HUMANITARIAN!

Grey River Argus, 7 September 1939, Page 10

HUMANITARIAN!

The devotion of Great Britain and France to humanitarian ideals was pointedly illustrated in sweltering Oran, Algeria. There, aboard two small British cargo vessels, were brought some 1,000 Spanish refugees from Valencia. Their permission to land was refused, but food was provided. Then, because refugees were penniless, unable to pay for meagre beans and hardtack, port authorities removed ships’ vital parts to ensure that the ships wouldn’t leave without paying. When appeals went to Paris and London, well-tailored officials said they were sorry but the matter was the sole responsibility of shipping companies who took the risk of saving men’s lives at Valencia.—“ Ken.”