Primeiro Ministro indigitado
assassinado na sua chegada a Lisboa
Just when
peace and calm had apparently been restored in Portugal, a grave event
has occurred that will probably have a disastrous effect on the
situation. A telegram from Lisbon received this evening [May 17] states
that Senhor Chagas, the new Prime Minister, was shot at and seriously
wounded by Senator João José de Freitas. Senhor Chagas had just arrived
at the Entroncamento railway station, coming from Oporto to take
possession of the Premiership. A large gathering was on the platform to
meet him, and while shaking hands with and receiving the
congratulations of his friends, Senhor Freitas broke through and fired
several revolver shots at the new Premier. A struggle ensued and
gendarmes fired on the assassin who was killed on the spot. Senhor
Chagas was taken to hospital in a dying condition. It is feared, as a
result of this tragedy, that the trouble may recommence. There are
already signs of a fresh outbreak.
The New York Herald, European Edition, May 18, 1915
Correction: June 4, 2015 An article in the “In Our Pages” column on May 18, recalling the shooting of the Portuguese primes minister in 1915, misspelled the name of the senator who shot Senhor Chagas. He was João José de Freitas not Senator Jean Freilas. The error was recently brought to light by a reader.
Correction: June 4, 2015 An article in the “In Our Pages” column on May 18, recalling the shooting of the Portuguese primes minister in 1915, misspelled the name of the senator who shot Senhor Chagas. He was João José de Freitas not Senator Jean Freilas. The error was recently brought to light by a reader.
