OPPOSING ARMIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22864, 20 October 1937, Page 15

OPPOSING ARMIES

BELLIGERENT EIGHTS DIFFICULTY OF GRANTING POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright British Wireless RUGBY, Oct. 18 The Times says the granting of belligerent rights to the combatants in Spain can safely be made only if it can be assumed that they will be exercised with a due sense of responsibility, and with respect for international law, which, as a matter of fact, has been disregarded by the naval commanders of both sides. it involves the setting up of trustworthy prize courts and the publication of official lists of contraband. These difficulties, however, could no doubt bo overcome as part of an agreement putting an end to the flow of foreign combatants and munitions into Spain. In that case serious consideration might also be given to the possibility of meeting a grievance over what Count Grancli denounced as the intolerable abuse in the Mediterranean of the flags of pome of the great Powers. A necessary preliminary, however, to any agreement is that effective steps should be taken to end once and for all the movement of munitions and reinforcements from abroad. As soon as the required undertakings have been given and necesnary control established, it would be possible to arrange for the withdrawal of troops already there and to fix a stage at which it would be practicable with proper safeguards to grant belligerent rights to the two rival factions. NAVAL BATTLE REBEL GUNBOAT'S CREW MANY DEAD AND WOUNDED (Received October 19, 5.5 p.m.) GIBRALTAR, Oct. 18 The insurgents' gunboat Dato is reported to have arrived at Cadiz with many dead and wounded after an engagement with a Government destroyer. GARRISON AT BALEARICS * SALAMANCA, Oct. 18 The rebel spokesman, in protesting against suggestions that the French should occupy Minorca, says the garrison on the Balearic Islands is entirely Spanish, and its actions will not prejudice other Powers.