§ Sir EDWARD GREYThe Prime Minister who, unfortunately, is unable to be present, owing to temporary indisposition, has requested me to read to the House the statement which he intended to make on the subject of the entry of Portugal into the War. 1898 The immediate cause of the declaration by Germany of a state of war with the most ancient of our Allies has been the decision of the Portuguese Government to requisition the German ships, which, since the commencement of hostilities, have been lying in the home and Colonial ports of Portugal.
Had Portugal been entirely a neutral nation, without ties or alliances with any of the combatants, her action would, nevertheless, have been completely justified. The War has been the cause of a rapidly increasing shortage of tonnage in all parts of the globe, and it became clear that, in the interests of their country, it was the duty of the Portuguese Government to make use of all the available ships in their harbours. This was their view, and it was also urged upon them by His Majesty's Government.
They accordingly proceeded to requisition the German ships in their ports, explaining to Germany the reasons which prompted them to take this action, and promising eventually to indemnify the owners of the vessels. The German ships had been lying in their harbours for more than eighteen months. They therefore fell within the broad principle that a State is entitled in cases of emergency to take the property of all individuals within its jurisdiction, and to convert it to the public use—a right which is inherent in the sovereignty of the State, and which cannot be challenged by any foreign Power.
But Portugal was not a neutral nation in the narrowest sense of the term. At the beginning of the War the Portuguese Government declared that in no circumstances would they disregard the duties of their ancient alliance with Great Britain; and now, as always, they have remained faithful to their obligations as our Allies. They were but following a course of action which would have injured no third party, for requisition would have been followed by payment in compensation; but the German Government saw fit to precipitate matters by a peremptory demand for an explanation, shortly followed by a declaration of war, thus altering the whole position as regards the payment of any compensation for the vessels.
It is to be observed that Germany, who now charged Portugal with a breach of neutrality, had herself in October, and again in December, 1914, violated the territory of Portugal by raids into the Portuguese colony of Angola, and later by seeking to stir up a native rebellion in Portuguese East Africa.
1899 Portugal may rest assured that Great Britain and the Allies will afford her all the assistance that she may require, and that, having been compelled to range herself on the side of the Allies, she will be welcomed as a gallant coadjutor in the defence of the great cause for which the present War is being waged.