PORTUGAL AND. HER COLONIES
[To the Editor of TILE SPECTATOR.]
Sza,—In your number of the 12th instant you express the belief that the desire of Portugal to sell her colonies is again taking shape. I cannot understand how such an extravagant idea can arise. Portugal never thought of alienating her colonies in the past and at the present time she considers such suggestions as rather insulting. Since her financial standing is one of the highest in the world it would be too ridiculous for her to exchange her historic and useful posses- sions for unwanted money. To avoid any doubt in the minds of your readers I ask you therefore to inform them- that in no circumstances will Portugal ever entertain the idea of selling or forsaking any part of her colonial empire.—
• [The paragraph to which the Portuguese Ambassador refers carefully avoided speaking of a " desire " on Portugal's part to sell her colonies. What was said was that the project was taking shape again—not necessarily in the mind of Portugal herself. It was indeed specifically stated that the question could only become practical if there were a voluntary desire on Portugal's part to sell.—En. The Spectator.]
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