Okay people, here is the spanish-portuguese war thread, finally being moved over from the old board.
A recap:
This thread is a continuation of my "Spain annexes Portugal in the early 1900s" thread:
https://www.alternatehistory.com/Discussion/messages/4/3599.html?1061543469
I will now post the Spanish-Portuguese War to date:
October 4, 1910- The military takes control in Portugal and Dom Manuel II is forced into exile in Brazil.
In Madrid, Dom Alfonso XIII looks on with interest and suspicion...
October 5, 1910- Portugal is declared a Republic. Immediate support for the Republic is not extended by Britain, though this support is expected shortly.
In Madrid, D. Alfonso XIII is not at all pleased with the revolution in the old rival, Portugal. He certainly does not want to lose his Kingdom to revolution and the fact that France seems willing to extend support rather quickly to the new Republic of Portugal does nothing to allay his worries. Some of his advisers however, point to a "golden opportunity" ,in their words, to bring back some of Spain's glory which has been all but lost since the defeat of 1898. Alfonso remembers that defeat all too well, which had occurred under his mother, the regent. Being young, at 24 and prone like most men between 14 and 30 to adventurous ideas (not to mention gambling), Alfonso begins to look into the possibilty of intervening in Portugal. His advisers could assure him that in such a military venture, Spain would most certainly not have to face the United States. Also they argued that most if not all European monarchies would welcome the crushing of this new republic as they would see republics as a threat. They said, only France would possibly oppose this, and even then the French themselves were more concerned with Germany than with the quiet, isolated Iberian corner of Europe. Alfonso begins to like the idea and now seriously considers invading Portugal.
October 7, 1910- With the approval of the rest of the Spanish government, D. Alfonso XIII officially condemns the revolution in Portugal and insists upon the reinstatment of D. Manuel II. D. Alfonso also condemned the regicide of Dom Carlos two years earlier and said that "the murder of one King and overthrow of his successor were despicable, interconnected acts conducted by barbarous thugs." In Spain, the milirary began to plan for an operation involving up to 160,000 Spanish troops and began to search for Portuguese monarchists who could be used in support of an invading Spanish army (of course the Portuguese did not rush to fill this role, but a small amount were found). The Spanish high command also initiated contact with the German High Command to try and get the Germans to bring about a bit of reform in the Spanish military. This met with a bit of success as within a few days the Germans decided to send some "observers" to oversee small reforms throughout the Army. Germany did this as it saw an advantage in creating links with Spain to France's rear and thus doing to France what France seemed to be doing to Germany with the new Triple Entente.
October 11, 1910- German observers arrive and begin to teach their Spanish officer counterparts some new combat tactics and disicplinary procedures which are carried out with renewed intensive training.
In Lisboa (Lisbon) the new republican government begins to show some concern over recent Spanish behaviour, but still doubts that Spain will actually try anything funny.
October 22, 1910- The new German tactics begin to show fruit in the Spanish Army during its operations to pacify the Rif and in controlling some small riots in Barcelona and a small Basque revolt. This only adds to Spanish confidence. The fact that Britain has not actually recognised the Portuguese Republic as yet, gives Spain even more hope.
In Lisbon, the new government begins to take precautions against Spain and starts setting up small scale defences throughout the country and begins to make plans to defend Lisbon (a "theoretical exercise" of course).
October 25, 1910- Alfonso and his government, now begin to search for ways to ensure that Britain will not intervene on Portugal's side. A German hint that the Kaiser would not be opposed to "receiving" some Portuguese colonies, gives them the idea of offering Germany and Britain the Portuguese African colonies in return for not opposing (or supporting) a Spanish attempt to restore D. Manuel II as a constitutional monarch. The Spanish minister in London suggests all this, as just theoretical small talk of course (using a lot of "ifs") and doesn't get an entirely negative or hostile reply, but the Portuguese minister Gomes has been working much harder and his offer that Britain alone would have access and privilegies over the other countries to the Portuguese colonies, seemed much more enticing.
