#belligerents

Neutrality has long been viewed as impartiality in war. This column, part of the Vox debate on World War II, asserts that neutral states in the war were realist in approaching their defence to ensure their survival. Neutrals such as Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland maintained independence by offering economic concessions to the belligerents to make up for their relative military weakness. Economic concessions took the form of merchandise trade, services, labour, and capital flows. Depending on their position and the changing fortunes of war, neutral countries could also extract concessions from the belligerents, if their situation permitted.

Enhancing public awareness of the value of Neutrality in international relations. International Day of Neutrality. #12December

The language used by the Spanish Government to the United States on the subject of their recognizing the Cuban insurgents as belligerents appears not to be an empty threat. Orders are said to have been given for the dispatch of two iron-clads to the island; a force of 3000 men have already been sent thither, and 7000 more are to leave for the same destination in the course of a few days.