World News in Story and Picture

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 150, 26 June 1937, Page 3 (Supplement)

World News in Story and Picture

The pathetic picture of little Basque children, refugees in England, hastening to pack their few possessions that they might set out to help their mothers in the distressed city of Bilbao, is one that should touch the heart of the most hardened militant. Ever since the thousands of Basque children arrived in England the authorities and various religious and charitable organisations, that have taken care of them, have tried to make them happy and comfortable—to make them forget as far as possible, the honors and miseries of civil war. » When the news arrived of the capture of Bilbao, the authorities in Britain thought it best that the children be told at once, as any false report* might cause serious trouble. A carefully-worded broadcast was prepared for the children, telling them that the insurgent troops had entered the city, that many of their relatives and friends were safe in

It Happened in 1937.

Santander, and that those who remained would no longer be in such j.'reat danger from bombs and shells.

"We British people who are caring for you," the announcer said, "cannot express too strongly our sympathy. We ask you all to remain calm. You can rely on us to do our best for you on behalf of your parents."

Unfortunately, the message did not have the desired effect in one of the camps—"the North Stoneham camp, where 500 children arc living. Overcome by long weeks of anxiety, they lost control of their feelings, and hysteria spread through the whole camp. Before the broadcast had ended the whole company was weeping bitterly, complete terror seized the camp, and the children fled over the countryside. Some waited to

War Brings Horrors to Little Children.

pack their few belongings, and others armed themselves with table knives.

Police, ambulance workers and other volunteers spent the night searching for the children, and by next morning they had nearly all of them back in the camp. A few hours later a deputation of 50 little refugees, with a boy of 14 as spokesman, waited on the superintendent. "We have come," they said, "to express the sorrow of the Basque children, for all the trouble we caused last night. We are grateful to the English, and recognise that they are our best friends. We shall never offend again.", A sad little letter, too ,was received addressed to the Prime Minister or "whoever is in command," begging him to send "a great big ship like

those we saw when we came to Eng» land, to protect our mothers, sisters, grandparent* and the eick and aged, so that all the non-combatants can leave Bilbao without danger to their live*."

The children of our peaceful little country, who have never heard the thundering boom of cannon and the threatening zoom of enemy aeroplanes, can scarcely realise the feelings of these little strangers, torn from their native land and thoee most dear to them. It may seem foolish that they should try to go to the help of their dear ones, eo fur across the sea, but in times of great emotional strain one does not always stop to think what is best and most expedient to do. Everyone should school himself to keep calm and control his mind and emotions, no that he ig able to meet any emergency that may arise in life.

The sad example of Spain's civil strife should teach a lesson to every nation of the uselessneea of war, and should strengthen the determination of the British Empire to strive for the peace of the world.