Austrian and German merchant ships seized by Portuguese government according to the Dutch newspaper Nieuwsblad van Friesland dated 25 February 1916

An item dated London, England 25th reported that the Portuguese government seized 36 Austrian and German merchant ships in Portuguese harbours. Some ships were above the 8.000 tons. The Germans apparently did not expect the seizure and the crews were transported ashore. The Portuguese minister for foreign affairs explained this measure as to prevent the ships tried to escaped like a German ship the night before. Another newspaper Algemeen Handelsblad dated 27th reported that at Lisbon were 35 and totally in all Portuguese harbours 80 German ships were lying with a total tonnage above the 150.000 tons.