1942: Portugal

At the end of 1942 Portugal closed a year full of problems for Europe's only unsurrounded neutral in World War II. Her non-belligerency is her own choice and also that of outside powers. She is non-partisan one might say, by necessity and by request.

Neutrality problems confronted her in late 1941 in the Pacific, when the Netherlands and the British occupied Portuguese Timor; in February 1942 when the Japanese drove out the Dutch and English and seized the territory; in autumn of 1942, with the United Nations' move on West Africa; and the year ended with the Mediterranean Front affording anxiety that the Axis might invade Spain and continental Portugal.

During the year, the 556-year-old alliance with Britain weathered the strain of Timor's occupation. Relations tautened with the Axis, particularly Japan, due to the Japanese invasion of Timor. President Carmona was reelected. Imported foods diminished, though quantities of these were smuggled into Spain and sold to Axis agents. Relations with the United States took a practical turn with a trade agreement. And Portugal continued to nourish happy relations with Spain on the one hand, with Brazil on the other.

Portugal's world position and European locale explains much of her war attitude. Her continental 34,000 sq. mi. with 6,000,000 population, is augmented by her empire of 825,000 sq. mi. with nearly 10,000,000 population; this includes Atlantic Islands, territory on the African mainland west and east, locations in India and islands in the western Pacific. Such an empire rests on shipping, but Portugal's insufficient navy has for nearly 600 years required Britain as an ally, who then can use these friendly spots herself. In war, Portugal must, short of being invaded, start with neutrality, and if this is impossible, join up with Britain.

Portugal's Atlantic Islands include the Cape Verde, whose strategic value off Africa's western hump is axiomatic. More vital, the Azores are equidistant (about 1,200 miles) from United States bases in Newfoundland; from southern England; from the West Africa just wrested from the Axis; and from the Cape Verde Islands.

On the continent, all of Portugal's land frontiers adjoin Spain, from whom (and there have been centuries of wars between the two) or across whose terrain, land forces could, say experts, occupy all of Portugal's ports in 12 hours. Thus, peace with Axis-aided Franco, becomes imperative. And peace with the United Nations becomes a sine quo non.

Portugal's internal picture evidences paradoxes. She is largely Catholic, thus leans towards Rome and currently toward Madrid, and away from the Soviet. When the Axis was allied with Russia, people and government disapproved. When Hitler broke with Stalin, they were bewildered to see their ideological foe become the colleague of their ancient British ally. The past two years have thus underlined neutrality from the domestic standpoint.

The apparent quiet in home politics was no indication of the state of mind of the public. Japan occupied Timor in February. In March, fresh troops left Portugal for Mozambique. In May, Capt. Ribeiro Casais, Assistant Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Legion (a green-shirt organization, to which every Portuguese man and boy must belong) broadcast the coming defense measures, including blackout of the capital, gas-decontaminating centers and the use of gas masks if and when necessary. By July, air raid precautions in Lisbon were dismaying the people. Living problems evidenced no hope of diminishing, including lack of gasoline, lack of fuel, reduced lighting in streets and homes. Food was growing scarce by August, prices were rising. Fishing boats feared to go far; Germany was forcing the shipping to her of part of the sardine output, and her return shipments of cod were inadequate and costly; Britain promised tin for sardine cans in return for part of the catch; about 50 per cent of the available meat and fish and fruits were reported smuggled to German agents in Spain. Shipping was scarce, due to torpedoing and lack of building material for replacements.

Not to be cloaked in secrecy was the evident intent of the Government to send the best part of her army (some 75,000 men) to the Colonies to avoid capture in case of an invasion of the motherland. Those remaining gave evidence of poor housing, clothing, equipment, with need manifest. And in November, the Allies began their African offensive; and as South Europe remains (probably with increasing stress), the theatre of Axis-Allies strategy, Portugal must needs consider anxiously her relation to Gibraltar, to Spain, to flank attacks within the Atlantic.