STRATEGIC INCOME PORTFOLIO
POS AMI, 1997-02-28
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       As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 1997

                                                               File No. 811-8342




                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM N-1A

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                     THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]

                              AMENDMENT NO. 3           [X]


                           STRATEGIC INCOME PORTFOLIO
                     (FORMERLY SHORT-TERM INCOME PORTFOLIO)
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


                                24 Federal Street
                           BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02110
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)


                                (617) 482-8260
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)


                                 Alan R. Dynner
                 24 FEDERAL STREET, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02110
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)
    


<PAGE>
   
         Throughout  this   Registration   Statement,   information   concerning
Strategic Income  Portfolio (the  "Portfolio") is incorporated by reference from
Amendment No. 32 to the Registration Statement of Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust
(File No.  2-90946  under the  Securities  Act of 1933 (the  "1933  Act"))  (the
"Amendment"),  which was filed  electronically  with the Securities and Exchange
Commission  on  December  31, 1996  (Accession  No.  0000950156-96-000980).  The
Amendment  contains  the  prospectus  and  statement of  additional  information
("SAI") of EV Marathon Strategic Income Fund (the "Feeder Fund"),  which invests
substantially all of its assets in the Portfolio.

                                     PART A

          Responses  to Items 1 through 3 and 5A have been  omitted  pursuant to
Paragraph 4 of Instruction F of the General Instructions to Form N-1A.

ITEM 4.  GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT

         The  Portfolio is a  non-diversified,  open-end  management  investment
company that was organized as a trust under the laws of the State of New York on
May 1, 1992.  Interests in the Portfolio are issued solely in private  placement
transactions  that do not involve any  "public  offering"  within the meaning of
Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act.  Investments  in the Portfolio may be made only by
U.S.  and  foreign  investment  companies,  common or  commingled  trust  funds,
organizations  or trusts  described in Sections 401(a) or 501(a) of the Internal
Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended (the  "Code"),  or similar  organizations  or
entities  that are  "accredited  investors"  within the meaning of  Regulation D
under the 1933 Act. This Registration Statement, as amended, does not constitute
an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any "security"  within
the meaning of the 1933 Act.

         The Portfolio is not intended to be a complete investment program,  and
a  prospective  investor  should  take into  account  its  objectives  and other
investments when  considering the purchase of an interest in the Portfolio.  The
Portfolio cannot assure achievement of its investment objective.

         Registrant   incorporates  by  reference  information   concerning  the
Portfolio's  investment  objective  and  investment  practices  from "The Fund's
Investment  Objective", "Investment  Policies and Risks" and the Appendix in the
Feeder Fund prospectus.

ITEM 5.  MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIO

         Registrant   incorporates  by  reference  information   concerning  the
Portfolio's  management  from  "Management of the Fund and the Portfolio" in the
Feeder Fund prospectus.
    

                                     A-1
<PAGE>
   
ITEM 6.  CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER SECURITIES

     Registrant  incorporates by reference  information  concerning interests in
the Portfolio from   "Organization  of the Fund and the Portfolio" in the Feeder
Fund  prospectus  and "Other  Information"  in Part I of the Feeder Fund SAI. An
interest in the Portfolio  has no  preemptive or conversion  rights and is fully
paid  and   non-assessable   by  the  Portfolio,   except  as  described   under
"Organization of the Fund and the Portfolio" in the Feeder Fund prospectus.

     As of January 31,  1997, the Feeder Fund controlled the Portfolio by virtue
of  owning  approximately  98.6% of the  outstanding  voting  securities  of the
Portfolio.
    

         The net asset value of the  Portfolio is  determined  each day on which
the New York Stock  Exchange (the  "Exchange")  is open for trading  ("Portfolio
Business Day"). This determination is made each Portfolio Business Day as of the
close of regular  trading on the Exchange  (normally  4:00 p.m.,  New York time)
(the "Portfolio Valuation Time").

         Each investor in the  Portfolio may add to or reduce its  investment in
the Portfolio on each Portfolio Business Day as of the Portfolio Valuation Time.
The value of each  investor's  interest in the  Portfolio  will be determined by
multiplying the net asset value of the Portfolio by the  percentage,  determined
on the prior Portfolio  Business Day, which represented that investor's share of
the  aggregate  interest in the  Portfolio on such prior day.  Any  additions or
withdrawals for the current Portfolio  Business Day will then be recorded.  Each
investor's  percentage of the aggregate  interest in the Portfolio  will then be
recomputed as a percentage equal to a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the
value  of  such  investor's  investment  in the  Portfolio  as of the  Portfolio
Valuation Time on the prior  Portfolio  Business Day plus or minus,  as the case
may be,  the  amount of any  additions  to or  withdrawals  from the  investor's
investment in the Portfolio on the current  Portfolio  Business Day and (ii) the
denominator of which is the aggregate net asset value of the Portfolio as of the
Portfolio  Valuation Time on the prior Portfolio  Business Day plus or minus, as
the case may be,  the amount of the net  additions  to or  withdrawals  from the
aggregate  investment in the Portfolio on the current Portfolio  Business Day by
all  investors in the  Portfolio.  The  percentage  so  determined  will then be
applied to determine the value of the  investor's  interest in the Portfolio for
the  current  Portfolio  Business  Day.

         The Portfolio  will allocate at least  annually among its investors its
net  investment  income,  net  realized  capital  gains,  and any other items of
income,  gain, loss,  deduction or credit. The Portfolio's net investment income
consists of all income accrued on the  Portfolio's  assets,  less all actual and
accrued  expenses of the  Portfolio,  determined  in accordance  with  generally
accepted accounting principles.

         Under  the  anticipated  method  of  operation  of the  Portfolio,  the
Portfolio  will not be subject to any federal income tax. (See Part B, Item 20.)
However,  each  investor in the  Portfolio  will take into account its allocable
share of the Portfolio's ordinary income and

                                        A-2
<PAGE>
capital gain in determining its federal income tax liability.  The determination
of each such share will be made in accordance with the governing  instruments of
the Portfolio,  which are intended to comply with the  requirements  of the Code
and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

         It is intended that the  Portfolio's  assets and income will be managed
in such a way that an  investor  in the  Portfolio  that  seeks to  qualify as a
regulated  investment  company (a "RIC")  under the Code will be able to satisfy
the requirements for such qualification.

ITEM 7.   PURCHASE OF INTERESTS IN THE PORTFOLIO

         Interests  in the  Portfolio  are issued  solely in  private  placement
transactions  that do not involve any  "public  offering"  within the meaning of
Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act. See "General Description of Registrant" above.

   
         Registrant   incorporates  by  reference  information   concerning  the
computation  of net asset value and valuation of Portfolio  assets from "Valuing
Fund Shares" in the Feeder Fund prospectus. For further information, see Item 19
of Part B.

