Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1925 TWO REVOLTS IN THREE MONTHS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 21 July 1925, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1925 TWO REVOLTS IN THREE MONTHS

IN January last Portugal, with much enthusiasm and suitable ceremony, celebrated the fourth centenary of Vasco da Gama, the, famous Portuguese sailor, who was the first navigator to double the Cape of Good Hope and the discoverer of the sea-route to India. To-day we hear of the Portuguese man-of-war “Vasco da Gama’’ rebelling against the Government at Eisbon with a view to assisting disaffected military units, ashore, and overturning the Republican regime. Rut, like the revolt of April

18th last, the revolutionaries were defeated, and the rebellion suppressed. 'ihe outbreak, of April, appears to have been somewhat more determined than the present one. It, was of a purely military character—the navy took no part—and aimed at establishing a directorate. lhit it. was supported bv n minority of the army. The National Guard remained loyal to the Government, anti it was mainly with the assistance of this important body of troops

that the revolutionary movement was suppressed. The ring-leaders and 150 ether officers were arrested and imprisoned. and the rebellious troops were put under restraint in various garrisons.'’ Some dozen troops and civilians were killed and about, seventy-three wore wounded, during the'disturbance; but. it. does not appear that any of the revolutionary leaders were executed. But President Gomes, who is justly popular with a large section of the people, is, known as a humane man who- discountenances extreme measures. During the April revolt, he took refuge in the barracks of a loyal regiment. On the occasion of the present revolt, a largo body of troops guarded the President’s palace. President. Gomes has been ardent in Ins country’s service since 1911, when lie was Portuguese Ambassador at London, and now, at the age of 61, lie is reported to be fully capable of restoring order in Portugal. But why this state of unrest in a little country whose government is carried nn constitutionally and wisely? The answer is found in the opinion of a wellknown authority on European politics 1 : “The epidemic, of Sovietism is no less infectious than that of Fascism. In every country of southern and southeastern Europe coteries of militarists are itching to emulate Mussolini and Primo de Rivera, and set up directorates of which they shall be members, though constitutionalism may ho working efficiently enough.’ To all appeara.nees it> looks as if Portugal is no exception to this rule; but apparently President Gomes, who lias easily suppressed two rebellions in three months, is quite able to uphold contitutional government in, Portugal.