There seems to be confusion of the grant of belligerent rights with the recognition of the Spanish insurgents as the lawful government of Spain, Germany and Italy have both taken the latter step; it automatically includes the former. Great Britain and France have neither recognized General Franco's Government nor granted his forces belligerent rights, Under international law there is no obligation to recognize the belligerency of insurgents, but there equally is no reason why it should not be granted. The matter is thus clarified by Wheat-
When a rebellion has assumed such proportions that it may, without abuse of language, be called a war, and when it is carried on by some species of ongenizad government or authority in full possession of the territory. who it claims to exercise authority, neutral States may then recognize such revolted Government as a belligerent.
As an extreme example of the speed ith which such a right may be given the action of the United States in 1903 may be cited, Then, within a fortnight of the secession of the Panama rebels from the Republic of Colombia, the United States recognized the rebels and five days later signed a treaty with them for the construction of the Panama Qanal—an agreement which Colombia. had refused to entertain. The grant of belligerent rights to General, Franco is not entirely prejudicial ta"his opponents for without it, theoretically, the Valencia Government can be held responsible for damages done by the rebels.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.