Franco Demands Recognition

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 146, 8 July 1937, Page 5

Franco Demands Recognition

— Pres» Assn.—

NOTE TO POWERS Granting oi Belligerent Rights INTERVENTION ALLEGED

(B» Telegraph-

-Copy right.)

(Received Jnly 8, 8.45 a.m.) V PARIS, July 7. It is reported from Salamanca that General Franco, GeneTalissimo of the rcbel forces in the Spauish eivil war, has sent a Note to the Powers, demanding his recognition as a belligerent nnder international law, and thTeatening to clcse Spain against those "who show themselves dnr enemies." He a'so accuses England and France of intervention in the eivil war. The Note adds; "The sacrifices that Nationalist Spain is making in the defence of Western civilisation by frcemg her territory from Communism and establishing national unity entitles her to demand respect and to speak clearly to the world, and especially England anrl France, who have, either by action or inaction, intervened in favour of those seeking by Bolshevism to destroy Spain. We have presented pnwerfnl and unanswerable reasons for demandmg recognition as belligerents, but we see the justice of our cause distorted and disfigured, while silence is preserv* ed regarding the criininal genius nresiding over the Government and the ontire life of Eed Spain. "None of the eountries who are morally supporting us seek territorial advautages at our expense, or alteration of the Mediterranean status quo. If the other nations, forgetting their future interests, do not satisfy those of .Nationalist Spain and reply to her proofs of fiiendship with injustice and ill-will, they must not be surprised if to morrow our international and ecouomie policy closes its doors to those sliowing their enmity to us in our hour of need."