Scandinavian Neutrality Affirmed

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 82, 13 March 1916, Page 5

Scandinavian Neutrality Affirmed

CURRENT WAR TOPICS.

The trend of events during-* the past few weeks has considerably altered in favor of the 1 Allies, and with it comes the good opinion of the. Neutrals as well as the changed attitude of the Turks and Bulgarians to the cause they espouse. In the Balkans the centre of interest lies with Roumania, and we have a German paper, the Vossiche Zeitung, expressing the opinion that Roumania will soon take sides with i.the Allies, and at any rate, the final decision as to Roumania's position towards Bulgaria will he decided almost immediately. Combined with the" fact that Roumania has 'collared for herself half the consignment of cereals that she recently disposed of to'Germany, the news is very Satisfactory; 'although one could have wished that r intervention on our side" "had 1 been'made''before when things appeared to : be in rather" a tight corner.' 1 ' ; ' c ' . l

Perhaps it niight Have been anticipated that, with the hold-up Germany has been experiencing in the West and her immobility in , Russia, together with the defeat of the Turks in Asia Minor, Persia and Mesopotamia,-the Scandinavians would seek to reaffirm their neutrality." To-day wo learn that Norway, Sweden, and Denmark; in a conference just completed, have strengthened their good relations, and have given fresh, expression to their desire to preserve a, loyal and impartial neutralityj ?.' This is ; all very fine on paper, t and jt is to be hoped these Nations will act up to the tenor of their latest and not seek to exploit, the belligerents' for all they are worth.

Verdun is still, intact, (t despito the desperateness of the German attack, which, it appears,, surpassed all previous efforts. .. Hundreds of heavy guns, says a German officer who has been made prisoner, were brought up, and the supplies of ammunition were enormous, and orders were given to fire continuously until the gunners were exhausted,, the object being to blast a way through the French wall. But the gunnery and the resources of the defenders had not been properly estimated, and the result was that the attackers were disorganised by the terrific effect of the French guns. So the original plans failed, and now only spasmodic assaults are being made. How long the, slaughter of Germans can go on at the present rate depends entirely on , • the leaders' whims, but from reports that have come through from Germany it is increasingly evident that, the people are by no means satisfied as to the progress l>eing made. The contradictory nature of the news it at all time disturbing to the public mind, but when is associated with it dire necessity and want, it is only natural to suppose that riots and uproar must follow.

It is interesting to note the splendid enthusiasm of Britain's oldest Ally, Portugal, and the spirit with which she has entered into the fray. Parliament was the scene of an historic gathering, when the representatives of the Allies were present. It was stated that the step had not been taken without Britain's knowledge, and, of course, consent. The remarkable nature of the terms of the declaration of War by Germany is shown'in the fact that the document was not read, owing, it was stated, to the unusual form in which it was couched. It is quite certain that Ger-

many again adopted the role of "bully" in the game, and evidently considered that little Portugal could bo .bhiffed. The unanimity of the people is shown in the immediate formation of a National Ministry, with the Republicans , and Socialists sinking their differences in favor of the country's interests.. A pretty compliment to their new-made friends was the decision to send greetings to the Entente and the Heroes of Verdun!

Portugal .. has a population of roughly, six millions, and can be conceived as supplying in an extremity something over half a million men, though £he case may not be urgent enough-to demand such an effort. tier army is a militia ,raised by conscription, in three classes-r-the -active army,'the and; thei;'territorials. The ilatest official information ■•, .available . is that . the, peace strength of the active army .is -30;000, and there are altogether 2800 officers, perhaps for ; an army- of 1.06,,0Q0 men. The: reserve army conv sjsts of,, roughly, 75,000 men; the strength of the territorM' J «rmy • isdoubtful. . Out of this force Portugal might -be' able'to j'sWrid a useful■ force to one of the European fronts. She has also a small array of 2000 or 3000 men in Mozambique, including about 1000 Europeans; and ifPortugal chose these could be utilised in the campaign in German East Aft The Portuguese Navy is an inconsiderable one, ; not likely to- have, an appreciable effect..on. ,tp.t> war. It; consists of' ope old armoured ship, completed.in! 18<8, but reconstructed in 1903; four cruisers, of which only one (of 4100 tons); exceeds 2000 tons; a couple of gunboats at home, »ev- : eral small lories, at Mozambique,! and a few torpedo craft. -i; -.'<;: