BLOODLESS VICTORY WON

Taranaki Daily News, 29 April 1931, Page 7

BLOODLESS VICTORY WON

REBELS (73 IN ALL) BEATEN

MADEIRA FORCED TO TERMS FINE MORALE OF INVADERS ENEMY COULD NOT BOTHER By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Lisbon, April 27. A bloodless victory resulting in the capture of 17 prisoners followed the landing of a detachment of Portuguese Government chasseurs at Canical valjage, 12 miles from Funchal, Madeira, under a barrage of the fleet’s guns. Seventy-three rebels armed with four quick-firers, which the Government seaplanes promptly silenced, failed to repulse the landing parties and fled after firing on the ships, leaving a sergeant and 1(1 privates in the hands of the invaders, whose morale was excellent. They re-embarked in admirable order after destroying the rebels’ wireless plant. The cruiser Vasco da Gama and other units of the fleet maintain the blockade while the seaplanes fly over the island, dropping leaflets demanding the rebels’ unconditional surrender. Captain Burrough, of the cruiser London, arranged for British residents to gather at an hotel under the protection of British marines. No attempt has been made to march on Funchal, states an official communique. Despite the silencing of the rebels’ guns, the rebels, it is stated, are still holding out. The warships may bombard ’ Funchal if they do not surrender. Lord Ullswater, who has returned from Madeira, stated that, fearing a bombardment, the people were in a state of panic and were fleeing to the hills, according to a message from London, Steel-helmeted revolutionists dug trendies, mined bridges and mounted four heavy guns in the hills commanding the town. The leaders were having considerable difficulty in rallying the islanders, who were not fighters and did not want to be bothered.