MASS HYSTERIA IN REFUGEE CAMPS

Northern Advocate, 21 June 1937, Page 5

MASS HYSTERIA IN REFUGEE CAMPS

Terrific Shock For Children When They Hear News (United Press Association..—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. 3 (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON. June 20. The authorities in Britain, believing that there might be trouble if the news of Bilbao’s fall was , withheld from the Basque children, broadcast a carefully-worded announcement to avoid shock. “We much regret to announce that enemy troops are now in Bilbao,” it was stated. “It is perhaps small comfort to know that, by now, many of your relatives and friends will be safe in Santander, and, for those who remained in Bilbao, there will at least not now be much danger from bombs. Remain Calm. “We British people who are caring for you, 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.” The children stoned the van when music was turned on, then fled. Nearly all the children were rounded up by this morning, but some of the older boys were still missing.

It was learned that the whole camp was crying before the news bulletin was finished last night. Some fainted and others became hysterical.

Many Start to Pack. Many started frantically packing their small belongings. The dominating thought of the children who broke camp was to go home to help their mothers. Another account states that terrible scenes occurred in the North Stoneham camp last night, when the Basque children heard the news that Bilbao had fallen. Complete terror broke out when the refugees heard the. broadcast from a van, and 500 children, apparently seized by mass hysteria, dashed from camp. Some, it is stated, were armed with table knives. Police, ambulance workers and others, rounded up many on the roads and in adjacent woods, but 150 were still missing at 3.40 a.m. Volunteers continued their search all night.