The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-28
LISBON FEELS
SAFE FROM A
SEA ATTACK
Portuguese Capital has Taken
on distinctly Naval Aspect
Since Entering Entente.
(By Associated Press.)

Lisbon, Portugal, April 2S.-The hars-
Dor OF Lisbon has taken on distinct
ly naval aspect since Portugal entered
the ranks of the entente allies. on
Commercial Square, which corresponds
with the Battery in New York, two
long lines of destroyers have been
drawn up clear across the broad en-
trance of the Tagus The long black
bulls of the destroyers are so close to-
gether that at half-tide they swing at
anchor broadside toward the sea, al
line of batteries pointing off at the
German submarines darling along the
coast
But Lisbon feels secure against an
enemy attack by sea, for besides the
double lines of destroyers. ready for
defense or quick sortie. there are cruis-
ers and gunboats with steam up, and
back of them the big land Notifications
on both banks of the Tagus. rising on
high terraces and presenting a semi
circle of massive stone fronts topped
with lines of heavy guns. And besides
these land and sea defenses, there is
the feeling that the British feet is not
far of and presents pretty solid bar
rier against the German feet bottled
up in the Kiel canal.
When the British naval commission
visited here a short time ago still an
other naval defense was devised and
has since been put into execution. This
is a heavy steel net extending clear
across the channel leading from Lis
stated intervals for the passage OF COM
mercial trafflc. But when in position
1t is not only bar to submarines, but
any which venture near 1t are likely to
be caught AMI held in its meshes.
Two Subs Patrol Coast.
There are two German submarines
which appear to be keeping q pretty
constant vigil of the nearby coast.
is mystery. They have not done much
damage to large merchant ships. but
give their special attention to the
smaller craft and the fishing fleets. 1t
has practically put an end to the coast
ing trade, and a good share of the
trade of Oporto has been stopped: The
shipping to England and France is also
greatly curtaiied. This is adding to
England's food danger. for much OF her
fruits and vegetables and most OF her
wine was drawn from Portugal. s
Portugal is feeling the pinch also. in
being cut of from supply Of coal
having it's supplies of fish cut off. Coal
has gone up to $37 and $40 ton, and
is SO scarce 1t cannot be obtained at
any price. the normal price is ABOUT
domestic heating and cooking. and the
misery caused to the poor, the lack Of
coal is proving serious menace to fac.
G sbnr of nb snG
hotels and theatres. The government
has sought to remedy the situation by
reducing the lights in the streets. ex-
tinguishing all lighting at an early
one hour SO that people will get up
earlier and live more in the daylight.
Subs stop Fisk supply.
With q long seacoast Portugal has
always had such an abundance of fish
as to feel proof against any lack of
meat and other foods. But with the
submarines stopping fishing. the nor
NAL supply of fish has suddenly been
stopped, and the price has doubled and
trebisd until the poor are as unable 9hs,t to
they depended. Four fishing boats were
sunk within the last week, one fisher
man being killed and three injured
The war Is making itself felt in
men have been called into military
service, as the small peace footing of
the army has now been increased to a.
war footing of several hundred thou
sand men, Including about 10000 sent
to the western lighting front, as many
more to Portuguese East Africa, and a
large reserve for home defense and re-
cruitinG the forces at the front. The
streets of the cities and towns are now
crowded with soldiers, and at the rail-
freight cars loaded with light field
guns and military equipment.
In the agricultural sections, also, the
war is showing itself in the absence of
men and the increased number of won-l
en- doing the farm work. In ride of
/ 900 miles through the farm country,
with the spring blowing and planting
at it's height, not a man was seen in
the fields, but scores Of women We're in
doing the other heavy work. This is
not unusual In Portugal, but war has
made II universal.