         There is no minimum initial or subsequent  investment in the Portfolio.
The Portfolio  reserves the right to cease accepting  investments at any time or
to reject any investment order.

         The placement agent for the Portfolio is Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.
("EVD"),  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary of Eaton Vance  Management.  The principal
business address of EVD is 24 Federal Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts 02110. EVD
receives no compensation for serving as the placement agent for the Portfolio.
    

ITEM 8.  REDEMPTION OR DECREASE OF INTEREST

         An  investor  in the  Portfolio  may  withdraw  all of  (redeem) or any
portion of (decrease)  its interest in the Portfolio if a withdrawal  request in
proper form is furnished by the investor to the Portfolio.  All withdrawals will
be  effected  as of  the  next  Portfolio  Valuation  Time.  The  proceeds  of a
withdrawal will be paid by the Portfolio  normally on the Portfolio Business Day
the  withdrawal is effected,  but in any event within seven days.  The Portfolio
reserves the right to pay the proceeds of a withdrawal  (whether a redemption or
decrease) by a distribution in kind of portfolio  securities  (instead of cash).
The  securities  so  distributed  would be  valued  at the same  amount  as that
assigned to them in  calculating  the net asset value for the interest  (whether
complete or partial) being withdrawn.  If an investor received a distribution in
kind upon such withdrawal,  the investor could incur brokerage and other charges
in  converting  the  securities  to  cash.  The  Portfolio  has  filed  with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission  (the "SEC") a  notification  of election on
Form  N-18F-1  committing  to pay in cash all requests  for  withdrawals  by any
investor,  limited in amount  with  respect to such  investor  during any 90 day
period to the  lesser of (a)  $250,000  or (b) 1% of the net asset  value of the
Portfolio at the beginning of such period.

                                        A-3
<PAGE>


         Investments in the Portfolio may not be transferred.

         The right of any  investor  to  receive  payment  with  respect  to any
withdrawal may be suspended or the payment of the withdrawal  proceeds postponed
during  any period in which the  Exchange  is closed  (other  than  weekends  or
holidays) or trading on the Exchange is restricted  or, to the extent  otherwise
permitted  by the  Investment  Company  Act of  1940  (the  "1940  Act"),  if an
emergency  exists,  or during any other period permitted by order of the SEC for
the protection of investors.

   
ITEM 9.  PENDING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         Not applicable.
    
                                        
                                        A-4
<PAGE>
                                     PART B

ITEM 10.  COVER PAGE

         Not applicable.

   
ITEM 11.  TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            PAGE
         General Information and History ....................................B-1
         Investment Objectives and Policies .................................B-1
         Management of the Portfolio ........................................B-2
         Control Persons and Principal Holder of Securities .................B-2
         Investment Advisory and Other Services .............................B-2
         Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices ...........................B-2
         Capital Stock and Other Securities .................................B-2
         Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Securities .....................B-4
         Tax Status .........................................................B-4
         Underwriters .......................................................B-8
         Calculation of Performance Data ....................................B-8
         Financial Statements ...............................................B-8

ITEM 12.  GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY

         Effective  February 23,  1994,  the  Portfolio's  name was changed from
"Short-Term  Global Income  Portfolio" to  "Short-Term  Income  Portfolio",  and
effective  March 1, 1995,  the  Portfolio's  name was changed  from  "Short-Term
Income Portfolio" to "Strategic Income Portfolio".

ITEM 13.  INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

     Part A contains additional  information about the investment  objective and
policies of the Portfolio.  This Part B should be read in conjunction  with Part
A.  Capitalized  terms used in this Part B and not  otherwise  defined  have the
meanings given them in Part A.

     Registrant  incorporates by reference additional information concerning the
investment  policies of the  Portfolio as well as  information  concerning  the
investment  restrictions  of the Portfolio from  "Additional  Information  about
Investment  Policies", "Investment  Restrictions" and "Appendix - Description of
Bond  Ratings"  in Part I of the  Feeder  Fund SAI.  The  Portfolio's  portfolio
turnover rates for the fiscal years ended October 31, 1996 and 1995 were 98% and
78%, respectively.

                                        B-1
<PAGE>
ITEM 14.  MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIO

         Registrant  incorporates by reference additional information concerning
the  management of the Portfolio  from  "Trustees and Officers" in Part I of the
Feeder Fund SAI and "Fees and Expenses" in Part II of the Feeder Fund SAI.

ITEM 15.  CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDER OF SECURITIES

     As of January 31, 1997, the Feeder Fund  controlled the Portfolio by virtue
of owning  approximately 98.6% of the value of the outstanding  interests in the
Portfolio.      Because the Feeder Fund controls the Portfolio,  the Feeder Fund
may take actions without the approval of any other  investor.  The Marathon Fund
has  informed  the  Portfolio  that  whenever it is requested to vote on matters
pertaining to the fundamental policies of the Portfolio,  it will hold a meeting
of shareholders and will cast its vote as instructed by its shareholders.  It is
anticipated  that any other  investor in the  Portfolio  which is an  investment
company  registered  under  the  1940 Act  would  follow  the same or a  similar
practice.  The Feeder    Fund is a series of Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust,  an
open-end  management  investment company organized as a business trust under the
laws of the Commonwealth of  Massachusetts. The address of the Feeder Fund is 24
Federal Street, Boston, MA  02110.

ITEM 16.  INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

     Registrant  incorporates  by reference  information  concerning  investment
advisory and other services  provided to the Portfolio from "Investment  Adviser
and Administrator",  "Custodian" and "Independent  Accountants" in Part I of the
Feeder Fund SAI.

ITEM 17.  BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

         Registrant   incorporates  by  reference  information   concerning  the
brokerage practices of the Portfolio from "Portfolio  Security  Transactions" in
Part I of the Feeder Fund SAI.
    

ITEM 18.  CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER SECURITIES

     Under the Portfolio's  Declaration of Trust, the Trustees are authorized to
issue interests in the Portfolio. Investors are entitled to participate pro rata
in distributions of taxable income, loss, gain and credit of the Portfolio. Upon
dissolution  of the Portfolio,  the Trustees  shall  liquidate the assets of the
Portfolio and apply and distribute the proceeds  thereof as follows:  (a) first,
to the payment of all debts and  obligations  of the  Portfolio to third parties
including, without limitation, the retirement of outstanding debt, including any
debt owed to holders of record of  interests  in the  Portfolio  ("Holders")  or
their affiliates, and the expenses of liquidation,  and to the setting up of any
reserves  for  contingencies  which may be  necessary;  and (b) second,  then in
accordance  with the Holders'  positive  Book  Capital  Account  balances  after
adjusting  Book  Capital  Accounts  for  certain  allocations  provided  in  the
Declaration  of Trust  and in  accordance  with the  requirements  described  in
Treasury  Regulations  Section   1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b)(2).   Notwithstanding  the
foregoing, if the Trustees shall determine that an immediate sale of part or all
of the  assets of the  Portfolio  would  cause  undue loss to the  Holders,  the
Trustees,  in order to avoid such loss, may, after having given  notification to
all  the  Holders,  to  the  extent  not  then  prohibited  by  the  law  of any
jurisdiction  in which the Portfolio is then formed or qualified and  applicable
in the circumstances, either defer liquidation of and withhold from distribution
for a reasonable  time any assets of the  Portfolio  except  those  necessary to
satisfy the  Portfolio's  debts and  obligations or distribute  the  Portfolio's
assets to the Holders in  liquidation.  Certificates  representing an investor's
interest in the Portfolio are issued only upon the written request of a Holder.

