Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-04-21

Portugal. and so appears on the map.
Aside from any other consideration, ia
not become a German possession may
be depended upon to insure against its
coming under Teutonic control.
The Atlantic possessions OF Portugal
lie in the sea lanes between Europe
and South America and between south
ern Europe and the United States.
T. The Madeira group is a halfway sta
ton between western and southwestern
Europe and South America. 1t is also
near to the African mainland. Cape
Verde is the great coaling station for mer-
chant vessels, and in the past It has been
in effect q British naval station, although
there was no formal treaty between Eng
land and Portugal on this matter, and, in
fact, internationally speaking, there was
no British station at all. Several of the
steamship lines stopped at Lisbon and
then mades Cape Verde for coal. This
helped the commerce OF Portugal with
South America, and especially with Brazil.
When the war broke out not much was
heard about British naval activities In the
vicinity Of Madeira. but it was noted
that Cape Verde continued to be a princi-
pal source Of coal supply for vessels en-
gagged In the South American trade. 1t
also was noted that vessels from neutral
countries had difficulty in getting COAL ex-
cept under conditions as to carrying car
goes which were satisfactory to England.
This is understood to be the present situa-
ton.
The Azores are about three quarters of
the way across to the Mediterranean
from the Atlantic ports of the United
States. They are about $50 miles from
Gibraltar. Since the transatlantic lines
began making feature OF travel to the
Mediterranean ports many American voy-
ayers have had the opportunity to see
something Of the Azores The principal
ports are Horta, on Fayal Island, and
Ponta Delgada, on San Miguel
X X
1t is at Ponta Delgada that the pas
senger vessels usually stop for a day.
The island is tropical. but its vegetation
is not very luxuriant. The port itself is
an interesting old place, with many me-
MORALS of past centuries.
During the first year Of the war German
sea raiders were rather active in the vi
cinity Of the Azores, and since then there
has been some submarine activity. 1t has
even been reported that one of the islands
was German submarine base. but this
report has not been verified. With a
United States naval base established on
the Azores it may be assumed that what
ever German submarine activity has ex-
listed will be curbed.
Aside from its purely military fea-
lures, the establishment of an American
supply station in the Azores is likely to
have important consequences. The is
landers themselves are certain to bere-
fit from the Industrial and commercial
activities that will develop. They are
for the most part quiet and. for the
tropics. an Industrious people, but the
resources are limited and they will now
experience a prosperity unknown to
complained of their home government.
not that the home government was par
ticularly at fault. since Its local admin
istration was fairly good, but whenever
there were few vessels making way stops.
and thus leaving the money of the tour
lists and perhaps something also Tor
such supplies as could be obtained.
the dizziness of trade. and the RESPONSE
bility was put on Lisbon.
The wider Significance of the. estab-
lishment of the American naval base In
the Azores lies in the closer relations
between the United States and Portu-
gal that are certain to follow. Since
Portugal a few years ago turned out
her king and set up a republic on high
ly idealistic lines, there have been nu-
merous changes In the government. The
olution, and whenever change is
wanted that still seems to be the meth
cd rather than by means of an election.
Since Portugal entered the war there
have been at least two such movements.
and neither London, Paris nor Washing
ton is apt to be surprised on hearing
some morning that there has been an
do not seem to affect Portugars ma
tional policy. Through them all she has
remained steadfastly loyal to the allies
and has continued to supply her quota
of troops. who have fought bravely.
BY the arrangement under which the
United States establishes the naval base
in the Azores. she is now assured Of
something more than the academic
friendship Of their country. This coun-
try becomes her active ally and at the
states in the Azores is good thing for
pVa tuaal. =. -.