The Dominion WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1916. PORTUGAL ON THE BRINK

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2714, 8 March 1916, Page 4

The Dominion WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1916. PORTUGAL ON THE BRINK

Is Portugal about to join in the great struggle? Recent news indicates that she is. If she decides to throw in her lot with the Entente Powers the total number of belligerents will be thirteen. Towards the end of last month it was announced that tho Portuguese Government had seized thirty-six German and Austrian vessels lying in the Tagus, and all German ships at the Azores. Tho Premier (SENnoit Affonso Costa) justified this stepson the ground of economic necessity, and advocated the denunciation of the treaty with Germany. "We are ready for all eventualities," he said. A subsequent cablegram stated that Germany had sent an ultimatum demanding the return of the ships within forty-eight hours. Two days later it was reported that tho German Minister at Lisbon had been instructed to prepare for departure, and thkt Gorman subjects were already leaving for Spain. Lisbon newspapers now declare that a diplomatic rupture between Germany and Portugal is. inevitable. This is the position at time pi writing. Portugal's obligations in connection with the war are based upon a treaty with England made some six hundred years ago, Shortly after tho beginning of the war Senhor Leho, the Portuguese Minister at Rome, explained that this ancient agreement had ljeon renewed and modified at various times. Though Portugal had not so far taken an active part in the struggle, the treaty had not lost any of its foVcc. Senh'ok Lero went on to say that his country was merely waiting until it learnt just what England's needs were, and how Portuguese troops could bemost effectively employed. The effect of the treaty was carefully considered 'by General Sarmento, an ex-Minister of War, in a book published in 1904, and in his plans for the defence of Portugal he seems to take it for granted that .Britain would protect the coast, and he also appears to have counted upon British assistance in drawing up his scheme of land defence. Portugal ia the oldest ally of Britain, indeed sho was Britain's only ally until 1905. The alliance was commenced by a treaty signed in St. Paul's Cathedral in 1373 by Edward 111 and Ferdinand of Portugal. By tho first article it was agreed that tho two countries should henceforth bo reciprocally friends to friends and enemies to enemies, and should assist each other by sea and by land. Tho latest formal referenco to the confirmation of tho alliance is to be found in the preamble to the General Arbitration Agreement between Britain and Portugal of 1904. The oxistcnce of the Anglo-Portu-guese Alliance has naturally caused Germany to keep a very watchful eyi on Portugal. German mischiefmakers have been busy. During the early part of the war a German writer accused England and Franco of trying to induce "poor Portugal" to participate in the conflict— "Franco with cako and honey, England with the whip.". He then endeavoured to alarm the 'Portuguese by hinting that Britain was looking for opportunity of assisting the Royalists to the Jtepublic, Portugal, he declared, must answer the fateful' question : "Do you wish to be an'inclependent State and remain under a free administration, where none but Portuguese are to be in command, or an English, province, with Dow Manuf.l at tho head?" The Portuguese wero not greatly impressed by the anxiety displayed by the oppressors of Belgium for the independence of Portugal. Dr. Cunha b Costa gave expression to the views of the ■ vast majority of his countrymen when ho said: "Great Britain is necessary to the harmony and general equilibrium of the world, not. by oppressing it, as Germany wishes to do, but cjuite on tho contrary, by delivering it from tyranny." At tile beginning of the war the Portuguese Government announced its full adherence to the alliance" with Britain, and its readiness to help when called upon This assurance received the unanimous approval of the Portuguese Parliament, and has been repeated at each change of Government by th& Press una politicians. At ono ..time tho Government offered to send

;m expeditionary forte to Flandors, but the project had to be abandoned owing to tln- unprepared state of Hie army, combined with financial difficulties. For some years past tliff country has been disturbed by political upheavals and social unrest, and the restoration of peace at homo has been regarded as necessary in order to place the country in a favourable position to wage war abroad. Up to the present Portugal has succeeded in rendering good service to the Allies without actually coming a belligerent; but by remaining at peace with Germany she has, as the London Times recently pointed out, "been obliged to extend prolonged hospitality to the large and miscellaneous licet of German shipping that ran for shelter to Portuguese harbours iu the first weeks of the war, and to tolerate the unwelcome presence in Lisbon of the German Minister, Dr. Rosen, who, liko his colleagues in other neutral capitals, lias turned his Legation into a busy centro of intrigue and proGerman propaganda." Portugal has been waiting for an ''opportunity to play the more active part to which her long and glorious history entitles her." Is that opportunity now presenting itself J All that can be said at present is that recent events indicate the adoption of a more pronounced anti-German policy. The seizure of the German and Austrian vessels was a very serious step. It might be treated as an act of war. Senhor Affonso Costa no doubt had this in mind when ho stated that Portugal was "ready foi all eventualities." It is now Germany's move. If it is true that tho German Minister at Lisbon has been instructed to prepare for his departure, tho crisis must be closo at hand.