         Each  Holder is  entitled  to vote in  proportion  to the amount of its
interest in the Portfolio.  Holders do not have  cumulative  voting rights.  The
Portfolio is not required and has no current  intention to hold annual  meetings
of Holders but the Portfolio  will hold meetings of Holders when in the judgment
of the Portfolio's  Trustees it is necessary or desirable to submit matters to a
vote of Holders at a meeting.  Any action  which may be taken by Holders  may be
taken  without a  meeting  if  Holders  holding  more than 50% of all  interests
entitled to vote (or such larger proportion  thereof as shall be required by any
express  provision of the Declaration of Trust of the Portfolio)  consent to the
action in writing  and the  consents  are filed with the  records of meetings of
Holders.

         The Portfolio's  Declaration of Trust may be amended by vote of Holders
of more than 50% of all  interests in the Portfolio at any meeting of Holders or
by an  instrument  in writing  without a meeting,  executed by a majority of the
Trustees and consented to by the Holders of more than 50% of all interests.  The
Trustees may also amend the Declaration of Trust (without the vote or consent of
Holders) to change the Portfolio's name or the state or other jurisdiction whose
law shall be the  governing  law,  to supply any  omission  or cure,  correct or
supplement any ambiguous,  defective or inconsistent  provision,  to conform the
Declaration  of  Trust  to  applicable  federal  law  or  regulations  or to the
requirements  of the Code,  or to  change,  modify  or  rescind  any  provision,
provided  that such change,  modification  or  rescission  is  determined by the
Trustees to be necessary  or  appropriate  and not to have a materially  adverse
effect  on  the  financial  interests  of  the  Holders.  No  amendment  of  the
Declaration  of Trust which would change any rights with respect to any Holder's
interest  in  the  Portfolio  by  reducing  the  amount  payable   thereon  upon
liquidation of the Portfolio may be made, except with the vote or consent of the
Holders of two-thirds of all interests.  References in the  Declaration of Trust
and in Part A or this  Part B to a  specified  percentage  of, or  fraction  of,
interests in the Portfolio,  means Holders whose  combined Book Capital  Account
balances  represent such  specified  percentage or fraction of the combined Book
Capital Account balance of all, or a specified group of, Holders.

         The  Portfolio  may merge or  consolidate  with any other  corporation,
association,  trust  or  other  organization  or may  sell  or  exchange  all or
substantially  all of its  assets  upon such terms and  conditions  and for such
consideration  when and as  authorized  by the Holders of (a) 67% or more of the
interests in the Portfolio present or represented at the meeting of Holders,  if
Holders of more than 50% of all interests are present or  represented  by proxy,
or (b) more than 50% of all  interests,  whichever is less. The Portfolio may be
terminated (i) by the affirmative vote of Holders of not less than two-thirds of
all interests at any meeting of Holders or by an instrument in writing without a
meeting,  executed by a majority of the Trustees and  consented to by Holders of
not less than  two-thirds of all  interests,  or (ii) by the Trustees by written
notice to the Holders.

     In accordance with the Declaration of Trust,  there normally will be no
meetings of the investors for the purpose of electing  Trustees unless and until
such time as less than a  majority  of the  Trustees  holding  office  have been
elected by investors.  In such an event,  the Trustees of the Portfolio  then in
office will call an investors' meeting for the election of Trustees.

                                        B-2

<PAGE>

     Except for the foregoing circumstances, and unless removed by action of the
investors in accordance with the Portfolio's  Declaration of Trust, the Trustees
shall continue to hold office and may appoint successor Trustees.

         The  Declaration  of Trust  provides  that no person  shall  serve as a
Trustee if  investors  holding  two-thirds  of the  outstanding  interests  have
removed  him from that  office  either by a written  declaration  filed with the
Portfolio's custodian or by votes cast at a meeting called for that purpose. The
Declaration  of Trust further  provides that under  certain  circumstances,  the
investors  may call a  meeting  to remove a Trustee  and that the  Portfolio  is
required to provide  assistance in  communicating  with  investors  about such a
meeting.



     The Declaration of Trust provides that obligations of the Portfolio are not
binding  upon the  Trustees  individually  but only  upon  the  property  of the
Portfolio  and that the Trustees will not be liable for any action or failure to
act,  but nothing in the  Declaration  of Trust  protects a Trustee  against any
liability  to  which  he  would  otherwise  be  subject  by  reason  of  willful
misfeasance,  bad faith,  gross negligence,  or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his office.

   
ITEM 19.  PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SECURITIES

     See "Purchase of Interests in the Portfolio" and "Redemption or Decrease of
Interest" in Part A.

         Registrant  incorporates by reference information  concerning valuation
of the Portfolio's  assets from  "Determination of Net Asset Value" in Part I of
the Feeder Fund SAI.
    

ITEM 20.  TAX STATUS

     The Portfolio has been advised by tax counsel that,  provided the Portfolio
is  operated  at all times  during its  existence  in  accordance  with  certain
organizational and operational documents,  the Portfolio should be classified as
a  partnership   under the Code  and  it  should  not  be  a  "publicly   traded
partnership" within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code.  Consequently,  the
Portfolio  does not expect that it will be  required  to pay any federal  income
tax,  and a Holder  will be  required to take into  account in  determining  its
federal income tax liability its share of the Portfolio's income, gains, losses,
deductions and tax preference items.

         Under  Subchapter  K of the Code, a  partnership  is  considered  to be
either an  aggregate  of its members or a separate  entity,  depending  upon the
factual and legal  context in which the  question  arises.  Under the  aggregate
approach,  each  partner  is  treated as an owner of an  undivided  interest  in
partnership assets and operations. Under the entity approach, the partnership is
treated  as a  separate  entity in which  partners  have no direct  interest  in
partnership assets and operations. The Portfolio has been advised by tax counsel
that,  in the case of a Holder  that seeks to qualify  as a RIC,  the  aggregate
approach should apply, and each such Holder should  accordingly be deemed to own
a proportionate  share of each of the assets of the Portfolio and to be entitled
to the gross income of the Portfolio  attributable to that share for purposes of
all  requirements  of Sections  851(b) and 852(b)(5) of the Code.  Further,  the
Portfolio has been advised by tax counsel that each Holder that seeks to qualify
as a RIC  should be deemed to hold its  proportionate  share of the  Portfolio's
assets for the period  the  Portfolio  has held the assets or for the period the
Holder has been an investor in the  Portfolio,  whichever is shorter.  Investors
should consult their tax advisors  regarding whether the entity or the aggregate
approach  applies  to  their  investment  in the  Portfolio  in  light  of their
particular tax status and any special tax rules applicable to them.

