HERDED LIKE SHEEP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 27, 3 February 1939, Page 7

HERDED LIKE SHEEP

REFUGESS ON SPANISH FRONTIER

INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM i INTERNMENT CAMPS TO BE SET UP [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright] Received Feb. 2, 8.50 p.m. PERPIGNAN, Feb. 1. The Minister of the Interior, M. Albert Sarraut, after a tour of the frontier, in a statement said the refugee problem was international. France could not bear the whole brunt and could not use machine-guns to prevent the threatened invasion of soldier refugees. They would be interned in camps but how long France could keep them and whether they could be sent was another matter. It is understood that France is asking General Franco to help find a solution. Fifty thousand troops have been moved up to guard the French frontier from Cerbere to Andorra.

It is officially stated that 40,000 refugees have gone to France. Indescribable disorder continues at Puigcerda, where 7000 famished people are herded like sheep for warmth on the railway station awaiting infrequent trains across the frontier. Another 15,000 are roaming the town. Nearly 40,000 Government troops between Bourgmadame and Seo de Urgel are slowly retreating and are expected to reach the frontier within a week.

STARVING WOMEN

FOOD CENTRE STORMED LONDON, Feb. 1. The Daily Telegraph’s Barcelona correspondent reports that hundreds of hungry women, holding their babies head high and crying “Bread, bread! Give us bread!” attempted to storm the food centre when the iron grills dropped down. Police and soldiers hurled back the crowds. At the height of the confusion a notice was posted: “All stocks exhausted. Try again to-morrow.”

GERONA ENTERED

THE NATIONALIST FORCES LAST CATALONIAN* PROVINCE LONDON, Feb. 1. A message from Lerida states that the nationalists have entered Gerona, the only Catalonian province which has not yet been captured.

COAL FOR ARMS FRANCO’S PAYMENT SHIPMENT FOR ITALY Received Feb. 2, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 1. The Daily Telegraph’s Genoa cor respondent says that the first ship ment of coal has left rebel Spain undei the agreement by which Genera Franco is sending Italy 60,000 tons be fore the end of March. The value will be deducted from th< cost of military equipment supplied tc General Franco.

SIR R. HODGSON’S VIEW CONSEQUENCES OF WAR (Indtpendent Cable Service.) LONDON, Feb. 1. Cabinet to-day review a report on Spain by Sir Robrt Hodgson (British Minister to the Spanish Government). It is understood Sir Robert expressed the view that the British and French need not fear a victory by General Franco. He is convinced that Italians and Germans will not be allowed to remain in Spain after the war.