TO THE RESCUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 201, 25 August 1937, Page 7

TO THE RESCUE.

BRITISH DESTROYER. Evacuating Basque Refugees And Ministers. FEAR OP EXTREMISTS* ACTION. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Received 12.30 p.m.) ST. JEAN DE LUZ, August 24. The British destroyer Keith left for Santander to endeavour to pick up members of the Basque Government, including the President, Senor Aguirre, also 17 Nationalist hostages, who were taken to Santander when Bilbao fell, and any remaining British subjects. The British Embassy at Hendaye was planning to rescue Britons when it received an urgent appeal from the Salamanca Government to assist in rescuing the hostages wl&in the Basques had filially agreed to release. They have been held because of important connections with insurgent Spain. Hostages are now considered to be in the gravest peril. The Basques admit it is no longer possible to protect them from extremist elements.

The Embassy has agreed but has been notified also to take off Basque guards and remaining members of the Government. Senor Aguirre and others immediately signified their desire to take advantage of the opportunity to leave. A radio from Bilbao says that the junta in Santander sent a message to General Solehaga, insurgent commander, seeking an armistice. Insurgents condemned Senor Manuel Castro, e.\-Minister of Industry in the Basque Government, and several officers of the Basque army to death.