     In order to enable a Holder  (that is  otherwise  eligible) to qualify as a
RIC, the Portfolio  intends to satisfy the  requirements  of Subchapter M of the
Code relating to sources of income and diversification of assets as if they were
applicable to the Portfolio and to allocate and permit  withdrawals  in a manner
that will enable a Holder that is a RIC to comply with those  requirements.  The
Portfolio  will  allocate  at  least  annually  to  each  Holder  such  Holder's
distributive  share of the  Portfolio's  net  investment  income,  net  realized
capital gains, and any other items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit in
a manner intended to comply with the Code and applicable  Treasury  regulations.
Tax counsel  has  advised the  Portfolio  that the  Portfolio's  allocations  of
taxable income and loss should have "economic effect" under applicable  Treasury
regulations.

                                        B-3

<PAGE>
         To the extent the cash proceeds of any  withdrawal  (or,  under certain
circumstances,  such  proceeds  plus  the  value  of any  marketable  securities
distributed to an investor) ("liquid proceeds") exceed a Holder's adjusted basis
of his interest in the Portfolio,  the Holder will generally  realize a gain for
federal income tax purposes.  If, upon a complete withdrawal  (redemption of the
entire interest), the Holder's adjusted basis of his interest exceeds the liquid
proceeds  of such  withdrawal,  the  Holder  will  generally  realize a loss for
federal income tax purposes.  The tax  consequences  of a withdrawal of property
(instead of or in addition to liquid proceeds) will be different and will depend
on the specific factual circumstances.  A Holder's adjusted basis of an interest
in the Portfolio will generally be the aggregate prices paid therefor (including
the  adjusted  basis of  contributed  property and any gain  recognized  on such
contribution),  increased by the amounts of the Holder's  distributive  share of
items of income  (including  interest income exempt from federal income tax) and
realized net gain of the Portfolio,  and reduced, but not below zero, by (i) the
amounts of the Holder's  distributive share of items of Portfolio loss, and (ii)
the amount of any cash distributions (including distributions of interest income
exempt from federal income tax and cash  distributions  on withdrawals  from the
Portfolio)  and the basis to the Holder of any property  received by such Holder
other than in  liquidation,  and (iii) the  Holder's  distributive  share of the
Portfolio's  nondeductible  expenditures  not  properly  chargeable  to  capital
account.  Increases  or  decreases  in  a  Holder's  share  of  the  Portfolio's
liabilities  may also result in  corresponding  increases  or  decreases in such
adjusted  basis.  Distributions  of liquid  proceeds  in  excess  of a  Holder's
adjusted  basis in its  interest  in the  Portfolio  immediately  prior  thereto
generally will result in the  recognition of gain to the Holder in the amount of
such excess.

         The Portfolio may acquire zero coupon or other  securities  issued with
original issue discount.  As the holder of those securities,  the Portfolio must
account for the original issue  discount that accrues on the  securities  during
the taxable year, even if it receives no corresponding payment on the securities
during the year.  Because  each  Holder that is a RIC must  distribute  annually
substantially  all of its investment  company  taxable income and net tax-exempt
income,  including any original  issue  discount,  to qualify for treatment as a
RIC, any such Holder may be required in a particular  year to  distribute  as an
"exempt-interest  dividend"  an amount  that is greater  than its  proportionate
share  of the  total  amount  of cash the  Portfolio  actually  receives.  Those
distributions  will be made from the Holder's  cash assets,  if any, or from its
proportionate  share of the Portfolio's  cash assets or the proceeds of sales of
the  Portfolio's  securities,  if necessary.  The Portfolio may realize  capital
gains or  losses  from  those  sales,  which  would  increase  or  decrease  the
investment  company  taxable  income  and/or net capital gain (the excess of net
long-term  capital gain over net short-term  capital loss) of a Holder that is a
RIC.  In  addition,  any  such  gains  may be  realized  on the  disposition  of
securities  held  for  less  than  three  months.  Because  of  the  Short-Short
Limitation  (defined below), any such gains would reduce the Portfolio's ability
to sell other securities,  or options or futures  contracts,  held for less than
three months that it might wish to sell in the ordinary  course of its portfolio
management.

         The  appropriate  tax  accounting for dollar rolls is also uncertain in
some respects,  and the Portfolio's use of such rolls may accordingly be limited
in order to preserve an investor's qualification as a RIC.

         Investments in lower-rated  or unrated  securities may present  special
tax issues for the  Portfolio  and hence to an investor in the  Portfolio to the
extent  actual or  anticipated  defaults may be more likely with respect to such
securities.  Tax rules are not  entirely  clear  about  issues  such as when the
Portfolio  may cease to accrue  interest,  original  issue  discount,  or market
discount;  when and to what  extent  deductions  may be taken  for bad  debts or
worthless securities;  how payments received on obligations in default should be
allocated  between   principal  and  income;   and  whether  exchanges  of  debt
obligations in a workout context are taxable.

         The  Portfolio may be subject to foreign  withholding  or other foreign
taxes with respect to income (possibly including,  in some cases, capital gains)
derived from foreign securities.  These taxes may be reduced or eliminated under
the terms of an applicable U.S.  income tax treaty.  Because it is expected that
more than 50% of the value of the total assets of the  Portfolio at the close of
any taxable year will consist of securities issued by foreign  corporations,  an
investor that is a RIC may be eligible to pass through to its shareholders their
proportionate shares of foreign taxes paid by the Portfolio and allocated to the
RIC, with the result that shareholders would include such  proportionate  shares
in income  subject to federal income tax and would be entitled to take a foreign
tax credit or deduction for such foreign taxes,  subject to certain limitations.
Certain  foreign  exchange  gains  and  losses  realized  by the  Portfolio  and
allocated to the RIC will be treated as ordinary income and losses. Certain uses
of foreign currency,  foreign currency options,  futures and forward  contracts,
and interest rate and currency swaps, and investment by the Portfolio in certain
"passive foreign investment companies",  may be limited or a tax election may be
made, if available, in order to enable an investor that is a RIC to preserve its
qualification as a RIC or to avoid imposition of a tax on such an investor.

