PORTUGAL AND SLAVERY
[To the Editor of the SPE6TATOR.] S1R,—We are confronted here with a position upon the above subject so extraordinary in international diplomacy that I trust you will allow me some space for the purpose of drawing public attention to it. "Our ancient ally" Portugal, has sent several despatches to the League of Nations full of most perfervid zeal for the abolition of slavery in all its forms, of which the following passages are typical :—
"Portugal's sovereignty over her overseas possessions has, throughout her history, teen hosed on the highest principles of Christian civilization."
" Portugal is still in the van of progress."
" It prohibits systems whereby the State undertakes to provide native labour for private enterprise."
In addition to the foregoing, Portugal is under obligation to assist in every possible way to secure the abolition of slavery. The foregoing protestations, the obligations of the Anti-Slavery Convention and the . fact that Portugal is Britain's closest ally, would lead anyone to suppose that in Portugal the British Empire would find a ready helper in the cause of the abolition of slavery.
Yet what is the spectacle we are called upon to witness ? Day after day, both in Session and in the Lobbies, the Portuguese Delegation pursues relentless opposition to the efforts made by the British Delegates to obtain some enquiry into conditions of slavery.
This seems to be a most shortsighted policy, for the public without intimate Colonial knowledge is rapidly coming to the view that Portugal herself must have something she is most anxious to hide. In any case, there is abundant reason for saying that Portugal is unwittingly making a name for herself as the strongest supporter of present-day slavery.— I am, Sir, he., Joins H. HARRIS. Hotel Pension des Families, 14, Rue de Lausanne, 14, Geneve.
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