in Lisbon. Warships were bombarding the Palace at 2 o’clock this morning, the array and navy having sided with the revolutionaries. They captured the Palace. Another report states that King Manuel is a prisoner. The Portuguese Consulate in London has received no official confirmation of the revolution, but private advices lead the Consulate to believe the reports are correct.

Reuter’s agent at Santander, in Northern Spain, reports that the German steamer Illyria received a wireless message from the steamer Cap Blanco, anchored at Lisbon, stating that a revolution had broken out and that warships were bombarding the Palace. The revolutionaries had hoisted a green and blue flag in place of the Royal Standard.

Telegraphic communication out of Lisbon has been cut since a message reporting the shooting ol Dr Bambardo, a celebrated alienist of Lisbon, and leader of the Liberal campaign against the Clericals, by Lieutenant Rebello with a revolver, was dispatched yesterday. The Times publishes a letter just received from a well-informed Lisbon correspondent, who states that King Manuel’s lack of force in political affairs, accentuated by public suspicion of his private life, has been rapidly losing him the esteem of the Catholics, who hitherto have been loyal. Private advices state that the recent attitude of the Conservatives has aroused suspicion that they have entered into relations with the Republicans, and many landed proprietors are making provision to go abroad in case of trouble, while capitalists are transferring securities across the border. The Court party are displaying timidity, prompting the belief that they will not offer serious resistance to a concerted rising. The absence of the Progressistas and their allies when King Manuel opened the Cortes on September 23rd, focussed the growing criticism on the King. It is officially reported from Madrid that two regiments of infantry and one of artillery revolted at Lisbon, and were fighting desperately with the Loyalists yesterday. The struggle is continuing today.

King Manuel was on the eve of starting north, but remained in Lisbon to receive Seuor Fonseca, President-Designate of Brazil. The Republican Club and the windows and balconies of Lisbon were decorated in the visitor’s honour. BRITISH WARSHIPS AT LISBON. London, October 5. The moment the Foreign Office heard that the wires were cut it ordered the cruiser Newcastle, which was at Gibraltar, to proceed at full speed to Lisbon, and also the Minerva, to watch British interests. Reuter’s Paris correspondent at noon states from a sure source that Lisbon is being bombarded. King Manuel was holding out at the Palace at nightfall against the rebels. The News Agency states the Brazilian Legation has been informed that King Manuel has taken refuge on the Brazilian cruiser San Paulo. Later. It is officially stated that the Portuguese Government considered the King should leave the Palace, and it is believed he has gone to Ciutra, where he met his mother. The bulk of the fleet have rebelled. Nothing has happened at Oporto. Further Government news is contradictory. There are apparently three rebellious regiments, and they are fighting against the artillerj'. It is also reported that the King is aboard the San Paulo. REPUBLIC PROCLAIMED. London, October 5. The British Minister at Lisbon cabled to Sir Edward Grey, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, as follows :—■ “ The home garrison declared for the Republicans on Monday night. There was fighting throughout Tuesday. Troops, which had hitherto been loyal, joined the Republicans. “This morning the Republic was proclaimed, the announcement being enthusiastically received. King Manuel is reported to be at Malra.” DETAILS OF THE REVOLT. London, October 6. News regarding the revolutionary outbreak in Lisbon shows that disquiet prevailed in the city on Friday and Saturday, owing to violent strikes in connection with several trade associations. The cork workers seized the South Sea Railway Statiou and held it for several hours, threatening to 1 break the lines and cut the telegraph wires. Two other demonstrations took place before the Government offices, but less significance was attached to these, owing to the success of the celebrations held on September 27th, when 100,000-

people were present. The Army then greeted King Manuel with great cordiality. Dr Bombarda’s murder, by Lieutenant Rebello on Monday, precipitated the trouble. While he was dying a large crowd in the Place Dom Pedro denounced the Clerical party, in the fight against which Dr Borabarda had taken a leading part.

The revolution broke out at 2 o’clock on Tuesday morning. The revolutionaries had wou the Navy to their side, owing to a breach of faith by the authorities with regard to the sailors who were punished for the mutinous outbreak in IS9S on board the ironclad Vasoo da Gama, although they had been promised pardons. Reuter’s correspondent at Madrid reports that telegrams and despatches received from military attaches at the Spanish Embassy, who motored to Feuntes de Novo, and from there telegraphed to the Premier, show that 7000 armed peasants entered Lisbon on Monday, and joined two regiments, one of artillery, and one of infantry. Men from the cruisers Adaraastor and Sao Rafael and the Alcantara naval barracks assisted. The insurgents concentrated at the Rotunda Uneuida, where a large fair was in progress, and they turned the theatres and tents into a military camp. Lisbon was awakened on Tuesday morning by a discharge of twenty-one cannon shots. The populace poured into the streets, where they found bugles sounding the “Assembly.” There was a general cry of “To arms !” The police were mobilised, and thrown upon the revolutionists, but were repulsed with hand grenades. The troops were then called out, but the response was not vigorous, and some who turned out sided with the revolutionists.

The 16th Regiment of Infantry was split into Monarchist and Republican factious, and a fierce conflict between these two parties resulted in favour of the Republicans. The colonel and a number ol officers and men were killed, and the rest of the Monarchists joined the victors.

Aii artillery regiment, ignoring the officers, attacked the barracks under the sergeants and siezed the arsenal. They distributed arms to the populace and then erected barricades, while detachments were sent to blow up bridges and cut the telegraph wires. Loyalists meanwhile held Dorn Pedro square and the central portion ot the capital, awaiting the arrival of loyal provincial troops. Throughout Tuesday night the artillery and rifles kept up an incessant fire, but as dawn came the fusillading lessened. The Duke of Oporto headed the mounted artillery, but the insurgents repulsed his attempt to restore order.

During Tuesday various provincial garrisons joiued the loyalists, almost equalising the opposing forces. At ii o’clock at night the insurgents made a detour, endeavouring to capture the barracks of the Municipal Guards, commanding the centre of the city, and fighting was continued in the darkness, the electric light having failed.

While the revolt was proceeding the Spanish Ambassador had an audience with King Manuel at the Necessidades Palace, and offered his services. King Manuel was very calm, and replied ; “Just now I want few persons near me.” Berlin, October 6.

A wireless message received here states that at nightfall on Tuesday the Brazilian warship Sao Paulo sent a steam pinnace to the landing stage of the Palace. After hesitating, King Manuel and his mother, Queen Amelia, agreed to take flight, and passed through lines of Loyalists to the landing, whence they were carried on board the warship.

NEW GOVERNMENT. Lisbon, October 6. A provisional Government has been formed as follows :—President, Senhor Theophile Brega ; Minister for Justice, Dr Alphonse Costa ; Minister for Foreign Affairs, Colonel Machado ; Minister for Finance, Senhor Tellis; Minister for Public Works, Senhor Antonia Gomez ; Minister for War, Colonel Arrelo ; Minister for the Interior, Senhor Almeida ; Minister for Marine, Senhor Amargo Gomez. The President, Senhor Brega, is a well-known savant of the most visionary revolutionary school, and an authority on Portuguese folklore. TOY IN SPAIN. London, October 6. Madrid telegrams state the Radical Club in that city was illuminated last night and the “ Marseillaise ” was sung in celebration of the Portuguese revolution. Police evicted the members, who then paraded the streets, but were again dispersed. Telegrams from Rome announce that anxiety prevails at the Vatican regarding the effect the revolution m Portugal may produce in Sbain.