         The Portfolio's  transactions in options, futures contracts and forward
contracts  will be  subject to  special  tax rules  that may affect the  amount,
timing  and  character  of its  items  of  income,  gain or loss and  hence  the
allocations of such items to investors.  For example,  certain positions held by
the  Portfolio  on the last  business day of each taxable year will be marked to
market (I.E.,  treated as if closed out on such day),  and any resulting gain or
loss will generally be treated as 60% long-term and 40% short-term  capital gain
or loss. Certain positions held by the Portfolio that substantially diminish the
Portfolio's  risk of loss with respect to other  positions in its  portfolio may
constitute  "straddles,"  which are subject to tax rules that may cause deferral
of Portfolio losses,  adjustments in the holding period of Portfolio  securities
and conversion of short-term into long-term  capital  losses.  The Portfolio may
make certain  elections to mitigate adverse  consequences of these tax rates and
may have to limit its  activities  in  options,  futures  contracts  and forward
contracts  in  order  to  enable  an  investor  that  is a RIC to  preserve  its
qualification as a RIC.

         Income from  transactions in options and futures  contracts  derived by
the  Portfolio  with respect to its business of  investing  in  securities  will
qualify  as  permissible  income  for  its  Holders  that  are  RICs  under  the
requirement  that at least 90% of a RIC's gross income each taxable year consist
of specified types of income. However, income from the disposition by

                                        B-4

<PAGE>
the Portfolio of options and futures  contracts  held for less than three months
will be subject to the  requirement  applicable  to those Holders that less than
30% of a RIC's gross  income each  taxable  year  consist of certain  short-term
gains ("Short-Short Limitation").

         If the Portfolio satisfies certain requirements,  any increase in value
of a  position  that is part  of a  "designated  hedge"  will be  offset  by any
decrease in value (whether  realized or not) of the offsetting  hedging position
during the period of the hedge for purposes of  determining  whether the Holders
that are RICs satisfy the  Short-Short  Limitation.  Thus, only the net gain (if
any) from the designated  hedge will be included in gross income for purposes of
that  limitation.  The Portfolio will consider whether it should seek to qualify
for this  treatment  for its hedging  transactions.  To the extent the Portfolio
does not so  qualify,  it may be forced to defer the  closing out of options and
futures  contracts beyond the time when it otherwise would be advantageous to do
so, in order for Holders that are RICs to continue to qualify as such.

           An entity that is treated as a  partnership  under the Code,  such as
the Portfolio,  is generally  treated as a partnership under state and local tax
laws, but certain states may have different entity  classification  criteria and
may therefore  reach a different  conclusion.  Entities  that are  classified as
partnerships  are not treated as separate  taxable entities under most state and
local tax laws,  and the income of a  partnership  is considered to be income of
partners  both in timing and in  character.  The laws of the various  states and
local  taxing  authorities  vary with  respect  to the  status of a  partnership
interest  under state and local tax laws,  and each holder of an interest in the
Portfolio is advised to consult his own tax adviser.

           The  foregoing  discussion  does not  address  the  special tax rules
applicable  to  certain  classes  of  investors,  such as  tax-exempt  entities,
insurance companies and financial  institutions.  Investors should consult their
own tax  advisers  with  respect  to  special  tax rules that may apply in their
particular  situations,  as well as the state, local or foreign tax consequences
of investing in the Portfolio.

ITEM 21.  UNDERWRITERS

     The  placement   agent  for  the  Portfolio  is  EVD,   which  receives  no
compensation  for serving in this  capacity.  Investment  companies,  common and
commingled trust funds and similar  organizations  and entities may continuously
invest in the Portfolio.

ITEM 22.  CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE DATA

         Not applicable.

   
ITEM 23.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     The   following   audited   financial   statements  of  the  Portfolio  are
incorporated  by  reference  into this Part B and have been so  incorporated  in
reliance upon the report of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.,  independent  accountants,
as experts in accounting and auditing.

                  Portfolio of  Investments  as of October 31, 1996 Statement of
                  Assets and  Liabilities  as of October 31, 1996  Statement  of
                  Operations   for  the  fiscal  year  ended  October  31,  1996
                  Statement  of Changes in Net Assets for the fiscal years ended
                  October 31,  1996 and 1995
                  Supplementary Data for the fiscal years ended October
                  31,  1996 and  1995,  and for the  period  from  the  start of
                  business,  March  1,  1994,  to  October  31,  1994  Notes  to
                  Financial Statements Report of Independent Accountants

     For  purposes  of the EDGAR  filing of this  amendment  to the  Portfolio's
registration  statement,  the  Portfolio  incorporates  by  reference  the above
audited  financial  statements  as  previously  filed  electronically  with  the
Commission (Accession Number 0000928816-96-000388).
    

                                          B-5

<PAGE>
                                     PART C

ITEM 24.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(A)      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

         The Financial  statements  called for by this Item are  incorporated by
         reference in Part B and listed in Item 23 hereof.

   
(B)      EXHIBITS

     1. (a)  Declaration of Trust of the  Registrant  dated May 1, 1992 filed as
Exhibit (1)(a) to Amendment No. 2 and incorporated herein by reference.

     (b)  Amendment  to  Declaration  of Trust dated  February 23, 1994 filed as
Exhibit (1)(b) to Amendment No. 2 and incorporated herein by reference.

     (c) Amendment to  Declaration of Trust dated March 1, 1995 filed as Exhibit
(1)(c) to Amendment No. 2 and incorporated herein by reference.

     (d) Amendment to Declaration of Trust dated June 14, 1993 filed herewith.

   2. By-Laws of the Registrant as adopted May 1, 1992 filed as Exhibit (2) to
      Amendment No. 2 and incorporated herein by reference.

     5.  Investment   Advisory  Agreement  between  the  Registrant  and  Boston
Management  and  Research  dated March 1, 1994 filed as Exhibit (5) to Amendment
No.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

     6.  Placement  Agent  Agreement  between  the  Registrant  and Eaton  Vance
Distributors, Inc. dated November 1, 1996 filed herewith.

     8. (a) Custodian  Agreement  between the  Registrant  and Investors  Bank &
Trust Company dated March 1, 1994 filed as Exhibit (8)(a) to Amendment No. 2 and
incorporated herein by reference.

     (b)  Amendment  to  Custodian  Agreement  dated  October  23, 1995 filed as
Exhibit (8)(b) to Amendment No. 2 and incorporated herein by reference.

     9.  Administration  Agreement  between the Registrant and Boston Management
and  Research  dated  March 1, 1994 filed as Exhibit (9) to  Amendment  No.1 and
incorporated herein by reference.

     13. Investment  representation letter of Eaton Vance Investment Fund, Inc.,
on behalf of Eaton Vance Short-Term  Global Income Fund, dated December 14, 1993
filed as Exhibit (13) to Amendment No.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
    

ITEM 25.  PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT

         Not applicable.

