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It is stated that the Boers have sent a note

to Portugal declaring that they consider the use of the Beira Railway by our troops a hostile act on the part of Portugal. The Por- tuguese can, of course, if they like, treat this as a declaration of war. It might, indeed, from their point of view be wise for them to do so, as we should then, of course, be in active alliance with Portugal, and should be obliged to consider her claims in the final settlement. But though it would be useful, no doubt, to move a column by the Delagoa Bay route, we are by no means anxious to see Portugal drawn into the war. The fewer elements to be considered in the final settlement the better, and we can manage to get to Pretoria quite well without using the Delagoa Bay railway.

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