FIERCE RIOT IN LISBON.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12657, 10 January 1912, Page 9

FIERCE RIOT IN LISBON.

i m* . SEQUEL TO THE KIDNAPPING OF TWO WOMEN. LISBON, November 28. • Three days ago the Civil Governor prp- ' hibited two Chinese women, calling themselves eye-doctors, from exercising treatment on hundreds of patients flocking to their hotel. •Such crowds gathered that the interruption of traffic became a public nuisance, hence the Governor's prohibition. Thousands of people went to the Ministry of the Interior, the Parliament House, and tlie President's residence to protest against the prohibition and riots ensued. The Government then ordered v the police to kidnap the Chinese, and' they were taken by a back door of their hotel at four o'clock' m the morning m spite of the vigilance of blind patients sleeping m the streets and on the stairs of the hotel. When the kidnapping was discovered the people held a large meeting of protest headed by a lawyer and a member of Parliament. In view of the seditious cries raised, Republican Guards galloped up and were pelted with showers of stones, while shots were fired at them. The troops attempted to disperse the rioters and cut right and left with their swords. Their horses trod many people underfoot. Outside the Ministry of the Interior a crowd of 6000 people persisted m shouting, "Death to the tyrants of the Republic," and "Death to tho Republic and the Government," and eventually the mob was charged by cavalry. ! A bomb was thrown m the Rbcioin the centre of the town, and many people were injured, while m the Rotunda Sen hor Machado Santbp, the hero of the revolution, was compelled to defend himself by firing a revolver at his assailants. The Bank of. Portugal and the Courts -of Justine were strongly guarded by troops. Tlie Cafe Brazileira, mainly used by revolutionaries, had its walls and doors riddled by bullet shots. .The hospitals are filled with wounded. One hospital was invaded by a mob, troops having to be employed to eject the rioters. The Government is taking the strongest measures and the police courts are full of prisoners. The Press agrees with the prevailing opinion that the Chinese eye doctors were merely a pretext for an outbreak against tho Government.