Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1911-07-06


the republic, is Senior Captain Hen
rique de Paiva Couceiro, now living
at Orense, about six hours journey
by railway from the frontier.
AS If his attempt succeeds, he will
at once attain very great prominence,
and as in any case he seems bound
to make his mark on current Portu-
guese history, a description of him at
the present moment cannot be out
of place.
Clear Headed, Resourceful.
He is about 35 years of age, but
looks younger. His mother was Eng
fish. he speaks English like an Eng
lishman, and the cold determination
VITA which he is planning the over
throw of the republic betrays the
methodical Briton rather than the
volatile Lusitanian. He is clear-head-
ed, resourceful, gifted with excellent
judgment; above all he has great mil
itary talent and enjoys an extraordin-
airy popularity among the Royalist
and Conservative elements in his ma
tive land.
His campaigns in Africa were con-
Quoted with great brilliancy and skill,
and even If they were waged against
negroes we must remember that even
negroes have, from time to time, Civ
en- great trouble to English, French
and German troops. During this Afri-
can warfare Palva Couceiro also dis
played extraordinary personal BRAY
cry. This quality will stand him In
good stead during his coming invasion
OF Portugal with handful of men,
During the October revolution Cou-
ceiro was the one man on the Roy
aisse side 7=ho fought well, and he
would easily have crushed the rev.
olution had it not been for the COW.
ardice or treachery of his superiors
and of the prime minister.
When the revolution broke out,
Couceiro was captain in command of
battery of artillery at Quehuz on the
outskirts of the capital. When he
heard the first shots he went to the
general staff for instructions but found
that Institution in a state of panic
and confusion. The local general of
division was sick and had left every
thing to subordinates. The minister
of war, man Of singular incompet-
ance, revealed at the critical moment
depth Of ignorance of which even
his worst enemies had never suspect
ed him.
Demanded Order to Fight.
Paiva Couceiro, irritated at this
spectacle, asked for permission to
bring his troops into action. But he
could not get an answer The indie
cision and confusion was too great.
Nobody knew what to do. Precious
hours were lost in futile discussions
and the drawing UP of fantastic plans.
Meanwhile, the great bulk Of the for
ces which would have died to a man
for the monarchy were immobilized
and useless.
Paiva Couceiro at length Quilted
the general staff in great anger and.
taking carriage drove TO Queiuz at
full speed. Before he reached the
battery his resolution was already
taken. If the monarchy must fall it
were better that 1t should fall in the
blood of its faithful soldiers than that
it should go down without blow be-
ing struck in it's defense. Like "Bon-
ny Dundee" he declared that "e'er the
kings crown shall fall there are
crowns to be broke" In other words
!, he ordered out his battery and tried
ITO persuade his fellow officers in COM
mand Of other detachments to accom-
Spany him. There other officers were
AS loyal as himself but, in the absence
ancs orders from the general staff, they
tuoes obliged to decline the invitation
1lls'iva Couceiro went without them.
~ ne forced his way on to the heights
81 commanding the city, drove before
n min various bodies OF republicans who
I attempted to bar the way, Joined fore
es with loyal infantry regiment
:'!::cs: ..... .,,er. The s:uz ;;az
flying, and finally took up position
on the heights occupied by the peni.
Tertiary, that is, in situation com
mandtng the whole revolutionary
force
Here then began between the two
redoubts formidable artillery duel
which was the most terrible incident
of the revolution and which lasted
more than half an hour. Had It con.
tinued a few moments longer the raw.
olution would have failed. Az a mat.
ter OF fact, all the officers Of the rep,,.
lar army who had Joined the insur.
gents fed, leaving only sMachado San.
tos, non commissioned marine Off.
Ger, in command of a disorganized
mass Of men wildly searching for
somebody to surrender to.
This is not exaggerated, though II
may seem to be 80. Innumerable ac.
counts Of the revolution have since
I been published By republicans. ana