OPINION

August 25, 1954

DEATH OF VARGAS: London, 24 – According to a report from Rio de Janeiro, the president of Brazil, Getulio Vargas, committed suicide today by shooting himself in the heart with his revolver. This was the climax of political upheaval that began with an attempt on the life of the publisher of one of the largest opposition newspapers in which an officer was killed. The suicide occurred at 8.30 a.m., when everyone thought the president was sleeping. (…) By noon, demonstrators waving Brazilian flags and calling out «Getulio, Getulio» were gathering in front of the Town Hall, the Senate and other buildings in the city. Before his suicide, the president of Brazil had been forced to resign by the chiefs of the armed forces (…). Vargas had left a note saying: «I bequeath my death to the hatred of my enemies. I regret that I was not able to do what I wanted to do for the poor.» REACTION: London, 25 – According to another telegram from Rio de Janeiro, military and police forces have been deployed around public buildings and at strategic points in the Brazilian capital. Military patrols are circulating in the streets. Police intervened after demonstrators attacked the Ministry of the Air Force.

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