October 27, 1910- Figuring that as time went on British support for the Portuguese offer and for the Portuguese Republic would only increase, D. Alfonso XIII orders that the restoration of the Portuguese Kingdom begin. Spanish soldiers cross the border the same day and the Spanish Navy sets sail to establish a blockade of Portugal and land soldiers along the coast. By the end of the day, the area of Portugal east of the Guadiana and a number of towns on the south coast from Tavira halfway to Portimao were under Spanish control. In the north, Viana do Castelo, Braga and Braganca were under Spanish occupation. Spanish troops had also taken Portalegre and Elvas and were outside Guarda in the central area of the Spanish-Portuguese border.
The Portuguese fought back bravely and fiercely and in many areas under nominal Spanish control, there was a fair amount of resistance in the urban areas. This held up the Spanish advance and aided the Portuguese Army in its fight against the invaders.
October 28, 1910- D. Alfonso XIII announced that the invasion of Portugal was to "free the country from an unstable republican government and restore the fair and benign monarchy." In Berlin, the Kaiser did not condemn the Spanish action and urged other European governments to work together to resolve the matter diplomatically (i.e. not to get involved directly). France condemned Spain and Russia said while, it thought the Spanish action rather rash and hasty, would not immediately take up a position on the matter. Italy adopted a similar attitude to Germany as did Austria-Hungary.
Britain said it was opposed to the Spanish move, but that it would work for a diplomatic solution (for now).
Meanwhile in Portugal the Spaniards had advanced again, but not much farther than on the first day. They managed to get soldiers into Macedo de Cavaleiros and Guarda and landed soldiers outside Portimao, Oporto and Figueira de Foz. The Spanish Navy also blockaded Lisboa, but this blockade was broken twice in the day, by the Portuguese Navy. By now the Spanish had decided to up the number of soldiers they planned to send to Portugal to 190,000. In the Spanish occupied areas, the Spaniards flew both the Portuguese royal flag (as well as the Spanish flag at times) and in some towns put Portuguese royalists in control.
Ocotber 30, 1910- The Spanish-Portuguese War was by now in into its 4th day and the Spaniards had swept through (or ploughed slowly due to Portuguese resistance) most of Portugal north of the Douro river and the only major town north of the river which did not have any Spaniards in it was Oporto (which was under siege). Figueira da Foz had been captured though with heavy casualties on both sides and all of the Portuguese south coast from the Cape of St. Vincent to the Spanish border was technically under Spanish control. The Spaniards were now outside Evora and Almodovar and had captured Beja. As the Spaniards advanced, Portuguese resistance stiffened and the portrayal of the Portuguese in British newspapers increased support for the Portuguese. The British began sending arms supplies to the Portuguese by October 31st and were allowing volunteers to go to Portugal. France also sent materiel to the republicans, while the Germans sold supplies to the Spanish.
November 1, 1910- The rate of advance being much slower than expected, D. Alfonso begins to pressure his Army to capture Lisboa for him, seeing this city as an all important prize. With Lisboa under royalist Portuguese and Spanish control, Spain would then have placed a new government in the Portuguese capital, strengthening its case and allowing for a smoother deal with regards to getting the British to cease support and accept the Spanish proposal about the Portuguese colonies. By November 1 Oporto had been surrounded but not captured, while two main Spanish thrusts from Evora and Portalegre had been set in motion to capture Lisbon.
November 4, 1910- The Spanish had finally reached the edge of the towns of Sines and Grandola and had captured Lamego. However a Portuguese counter-attack had freed Covilha and threatened to free Guarda. Meanwhile the Spanish blockade of Lisbon had been broken yet again and the Spanish did not try to re-form the blockade, but attempted to engage the Portuguese Navy........
and a continuation:
November 7, 1910- In Lisboa, the Portuguese President and PM, Teofilo Braga is beginning to get worried. The Spaniards have now seized Abrantes, north of the Tejo River (known to the Spanish as the Tajo River and known to the Romans and us as the Tagus River). From Abrantes, the Spanish moved on down the river to Santarem and are now a few miles outside Villa Franca, which itself is approximately 20-25 miles from Lisboa. The Spanish have also now cut off the town of Torres Vedras and have isolated the Portuguese around Lisbon/Lisboa. To the southeast, the Spanish moving from Evora have captured Setubal and are aiming for Almada, just across the bay from Lisbon. At Setubal, meanwhile, fresh Spanish soldiers are being landed to support the new seige of Lisbon and to aid in quickening the capitulation of that city. A glimmer of hope had come a couple days before when Brazil announced its firm support for the Republic of Portugal and even offered to send soldiers to aid the new republic. Such aid though seemed a long way off and Braga and his government now seriously debate options that were unthinkable before, such as offering Britain some of Portugal's colonies in return for British entry on the Portuguese side. Another option being debated is trying to bring the King back, but before the Spanish try to force their way into Lisbon and thus, maybe, pull the rug from under D. Alfonso XIII's feet. As the King would have returned then the entire reason for the Spanish adventure would have evaporated and Spain would have to bring her soldiers home or face European-wide anger. This option though, was not supported by many.
