“MOST CRITICAL”

Wairarapa Age, 11 February 1927, Page 5

“MOST CRITICAL”

SITUATION IN PORTUGAL OPORTO S®RREN®ER. GOVERNMENT IN GENERAL CONTROL. (Received Thursday, 9.20 p.m.). LONDON, February 10. The sitmatiqn in Poriwgal, according- tp raperts from the Portugese and Spanish frontiers, remains megs critical. Th* censorship m still in and inevitably results in the circulation of highly-c*low*sd narratives. The moat reMaWte sap that fighting continued in Lisben yesterday. The revolutionaries are in possesion of the Naval Arsenal and were joined by bodies of civilians. Tire population generally, however, is indoors, W cellars. The streets at* praetically deserted. Part efi tho garrison is in insurrection, the rest occupying strategic points in the city or guarding Goverfleient and public buildings, from which the workers have Bed.

It is practically impossible for civilians to leave the city, but a few who have been successful say that the revolutionary movement spread from Oporto and is affecting practically the whole country. Copies of a manifesto issued by the revolutionaries have reached San Sebastian. It proclaims a new Republican Government. An unconfirmed and uncredited report says that the President, General Carmona, has been arrested. It is stated on good authority that no British subjects were injured and that there was no serious damage to British property. The ffcneral strike was only partially carried out, but seriously embarrases the authorities, especially as regards the railways. The strict censorship goes to prove that the Government is .generally in control of tho situation. It may be assumed that the revolutionaries, if and when successful, will be most eager to proclaim the fact. Considerable concern is felt in shipping circles in London, and applications at the Foreign Office and Portugese legation elicited no information. Finally the Admiralty communicated with the destroyer Windsor, lying at Oporto, to ascertain news as to the safety of British ships in Portugese waters. Meantime ships are being diverted as far as possible. THE SURRENDER AT OPORTO.

Accounts of the surrender at Oporto show that after fierce fighting a parely was arranged at which the War Minister declared unconditional surrender. The revolutionaries sought pardon for non-commissioned officers and ordinary soldiers. The War Minister granted the latter, but refused in the case of non-commissioned officers. Eventually the rebels submitted and the Government troops are in possession of the city.

According to the “Morning Madrid correspondent, travellers reaching the frontier from Oporto state that during two nights and one whole day, the population endured an uninterrupted bombardment. Many public buildings, including the Library of San Lorenzo were damaged and a large number of houses were totally demolished. One gun alone, placet! at the foot of the Avenue of the Republic, fired a hundred and fifty rounds within two hours. The rebels were able only to make a little reply with artillery, but converted buildings in tho main streets into forts from which they maintained a steady stream of machine-gun fire from the roofs and windows, preventing an advance of the Government.— (A. jind N.Z.).

HEAVY FIGHTING IN LISBON. . (Received Thursday, 10 p.m.). MADRID, February 9. It is reported that there is heavy fighting in Lisbon, lasting far forty hours.—(A. and N.Z.). MEASURES OF REPRESSION. (Received Thursday, 10 p.m.). LONDON, February 10. A British United Press message from Vigo states that seventy were killed and two hundred wounded at Oporto. The War Minister, General Aguiar, has taken severe measures to prevent further disturbance. It is reported that General Souza Diaz and other officers are imprisoned in a military barracks. —(A. and N.Z.). UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER. OF REBELS IN LISBON. GOVERNMENT HAS THE UPPER HAND. (Received This Dav, 0.10 a.m.) LONDON, February 10. The first uncensored message from Lisbon since Monday announces that the rebels there surrendered unconditionally yesterday, evening. The Government now has the upper hand throughout the country.—(A. and N.Z.)