   
ITEM 26.  NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

                          (1)                                (2)
                                                          NUMBER OF
                    TITLE OF CLASS                    RECORD HOLDERS

                                                      As of January 31, 1997

                      Interests                              2
                                     C-1
    

<PAGE>

ITEM 27.  INDEMNIFICATION

     Article V of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust contains indemnification
provisions  for  Trustees  and  officers.  The  Trustees  and  officers  of  the
Registrant and the personnel of the Registrant's  investment adviser are insured
under an errors and omissions liability insurance policy. The Registrant and its
officers are also insured  under the fidelity  bond required by Rule 17g-1 under
the Investment Company Act of 1940.

     The Placement Agent Agreement also provides for recipricol indemnity of the
placement agent, on the one hand, and the Trustees and officers, on the other.

ITEM 28.  BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS

         To the knowledge of the Portfolio,  none of the trustees or officers of
the Portfolio's investment adviser, except as set forth on its Form ADV as filed
with  the SEC,  is  engaged  in any  other  business,  profession,  vocation  or
employment of a substantial  nature,  except that certain  trustees and officers
also hold various  positions  with and engage in business for  affiliates of the
investment adviser.

ITEM 29.  PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS

         Not applicable.

ITEM 30.  LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

     All applicable  accounts,  books and documents required to be maintained by
the  Registrant  by  Section  31(a) of the 1940  Act and the  Rules  promulgated
thereunder  are in the  possession  and custody of the  Registrant's  custodian,
Investors  Bank & Trust Company,  89 South Street,  Boston,  MA 02111,  with the
exception of certain corporate documents and portfolio trading documents,  which
are in the possession and custody of the Registrant's  investment  adviser at 24
Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110. The Registrant is informed that all applicable
accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by registered investment
advisers  are in the  custody  and  possession  of the  Registrant's  investment
adviser.

ITEM 31.  MANAGEMENT SERVICES

         Not applicable.

ITEM 32.  UNDERTAKINGS

         Not applicable.

                                     C-2
<PAGE>
   
                                   SIGNATURES


           Pursuant to the  requirements of the Investment  Company Act of 1940,
the Registrant has duly caused this amendment to its  Registration  Statement on
Form  N-1A  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized,  in the City of Boston and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 28th
day of February, 1997.

                                                     STRATEGIC INCOME PORTFOLIO

                                                     By /S/  JAMES B. HAWKES
                                                              James B. Hawkes
                                                              President
    

                                      C-3
<PAGE>
                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT NO.                         DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT

     (1)(d) Amendment to Declaration of Trust dated June 14, 1993.

     (6)  Placement  Agent  Agreement  between the  Registrant  and Eaton Vance
Distributors, Inc. dated November 1, 1996.








                       SHORT-TERM GLOBAL INCOME PORTFOLIO

                        AMENDMENT TO DECLARATION OF TRUST

                                  June 14, 1993

The  undersigned,  being at least a majority of the  Trustees of the  Portfolio,
acting  pursuant to Section 10.4 of ARTICLE X of the  Declaration  of Trust,  do
hereby:

         Change and amend  Section  3.11 of ARTICLE  III of the  Declaration  of
Trust to read as follows:

         " 3.11.  FURTHER  POWERS.  The Trustees shall have power to conduct the
         business of the Trust and carry on its operations in any and all of its
         branches and maintain  offices,  whether within or without the State of
         New York, in any and all states of the United States of America, in the
         district of Columbia,  and in any and all  commonwealths,  territories,
         dependencies,  colonies, possessions,  agencies or instrumentalities of
         the United States and of foreign governments,  and to do all such other
         things and execute all such instruments as they deem necessary, proper,
         appropriate or desirable in order to promote the interests of the Trust
         although  such  things  are  not  herein  specifically  mentioned.  The
         Trustees shall have full power and authority, in the name and on behalf
         of the Trust to engage in and to prosecute, defend, compromise, settle,
         abandon,  or adjust by  arbitration or otherwise,  any actions,  suits,
         proceedings,  disputes,  claims and demands relating to this Trust, and
         out of the  assets of the Trust to pay or to satisfy  any  liabilities,
         losses,   debts,  claims  or  expenses  (including  without  limitation
         attorneys' fees) incurred in connection  therewith,  including those of
         litigation,  and such power shall include without  limitation the power
         of the Trustees or any committee  thereof,  in the exercise of their or
         its good faith business  judgment,  to dismiss or terminate any action,
         suit, proceeding,  dispute,  claim or demand,  derivative or otherwise,
         brought  by any  person,  including  a Holder in its own name or in the
         name of the Trust,  whether or not the Trust or any of the Trustees may
         be named individually therein or the subject matter arises by reason of
         business for or on behalf of the Trust. Any determination as to what is
         in the  interests  of the Trust  which is made by the  Trustees in good
         faith  shall  be  conclusive.  In  construing  the  provisions  of this
         Declaration,  the presumption  shall be in favor of a grant of power to
         the  Trustees.  The Trustees  shall not be required to obtain any court
         order in order to deal with Trust Property."



<PAGE>


         Further,  the undersigned do hereby declare and find that the foregoing
change and amendment is necessary and appropriate and does not have a materially
adverse effect on the financial  interest of the Holders of the Portfolio.  Said
Amendment shall take effect on the date set forth above.


/s/ Landon T. Clay                                   /s/ Norton H. Reamer
- ---------------------------                          ---------------------------
Landon T. Clay                                       Norton H. Reamer

/s/ Donald R. Dwight                                 /s/ John L. Thorndike
- ---------------------------                          ---------------------------
Donald R. Dwight                                     John L. Thorndike

/s/ James B. Hawkes                                  /s/ Jack L. Treynor
- ---------------------------                          ---------------------------
James B. Hawkes                                      Jack L. Treynor

/s/ Samuel L. Hayes, III
- ---------------------------
Samuel L. Hayes, III



                            PLACEMENT AGENT AGREEMENT


                                                                November 1, 1996


Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.
24 Federal Street
Boston, Massachusetts  02110

Gentlemen:

         This is to confirm that, in consideration of the agreements hereinafter
contained,  the  undersigned,  Strategic  Income  Portfolio  (the  "Trust"),  an
open-end  diversified   management   investment  company  registered  under  the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"),  organized as a New
York trust, has agreed that Eaton Vance  Distributors,  Inc.  ("EVD"),  formerly
named EV  Distributors,  Inc.,  shall be the  placement  agent  (the  "Placement
Agent") of Interests in the Trust ("Trust Interests").

         1.  SERVICES AS PLACEMENT AGENT.

         1.1 EVD will act as Placement Agent of the Trust  Interests  covered by
the Trust's registration  statement then in effect under the 1940 Act. In acting
as Placement  Agent under this Placement  Agent  Agreement,  neither EVD nor its
employees or any agents thereof shall make any offer or sale of Trust  Interests
in a manner which would require the Trust  Interests to be registered  under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act").

