New-York tribune., 1890-01-27
DEFENCELESS PORTUGAL.
Az INEFFICIENT NAVY IT'S ARMY WELL DIS.


CIPLINED AND BRAVE, BUT TOO SMALL.
yzc-, Occasional coRRrsroNDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.
Lisbon Jan 0.-Thc cable has reported to YOU uii'
doubtedly the different phases of Portu-aPs conflict
with England. Patriotic excitement is still running
dangerously high. / will not rece. therefore, the
daily occurrences already reported by cable all the
world over, but coufuc myself to a rapid sketch OF
Portugal, army and navy. l am glad however, 10
be able 70 state that tn, opinion expressed in my last
letter regarding the noncn,hc attitude TO be taken
by the Republican party toward tire monarchcal Gov
eminent as "a consequence Of the excitement caused
by the revolution In Brazil and the conflict with treat
Britain. has been confined. Portuguese Republicans
are too patriotic to create the least embarrassment
20 the Government at a time Of national peril They
follow IN this the political line adopted oy 'her
leader General Latino Coclho former representative
in the Cortcs and ex Minister Of the Colonies. THIS
is mot the first timc7 heard him recently. that
Portugal and England have quarreiled about colonial
possessions such conflicts even Of ancient datc'
and can be traced to the time Of Elizabeth ann oi
brakes explorations. No Portuguese IS Ignorant OF
the historical fact among many others, hat England
took possession two or three occasions OF Madeira
Island but Lustanian patriotism and pluck succecdeu
every time ia recovering that iayolte island ana pre-
venting the Bron, from perpcually ruling over tha'
Flower OF the Oc'sn.'
General Coclho does not believe that will issue
from the present conflict. lie says that Engiahd'
dcsp. her traditional arrogance, has statesmen WHO
have not lost their common sense. she knows no"
- re- train herself within The bound, OF moderation
,,d wisdom when she sees that her clustering does
io produce the expected effect The only uut very
grave charge preferred Jy the great Portuguese leader
AGAINST the mouaichicI Govenmcnt-not that
.t tie present KIM, carlo l. huJ ol
~, ather nao niI Una" ehecScd Gtr,aan aauce did
not uroN de sufficiently for the defence oi ue COUNTRY
Inc charge is correct only 70 the alliance pul hot
20 correct In regard 10 the efforts Hauv -, INC aa'T
klng Dom Lul1 for providing lorthSa "lui al. 1@sl2 @
,,rf navy AS efficient the financial resources ana
credit OF the country permitted. ...,..,
IA, military forces "crr thJr'HsAN rGolSdNhI'G
lrtvr, l--i ard l--- with -t-i,,IN, prdd 'nce a,i
ucr.cyerirs method The army comprised accord
iue 40 the law of 1854. ouh 1900 mcu out OF
IN March. l--i. ana september, l--', me h1s 81.
,ai,rd ,rnn the Chambers an authorization and the
means for rnur,auiZing the army Inc law oi lo-'
ordered that every citizen should be liable To military
service for three years h. the active army hNc Neir
reserve The law will have produced all us effects
ouly boo 1-g2. when Portugal viii lc able 10 pIt III
10000 men ot the second reserve. Inc au.uIt
elective force force on peace footing. amounts Ia
regiment, II the line and Of twelve chaNseurs. armed
with the kr ptt~chcK gun. me ciNdHh ld' zen IrSl-
urui- with four squadron, OF two companies cac me
artillery comprises three regiments ol Hclu NuHeN
and for fortress duty besides some batteries Tor
Tic REORGANIZATION OF the Portuguese Navy was not
II required a larger amOuut of money. The 'hamber
va. asked for that purpose. 70 vote credit of
.il 600 900 INT il refused The harbor Of Lisbon
remains. therefore, IN deenCee'S condition. some
thing II VA, In 1890. when Admiral Rons'in,
of tie French Navy forced the entrance ~ the Tagus.
The Portuguese acet was built mainly In view of
colonial protection and it only counts ,iX sore"
irnclad, the NaSco de Cana and four torpedo bol>.
The country cannot RELY upon is naval strength |"
been said by the Republican leader, General Coelho 1t
relies upon the good sense Of British statesmen.