The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-01-24
POLICE OF PORTUGAL DISCOVER
PLOT IN LISBON 70 KILL
THE PREMIER.
CATCH PLOT TIERS |
onscials Of Government Were All At
Dances and Fetes and conspirators
Seized Chance But Were Discovered
Il Time Bombs Found in City
Residence.
(6y Courier TO Badajos, spain.)

Ii
Lisbon, Jan. % %. An abortive at
tempt to overthrow the monarchy
and proclaim Portugal q republic was
nipped In the bud last night BY the
prompt action Of the government.
The plot was organized by a small
group Of advanced republicans. AS
near as can be ascertained the plan
was to assassinate Premier Franco
and then depend for success upon
street risings, supported by secret
republican and labor organizations
armed with bombs and revolvers.
The conspirators intended to take
advantage Of various festivities to
carry out the coup d etat The royal
family was at Villa Vicoca, entertain.
ing the Duke Of Bruzzi. Most Of the
army and navy officers who were in
the city we're attending a gala per.
formance at the theater, while many
Of the chief functionaries Of state
were present at a magnificent ball at
one Of the legations.
Police Active. Il
The police discovered what was in
the wind early in the evening and sur.
rounded a house where the ringlead-
ers in the plot were comforting. When
they broke in the doors the lights
were extinguished and in the confu.
sion that followed most of the con
spirators managed to make their es-
cape. Several Of them were cap
tured, however, including the leader,
Joao Chagas, republican Journalist
who was prominent in the republican
revolt Of 1891; Franco Berger, editor
of the Mundo and q merchant named
Grendel1a. "A case Of revolvers and
bombs was found in the cellar.
A general alarm was Immediately
sent out, and while the prisoners were
being taken to Jail troops began to
appear from all directions.
A squadron Of cavalry was placed
around Premier Francois house and
the night passed without further Incl.
dent. i$. @
Riots Were Premature.
From papers captured, 1t was evil
denced that the conspiracy was badly
organized and premature. The lead
or has always been an active revolu-
ZIONIST. After the revolt IN 1891 he
escaped to Brazil and subsequently,
being pardoned by amnesty, returned
to Portugal.
Il AS the details Of the plot are in
the hands OF the police, other arrests
are expected. #
Premier Franco has established q
rigorous censorship. so that news Of
the conspiracy may not be learned
abroad. Outside Of Lisbon, no dis.
turbances are reported. 3
The peaceful section Of the repub-
'llcans, headed by Bernardino Macha-
do. apparently are In no way implicat-
ed In the affair.
~ Az LIE Al &6ONOAAAAOAt " A61Ay A1AdAAV& ~
lustrado, this morning printed q warn
ing that agitators against public or
der would be treated as criminals and
enemies Of society.
BY tonight about 40 con 'piratorz
had been arrested. The police hav. !.
occurred evidence Of another revolt,
planned to take place January 81 in
ct SO the present plot failed.
Senior Miguel. . prominent repub-
'ican, has announced that his program
includes abolition Of the death pepal:y
and q. exresses Of absolutism. .)wlAg
to the present situation. the premium
on gold Is rising rapidly.
The Diarao Popular prints q sensa.
tional article to the effect that many
officers in the Lisbon garrison are un-
der suspicion Of being implicated In
the conspiracy to overthrow the gov
ernment. s