         1.2 All  activities  by EVD and its agents and  employees  as Placement
Agent of Trust  Interests  shall  comply  with all  applicable  laws,  rules and
regulations,  including,  without limitation,  all rules and regulations adopted
pursuant  to the  1940  Act by  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (the
"Commission").

         1.3 Nothing  herein  shall be  construed to require the Trust to accept
any offer to  purchase  any Trust  Interests,  all of which  shall be subject to
approval by the Board of Trustees.

         1.4 The Trust  shall  furnish  from time to time for use in  connection
with the sale of Trust Interests such  information with respect to the Trust and
Trust Interests as EVD may reasonably request.  The Trust shall also furnish EVD
upon request with: (a) unaudited semiannual  statements of the Trust's books and
accounts  prepared  by the  Trust,  and (b) from  time to time  such  additional
information  regarding the Trust's financial or regulatory  condition as EVD may
reasonably request.

         1.5 The Trust represents to EVD that all registration  statements filed
by the  Trust  with the  Commission  under  the 1940 Act with  respect  to Trust
Interests have been prepared in conformity with the requirements of such statute
and the rules and  regulations  of the  Commission  thereunder.  As used in this
Agreement  the  term  "registration   statement"  shall  mean  any  registration
statement  filed with the Commission as modified by any amendments  thereto that
at any time shall have been  filed  with the  Commission  by or on behalf of the
Trust. The Trust represents and warrants to EVD that any registration  statement
will contain all  statements  required to be stated  therein in conformity  with
both such  statute and the rules and  regulations  of the  Commission;  that all
statements  of fact  contained in any  registration  statement  will be true and
correct  in all  material  respects  at the time of filing of such  registration
statement or amendment thereto; and that no registration  statement will include
an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements  therein not misleading
to a purchaser of Trust  Interests.  The Trust may but shall not be obligated to
propose from time to time such amendment to any registration statement as in the
light of future  developments  may, in the opinion of the  Trust's  counsel,  be
necessary or  advisable.  If the Trust shall not propose such  amendment  and/or
supplement  within fifteen days after receipt by the Trust of a written  request
from EVD to do so, EVD may, at its option,  terminate this Agreement.  The Trust
shall not file any amendment to any  registration  statement  without giving EVD
reasonable notice thereof in advance; provided,  however, that nothing contained
in this  Agreement  shall in any way limit the Trust's right to file at any time
such amendment to any  registration  statement as the Trust may deem  advisable,
such right being in all respects absolute and unconditional.

         1.6 The Trust  agrees to  indemnify,  defend and hold EVD,  its several
officers  and  directors,  and any person who controls EVD within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the  Securities  and Exchange Act of
1934 (the  "1934  Act")  (for  purposes  of this  paragraph  1.6,  collectively,
"Covered  Persons")  free and  harmless  from and  against  any and all  claims,
demands,  liabilities  and  expenses  (including  the cost of  investigating  or
defending such claims,  demands or liabilities  and any counsel fees incurred in
connection therewith) which any Covered Person may incur under the 1933 Act, the
1934  Act,  common  law or  otherwise,  arising  out of or based  on any  untrue
statement of a material fact contained in any  registration  statement,  private
placement memorandum or other offering material ("Offering Material") or arising
out of or based on any omission to state a material  fact  required to be stated
in any Offering  Material or necessary  to make the  statements  in any Offering
Material  not  misleading;  provided,  however,  that the Trust's  agreement  to
indemnify  Covered  Persons  shall not be deemed to cover any  claims,  demands,
liabilities or expenses arising out of any financial and other statements as are
furnished in writing to the Trust by EVD in its capacity as Placement  Agent for
use in the  answers  to  any  items  of  any  registration  statement  or in any
statements  made in any  Offering  Material,  or arising  out of or based on any
omission or alleged  omission to state a material  fact in  connection  with the
giving of such information required to be stated in such answers or necessary to
make the answers not misleading; and further provided that the Trust's agreement
to indemnify EVD and the Trust's representations and warranties hereinbefore set
forth in this  paragraph  1.6 shall not be deemed to cover any  liability to the
Trust or its investors to which a Covered  Person would  otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance,  bad faith or gross negligence in the performance
of its duties,  or by reason of a Covered  Person's  reckless  disregard  of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement. The Trust should be notified of any
action brought  against a Covered  Person,  such  notification  to be given by a
writing addressed to the Trust, 24 Federal Street Boston,  Massachusetts  02110,
with a copy to the Administrator of the Trust,  Eaton Vance  Management,  at the
same address, promptly after the summons or other first legal process shall have
been duly and  completely  served upon such  Covered  Person.  The failure to so
notify  the Trust of any such  action  shall  not  relieve  the  Trust  from any
liability  except to the extent the Trust  shall  have been  prejudiced  by such
failure,  or from any  liability  that the Trust may have to the Covered  Person
against  whom such action is brought by reason of any such untrue  statement  or
omission, otherwise than on account of the Trust's indemnity agreement contained
in this paragraph.  The Trust will be entitled to assume the defense of any suit
brought to enforce any such claim,  demand or  liability,  but in such case such
defense shall be conducted by counsel of good  standing  chosen by the Trust and
approved by EVD, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event
the Trust  elects to assume the  defense of any such suit and retain  counsel of
good  standing  approved by EVD, the  defendant or defendants in such suit shall
bear the fees and expenses of any  additional  counsel  retained by any of them;
but in case the Trust does not elect to assume  the  defense of any such suit or
in case EVD  reasonably  does not  approve of counsel  chosen by the Trust,  the
Trust will reimburse the Covered Person named as defendant in such suit, for the
fees  and  expenses  of  any  counsel   retained  by  EVD  or  it.  The  Trust's
indemnification   agreement   contained  in  this   paragraph  and  the  Trust's
representations  and warranties in this Agreement shall remain  operative and in
full force and effect  regardless of any  investigation  made by or on behalf of
Covered  Persons,  and shall survive the delivery of any Trust  Interests.  This
agreement  of  indemnity  will inure  exclusively  to Covered  Persons and their
successors.  The Trust agrees to notify EVD promptly of the  commencement of any
litigation or  proceedings  against the Trust or any of its officers or Trustees
in connection with the issue and sale of any Trust Interests.

