Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-03-09
PORTUGAL AND GREAT BRITAIN.

The seizure by the Portuguese government OF the Ger
merchantmen nterned in its harbors may or may not
be an official act calculated to precpate declaration OF
war which will Portugas active participation in
the European conflict At any rate it was to have been
expected for Portugal and Great Britain bound by
centuries of friendship do what they to assist each
other in times of trouble AS far back 1894 the Potu
guese king, Dniz negotiated commercial treaty with
England which the means of increasing the foreign
trade of both countries Trade continued with varying
activity until 1852 when Pedro induced Edward III of
England to issue proclamation in favor of Portuguese
traders and the next year Portuguese envoy signed
covenant with the merchants OF England guaranteeing
mutual good faith in all commercial dealings In addition
this early commercial intercourse, Portuguese king
Ferdinand appealed to John of Gaun who through his
marriage with Castan princess claimed the crown OF
Castillo to assist him in resisting invasion headed by
Henry of CASTLE Out of this grew political alliance be-
tween Portugal and England which resulted in Richard Ii
of England sending armed force to Lisbon and even
betrothng his cousin Prince Edward to Beatrice, only
daughter of Ferdinand and heress to the throne but they
were married.
Again, in 1885, John of Gaunt led 5000 English sol
ders in support of the Portuguese against the Castans
who overwhelmed and gave up and by the treaty OF
Windsor the alliance between England and Portugal
confirmed and extended Ia 1887 daughter Of John Of
Gaunt married the Portuguese king, John authorizations
between the two countries became closer Through
out the fifteenth century they had the iendest Of COM
mercia relations and during the period of Portuguese
expansion which eliminated in the apparently sudden col
lapse of 157860 England made attempt to challenge
Portugas right the land she acquired by conquest and
discovery For time France the active ally of Por-
tugal but in MAY 1868 Charles Ii of England married
Catherine Of Braganza sister of Aphonso VI of Portugal
Her dowry S2,50O000 and Bombay and Tangier,
which coded to the British government During the
$50 years that followed 1903 Great Britain maintained
high duty wines from countries other than Portugal,
and in return Portugal bought textiles of English mer
chants thus sealing the alliance in way which has not
been forgotten. Time and again Great Britain has sent
troops to help the Portuguese particularly in their
against Spain At time Portuguese and
British troops fought small battle in South Africa but
the dispute settled, and during the Boer
Portugal stretched her neutrality proclamation in favor
of England and fined by board Of arbitration which
met III Switzerland and listened to the protests of other
powers
Thus for 900 years Great Britain and Portugal
have lived friendly terms, helping each other when
necessary and protng by the trade which grew out of
their friendship There be little doubt that had Por-
tugal had her house in order in August 1914 she would
have done than extend promises to Great Britain
As it is she be of great assstance-at least
enough to count for much in the final struggle but it
not be said of her that she is grate in her attitude
ward Great Britain, and that doubt is the chief aim
of the Portuguese diplomats.
THE SIEGEI, CASE