The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-11
ENGLAND AND PORTUGAL.
oFrENsIvE AND DEFENSIVE ALL
ANCE BETWEEN THEM.
rhe Ports of the Latter VIII He
Opened for Invasion of the Trans
vaal and Britain's Military Prep
arstfons 10 Prevent Interference.

arstfons TO Prevent Interference.
copyrighted, 1900 by the Associated Press.
LONDON, Feb. l0.-There exists today
What practically amounts to an offensive
and defensive alliance between Great Brit
ain and Portugal For the past week.
and longer, there has been circulating
through the English press. irrespective Of
party lines. nervous apprehension OF
European opposition and a still more nerv-
Gus apprehension OF the fact that Great
britain at the present moment is unable
10 face 1t with honor to herself
Almost q Nightmare.
Constant editorials In the most unsen-
rational papers have almost developed
this phase of the agitation into a national
nightmare, which IL not at all justified by
the tenor OF the continental news publish
A IN the English papers III the general
demands for an increase in the active ma
val and military strength openly urged to
enable Great Britain to cope with the
most aggressive movements that could
poxeIbly be credited to Russia, France or
Germany, were only correlative with tho
extent 10 which Great Britain has been
drained In order TO support her South AZ
fIcan war, these manifestations OF the
press and constant public anxiety would
b UncefBtCpus Tut Tue ClhfuDT TOT a great
standing army and naval mobilization SO
much exceeds the comparatively slight
deficiency In the defensive potentiality
caused by the war In South Africa that
an impartial observer can scarcely help
coming to the conclusion that there IL
more under the surface than news from
the continent conveys, and after a care
ful Investigation the Associated Press
learns that this impression is quite cor
rect.
what the Agitation Means.
In the first place. much OF the press
clamor for tremendous armament in
order to meet unforeseen emergencies 10
originally inspired with view OF COM
polling parliament to pass quietly any
financial measures proposed by tho gov
eminent. and to make the same popular
with the people. who. through additional
taxation, may be called upon TO add their
mites toward the stupendous plans now
pending to place the British empire on
military eminence so supreme as to be
beyond the fear of opposition. Lord Sails
bury himself II. perhaps. more independ-
ent and more regardless OF newspaper in
huence and the aid OF advertising than
any Statesman of the day. yet at this cri-
sis he has not disdained to use his imme-
date subordinates as direct agents to
foster. among the leading London dailies.
ties Of foreign interference and minimz-
Ing the capabilities OF home defense.
IL Alarm Largely Fictitious.
Russia,s activity In China and Persia
rnd French and German antagonism are
freely paraded before the nation as an
Incentive to be up and arming. even II 1t
needs to be to the point Of putting into
/, operation the militia ballot act, which Is
almost synonymous with conscrfption. Yet
the accounts OF anti British activity all
the world over. as dished up for British
readers. are not causing the foreign Of
nee any serious anxiety.
Aimed to influence Portugal.
They do not include the real reason for
the tremendous military activity. which
Il Q determination to convince Portugal
that II - advisable to meet Great Brit
aims demands regarding the ports essen
tlal for carrying on the Boer war. name
~. Delagoa bay and Be.ra. and at tho
same time. having secured PortugaI's as
sent to every proposition made. to be In
position 70 support that country against
= united European opposition No word
OF this Is printed or limited of here. but
= representative of the Associated Press
learns that immense pressure IL being
brought to bear upon Portugal by con-
tnentai powers to prevent her from CIV
ing aid to Great Britain. Portugnfs min
ister here. senior Pinto de Several. IL al
most AS much an Engiishusan as a Portu-
guese. and his government IL only too
willing TO do everything. far beyond the
bounds OF neutrality, to help Great Brit
ain. TO protect Portugal Lord Salisbury
Is determined that this shall be done and
is counting on the cooperation OF his
countrymen to put fhc nation on foot
ting 10 defy European opposition.
Programme IL Daring.
He has this week taken definite meas
ures regarding the aforementioned ports
that can only be described as daring Por-
tugal. bending TO tho modicum of coer-
cinn, and convinced that Great Britain II
able 70 uphold her. has acquiesced untfl
there practically exists today an alliance
OF the strongest tlber between Great Brit
ain and Portugal Yesterday. for reasons
Of diplomacy, nothing could be more
quickly and officially denied In London or
Lisbon II Ia scarcely necessary 20 say
that all the foregoing IL CLEANED from the
highest sources and is based upon unim-
peaehahle authority.
New Treaty Discussed.
The ahrogation OF the Bulwer- Clayton
treaty Is the source OF copious comment In
the weekhes. The Saturday Review caviis
at Great britain for giving up rights"
maintaining that nothing viii 30 gotten
81 The United States In return, and say
Ing Great Rntains mRgnamlmity will be
HAN'HhSh Ny congress ftd desire 70 avoid
eempiications on account OF the troubles
In South Africa
Because the Americans speak English"
adds the Saturday Review. "and the pluto
Taey OF the United States Is united by
family ties with the directing class. artistic
cratic and otherwise, OF Great Britain. Is
no reason for ordering our Affairs with
Asm on other than business principles"
The Speaker, on the other hand. says;
'&NrfAlnfN IL Il not n our a
syal ourselves OF diplomatic technicaiities
N order 20 prevent a result which Is In
esisAble."
Al the papers unite IN declaring that
sserstary Hay secured a dipiomatie tri-
smPh