The coup that erupted in Portugal drew the attention of the United States across the ocean and the British government cowering in Canada. After all, the Portuguese government had only just rejected Germany's request to purchase or lease the Azores, yet a coup broke out not long afterward. It was hard not to suspect that the Germans had played some dishonorable role in it.
The United States and Britain both instructed their embassies in Portugal to find out whether there was a German plot behind the Portuguese coup. If there was, they would have to find a way to stop the Germans, or at least ensure that their own interests were not harmed.
"Gentlemen, the coup launched by Army Minister Cabecadas and his faction can already be considered a success. Portugal's government has fallen into their hands. From this day forward, Portugal has entered a military dictatorship led by Cabecadas," Woodrow Wilson said. Although Portugal was merely a small nation across the ocean, and a change of government in such a small country would not have much impact on the United States, Woodrow Wilson was almost certain that Germany was involved in this Portuguese coup. The Germans' objective also seemed abundantly clear: the Azores.
"Mr. President, although we have not yet obtained conclusive evidence, I believe the Germans must be behind this. The Sidónio Pais government previously rejected the Germans' request to purchase the Azores. That was why the Germans planned this military coup, so that they could buy the Azores from the new government. The Germans are doing this entirely to obtain the Azores and establish a naval base in the Atlantic Ocean to oppose us. If the Germans truly gain control of the Azores, the consequences will be grave. We must find a way to stop them!" Secretary