Under the Red and Green.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 20, 16 November 1910, Page 6

Under the Red and Green.

“ AS A CITY OF DEATH. ’ MR. DONOHUE’S GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION. ‘•DOWN WITH MONARCHY* PERTH, November 2. When the mail which arrived by R-M.s. Otranto yesterday left England the Portuguese revolution was an accomplished fact, but little was known of the actual details of the rising, except what filtered through by way of Madrid. The special correspondent of the “Daily Chronicle/* Mr. Donohue, getting out from Lisboa on October 5, was able on October 0 to telegraph that paper an account of what he himself had seen, as follows: — When I escaped from Lisbon yesterday', on board a British steamer, the Republicans had won all along the line. Fourfifths of the city were in the hands of the revolutionaries, and by this time probably the other fifth has been cag-

tureC When the citizens at San Jorge, now used as barracks and military prisons, and one of the strongholds at the eastern end of the city, surrendered yesterday morning, it was a sign the end was near. The navy had transferred allegiance to the revolutionaries, and at the first possible moment the guns of the cruisers lent active assistance to the Republican forces, and opened tire on places at Ivege, known to be in possession of the loyalist troops, near Lisbon. The mass of the people were apathetic, and took little part in the fighting. The struggle was mainly between t-he loyal and disaffected sections of the army. When the fighting was over the people cane out of their hiding places, armed with whatever they could find, and proceeded to take part with the ill-disciplined mob. They proclaimed themselves, when quite sure it was safe to do so, Republicans and Liberators of their country. During the 30 hours' fighting the loyal troops fought with remarkable bravery. They were in numbers far superior to the Republicans, but were disheartened by want of enthusiasm, or support of their officers, many of whom secretly sympathised with the revolutionaries’ movement. Weakened by losses, and lacking leadership, small bodies of Royalist troops in different parts of the city hoisted the white flag, and went over to the enemy early yesterday morning after some of the most desperate street fighting it has been my lot to witness. That in Constantinople last year was not more protracted. A great body of the troops ■that stood by the cause of Royalism 'hoisted the flag of surrender, and went over to the Republicans in a mass. The spark which ignited the powder magazine of the revolutionary element iwas the murder of the Republican deputy, Dr. Bombarda, director of the Ililhauoles lunatic asylum, and a former inmate of the asylum during Monday night. Lieutenant Drinee appeared in the. office of Dr. Bombarda, and fired four shots at him with a revolver, ■wounding him so that he died within a few hours. The population attributed the murder to a political motive, and accused the monarchists of being the authors of the outrage. The Republican newspaper “Seculb” issued an 'inflammatory placard stigmatising the murder as political assassination, and calling upon the people to rise and put an end to the Monarchical regime which permitted such a foul deed. Groups of elected workmen gathered around the placard and began to shout "Down with Monarchy.” and the cry was rapidly taker, up. Tins was thy beginning of the riot. When the police tried to restore order they were attacked by the Republicans, armed with revolvers. The rioters were eventually dispersed, but afterwards went in a body to the barracks in Rua Casthelo, headquarters of the first Isittery artillery, known as ardent partisans of the Republicans. Jh response to the demand of the populace, the disaffected artillerymen mutinied, made only two officers in the barracks prisoners, and, trampling on the Royalist flag, which was afterwards torn ■to pieces by the mob, they marched out, carrying the Republican flag a nd taking four of the field guns. They broke into the armoury and took all the rifles and ammunition they found. They were distributed among the civilian sympathisers. The rebel artillery took up a commanding position, and proceeded to entrench. The October fair was in full swing, which, lined with showmen’s booths and refresh-

ment stalls, the revolted soldiers took possession of. These proceeded to convert them into barricades. The showmen assisted in the work, perhaps for fear of what would happen if they showed objections. In accordance with a prearranged plan the railway and telegraphic communications with Lisbon were cut. The British cable was cut at the land end. north of the Tagus’s mouth. Tha rails were torn up on the lines leading north. The 16th Infantry Regiment on learning that the field artillery had revolted, lonowed suit, and shot down in cold blood a colonel and two officers who tried to keep to their allegiance. Led by their sergeants, the infantry poured into the streets, and were joined by bands of civilian sympathisers. The outbreak was entirely unexpected. In the Royalist ranks all was in disorder, even to chaos. There was no head, no responsible chief. Nobody seemed capable or willing to assume command, not until 6 o’clock on Tuesday morning, when the colonel of the general staff arived in Lisbon to take charge of the operations against the insurgents. Meanwhile events had developed rapidly. The insurgent soldiers were being led by naval officers in uniform, who at the first sign of the revolution abondoned the quarter deck for the Republican eamp. As they came ashore from the cruisers and -a gunboat in the harbour to take part in the fight they commandeered cab horses in the streets, sympathisers provided them with saddles, and, mounting these ex- ' traordinarv changes, they broke through the encircling Royalist lines and joined the rebels. They superseded the sergeant who had been commanding the Republican troops. A considerable amount of desultory firing occurred during the night. At 3 o'clock on Tuesday morning a body of the rebelled troops, flushed with the initial success, worked down Calcaba des Necessidades, the thoroughfare west of the Royal Palace. The infantry guarding the palace opened fire with machine guns upon the revolutionaries. A large number was mowed down. The remainder broke and fled in disorder. Many mutineers were captured here. -

Mr. Donohue wired the following texts of the Republican proclamations: — Lisbon, the people of Portugal. —The people, the army, and the navy have proclaimed a republic. The dynasty of the Braganzas. maleficent and wilful disturbers of the social peace, have been forever proscribed from Portugal. This rare and notable event is the expression of the pride of an indomitable race and the redemption of the country. The bravery, which rendered it legendary, fills with joy and enthusiasm the heart of the patriots. This day .the bravery of this country and the beneficent aspiration of the regime of liberty rises luminous in virgin essence. The citizens’ passing moment repays and recompenses for all the struggles and all the pitiful conditions from which we have suffered. Let this moment be the beginning of an epoch of austere morality and immaculate justice. Let us in glorious communion of principles make our sacrifice for the country the basis of our political programme. Let generosity towards the conquered be the basis of our moi<il programme. Let one interest alone —the interest of the Fatherland—animate you, and let one desire —the desire to be great—unite us. The Republic trusts the people will maintain social order and respect justice and devote the.mselves to the common cause of liberty.