In Madrid, D. Alfonso XIII now begins to consult with his advisers on how best to retrieve D. Manuel II from London. D. Manuel II would have been a great assest if he had been captured before he reached London, or better yet Gibraltar which was before the Spanish went into Portugal. D. Alfonso decides that it may be best if he either persuade or trick D. Manuel into coming within the grasps of the Spanish soldiers....
Off the Gulf of Guinea, a Spanish task force, comprised of soldiers from the homeland and from the Canary Islands, Ifni, Spanish Morocco and Spanish Sahara, is slowly making its way to Bioko island (owned by Spain as part of Spanish Guinea) to refuel, restock and pick up a force of Spaniards from the colony. This task force has the job of seizing Portuguese West Africa from the Portuguese republicans and thus allowing Spain to back up her secret offers of the Portuguese colonies to the Germans and British. They are expected to Luanda by November 15.
November 8, 1910- Off coasts where the borders of Spanish and French Morocco meet, a small naval skirmish between Spanish and French vessels occurs, and causing D. Alfonso to actually pause and wonder whether his bid at an Empire renewed might get out of control.
In London, Ambassador Gomes has now become a familiar face to many diplomats and he now begins to give interviews to the Times and other newspapers regularly. The stories published in British newspapers about the suffering of the Portuguese in the Lisbon region begins to stir anti-Spanish sentiment and a number of newspaper editorials begin to talk about "the old alliance" and "our trusted friend, Portugal" and to look upon the years 1809 to 1814 and cite British aide to Portugal then (noting especially that 100 years after 1810, Portugal faces a similar situation and should be helped now as it was then). The government, however, has no wish to enter the war yet, but repeatedly warns Spain that her troops have become more destructive as of late and that such actions may force Britain to react.
In Berlin, the Portuguese Ambassador, Pais, is busy trying to get the Germans to support Portugal and drop Spain. He gets some support from some German officials, but others see too much potential in the ongoing war to want to stop it altogether. After all, Germany may gain new colonies, as well as a potential ally to France's rear. It is for this reason why France has not gotten more involved yet (wish to preserve the new Entente Cordiale with Britain and Russia).
November 9, 1910- In London, D. Manuel begins to have ideas of returning to Portugal, not as a King, but to fight the Spanish. He was somewhat tempted at first by D. Alfonso XIII's supposed public offer to restore his throne, though the plight of the Portuguese around Lisboa began to turn him off the idea. Now he has received a letter from D. Alfonso, basically asking him to come down to Portugal and Spain and to help "broker a deal". He wondered what kind of deal could be made between Portuguese republicans and Spanish monarchists, but he decided to look into it further if it had a chance to end this 2 week long war before Lisboa was reduced to ruin. Looking at the day's newspaper, he saw the headline about the Spanish taking Almada and Mafra and being within 7 miles of Lisboa.......
November 12, 1910- ex-King D. Manuel II is bound on a ship for the besieged Portuguese port of Oporto, which is where Alphonso XIII had requested his arrival. Before leaving he had informed his British hosts of his intentions and though they warned him of the dangers of entering a war-zone, they wished him well nonetheless. About 5 miles off the coast, his British escort ships held back as they were under strict orders, for now, not to do anything that might get Britain accidentally drawn into this war, including approaching within 5 miles of Portugal's coast. Half-a-mile out of port, some Spanish ships intercepted D. Manuel II's vessel and instructed it to call at the Spanish-held port of Matozinhos (giving the excuse that Oporto's port had been damaged in the siege and that Oporto was not safe anyway). Once Manuel II had landed in Matozinhos he was escorted to a representative of Alphonso XIII who offered him the chance of the restoration of the kingdom of Portugal (while indicating that Alphonso XIII's Spain would have a "special relationship" with Portugal thereafter). The Spaniard also indicated to Manuel II that in such a dangerous area as this, his ex-majesty (who could soon be restored) could quite easily loose his life from such things as artillery fragments and stray bullets.....
