In his fiery crusade against Communism, corruption and President Getulio Vargas, Rio Journalist Carlos Lacerda has gained tens of thousands of loyal friends, scores of vengeful enemies. The 40-year-old editor of Tribune da Imprensa (circ. 50,000) has been beaten by thugs for criticizing the army, arrested for exposing police graft, jailed four times for political reasons, attacked in his home after accusing a high officer of corruption. Recently a pistol-toting hothead tried but failed to provoke the editor to a duel.
"They will try again," Lacerda told a friend. "They'd better be prepared to kill or be killed."
One night last...