The Washington times., 1916-02-26
lIs POSITION OF PORTUGAL

VA tanned an alliance with Great
Fft in, for mutual advantage in
csi ial and other matters. Portu-
gal WINS the Azores and Cape Verde
lsla ds, both groups being i'm
port mt strategically because Of
fheir relationship to the European
and African coast in the region Of
Gibr lltar and the Mediterranean en-
.ttar O. Germany has viewed these
rrou Is with covetous eyes, and has
tult ,ated Spain with assiduity in
thc llope Of neutralizing the friend
shi0 between Portugal and Britain.
= out the time the war started It
Wa charged that German naval
piar ! had been made with the de-
nteI ate purpose of seizing the
Azo es and using them as a naval
b. II occasion required in order
to promote German military ad-
v7 age, precisely as the neutrality
% elgium was violated. Whether
tr thing was thus deliberately
ria ned or not-for Berlin denied it
-t Portuguese people were con-
gin I'd that their possessions were
~ reat danger, and were tossed
ror, than ever upon the protection
r. ritain.
lother common interest between
Britain and Portugal lay in Africa,
where Portugal possesses a great
colonial empire, as yet largely un-
developed, but with great possibili-
ties. Germany's colonial ambitions
have long been regarded as mena-
cling the holdings of minor coun-
tries, especially Of Belgium and
Portugal, in Africa. When the war
began Portugal made common cause
with the allies in this area, and
Portuguese forces co-operated with
the British in reducing German pos
sessions in that continent. This was
done without a declaration Of war
between Portugal and Spain, though
the Portuguese government placed
itself on a war footing and assumed
an attitude Of benevolence toward
the allies that practically made it
ona Of. them. Doubtless Portugal
go d have been formally in the war
bcf e now, but for the possibility
tr such q course would have
tr yht in Spain on the side of Ger
w. Germany has sought in every
to bring about this result. The
lty and aristocracy in Spain
as been persistently hostile to-
Portugal ever since the demo-
cratic movement converted the lat
ter country into a republic; It has
been feared that the movement might
spread to Spain and cause revolu-
tion there.
The best information that can be
had concerning Spain's leanings in
the war indicates that two-thirds of
the people sympathize with the al
lies; but these are the almost in
articulate masses, while the remain
ing third, which inclines decidedly
toward Germany, represents ancient
bourbonism and monarchism. ,
Portugal might become a consid-
cradle factor in the war, for she
could put 100000 good troops into
the field under pressure of necessity;
but her weight would be more than
counterbalanced by the Spanish men,
ace, unless it could be very def
nitely removed.
Whether Portugal will now be able
to keep out of the conflict is doubt
fu!, in view of the action which the
Portuguese naval authorities have
been compelled to take to prevent
German violation Of the neutrality
of Portuguese ports. Thirty-six
German vessels interned in Portugal
have been seized by the Lisbon gov
eminent, because of fears that they
would attempt to escape. The con-
DUCT Of interned German officers in
this country has shown that there is
real danger Of such paroles being
violated, and Portugal took time by
the forelock in seizing the vessels
Berlin may declare war; but it would
not greatly change conditions.