New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-29
PORTUGUESE NEUTRALLTY.

The announcement made In this mornings dis
patches from Lisbon, that the Portuguese GOV
eminent will to-day formally proclaim neutral
ity between Spain and the United States in the
existing war, is to be regarded with hearty sat
isfacton Most OF the other Powers have,
with commendablc promptness, already made
such proclamaions. and have notified 10 both
bellgerents that their warships must not tarry
in neutral waters beyond a certain limit OF
time This action is welcomed, not because 1t
gives the United States any advantage, but be-
cause IL IS Just In fact. II has put this coun-
try 10 some loss. for one Of our ships, which
was not In trim 10 get out OF British harbor
within the prescribed time will now be de-
tanned ms practical prisoner until the war IS
over But II is we'll that nil nations nj least
all that are likely 10 come into contact with
the belligcrents. should define TINS openly their
attitude and intentions. II has been matter
OF comment that the very Power which IS most
OF all brought into contact with AZ least one or
the belligerents should so long delay TO make any
declaration on the subject OF neutrality while
pursuing course that would he impossible
under such a declaration as the others have
made.
Spain recognized the existence 81 n state ~
war AS far back ne April q. and the United
States did so on April -. ON the latter date
Canada and Hong Kong issued neutrality proc
lamations. and the United States feet was
warned out Of the latter port. on April 20
Great Britain made her proclamation and 80
did various other Powers. 1t is now April 90,
and Portugal IS NJ last 10 follow their ex-
ample The bulk Of the Spanish feet Is enjoy
ing asylum In a Portuguese harbor. and has
done so for from four 10 eight days since the
formal announcement Of hcllGcrcnce II IS
notorious that Spain Is using n Portuguese port
az n base OF operations against n nation with
which Portugal Is AZ peace. Yet no attempt
TO vindlcatc Portuguese neutrality has yet been
made. On the contrary. m order has been Is
sued by the Portuguese Government which
would give tho Spanish fleet greater advantages
there. and make Portuguese waters more cf
fecive base OF operations against this country.
Beyond doubt each Power has n right 10 de
eide Cor itself. and the individual merits Of
each case whether II will be neutral or ally
Itself with one Of the belligcrcnts and also nj
what time II will issue It's declaration on the
subject II il issue any. No fault IS 10 bc found
with Portugal for exercising that privilege.
Nevertheless there IS a certain cOnsira.nt i'm
posed upon nation by the morality OF public
law ard practice moving 1t TO net scasonably
rs well as deliberately, and with just reference
10 the surrounding facts. II Is not TO be sup
posed that Portugal meant to let Spain perna-
nently use her waters as base Of operations
against the United States. That would have
been TO act in a manner unfricndly TO this coun-
try and to ally herself with Spain. There was
certainly no provocaton for her 10 take such
a course. 1t is to be presumed that she has had
good reason for her delay. and that she Is act
ing in entirely good faith and friendship toward
this country. To-day's prompt declaration Of
neutrality by her. with effective action for en-
forcing it, will greatly strengthen that prcsump
ton in the public mind, and dispel some I'M
pleasant suspicious which We're beginning 10
arise