The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-11
PORTUGUESE COLONIES MAY
BE CAUSE OF NEXT TRIO UDLE.

Especial Cable to The Times-D ispatcn.)
London. February 10.-The next bis
tussie between the powers of Europe,
US .tnr as, can be seen at present, Is
70 be over the Portuguese colonies in
Africa.
This time England and Germany VIII
lighting her own diplomatic battle not
that Of her friends or allies. as in the
Moroccan and Bosnia and Herzegovina
cases. The British government is being
urged BY the 1mper.alists to take the
matter up Immediately and get her
snare at the same time that Germany
comes into hers. Germany. there is no
doubt. Is willing; in some quarters
II is believed that she has her prelimi-
nary negotiations well under way,
while Portugal being in need of money
time to sell, is not nverse TO parting
with colonies which she cannot afford
to keep up.
a glance at the map makes the di-
vision of the colonies between Ems
land and Germany look easy. Tic
Portuguese East African possessions
north by German East Africa. There
arc two ports-Delagoa Bay. on which
England has had an option for some
years, and Beira,. a little further north,
which England would certainly wish
as her share, as they would give her
great South African colonies outlets to
difficulty wolld arise in dividing the
rest of this colony. Germany wou d
consider herself entitled to portion of
and the trouble would come in deciding
where the dividing line should be-.
Some Engllshmen think all OF Portu-
guese East Africa should become Brit
ish. for Germany's share of the division
would be Angola. on the west coast
Angola has coast line of 1000 miles
and an area of about 100000 square
miles The acquisition of this extern
adjoining IS 1t does her Southwest
African possessions would give her
German eNpansionists talk. England.
1t Is Understood. has already intimnted
to Germany that she woul1 offer no OPP
position to this acquisition. and in
fact II is believed to have been this
to which Sir Edward Grey referred
when he spoke of Offering no obstacle
to German expansion IN Africa
bitter controversy before the transfers
could be completed. With tho eusnicion
existing between the two countries and
nothing that. they believe to be in the
interest OF their respective empires TO
maintain, there would be lots OF OPP
portunities for squalls. The Islands
Portuguese territory, are practically
owned by British merchants, and in
fiuential ones, too. while Liberal
government Is in power. The great
cocoa manufacturers OF England
strangely enough all radicals. owning
papers to advance their political views,
set their raw material from these
Islands. OF which St Thome and Prln-
cipe are the largest. Germany would
want the islands with the ma inland,
and these cocoa mngnates would doubt
less raise the objection that they had
acquired rights there that would be
injured '5y the change In ownership.
There are also a few border questions
to settle. but these aside ENGLAND
would probably be anxious to give q
favorable reply when Portugal and
Germany. having completed the deal,
asked for her Views. according to dip
lomatic usngc. A favorable answer
might relieve the tension between the
two countries and pave the way for a
cordial welcome to King George when
he pays his coronation visit to Berlin
some time this year.