In London meanwhile, Gomes had offered the British government Braga's next deal (which went just short of bargaining away the Portuguese empire- that would be the deal if this one fell on deaf ears.. ). The deal was that the Portuguese republic would grant Britain the exclusive right of freedom of trade with and transit (including British military forces) through all Portuguese colonies. The Royal Navy was also free to use all Portuguese coaling stations and had the right to build new joint British-Portuguese coaling stations and other naval bases in any Portuguese colony. The British Army could also build and maintain joint British-Portuguese bases in any Portuguese colony (subject to Portuguese approval). And to sweeten the deal, the Portuguese were willing to turn their colony of Goa (and Diu) into a joint British-Portuguese colony, meaning that both the Portuguese and the British Raj would appoint commissioners for the territory.
November 15, 1910- In Luanda, the Spanish task force finally arrives and battles the Portuguese defenders for control of the capital and, hopefully, the entire colony. The Portuguese do not surrender, but evacuate Luanda to the Spanish and re-camp a few miles to the southeast. Thus the Spanish only control Luanda and nothing else and the Portuguese have some amount of control over everything else.
In Portugal the Spanish finally enter Lisbon, where some neighbourhoods were completely ruined, and in the now slightly worse-for-wear royal palace, present D. Manuel II and proclaim, the Second Kingdom of Portugal. The republican government had moved to Leiria and from there denounced the Spanish proclamation and stated that D. Manuel II was under duress.
In Britain, public opinion had now swung greatly in favour of the Portuguese, and many in the British government also knew that D. Manuel II was under duress and had not had any intention of returning as King when he left London. The government now came out, and told Spain that her actions with regards to the taking D. Manuel II into captivity and the current conduct of her war in Portugal would lead to British intervention within days on behalf of the Republic of Portugal unless D. Manuel II was released, Spanish forces ceased hostilities and began to retreat by between 0.5 and 1 mile from all Portuguese republican positions thus allowing peace negotiations to begin......
November 17, 1910- In Portuguese West Africa, the tiny province of Cabinda had been totally pacified by a Spanish force as had Luanda. The Spaniards however were having no luck defeating the Portuguese and instead seemed to chase them all over the northwestern area of the colony. Everytime the Spanish pursued, the Portuguese retreated while conducting limited attacks until the Spaniards were too exhausted to continue.
November 20, 1910- In Madrid, some MPs and ministers were becoming worried by what Britain might do. They began to call for Spain to at least start a dialogue with the British to stave off an Anglo-Spanish conflict. Most of the Spanish government officials however, were content to wait and see what Britain would really do. Thus far, the Spaniards had succeeded in at least keeping up the facade that they were restoring a monarchy and not annexing a country. With the new Portuguese monarchist government in Lisboa, the Spanish were counting on support from the rest of Europe swinging into their favour. Also, at that moment Spanish troops and Portuguese monarchist soldiers were approaching Leiria and the Portuguese republican government was preparing to move to Coimbra....
November 21, 1910- In Portugal, more and more of the country was falling under Spanish control. By now the Spanish also had control over Madeira, some of the Azores, Cabinda, Luanda and some of the surronding towns and villages. In Portuguese West Africa, the endless game of cat and mouse continues with the Spanish task force being no closer to defeating the Portuguese than on the day they landed...
In Britain, men were being armed, ships provisioned and other preparations being made in expectation of the declaration of war on Spain. The British expeditionary force being sent to Portugal was not exactly large, at around 50,000, but other soldiers were to be sent to theatres as yet unopened.....
November 22, 1910- Oporto/Porto finally fell to the Spanish-Portuguese forces. Leading the Portuguese monarchists was one Paiva Couceiro, who upon entering the city triumphantly, declared a curfew and made for Lisboa. Couceiro was one of the leading members of the new puppet Portuguese monarchist government and he was on the fast track to becoming commander of all Portuguese monarchist land forces. In Lisboa, he and his Portuguese-Spanish staff would draw up plans to break the republicans once and for all by seizing Coimbra, Leiria and Peniche.....
