Portugal's Premier Vasco dos Santos Gonçalves clung desperately to office last week. Though his grip grew weaker by the hour, he continued to hang on, and rumors swept the country that his moderate opponents were preparing to stage a coup. At week's end, several military units went on alert.
Gonçalves' position had grown increasingly shaky as an alliance of anti-Communists sought to oust the leftist Premier from office. In the face of political and economic turmoil at home and a situation bordering on chaos in several of Portugal's remaining colonies, President Francisco...