New-York tribune., 1914-12-24
Portugal Ready to Enter the War.

The Portuguese lower chamber yesterday au-
thorized the government to make preparations lot
Joining Great Britain in the war against Ger
many. Austria-Hungary and Turkey. Ihis acIlon
was not unexpected since Portugal has mao lor
many wears a treaty Of alliance with Great BTU
ain under the terms of which she is bound 70 oHer
military assistance to Great Britain If the latter
asks for H. The government at Lisbon has all
along declared it's willingness TO give this aid, but
definite action committing Portugal TO war Win
Great Britain's enemies was not taken until yes
terdsy.
Ths immediate cause Of the vote by the lower
chamber of Parliament was an attack MADE from
German Southwest Africa on PortugaFs west
African colony. Angola. There was report IN
October last Of an earlier German invasion OF
ANGOLA. but its truth was denied by the German
government. The recent attack seems to be better
authenticated. Germany has considered Portugai
a real, If undeclared enemy for couple OF
months past. The German and Austrian news
papers have been full Of dispatches dealing with
Portugaps hostile attitude 1t was said that
Portuguese troops were their way to cape
Town to help put down the Boer revolt ana 70
seize German Southwest Africa. The afternoon
edition of the Vienna "Neue Freie Presse" Of No
vember q contains for example, three articles on
PortugaPs decision to go to war. One OF tnem
carried the news" by way of Zurich, accredited
70 French source, that 10000 Portuguese SOL
diers in transports had just passed through the
Straits of Gibraltar, heading east. 1t was evil
IDENTIFY the intent of this article to suggest that
these troops were on their way TO help the British
to defend Egypt.
German and Austrian opinion already counted
Portugal as an active enemy. But no word mas
vet come to this country which indicated that
Portugal was giving secret aid to the Allies as far
back as October or November. Undoubtedly 1t
would have taken Portugal several months TO pre-
pare for military operations. The Portuguese are
not military people They were more unready
for war than Belgium was, and IN military stand
ing were far below the other minor nations OF
Southern Europe-Greece, Servia, Montenegro,
Bulgaria and Rumania.
PortugaPs resources are not large. Yet her aid
at this juncture will be highly welcome to Great
Britain. According to "The Statesman's Year
Book" she has an active army of 10000 men.
There is a reserve army of 10000, and an unor-
ganzed territorial army of about the same size.
The colonial troops number about 10000. Portu-
gals population is little above 100000 and she
could eventually put from 100000 to 25o,OOO men
in the field.
The use of 10000 to $4,000 Portuguese troops
in Egypt and Southern Africa would be of great
assistance to Great Britain just now. Egypt
needs to be protected against the menace of q
Turkish invasion, and many Australian and East
Indian troops and British territorals are
now detained there for that duty Reinforce
ments from Portugal would release part Of thi
force for service in Europe.
1t is probable that Portugal has already sen
reinforcements to Angola. Now that the De We
revolt in South Africa has collapsed, the way i
open for joint British Portuguese attack on Ger
man Southwest Africa Germany herself ha
little to fear from the entry of Portugal into tn
war. But this little nation may be an importan
factor in stripping the German Empire Of the few
territorial possessions now left under its flag.