New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-16
PORTCGAL'S LAMENT.

Such victories as the one achieved by Lord
Salisburys ultimatum to the Portuguese GOV
eminent are generally followed hy exhibitions
Of temper on the part OF tho WorNtod dis
putant. The Portuguese are hy no mean,
Ieconciled to their defeat, and they evidently
intend to do something looking 70 England )
embarrassment. The late Ministry of senior
Comes, while responding submi>sivcly SO far
as words 60 to the English demand, and while
promising 10 withdraw the Portuguese forces
and officials from the disputed territory, was
yet careful to say that this would be done
under protest, and that il would not mean the
abandonment of any claim. The Portuguese
contention is now Just what it was before Lord
Salisbury stamped his foot, the situation being
thereby altered only in that Portugal is rem
dcrcd still less competent 10 DO OF her own
might anything but claim. This modest priv
ilege however, She has not fOIcgOnc even for
a moment. The same pen which informed the
British Premier that his suggestions would bc
complied with, since there was 10 attentive,
engaged itself at once in explanations to tine
other Powers They were advised that the
British ulfimatum had been projected upon no
reasonable ground. bat upon mere reports that
Portugal had not done what she had agreed To
do in an earlier concession. rs a matter Of
fact. says Senior Comes, Major Pinto Quilted
the disputed country three weeks ago and is
now i'll at Mozambique.
These representations, together with the
statement that Portugal is willing 10 submit
all her claims to the decision Of an intcrna-
tional congress- are likely TO produce an effect
at the continental courts. No very intense and
profound affection for England exists in any
European capital al this time. Russia may
not wish to be quarrcsOme, but she is not
known to have any less confidence in her ability
to supply Afghanistan and Persia with good
government than she had when England hint
cd that no European ncighborS were wanted
watching her. proceedings in India. Germany
is friendly and Tranquil, but she, too has pos
sessions in East Africa and there may well be
a large question in Prince Bisnarck'S mind
whether. if any ones "Sphcre Of influence" is
70 grow on the East African coast, he would
not prefer TO have it be pOrtugals than Eng
lands France is naturally anxious to be al
peace with the world, bat she always keeps in
mind the fact that Her MaieSty'S troops still
lingcr in Egypt and she issues with uniailing
regularity her Quadrcnnal challenge to Eng
land to declare her Egyptian policy Spain Is
naturally disposed TO take Portugals part, and
it is not unlikely that Italy and Austria will
think that Great Britain Is great enough.
The Continental Governments may be cX-
pccted, in view Of all their relations, to receive
Portugals complaints respectfully, if not sym
pathctlcaly. They may see something to
gricve at in Lord Salisburys blunt and per
emptory conduct, and may even go 50 far as
to express their regret that he felt called upon
to take such sharp ana mcnacing measures
Nor would these suggestions be wholly UNI
mcritcd. though they would not be likely TO
accomplish much. Great Britaln's dctermina-
ton to have all she has contonded for will not
be shaken now by gentle phrases. Portugal
may still be able to cause considerable annoy
ance both in Africa and in Europe. She may
be able to add complications to the case by
fresh proceedings Of the Scrpa Pinto sort Her
claims may get before COMPRESS but sooner