A recap:
This thread is a continuation of my "Spain annexes Portugal in the early 1900s" thread:
https://www.alternatehistory.com/Discussion/messages/4/3599.html?1061543469
I will now post the Spanish-Portuguese War to date:
October 4, 1910- The military takes control in Portugal and Dom Manuel II is forced into exile in Brazil.
In Madrid, Dom Alfonso XIII looks on with interest and suspicion...
October 5, 1910- Portugal is declared a Republic. Immediate support for the Republic is not extended by Britain, though this support is expected shortly.
In Madrid, D. Alfonso XIII is not at all pleased with the revolution in the old rival, Portugal. He certainly does not want to lose his Kingdom to revolution and the fact that France seems willing to extend support rather quickly to the new Republic of Portugal does nothing to allay his worries. Some of his advisers however, point to a "golden opportunity" ,in their words, to bring back some of Spain's glory which has been all but lost since the defeat of 1898. Alfonso remembers that defeat all too well, which had occurred under his mother, the regent. Being young, at 24 and prone like most men between 14 and 30 to adventurous ideas (not to mention gambling), Alfonso begins to look into the possibilty of intervening in Portugal. His advisers could assure him that in such a military venture, Spain would most certainly not have to face the United States. Also they argued that most if not all European monarchies would welcome the crushing of this new republic as they would see republics as a threat. They said, only France would possibly oppose this, and even then the French themselves were more concerned with Germany than with the quiet, isolated Iberian corner of Europe. Alfonso begins to like the idea and now seriously considers invading Portugal.
October 7, 1910- With the approval of the rest of the Spanish government, D. Alfonso XIII officially condemns the revolution in Portugal and insists upon the reinstatment of D. Manuel II. D. Alfonso also condemned the regicide of Dom Carlos two years earlier and said that "the murder of one King and overthrow of his successor were despicable, interconnected acts conducted by barbarous thugs." In Spain, the milirary began to plan for an operation involving up to 160,000 Spanish troops and began to search for Portuguese monarchists who could be used in support of an invading Spanish army (of course the Portuguese did not rush to fill this role, but a small amount were found). The Spanish high command also initiated contact with the German High Command to try and get the Germans to bring about a bit of reform in the Spanish military. This met with a bit of success as within a few days the Germans decided to send some "observers" to oversee small reforms throughout the Army. Germany did this as it saw an advantage in creating links with Spain to France's rear and thus doing to France what France seemed to be doing to Germany with the new Triple Entente.
October 11, 1910- German observers arrive and begin to teach their Spanish officer counterparts some new combat tactics and disicplinary procedures which are carried out with renewed intensive training.
In Lisboa (Lisbon) the new republican government begins to show some concern over recent Spanish behaviour, but still doubts that Spain will actually try anything funny.
October 22, 1910- The new German tactics begin to show fruit in the Spanish Army during its operations to pacify the Rif and in controlling some small riots in Barcelona and a small Basque revolt. This only adds to Spanish confidence. The fact that Britain has not actually recognised the Portuguese Republic as yet, gives Spain even more hope.
In Lisbon, the new government begins to take precautions against Spain and starts setting up small scale defences throughout the country and begins to make plans to defend Lisbon (a "theoretical exercise" of course).
October 25, 1910- Alfonso and his government, now begin to search for ways to ensure that Britain will not intervene on Portugal's side. A German hint that the Kaiser would not be opposed to "receiving" some Portuguese colonies, gives them the idea of offering Germany and Britain the Portuguese African colonies in return for not opposing (or supporting) a Spanish attempt to restore D. Manuel II as a constitutional monarch. The Spanish minister in London suggests all this, as just theoretical small talk of course (using a lot of "ifs") and doesn't get an entirely negative or hostile reply, but the Portuguese minister Gomes has been working much harder and his offer that Britain alone would have access and privilegies over the other countries to the Portuguese colonies, seemed much more enticing.