         1.7 EVD agrees to  indemnify,  defend and hold the Trust,  its  several
officers and trustees,  and any person who controls the Trust within the meaning
of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or  Section  20 of the 1934 Act (for  purposes  of
this paragraph 1.7, collectively,  "Covered Persons") free and harmless from and
against any and all claims,  demands,  liabilities  and expenses  (including the
costs of  investigating or defending such claims,  demands,  liabilities and any
counsel fees incurred in connection  therewith)  that Covered  Persons may incur
under the 1933 Act,  the 1934 Act or common  law or  otherwise,  but only to the
extent that such  liability or expense  incurred by a Covered  Person  resulting
from  such  claims  or  demands  shall  arise  out of or be based on any  untrue
statement of a material fact  contained in  information  furnished in writing by
EVD in its  capacity as  Placement  Agent to the Trust for use in the answers to
any of the items of any registration statement or in any statements in any other
Offering  Material or shall arise out of or be based on any  omission to state a
material fact in connection with such information furnished in writing by EVD to
the Trust  required  to be  stated in such  answers  or  necessary  to make such
information not misleading.  EVD shall be notified of any action brought against
a Covered Person, such notification to be given by a writing addressed to EVD at
24 Federal Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts 02110,  promptly after the summons or
other first legal process shall have been duly and  completely  served upon such
Covered Person.  EVD shall have the right of first control of the defense of the
action with counsel of its own choosing satisfactory to the Trust if such action
is based solely on such alleged  misstatement  or omission on EVD's part, and in
any other event each Covered  Person shall have the right to  participate in the
defense or  preparation  of the  defense of any such  action.  The failure to so
notify EVD of any such action shall not relieve EVD from any liability except to
the extent the Trust shall have been  prejudiced  by such  failure,  or from any
liability  that EVD may have to Covered  Persons by reason of any such untrue or
alleged untrue  statement,  or omission or alleged  omission,  otherwise than on
account of EVD's indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph.

         1.8 No Trust  Interests  shall be  offered  by either  EVD or the Trust
under any of the  provisions of this Agreement and no orders for the purchase or
sale of Trust Interests  hereunder shall be accepted by the Trust if and so long
as the effectiveness of the registration  statement or any necessary  amendments
thereto  shall be suspended  under any of the  provisions of the 1933 Act or the
1940 Act; provided,  however,  that nothing contained in this paragraph shall in
any way restrict or have an application to or bearing on the Trust's  obligation
to redeem Trust Interests from any investor in accordance with the provisions of
the Trust's registration statement or Declaration of Trust, as amended from time
to time.

         1.9 The Trust agrees to advise EVD as soon as reasonably practical by a
notice in writing delivered to EVD or its counsel:

     (a) of any request by the  Commission  for  amendments to the  registration
statement then in effect or for additional information;

         (b) in the event of the  issuance by the  Commission  of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement then in effect or the
initiation  by  service  of  process  on the  Trust of any  proceeding  for that
purpose;

         (c) of the  happening of any event that makes untrue any statement of a
material fact made in the registration statement then in effect or that requires
the  making  of a change  in such  registration  statement  in order to make the
statements therein not misleading; and

         (d) of all action of the  Commission  with respect to any  amendment to
any  registration  statement  that  may  from  time to time be  filed  with  the
Commission.

         For purposes of this paragraph 1.9, informal requests by or acts of the
Staff of the  Commission  shall  not be deemed  actions  of or  requests  by the
Commission.

         1.10  EVD  agrees  on  behalf  of  itself  and its  employees  to treat
confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust all records and other
information  not  otherwise  publicly  available  relative  to the Trust and its
prior,  present  or  potential  investors  and  not  to  use  such  records  and
information for any purpose other than performance of its  responsibilities  and
duties hereunder,  except after prior notification to and approval in writing by
the Trust,  which  approval  shall not be  unreasonably  withheld and may not be
withheld where EVD may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt  proceedings for
failure  to  comply,   when  requested  to  divulge  such  information  by  duly
constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Trust.

         2.  DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT.

         This Agreement  shall become  effective upon the date of its execution,
and, unless terminated as herein provided, shall remain in full force and effect
through and  including  February  28, 1997 and shall  continue in full force and
effect  indefinitely  thereafter,  but  only so long as such  continuance  after
February 28, 1997 is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the Board of
Trustees  of the  Trust  or by  vote of a  majority  of the  outstanding  voting
securities of the Trust and (ii) by the vote of a majority of those  Trustees of
the Trust who are not interested persons of EVD or the Trust cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

         Either party hereto may, at any time on sixty (60) days' prior  written
notice to the  other,  terminate  this  agreement  without  the  payment  of any
penalty, by action of Trustees of the Trust or the Directors of EVD, as the case
may be,  and the  Trust  may,  at any time  upon  such  written  notice  to EVD,
terminate  this  Agreement  by  vote of a  majority  of the  outstanding  voting
securities of the Trust.  This Agreement  shall terminate  automatically  in the
event of its assignment.

         3.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

         EVD and the Trust each hereby represents and warrants to the other that
it has all requisite authority to enter into,  execute,  deliver and perform its
obligations under this Agreement and that, with respect to it, this Agreement is
legal, valid and binding, and enforceable in accordance with its terms.

         4.  LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

         EVD expressly acknowledges the provision in the Declaration of Trust of
the Trust (Sections 5.2 and 5.6) limiting the personal liability of the Trustees
and officers of the Trust,  and EVD hereby agrees that it shall have recourse to
the Trust for  payment of claims or  obligations  as  between  the Trust and EVD
arising out of this Agreement and shall not seek  satisfaction  from any Trustee
or officer of the Trust.

         5.  CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

         The terms "assignment" and "interested  persons" when used herein shall
have the respective  meanings specified in the Investment Company Act of 1940 as
now in effect or as hereafter  amended subject,  however,  to such exemptions as
may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission by any rule, regulation
or order.  The term "vote of a majority of the  outstanding  voting  securities"
shall mean the vote, at a meeting of Holders, of the lesser of (a) 67 per centum
or more of the  Interests in the Trust  present or  represented  by proxy at the
meeting if the Holders of more than 50 per centum of the  outstanding  Interests
in the Trust are present or  represented  by proxy at the  meeting,  or (b) more
than  50 per  centum  of the  outstanding  Interests  in the  Trust.  The  terms
"Holders" and  "Interests"  when used herein shall have the respective  meanings
specified in the Declaration of Trust of the Trust.

         6.  CONCERNING APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF LAW, ETC.

         This Agreement  shall be subject to all  applicable  provisions of law,
including the  applicable  provisions of the 1940 Act and to the extent that any
provisions herein contained conflict with any such applicable provisions of law,
the latter shall control.

         The laws of the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  shall,  except to the
extent  that any  applicable  provisions  of federal  law shall be  controlling,
govern  the  construction,  validity  and  effect  of  this  Agreement,  without
reference to principles of conflicts of law.

         If the  contract  set forth  herein  is  acceptable  to you,  please so
indicate by executing the enclosed copy of this Agreement and returning the same
to the undersigned, whereupon this Agreement shall constitute a binding contract
between  the  parties  hereto  effective  at the closing of business on the date
hereof.

                                            Yours very truly,

                                            STRATEGIC INCOME PORTFOLIO




                                            By: /s/ James B. Hawkes
                                                    President

Accepted:

EATON VANCE DISTRIBUTORS, INC.


By:/s/ Wharton P. Whitaker
       President

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<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
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