REPORTS OF SPREAD OF PARAGUAY REVOLT DENIED

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 March 1947, Page 9

REPORTS OF SPREAD OF PARAGUAY REVOLT DENIED

ASUNCION, March 14. The Paraguayan Government denied a report that the Chaco garrison had 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, 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. 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 jjf Victory” listed the insurgent’s aims as to overthrow the “illegal” Morinigo Government: to establish a military government until the elections can be held; to call elections for the Constiuent 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.