File No. 763.72/672
The Chargé d’Affaires in Portugal (Bailey) to the Secretary of State
Lisbon, August 10, 1914.
[Received August 25.]
No. 25]
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that the German, Minister, Mr. Friedrich Rosen, accredited to this post, called on me yesterday and in the course of a confidential interview said that, in the event that the Portuguese Government should join the Triple Entente in a declaration of war against Germany, he had been instructed by his Government to turn over the archives of the German Legation and entrust protection of German citizens, and their interests in Portugal to our Legation. Not being able to cable in cipher the substance of this confidential interview to the Department, I respectfully request, in case this should be received previous to a declaration of war by Portugal, that the word “Yes” or “No” be cabled to me which will indicate the course to be followed by this Legation.
It is the opinion of the German Minister, as well as many others here, that the Portuguese Government will declare war. There is a very strong anti-German feeling among the Portuguese people as is plainly evidenced by the many enthusiastic, excitable demonstrations on the part of the masses in favor of England and France against Germany. The attitude of the press here also has a tendency to inflame the masses in favor of war. As related to me by an eyewitness, on the 5th instant, when about 400 German citizens of the Portuguese colony met in Lisbon on the eve of their departure for Germany, they were hissed and jeered and frequently pelted with stones by an excited, unruly Portuguese mob.
While the Portuguese Government has at present assumed an attitude of neutrality, the Senate and House of Deputies were called to meet in extra session on the 7th instant to discuss certain necessary measures growing out of the international situation, and it is feared by many, owing to the excitable temperament of the Portuguese members of these two bodies, that a declaration of war is not only possible, but highly probable before its adjournment. When the Portuguese Congress convened on the 7th instant, the leaders of the different parties declared their support of the Government and [Page 77] their solidarity with England. A resolution was adopted conferring full powers upon the Executive in the present crisis.
On August 6, the Portuguese Government ordered the formation of a division of the Portuguese naval squadron, composed of The cruisers Almirante Reis, Vasco Da Gama, S. Gabriel and Adamastor, the torpedo boat Douro, the torpedo boats Nos. 2 and 3, the steamer Vulcano, and submarine boat Espadarte, which will proceed to practice naval maneuvers. Vice Admiral José Joaquim Xavier de Brito has been made commander of this division.
In view of the existence of an old treaty between England and Portugal, the date and terms of which I am at present unable to ascertain, whereby, in case of war between England and any other power or powers the Portuguese Government agrees to assist England to the extent of at least 10,000 well-armed and equipped troops, the Portuguese Government will unquestionably declare war against Germany in the event that England makes a request that the terms of the treaty be fulfilled.
I am sending this despatch by the captain of a British merchant steamer to be posted on his arrival in the United States.
I have [etc.]