The Execution of Maximillan

This is Don Hollenbeck in the newsroom, set up in the Capuchin convent in the city of Calataro, Mexico. In 20 minutes on this morning of June 19, 1867, it will be done here in Calataro.

In 20 minutes, the sun will rise over the hill of bells, the execution grounds about one mile from this convent. And at that time, unless President Benito of Juarez intervenes in the condemned man's behalf, The 35-year-old Art Stuke Maximilian of the Hopstwords, the former emperor of Mexico, will die before a firing squad of the Republic of Mexico.

The Art Stuke will be taken from his cell about 100 feet from this newsroom, escorted to the Hill of Bells, where seven Republican soldiers will level their guns at Maximilian and his... June 19! Or, Skatey, 1867!

There it are all! You, the fate of the romantic maximillion, rests in the hands of a realistic man of the people, Benito Juarez. CBS takes you back to the climactic moments in the life of the last crowned head to rule in North America.

All things are, as they were then, except for one thing. When CBS is there, you are there. You are there is based on authentic historical fact and quotation. And now? A convent in Mexico and down Hollander.

He extended the life of the Archduke for three days until dawn this morning. If President Juarez means to spare the life of Maximilian, there is little time for him to do so. The President is now in his executive offices at San Luis.

Meanwhile there is mounting international pressure upon Juarez to commute Maximilian's death sentence and send the former emperor back to Vienna. Aliquant pleas and protests from all over the world have been pouring into San Luis, and the rumor persists that Juarez may decide before the sun rises to heed those pleas for the life of the tragic Hapsburg.