CHILD REFUGEES FROM BILBAO

Southland Times, Issue 23208, 25 May 1937, Page 7

CHILD REFUGEES FROM BILBAO

Stories Of Horrors Of War 4000 REACH HAVEN IN ENGLAND STARVATION ENDED AT SOUTHAMPTON (United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright) (Received May 24, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 24. “Oh yes, I have seen people killed; I once saw 60 dead after an air raid,” said a 13-year-old Basque boy, one of the 4000 refugee children who landed at Southampton yesterday morning, in an interview. This is one example of many similar stories, some of which recall the horrors of the retreat from Guernica, the ancient Basque capital, which was destroyed by rebel aircraft late in April. Many of the children were so long accustomed to starvation that they were reluctant to part with crusts of bread in their pockets. Other war-time habits had gripped them, to the extent of ducking when clicking news-reel cameras, reminiscent of machine-guns, were presented in their direction.

The children upon their arrival at a camp at North Stoneham were examined and then sampled mattresses, huddled themselves into blankets, and clustered around the field kitchens as a preliminary to consuming their first English meal. Nearly all were hatless, and they had only the clothes they were wearing, but new clothes are ready for all. The most pathetic group was three little ones whose parents were killed during an air raid on Bilbao.

Hearty Meal

The children will remain in quarantine for three weeks before being transferred to the care of various institutions. The children woke up on board the Habana yesterday morning to find the vessel in dock at Southampton. Dr Maurice Williams, medical officer on board, had already examined every child and reported that the health generally was good. The children enjoyed a hearty meal from provisions taken on board on the vessel’s arrival last night. Upwards of 2000 children slept at the camp last night, and the disembarkation of the remainder will be resumed today. Sailors aboard the Habana apparently feared for a time that rebel air auxi- j liaries were about; between 40 and 50 Junkers and Keinkel bombers bombed the harbour before her departure, and she escaped by inches. Twelve children of 100 awaiting embarkation were killed, and the majority of the survivors was taken to Bayonne by a yacht, the Gozeko Izarra. The master of the Habana (Captain Riccardo Fernandez), who visited the camp, declares that once the children began coming aboard no attempt was made to bomb the vessel, though 45 bombs were dropped near her the day before she sailed.

A Spanish steamer, the Cabo Corona, arrived at La Pallice (France) with 1100 refugees including 700 children. The Galea landed 473 and the Zurriola 759 at Paullac. Lord Davies of Llandinam has given £lOOO and his sisters, jointly, £5OO to a relief fund for the Basque children. NO LONGER VALID BRITISH PASSPORTS FOR SPAIN WELLINGTON, May 24. A despatch received from the Imperial Government states that until further notice British passports will cease to be regarded as valid for Spain or the Spanish zone of Morocco unless they have been specifically endorsed for travelling to either of those destinations.

The Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) stated today that the Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden) had informed the House of Commons that with a view to giving practical effect to the obligations of his Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom, under the recent extension of the nonintervention agreement to cover the despatch of volunteers to Spain, British passports would cease to be regarded until further notice as valid for Spain or the Spanish zone of Morocco, unless they have been specifically endorsed for travelling to either of those destinations.

Tile Foreign Secretary stated that the arrangement came into operation on Saturday, February 20, 1937. Special passport endorsements were being granted on a temporary basis only and were issued only to persons who were able to satisfy the passport authorities that they were travelling for urgent business reasons or for other special and approved purposes. Mr Eden added that he had been informed that the passports of British subjects proceeding to Spain, via French territory, required, in addition, to be counter-endorsed by a French prefect.