REFUGEES CROWD GIBRALTAR

Southland Times, Issue 22949, 23 July 1936, Page 5

REFUGEES CROWD GIBRALTAR

Food Supplies Short FIGHTING NEAR THE FRONTIER (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, July 21. Gibraltar is so crowded with refugees from Spain that some of the food supplies are giving out. The Government has issued instructions that only British citizens or Spaniards working in Gibraltar are henceforth to be admitted. Pathetic scenes were witnessed on the neutral ground between Gibraltar and La Linea, which is crowded with women and children. , The military authorities have placec. barbed wire on the frontier and firemen are ready with hydrants to repel a Spanish rush. The Salvation Army and other volunteers are supplying food to the refugees. Fighting is going on near the frontier, and it is reported that 90 were killed at La Linea on Tuesday. The commander of the British destroyer Shamrock has wirelessed that Malaga is in the complete control of the Government. The crew of the Spanish warship Jamie Primeiro overpowered its officers, who had declared for the rebels. The crew wirelessed Madrid asking what to do with them and were told to throw the bodies overboard. The ship is now proceeding to Tangier, where nine warships loyal to the Government are concentrated. In addition to the British warships at Nownat, Vigo, Malaga and Tangier, H.M.S. Witch is proceeding to Ferrol and H.M.S. Wren to Corunna. The Admiralty announced this evening that the Rear-Admiral Commanding the First Cruiser Squadron had been instructed to send one cruiser to Barcelona and one cruiser to Palma. The cruiser Amphion, which sailed today to join the Africa station, has been ordered to go to Teneriffe. PROTECTION OF AMERICAN NATIONALS WARSHIPS ORDERED TO SPAIN. (United Pres.'; Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 9.15 p.m.) Washington, July 22. The United States warships Oklahoma and Quincy have been order to Spanish waters to protect the 1500 American nationals in Spain and to evacuate them from the country if necessary. The State Department described the move as purely precautionary, as hitherto all nationals were reported safe.