SAFETY OF AMERICANS.

Wairarapa Age, 27 July 1936, Page 5

SAFETY OF AMERICANS.

REPORT BY AMBASSADOR. HELP GIVEN BY BRITISH SHIP. (Received Sunday, 6.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, July 25. With the aid of British ships, a number of Americans have been evacuated from San Sebastian, Barcelona, Malaga and other Spanish points. Late in the evening Mr. C. G. Bowers (American Ambassador) established direct telephonic communication with the State Department from San Sebastian and reported his personal safety, although he stated that he w,as unable to cross the French border. '

A file of regular despatches said stray bullets hit the hotel where the American Chancellery was quartered, but there were no casualties. The arrival of the Oklahoma at Bilbao is reported, but all Americans wishing to leave had already been evacuated by a British ship. The American coastguard cutter Cayuga has also arrived at Bilbao.

NAVAL ACTIVITIES. GERMAN BATTLESHIPS GOING TO SPAIN. LONDON, July 24. Germany’s pocket battleships are on the way to Spain. Admiral Horton, commander of the British cruiser London, is reported to have drawn alongside the Italian crui•ser Monte Cuccoli when it was on the point of firing on Barcelona, and persuaded him to desist. The Italians were incensed by attacks on Fascist clubs. A Marseilles report states that three British warships have arrived there with 150 refugees. The Spanish fleet has left Tangier in response to international protests. SLAUGHTER IN BARCELONA. THREE BRITONS COMPELLED TO FIGHT. LONDON, July 24. Barcelona, though violence has ended, is a shambles, 3000 having been killed and 8000 wounded. A British chauffeur and a Spanish clerk at the American Embassy were killed on July 22 while attempting to rescue the manager of the Ford Motor Company. British refugees who have arrived at Marseilles from Barcelona say that the authorities issued 60,000 rifles to the loyal populacte and everyone began firing at everyone else. Government troops pressed rifles and bayonets and 200 rounds of ammunition upon three Britons and forced them to fire on the rebels from barricades, and only the defective tactics of the rebels saved the Britons lives. The “News-Chronicle,” in a leader, says it should be clear that in one more country freedom has been monstrously challenged by would-be despots who are prepared to enlist Moors and the riff-raff to enslave their own brothers. The Spanish Government is not a Red rabble but a moderate Government of the Left Centre, pledged to overdue reforms.