Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-27


DelagOa bay has assumed marked i'm
portance as a factor in the South African
war and it may eventually prove an item of
serious concern in the international aspect
of the campaign. England would probably
pay very large price for that harbor and
It's commanding territory just now She
has in fact been a lively bidder for the
Portuguese property for some years, and is
said to hold sort of reversonary title by
virtue of an agreement by Portugal to give
England the first bid when the property
might ever be marketed. II Is asserted now
i'll London that French and Russian in
fiuences have lately been busiiy at work in
Lisbon to prevent Portugal from parting
With the bay or any part of Lorenzo
Marques. 1t is even whispered that threats
of reprisals against the little state have
been uttered to prevent a transfer to Eng
land. England. knowing this, is disposed
IL be resentful, but cannot afford to show
her anger at present, with ii serious war en-
her hands. Portugal may, however be re-
Quired soon to take position on the question
of neutrality by responding to a demand
from London to enforce the rules of war
with regard to contraband importations.
1t is known that large quantities of supplies
have gone over the border to the Transvaai,
which England cannot prevent. save By
seizure of suspected vessels outside of the
sea-iimit. She has already oyerhauled an
American ship laden with -four and may
later have difficulty in explaining her ac-
ton to the United States. But it is not
with regard to the smuggling of aid to the
Beers that England is most concerned. She
needs possession of Lorenzo Marques for
strategic purposes. With the bay open to
her troops and a passaSeway established to
the Transvaal frontier she could effect a
oounter-movement in the rear of the forces
how holding back the three armies of Bull
ler. Gatacre and Methuen. II Is extremely
doubtful whether the Beers could hold their
positions in the west, south and east aftec
an invasion of their territory from the
north had commenced. Indeed, so valuable
is this strip of land now that its neutrality
is believed by London authorities to be the
Beers main reliance to prevent an early
reversal of the situation In England's favor
Thus Portugal holds the key to the cam
her strict neutrality she virtually serves as
the most powerful ally the Beers can reason
ably hope to secure. and this despite the
feet that Portugal is friendly to England
and has within recent years given her rea-
to hope for the ownership of this area
Should England secure or seize the right to
land troops at Lorenzo Marques and send
them through to the Transvaal frontier
aside from all considerations OF the chance
of foreign Intervention, a most interesting
military problem would present itself. The
boundary follows the ridge of the UbOmbo
or Lebombo, mountains. which are pierced
by the Crocodile river, the chief stream
leading to the coast This would probably
be one of the points chosen by England for
the invasion and would doubtless be the
scene of a sharp fight. There are no rivers
running athwart the line OF advance as in
the case of Methuen's and Buffers cam
paigns. and once over the ridge the En-
glish army. should one be thus dispatched,
would have only the ordinary field condi-
tons before it.