The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-25
So TEUTON VESSELS
SEIZED BY PORTUGAL
Ships Interncd at Lisbon.
Taken by Navy. May BE
Used as Transports.
WAR LIKELY TO BIZ REPLY
Special Cdb, Despatch 10 THs suS


LONDON, Feb ai.--Thirty-six German
and Austrian ships interned in the Tagus
River At Lisbon We're seized yesterday
by Capt. Leotte R.go. commander OF
the Portuguese naval division. according
to dispatches from Lisbon received here
to-day
According to the dispatches. capt.
Rego acted under the sanction of the
Government IN SciZ!ng the vessels The
Austrians and Germans in Lisbon were
taken completely by surprise at the sud
den action of the Government, as were
the people Of the capital.
\ Lisbon despatch states that the de-
cree under which the vessels We're seized
was published in the official Gazette.
The Premier in AN interview explained
,ha, the seizure of the SHIPS was made
under an act passed by the Portuguese
PARLIAMENT on February last.
The Portuguese. Minister to Germany
has been instructed 10y MS Government
to explain the reason FOR tn" seizure to
the German Governmeu; and assure the
Government that the rights Of the own
ers of the merchan, vessels vii! be re-
spected by the Portuguese.
Some commanders Of the seized ves-
sells presented written protests. bu, none
forcibly resisted the carrying out Of the
decree. Four Of the vessels captured are
capable OF acting az auxiliary cruisers
and several exceed 5000 tons displace-
mcns
capt. Eego directed the capture OF the
steamships from the deck OF the de-
stroycr Guadiana yesterday afternoon.
Under the guns of two Portuguese war
vessels he gave the crew Of each steamer
three hours to leave the vessel. The
Portuguese flag was hoisted on the ships
after they had left and the Portuguese
war Vessels fired salute of twenty lone
guns.
1t is thought probable that the Central
Powers will Immediately declare war
on Portugal.
1t is reported that Foreign Minister
Costa has announced that the vessels
were confiscated for use as Portuguese
transports. and that the cause Of the
action was the possibility of their dash
ing out Of rhe river TO the open sea "a
become sea raiders or supply ships. The
Minister also said. according to reports
that on last Tuesday night the interned
German steamship 0ckenfels had es-
capped from Funchal, Madeira Islands.
crowds in Lisbon hailed the seizure
Of tnc vessels with the greatest JOY anu
throngs in from, of tho tiovernmen,
buildings checrcl the action. Besides
the popularity Of England and France
the feeling in favor of the Allies is in.
tensiiied ny tho fact that last summer
two Portuguese ships We're sunk by a
German submarine.
Portugal now has about 10000 troops
under arms, In the event Of war she
could put about twice that number or
the firing line.
Although the Portuguese Congress has
! voted for cooperation with the Entente
! Allies whenever the step seemed neces
sary. no declaration OF war against Ger
many or Austria has been made.
4 treaty Of cooperation between Portu
gal and Great Britain provides that each
nation shall furnish aid to the otheI
when calicl upon to do so IN time of war
Portugal must send 10, 900 soldiers Il
the aid OF England should that countr!
demand them. but 80 far no such hell
has been asked.
ON November 81 Premier Costa intro
duced IN the House of Deputies ant
Senate OF Portugal bill authorizing tn,
Government to intervene in a warlik,
manner when and In the manner i
deemed expedient In accordance with tn,
terms OF the treaty. Both bodies passed
the bill unanimously.
In the beginning OF the war II wa
reported that German troops in Africs
had invaded the Portuguese colony o
Angola and were being resisted by Por
tuguese soldiers. Later word came tina
Germany had evacuated the colony.
on January 3 last the President o
Portugal urged the members of the Con
Sress to maintain a union Of the politica
parties 80 that the Allies may hav'
reason to he satisfied with the service,
rendered by the Portuguese nation"