Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-07
TROOPS FACE FIGHT
BY FUNCHAL FORCE
City Offers Only Landing
Place for Portuguese
Expedition.
ny the Associated Press.

ny the Associated Press.
LISBON, April IAN expeditionary
force headed today for Funchal, Ma
deira, where revolters have usurped the
Portuguese authority, may have to
fight bitterly in order to land on the
island.
Declaration anywhere but at Funchal
will be Of little use, since the city is
shut of from the remainder of the is
land by a mountain wall 1000 feet
high. Deep ravines make progress to-
ward the city impossible.
Warships Rush to Islands.
Funchal itself is defended by strong
natural Notifications and high-caliber
American naval guns, left there by the
Americans during the war. strongly
coalesced rebel force might be able to
repe1 much larger attacking force.
Practically every seaworthy warship
In the Portuguese Navy is being rushed
to the island, 600 infantry and a con-
tingent of light artillery being due there
tomorrow. The coastal gunboat Zaira
set out for F'unchal last night and the
Vasco da Cana today. Naval airplanes
are being taken along.
During embarkation of troops yester-
day the 5th Light Cavalry Regiment
refusd to leave for service in Madeira,
on the plea that they kere unwilling
to fight their countrymen. They were
ordered to return to their barracks, and
their places were taken by the 7th Cav
airy.
All Leaves Cancelled.
To meet the emergency, authorities
have Cancelled all army leaves. The
Lisbon garrison is known to be loyal
to the regime, but in some quarters
doubts are expressed as to the garri-
sons at CoiInbra and Oporto.
A government communique announced
characterization of forces at Funchal
and said that, since Col. Silva Leal sent
there during the February bread riot
ing, had been made unable to carry
out his duties, Col. Fernando Borges
had been appointed special delegate
commandment and commander in chief
of the expeditionary force. Political de-
portees were blamed for the rebellion.
= The gunboat Tamega, doing duty at
Fanchal, has gone over to the rebels.
The government decided to take every
means to avoid unnecessary bloodShed
In putting down the revolt, it was de-
N4dCu dG q COA4ACA6uCC dG G44C Wal OA1SS
today.
Plans VIII Demonstrate.
The conference was held before the
departure of the troop ship Kubanjo
for Funchal, and a complete plan of
campaign against the rebels was mapped
out.
Four government hydroairplanes, it
was decided, would stage a demonstra-
ton at Funchal and try TO persuade the
rebel leaders to surrender.
s The text of the official notification by
the rebel to the Lisbon government an
nouncing their assumption of power,
was made public here,
1.-THE officers of the garrison and the
members Of the gunnery corps and light
cavalry stationed here. indignant at un-
warranted outrages committed by the
government delegate, dismissed the au-
thorities and have withdrawn their
confidence in the national government.
The government delegate, who is to be
blamed for the present situation, had,
without consulting the army, been
speaking in its name.
We declare that we shall only ac-
cept orders from legally constituted
government, pledged to restore and
guarantee public freedom"
The document was signed by Lieut..
Manuel Camoens, for the rebels"
Azores Revolt Reported.
Reports circulating in Lisbon. today
that a military revolt had broken out
In the Azores were officially denied by
the minister of the interior Censor
ship on press, commercial and private
cables between Lisbon and Angola con-
tinued. 1t was generally interpreted to
mean that the government entertains
some doubt regarding the loyalty of the
African garrison.
The strictest censorship Is being ex-
ercised over all information coming
from Funchal
The only message which came from
Frnchal today was from the British
consul to the foreign minister 1t said
that complete order reigned there, that
all shops were open and business ac-
tivity going on normally.
The rebellion, the message said, was
carried out without the least violence.
The Portuguese government today
ordered the gunboat Tho, which was
cruising in the waters of Los Paimas,
TO proceed to Funchal. and await or
ders from the commander in chief Of
the naval forces.