Mr. Bryan to Mr.
Hay.
American Legation,
Lisbon, June 21,
1904.
No. 84.]
Sir: Regarding the visit of the North Atlantic
battle-ship fleet to Lisbon, I have the honor to report the very
favorable impression on the whole community here created by the war
ships and their officers. The King and other authorities’ have extended
to the visitors a most cordial welcome.
The advent of the Kearsarge, Maine, and Alabama on June 1, was very timely, not only in
affording an opportunity for the admiral and other officers to
participate in the ceremonies of the initiation of the Duke of Beja,
second son of the King, as a naval apprentice, but also enabling me to
present on that occasion our officers to the King, Queen, and other
attending members of the royal family.
Rear-Admiral Barker, Captain Rodgers, and Flag Lieutenant Eberle
accompanied me to a dinner given in compliment to them by the Portuguese
sovereigns.
[Page 704]
The King, Queen, Queen Mother, and Infante Don Alfonso made an exception
in order to honor our country by attending the ball, given by me for the
visiting officers at this legation, and repeatedly expressed their
satisfaction at that entertainment.
The King lunched with Admiral Barker aboard the flagship, which he
examined most minutely, with avowal of much admiration for all he saw.
On that occasion, and on that of another handsome entertainment on the
Kearsarge, everything was admirably arranged
by Admiral Barker and his staff. This experienced commander in chief has
here confirmed his reputation as a thorough disciplinarian, and as a
worthy representative abroad of our great Navy, while his captains and
staff have shown themselves throughout possessed of ability and savoir
faire.
On the eve of their departure they were entertained at an elaborate and
elegant banquet, given by the ministers of marine and foreign affairs,
at which heartiest expressions of good will were exchanged.
Altogether the presentation made by our war ships and their commanders in
Lisbon has added greatly to the prestige of our country in Portugal.
This is evidenced by many favorable editorial comments, several of
which, together with translations, I herewith inclose.
The receipt of the telegram from President Roosevelt to King Carlos was
duly appreciated and complimented in the warm expressions to me of the
royal recipient.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
portugal and the united states.
[From the Novidades of June 14,
1904.]
On the occasion of the King’s visit to the American squadron, now in
the Tagus, toasts wer offered respectively by the Portuguese
Sovereign and the commander in chief of that squadron, the warm
expressions in which they were couched being significant of the
cordial relations existing between the two nations, and to which the
distinguished representative of the United States at this court has
so sympathetically and effectively contributed.
As already mentioned in the Seculo the King accepted the invitation
to the interchange of civilities on board of the flagship Kearsarge.
At the serving of champagne, Admiral Barker, in command of the
squadron, proposed drinking to the health of His Majesty, not only
as the sovereign of this nation, but also as the mariner who
maintains the traditional maritime glory to which Portugal is
indisputably entitled. To the person of the monarch, and to the
ilustrious Portuguese navy, the toast presented ardent expression of
sympathy, as well as fervent wishes for the prosperity of the
kingdom, with grateful acknowledgments for the hospitality and
manifestations of appreciation received by the squadron in this
capital. His Majesty, Don Carlos, responded in toasting Admiral
Barker, also the American Navy and President Roosevelt of the United
States, adding that there was full justification of the sympathy and
gratification with which Portugal welcomed the squadron of the North
American Republic.
The American minister, Mr. Charles Page Bryan, then toasted their
Majesties, the Queen D. Amelia and the Queen Dowager, Maria Pia,
with expression of best wishes for the utmost happiness of all the
august royal family.
A careful examination of the vessel by the King, under the
intelligent guidance of Capt. Raymond P. Rodgers, then followed, the
detailed explanations by that distinguished officer, eliciting from
His Majesty avowal of thorough
[Page 705]
appreciation of the perfection with which the
great battle ship had been constructed.
The King descended into the engine rooms and observed the operations
connected with the artillery, including some not generally made
known. His Majesty was profoundly impressed with the attentions thus
shown him by the officers. In fact was so much pleased with the
captivating manner of his reception, and by the attentions on board
of the vessel, that he dispatched a cable message to President
Roosevelt, expressing the satisfaction with which he had visited the
vessels of the squadron, and his pleasure at the presence here of a
division of the Navy of the United States with its brilliant
officers. This message was promptly responded to by President
Roosevelt.
* * * * * * *
Without doubt in this interchange of compliments there is that bond
of personal sympathy which the Portuguese sovereign creates and
preserves in his relations to other chiefs of state, including
President Roosevelt. We should not, and can not, deny that our
country may in some measure, at least, be benefited by these
relations. In the present instance the cordial expressions of
President Roosevelt have accentuated that amicable relation, and the
people of Portugal accept with gratitude the message received by
their august sovereign and reciprocate warmly like wishes for the
prosperity of the people of that grand American nation, as expressed
for us by their noble President. In many ways the visit to Lisbon of
the American squadron may strengthen the bonds of friendship between
the great Republic and this smallest power of Western Europe.
