Portugal buying aged British cruisers in 1926

The US legation at Lisbon, Portugal informed on 12 March 1926 the Secretary of State that according the local press on 10-13 March published rumors t Portugal bought cruisers from England. Except for the three newsitems had the legation no further knowledge of such a sale. The Diaro de Noticias dated 10 March 1926 reported the day before have stated that England offered Portugal four cruisers included arrangements for payment. The Portuguese Ministry of Marine however did not yet received that proposal but the newspaper had information that instead not 4 but 8 cruisers were offered on the best price conditions and easiest conditions of payment. The sale was a result of the Washington Conference Treaty according to which England could not increase her navy and while she herself wanted to have the most modern cruisers want she to get rid of the cruisers on exceptional terms to a friendly and allied nation. The newspaper O Seculo dated 11 March reported that both Ministries of Marine and of Foreign Affairs denied such a sale. The next day reported the same newspaper that such sale was nonsense and contary with the regulations in the Washington Naval Treaty. The U.S. consul general at Lisbon wrote the U.S. Minister at the Legation on 10 March that he wondered if thw Minister read the Diario de Noticias that morning dealing with the four cruisers offered by England to Portugal wich England was not allowed to keep due to the Washington Treaty. The Consul General thought that although the cruisers were to be sold to Portugal, this would not deprive the British to use them in case of emergency under the Ancient Anglo-Portuguese Alliance at any future time. Such a loan was to ensure the immediate delivery by the Portuguese. He suggested the Minister to bring the matter under the attention of the Secretary of State.(1)

Note

1. In 1919 was this sale also discussed.

Source

Record Group 64: Records of the National Archives and Records Administration Series: Records of the Department of State Relating to Internal Affairs of Portugal. Military Affairs and the Army: 853.20 - 853.206/7 THRU Naval Affairs, Navy, Naval Vessels: Equipment and Supplies: 853.34 - 853.348. Microcopy 705 roll 13