The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1910-10-28
COMMANDMENT :
WELL PLANNED
Story Of Fall Of Lisbon Is Told
bya Boston Man
WAS A STEAMER PASSENGER

Arrived In Harbor Of Capital of Portu-
gal Two Hours Before Revolution
Formally Begun and Had Full View
of Proceedings on shore-Forts
crumpIed Under Heavy Fire of Four
5attleships Manned by Rebels
New York, Oct ga thrilling
story of the bombardment Of Lisbon
during the revolution by four of the
battleships of the Portuguese navy,
manned by rebels, was related by
George Banchor of Boston. when he
arrived on the Cincinnati of the Ham
burg American line.
II was a passenger on board the
Cape Blanco, which arrived In the
harbor of Lisbon from Brazil on Oct.
A, the day the revolution broke out,
said Banchor. Our ship got into the
harbor about 10 a. m. II was
beautiful day, and we were all on
deck watching the shore. There was
no apparent sign at that time of any
revolution; in fact we were impressed
with the continued quiet that appeared
to rest over Lisbon.
I'VE were much interested in four,
Portuguese battleships that lay at an
Choir in the harbor and | watched the
men on them at work. They appeared
to be very busy and l could see them
running up and down the decks and
the officers issuing orders. To me II
appeared as If they we're preparing to
sail.
I'VE were much surprised that we
were not permitted to dock. About II
o'clock a man rowed out to the ship
from the shore | asked him to take
me ashore. In reply he dropped his
oar and drew his finger across his
throat. The royal flag was flying
from the flag poles of the four forts
scattered about the harbor and also
from the Necessidades palace. A
feeling of unrest became apparent
suddenly and we saw armed men walk
ing up and down the wal. along the
harbor. !
Promptly at IL o'clock we saw the
flag on one of the forts lowered and |
almost instantly the guns of the four
battIeships began belching forth their
of death and destruction. 1t |
all happened so quickly that it was
not until fifteen minutes later that we
realized that revolution had broken
put The bombarding of the city by
The four Portuguese battleships lasted
Tor exactly two and half hours.
One by one the forts were crum-
pied under the heavy fire Of the bat
The surprising part of it all
was that not an answering shot came
rom any of the forts or from the
shore.
Shortly after the last fort flag was
owered we saw the royal flag on the
palace lowered. A great
,heer could be heard from the shore.
"A few minutes later the fire of the
suddenly stopped. Then
We saw the royal standard again fly
nS lIOm Tue CdSllt Il ne IOy dllSlSg
We later learned, had rallied and tenn
beaten off the revolutionists.
Within the next twenty minutes the
lag had been lowered again and the
lag OF the revolutionists run up.
Later hundreds and hundreds of
Lrmed men-the revolutionists-began
,arading along the streets. q. Our ship
vas only a quarter mile of shore and
We had an excellent opportunity to
witness the proceedings on shore.
I'm that long parade Of the victori-
JUS revolutionists there must have
zen many English speaking persons,
or we could plainly hear them shout
ng Long live the republic.
During the bombardment OF the
palace, we saw a great
ection of the wall fall out, display
ny to our view the royal church in the
nclosure of the castle wall. Later
re saw this church completely de-
lolished. We saw scores of build
1gs fall under the fire Of the shells
rom the ships"