Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/346

 338J FOEEIGN HISTOEY. paw.

Foreign Secretary said that between Portugal and Great Britain there existed stipulations and treaties which obliged the latter to defend Portugal against any foreign aggression. The official gwasi-neutrality of Portugal in the Anglo-Boer war at the close of the year reflected the interpretation and ideas of reciprocity founded by the Portuguese Ministry on these documents.

Internally, and from a political point of view, little occurred during the year to demand notice. The only bill of any im- portance adopted by the Cortes was one for the reorganisation of the Army, and applying the law of obligatory service more strictly. In the Chamber of Peers the Conservative minority attempted ineffectually to render the passing of the bill impos- sible by quitting the House without voting, but the manoeuvre was not successful, and the bill became law in the course of the autumn.

VI. DENMARK.

The recent political development in Denmark had shown a continuous growth of democratic influence both in the House and in public opinion. During 1899 a fairly conciliatory spirit prevailed, and no small amount of useful legislative work was accomplished. The Premier, M. Horring, did not, however, appear to get on with the majority in the Lower House so well as did his predecessor, Baron Eeedtz-Thott. Considerable friction wasspecially caused by the application of certain moneys to the purchase of projectiles against the vote of the Folke- thing and without the sanction of the Upper House. On this matter the Government and the Second Chamber were at variance ; and it threatened to give some parliamentary trouble before being finally arranged.

The year 1899 was the fiftieth anniversary of the Danish Constitution — given by King Frederick VII. on June 5, 1849 — and although the day was solemnised in various manners, and by the different political parties, there was a lamentable absence of generous and spontaneous sympathy and enthusiasm. Political enthusiasm in Denmark had suffered much, and had grown stale, as it were, during the many years of political strife and even of stagnation. For although the Conservatives had been reduced to a minority of sixteen seats, or about one-seventh in the Lower House, they still remained in office, and the Liberals and Eadi- cals in Opposition.

When the Bigsdag assembled after the Christmas adjourn- ment, the Folketning's report on the Budget was so far advanced that it could be distributed (Jan. 10), and the second reading, extending over a fortnight, was at once taken. The committee having subsequently completed its supplementary report, the third reading — occupying a further week — was finally agreed to (March 14). .Before the conclusion of the third reading the Premier stated that the Government could accept the Budget,