Washington, Apr. 1. MOVING switüy and by surprise, the United States today announced formal recognition of the Spanish Nationalist Government headed by Generalissimo Francisco Franco.
Although the State Department was known to be considering recognition of the Spanish Nationalist Government, Congressional circles did not expect a decision for several months.
The Government took the position that recognition of Gen. Franco's Government did not violate the principle of refusing to recognize aggressive conquests on which America has refused to recognize the conquest of Ethiopia, Manchoukuo, Austria and Czechoslovakia. This principle was not violated. Government circles said, because the United States never officially took notice of German and Italian troop activity in Spain.
The Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, revealed the Government's sudden decision to the press before the message to Burgos had even been delivered. He said the decision had been reached only after careful deliberation of all factors involved The Government's decision was believed to have been influenced by heavy pressure from conservative and Catholic circles in the United States.
Equally important, however, was believed to have been the hope of weakening the alliance between Na-+ tionalist Spain and the Totalitarian Powers by offering friendly relations with the United States. Noteworthy was the fact that the Government's action was parallel with that taken by Britain and France several weeks
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