October 27, 1910- Figuring that as time went on British support for the Portuguese offer and for the Portuguese Republic would only increase, D. Alfonso XIII orders that the restoration of the Portuguese Kingdom begin. Spanish soldiers cross the border the same day and the Spanish Navy sets sail to establish a blockade of Portugal and land soldiers along the coast. By the end of the day, the area of Portugal east of the Guadiana and a number of towns on the south coast from Tavira halfway to Portimao were under Spanish control. In the north, Viana do Castelo, Braga and Braganca were under Spanish occupation. Spanish troops had also taken Portalegre and Elvas and were outside Guarda in the central area of the Spanish-Portuguese border.
The Portuguese fought back bravely and fiercely and in many areas under nominal Spanish control, there was a fair amount of resistance in the urban areas. This held up the Spanish advance and aided the Portuguese Army in its fight against the invaders.
October 28, 1910- D. Alfonso XIII announced that the invasion of Portugal was to "free the country from an unstable republican government and restore the fair and benign monarchy." In Berlin, the Kaiser did not condemn the Spanish action and urged other European governments to work together to resolve the matter diplomatically (i.e. not to get involved directly). France condemned Spain and Russia said while, it thought the Spanish action rather rash and hasty, would not immediately take up a position on the matter. Italy adopted a similar attitude to Germany as did Austria-Hungary.
Britain said it was opposed to the Spanish move, but that it would work for a diplomatic solution (for now).
Meanwhile in Portugal the Spaniards had advanced again, but not much farther than on the first day. They managed to get soldiers into Macedo de Cavaleiros and Guarda and landed soldiers outside Portimao, Oporto and Figueira de Foz. The Spanish Navy also blockaded Lisboa, but this blockade was broken twice in the day, by the Portuguese Navy. By now the Spanish had decided to up the number of soldiers they planned to send to Portugal to 190,000. In the Spanish occupied areas, the Spaniards flew both the Portuguese royal flag (as well as the Spanish flag at times) and in some towns put Portuguese royalists in control.
Ocotber 30, 1910- The Spanish-Portuguese War was by now in into its 4th day and the Spaniards had swept through (or ploughed slowly due to Portuguese resistance) most of Portugal north of the Douro river and the only major town north of the river which did not have any Spaniards in it was Oporto (which was under siege). Figueira da Foz had been captured though with heavy casualties on both sides and all of the Portuguese south coast from the Cape of St. Vincent to the Spanish border was technically under Spanish control. The Spaniards were now outside Evora and Almodovar and had captured Beja. As the Spaniards advanced, Portuguese resistance stiffened and the portrayal of the Portuguese in British newspapers increased support for the Portuguese. The British began sending arms supplies to the Portuguese by October 31st and were allowing volunteers to go to Portugal. France also sent materiel to the republicans, while the Germans sold supplies to the Spanish.
November 1, 1910- The rate of advance being much slower than expected, D. Alfonso begins to pressure his Army to capture Lisboa for him, seeing this city as an all important prize. With Lisboa under royalist Portuguese and Spanish control, Spain would then have placed a new government in the Portuguese capital, strengthening its case and allowing for a smoother deal with regards to getting the British to cease support and accept the Spanish proposal about the Portuguese colonies. By November 1 Oporto had been surrounded but not captured, while two main Spanish thrusts from Evora and Portalegre had been set in motion to capture Lisbon.
November 4, 1910- The Spanish had finally reached the edge of the towns of Sines and Grandola and had captured Lamego. However a Portuguese counter-attack had freed Covilha and threatened to free Guarda. Meanwhile the Spanish blockade of Lisbon had been broken yet again and the Spanish did not try to re-form the blockade, but attempted to engage the Portuguese Navy........
and a continuation:
November 7, 1910- In Lisboa, the Portuguese President and PM, Teofilo Braga is beginning to get worried. The Spaniards have now seized Abrantes, north of the Tejo River (known to the Spanish as the Tajo River and known to the Romans and us as the Tagus River). From Abrantes, the Spanish moved on down the river to Santarem and are now a few miles outside Villa Franca, which itself is approximately 20-25 miles from Lisboa. The Spanish have also now cut off the town of Torres Vedras and have isolated the Portuguese around Lisbon/Lisboa. To the southeast, the Spanish moving from Evora have captured Setubal and are aiming for Almada, just across the bay from Lisbon. At Setubal, meanwhile, fresh Spanish soldiers are being landed to support the new seige of Lisbon and to aid in quickening the capitulation of that city. A glimmer of hope had come a couple days before when Brazil announced its firm support for the Republic of Portugal and even offered to send soldiers to aid the new republic. Such aid though seemed a long way off and Braga and his government now seriously debate options that were unthinkable before, such as offering Britain some of Portugal's colonies in return for British entry on the Portuguese side. Another option being debated is trying to bring the King back, but before the Spanish try to force their way into Lisbon and thus, maybe, pull the rug from under D. Alfonso XIII's feet. As the King would have returned then the entire reason for the Spanish adventure would have evaporated and Spain would have to bring her soldiers home or face European-wide anger. This option though, was not supported by many.
