NIPPED IN THE BUD

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 220, 15 August 1927, Page 7

NIPPED IN THE BUD

ATTEMPTED COUP D’ETAT,

MORE TROUBLE IN PORTUGAL'.

SHOTS IN COUNCIL CHAMBER.

(By. Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) ' LISBON, Aug. 13.

An attempt to carry out a coup d’etat against the Government has been nipped in the bud. The Government declares that it is master of the situation, claiming that an overwhelming portion of the army is supporting the Administration, which is confident of being able to ensure publio safety. All the Ministers and commanders.; of garrisons are declared to be united' in defence of the existing regime. Captain Rodrigues and Lieutenant Sarmento, forced their way into the) Council Chamber and demanded, at the.* point of a revolver, the resignation oF the President in favour of Major Ca-i mara. The President refused, and' pluckily flung himself, although unarmed, against his attackers, who fired, wounding the secretary to the Minister of Finance. Another bullet pierced the clothing of the Minister of Justice. The officers regained the street and rejoined Major Camara at the barracks, where a decree was signed declaring Major Camara Dictator. Later the plotters were arrested. The original cause of the trouble is believed to be the appointment of Colonel Passos Souza as Vice-Presi-dent of the Council. The city is calm, but tho Government thought it prudent to withdraw to an aerodrome on the outskirts. The Minister of War stated that he was remodelling the Ministry, but had postponed the order to avoid an impression that the Government was acting under pressure. This is the third attempted revolution this year, and the eighteenth since the monarchy was abolished. —A. and N.Z. cable.