Portuguese Macau (1.0)1914-1918-Online. International Encyclopedia of the FirstWorld War 1/5 2nd May 2016Portuguese MacauBy Célia ReisSummaryDuring World War One, Macau's main problem was its relationship with China. This stemmedfrom the consequences of its internal tensions and the lack of recognition of the Portugueseborders. However, its defence was weak, mainly based on local elements.Table of contents1 War in Europe and Tensions in China2 The War as a Possible Resolution of Border Disagreement3 Necessity of Troops4 Other Aspects of Local Life5 ConclusionSelected BibliographyCitationWar in Europe and Tensions in ChinaThe impact of the Great War on Macau was rooted in the colony’s former issues: itsrelationship with and vicinity to China, involving both the indefiniteness of Macau’s bordersand the political agitation in China. From the beginning of the war, many Chinese refugeescame from Hong Kong to Macau. At the beginning of September 1914, the governorestimated the town’s inhabitants at 120,000, many of whom were likely pirates orrevolutionaries. This required more surveillance; however, military and police forces were notenough. Thus, the governor created the Volunteer Corp, with many adhesions.Simultaneously, there was substantial unrest in southern China due to internal problems,which also impacted the colony Macau. For instance, in October 1914 authorities caught windof a plan intending to cause trouble that was linked to Macau. They took measures to avoid itby forbidding any type of manifestation or propaganda. Then authorities increasedsurveillance in the Chinese neighbourhood, contracting Chinese police and using militarytroops. In December 1915, when agitation increased after the proclamation of the monarchyin China, surveillance was expanded to cover the whole town.Germany declared war on Portugal in March 1916, when China was in the midst of greatturmoil as a result of the newly announced monarchy. During this time, the governor of

Portuguese Macau (1.0)1914-1918-Online. International Encyclopedia of the FirstWorld War 2/5 2nd May 2016Macau feared an invasion. Now the situation was linked with the enemies in Europe:according to his information, 400 Germans lived in Guangdong and spread propagandaagainst foreigners. He thought this could provoke a revolt hostile to the Portuguese, as inHong Kong, where three conspiracies were discovered. Later, more refugees, especially fromGuangdong, came to Macau. Naturally, it resulted in more intensive surveillance andincreased control of people entering and leaving Macau. Meanwhile, he began censoring mailand telegraph wires. However, it proved difficult to carry out due to the necessary translationof Chinese letters.The War as a Possible Resolution of BorderDisagreementDespite the agreement between the Portuguese and Chinese governments in 1887, Macau’sborders were not established, and instead postponed for a future agreement. However,Chinese claims, especially in Guangdong, never permitted it. Now, in October 1914, thegovernor sought to resolve the issue, suggesting that since Portugal supported its ally, GreatBritain, it could benefit from delimiting the territory, which would end the agitation overMacau. In 1916, there were developments in this matter: while the Portuguese authoritieshad plans for a Pacific occupation of Lapa, one of the contested islands, Chinese forcesdominated the same; there were some problems with Chinese ships in Portuguese waters,too. After that, conversations with the Guangdong government took place and itsrepresentative went to Macau.Necessity of TroopsThis situation made it necessary to deploy more troops, since the Macanese garrison wasvery limited and vulnerable. In response to demands to Lisbon for more forces and militaryequipment, the Portuguese government asked for justifications for the request. A smallcontingent came from India. Thus, the solution was to transform the Volunteer Corp intoactive troops. In March 1916, the governor asked permission to impose police service on allPortuguese inhabitants, but the minister refused. Only in the summer of 1917 did theministry in Lisbon consider it essential to send troops to Macau to protect the territory.However, it was very difficult to arrange transportation; in the beginning of 1918 militaryforces assigned to Macau were fighting in Mozambique and authorities did not permit theirtransfer.Other Aspects of Local LifeAs in other warring nations, inflation made it necessary to increase salaries in Macau; localmarkets did not have enough goods, but other aspects of the economy and finance were

Portuguese Macau (1.0)1914-1918-Online. International Encyclopedia of the FirstWorld War 3/5 2nd May 2016maintained without significant changes. Local authorities offered 30,000 pounds to the“Mother homeland”, especially to help hospitals and soldiers’ families. To overcome students’inability to travel to Portugal, the local high school implemented a higher level of education.ConclusionAt the Paris Peace Conference following the war, Portuguese delegates tried to discussMacau’s borders, but without success. In conclusion, in spite of its distance from the war,Macau was affected to a certain degree, but was unable to use the conflict to solve pre-existing problems, which remained largely unchanged after the war.Célia Reis, Universidade Nova de LisboaSelected BibliographyArquivo Histórico Ultramarino, Lisbon, 1725C 1C MU DGCOr e 2717 1A MU DGC.Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino, Lisbon, SEMU DGU RM 004 cx 6.Reis, Célia: Conjuntura e vida política, in: Marques, António Henrique R. de Oliveira(ed.): História dos Portugueses no extremo oriente. Macau e Timor no períodorepublicano, volume 4, Lisbon 2003 Fundação Oriente, pp. 13-174.Reis, Célia: Macao et timor. La souveraineté Portugaise et l'incidence de laguerre de 1914-1918, in: Guerres Mondiales et Conflicts Contemporains 256/4, 2014,pp. 69-80.Reis, Célia: Macau e a China, in: Marques, António Henrique R. de Oliveira (ed.):História dos Portugueses no extremo oriente. Macau e Timor no período republicano,volume 4, Lisbon 2003 Fundação Oriente, pp. 175-221.Reis, Célia: O padroado português no extremo Oriente na primeira repúblicaportuguesa, Lisbon, 2007: Livros Horizonte.CitationCélia Reis: Portuguese Macau, in: 1914-1918-online. International Encyclopedia of the FirstWorld War, ed. by Ute Daniel, Peter Gatrell, Oliver Janz, Heather Jones, Jennifer D. Keene,Alan Kramer, and Bill Nasson, issued by Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin 2016-05-02. DOI:

Portuguese Macau (1.0)1914-1918-Online. International Encyclopedia of the FirstWorld War 4/5 2nd May 201610.15463/ie1418.10900MetadataRegional Section(s)East Asia > ChinaWestern Europe > PortugalThematic Section(s)PowerSubjectsPolitics, law > International relations > Colonialism, imperialismPolitics, law > Post-war politics > Territorial questionsThe media > CensorshipThe media > Propaganda > Propaganda, internationalAuthor KeywordsPortugal; China; sovereignty; colonies; defenceGND Subject HeadingsMacau ; GeschichteLC Subject HeadingsMacau (China : Special Administrative Region)--HistoryRameau Subject HeadingsMacao (Chine) ; HistoireKey Person(s)Key Location(s)Macau; Guangdong ProvinceTitlePortuguese MacauAuthor(s)Célia ReisArticle Type

Portuguese Macau (1.0)1914-1918-Online. International Encyclopedia of the FirstWorld War 5/5 2nd May 2016Encyclopedic EntryClassification GroupSpacesArticles That Link HerePortuguese Timor; Roçadas, José Augusto Alves and Mourning and Cult of the Fallen(Portugal)