In Madrid, D. Alfonso XIII now begins to consult with his advisers on how best to retrieve D. Manuel II from London. D. Manuel II would have been a great assest if he had been captured before he reached London, or better yet Gibraltar which was before the Spanish went into Portugal. D. Alfonso decides that it may be best if he either persuade or trick D. Manuel into coming within the grasps of the Spanish soldiers....
Off the Gulf of Guinea, a Spanish task force, comprised of soldiers from the homeland and from the Canary Islands, Ifni, Spanish Morocco and Spanish Sahara, is slowly making its way to Bioko island (owned by Spain as part of Spanish Guinea) to refuel, restock and pick up a force of Spaniards from the colony. This task force has the job of seizing Portuguese West Africa from the Portuguese republicans and thus allowing Spain to back up her secret offers of the Portuguese colonies to the Germans and British. They are expected to Luanda by November 15.
November 8, 1910- Off coasts where the borders of Spanish and French Morocco meet, a small naval skirmish between Spanish and French vessels occurs, and causing D. Alfonso to actually pause and wonder whether his bid at an Empire renewed might get out of control.
In London, Ambassador Gomes has now become a familiar face to many diplomats and he now begins to give interviews to the Times and other newspapers regularly. The stories published in British newspapers about the suffering of the Portuguese in the Lisbon region begins to stir anti-Spanish sentiment and a number of newspaper editorials begin to talk about "the old alliance" and "our trusted friend, Portugal" and to look upon the years 1809 to 1814 and cite British aide to Portugal then (noting especially that 100 years after 1810, Portugal faces a similar situation and should be helped now as it was then). The government, however, has no wish to enter the war yet, but repeatedly warns Spain that her troops have become more destructive as of late and that such actions may force Britain to react.
In Berlin, the Portuguese Ambassador, Pais, is busy trying to get the Germans to support Portugal and drop Spain. He gets some support from some German officials, but others see too much potential in the ongoing war to want to stop it altogether. After all, Germany may gain new colonies, as well as a potential ally to France's rear. It is for this reason why France has not gotten more involved yet (wish to preserve the new Entente Cordiale with Britain and Russia).
November 9, 1910- In London, D. Manuel begins to have ideas of returning to Portugal, not as a King, but to fight the Spanish. He was somewhat tempted at first by D. Alfonso XIII's supposed public offer to restore his throne, though the plight of the Portuguese around Lisboa began to turn him off the idea. Now he has received a letter from D. Alfonso, basically asking him to come down to Portugal and Spain and to help "broker a deal". He wondered what kind of deal could be made between Portuguese republicans and Spanish monarchists, but he decided to look into it further if it had a chance to end this 2 week long war before Lisboa was reduced to ruin. Looking at the day's newspaper, he saw the headline about the Spanish taking Almada and Mafra and being within 7 miles of Lisboa.......
November 12, 1910- ex-King D. Manuel II is bound on a ship for the besieged Portuguese port of Oporto, which is where Alphonso XIII had requested his arrival. Before leaving he had informed his British hosts of his intentions and though they warned him of the dangers of entering a war-zone, they wished him well nonetheless. About 5 miles off the coast, his British escort ships held back as they were under strict orders, for now, not to do anything that might get Britain accidentally drawn into this war, including approaching within 5 miles of Portugal's coast. Half-a-mile out of port, some Spanish ships intercepted D. Manuel II's vessel and instructed it to call at the Spanish-held port of Matozinhos (giving the excuse that Oporto's port had been damaged in the siege and that Oporto was not safe anyway). Once Manuel II had landed in Matozinhos he was escorted to a representative of Alphonso XIII who offered him the chance of the restoration of the kingdom of Portugal (while indicating that Alphonso XIII's Spain would have a "special relationship" with Portugal thereafter). The Spaniard also indicated to Manuel II that in such a dangerous area as this, his ex-majesty (who could soon be restored) could quite easily loose his life from such things as artillery fragments and stray bullets.....
