REVOLUTION IN PARAGUAY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25135, 17 March 1947, Page 7

REVOLUTION IN PARAGUAY

Reports of Spread Denied STATE OF SIEGE ' EXTENDED (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) ASUNCION, March 16. The Paraguayan Government denied a report that the Chaco garrison .Ahad joined the rebels. It added that no fighting had yet occurred between the opposing forces at Concepcion. The Government is reported to be sending more troops against the rebels in Concepcion, and President Morinigo has ordered large-scale measures to be taken. Concepcion has been bombed again, but the attacks were confined to military portions of the city, and ships in the river. Earlier reports from Paraguay received in Buenos Aires said that the Chaco garrison had joined the rebellion, thereby throwing the odds overwhelmingly against President Morinigo’s regime. Observers considered the Government’s days were numbered, as the Chaco garrison is regarded as a decisive factor.

The Paraguayan Government has extended the state' of siege previously restricted to Asuncion to the entire country. An official denied reports that barricades had been constructed in front of Government House at Asuncion and that breastworks had been thrown up around the city’s outskirts. A Buenos Aires newspaper says that 5000 cavalrymen stationed at Asuncion refused to march against the Concepcion garrison. President Morinigo was forced to arm members of the Colorado Party which is the only one supporting the Government and send them out against the rebels. A broadcast from the rebel radio “Voice of Victory” listed the insurgent’s aims as to overthrow the “illegal” Morinigo Government; to establish a military government until elections can be held; to call elections for the Constituent Assembly; and to re-establish freedom for all political parties and trade unions. The radio said that the rebel’s leader is Lieutenant-Colonel Alfredo Galeano, who broadcast a proclamation calling on the Government’s army, navy, and air force to join the revolt.

A message from Montevideo says that the Senate passed a resolution to send a message to President Morinigo urging him not to use measures of force in handling the revolt.