In London meanwhile, Gomes had offered the British government Braga's next deal (which went just short of bargaining away the Portuguese empire- that would be the deal if this one fell on deaf ears.. ). The deal was that the Portuguese republic would grant Britain the exclusive right of freedom of trade with and transit (including British military forces) through all Portuguese colonies. The Royal Navy was also free to use all Portuguese coaling stations and had the right to build new joint British-Portuguese coaling stations and other naval bases in any Portuguese colony. The British Army could also build and maintain joint British-Portuguese bases in any Portuguese colony (subject to Portuguese approval). And to sweeten the deal, the Portuguese were willing to turn their colony of Goa (and Diu) into a joint British-Portuguese colony, meaning that both the Portuguese and the British Raj would appoint commissioners for the territory.
November 15, 1910- In Luanda, the Spanish task force finally arrives and battles the Portuguese defenders for control of the capital and, hopefully, the entire colony. The Portuguese do not surrender, but evacuate Luanda to the Spanish and re-camp a few miles to the southeast. Thus the Spanish only control Luanda and nothing else and the Portuguese have some amount of control over everything else.
In Portugal the Spanish finally enter Lisbon, where some neighbourhoods were completely ruined, and in the now slightly worse-for-wear royal palace, present D. Manuel II and proclaim, the Second Kingdom of Portugal. The republican government had moved to Leiria and from there denounced the Spanish proclamation and stated that D. Manuel II was under duress.
In Britain, public opinion had now swung greatly in favour of the Portuguese, and many in the British government also knew that D. Manuel II was under duress and had not had any intention of returning as King when he left London. The government now came out, and told Spain that her actions with regards to the taking D. Manuel II into captivity and the current conduct of her war in Portugal would lead to British intervention within days on behalf of the Republic of Portugal unless D. Manuel II was released, Spanish forces ceased hostilities and began to retreat by between 0.5 and 1 mile from all Portuguese republican positions thus allowing peace negotiations to begin......
November 17, 1910- In Portuguese West Africa, the tiny province of Cabinda had been totally pacified by a Spanish force as had Luanda. The Spaniards however were having no luck defeating the Portuguese and instead seemed to chase them all over the northwestern area of the colony. Everytime the Spanish pursued, the Portuguese retreated while conducting limited attacks until the Spaniards were too exhausted to continue.
November 20, 1910- In Madrid, some MPs and ministers were becoming worried by what Britain might do. They began to call for Spain to at least start a dialogue with the British to stave off an Anglo-Spanish conflict. Most of the Spanish government officials however, were content to wait and see what Britain would really do. Thus far, the Spaniards had succeeded in at least keeping up the facade that they were restoring a monarchy and not annexing a country. With the new Portuguese monarchist government in Lisboa, the Spanish were counting on support from the rest of Europe swinging into their favour. Also, at that moment Spanish troops and Portuguese monarchist soldiers were approaching Leiria and the Portuguese republican government was preparing to move to Coimbra....
November 21, 1910- In Portugal, more and more of the country was falling under Spanish control. By now the Spanish also had control over Madeira, some of the Azores, Cabinda, Luanda and some of the surronding towns and villages. In Portuguese West Africa, the endless game of cat and mouse continues with the Spanish task force being no closer to defeating the Portuguese than on the day they landed...
In Britain, men were being armed, ships provisioned and other preparations being made in expectation of the declaration of war on Spain. The British expeditionary force being sent to Portugal was not exactly large, at around 50,000, but other soldiers were to be sent to theatres as yet unopened.....
November 22, 1910- Oporto/Porto finally fell to the Spanish-Portuguese forces. Leading the Portuguese monarchists was one Paiva Couceiro, who upon entering the city triumphantly, declared a curfew and made for Lisboa. Couceiro was one of the leading members of the new puppet Portuguese monarchist government and he was on the fast track to becoming commander of all Portuguese monarchist land forces. In Lisboa, he and his Portuguese-Spanish staff would draw up plans to break the republicans once and for all by seizing Coimbra, Leiria and Peniche.....