BILBAON REFUGEES

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 441, 24 May 1937, Page 5

BILBAON REFUGEES

ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND ! HEALTH GENERALLY GOOD Orphaned Children A Pathetic Sight Press Association—Copyright. (Received 10.10 a.m.) London, May 23. Refugee children aboard the Ha. bana woke this morning in dock at Southampton. Dr. Maurice Williams, medical officer aboard, had already examined every l child and reported that their health generally was good. The children enjoyed a hearty meal from, the provisions taken aboard on the vessel’s arrival last night. Nearly all were hatlessi and had only the clolhes they were wearing, but new clothes are ready for all. The most pathetic group was three litltle ones whose parents were killed during an air raid on Bilbao. There are 5000 children on board, and a camp of over 500 tents has i been prepared for "their accommo'dia- • tion. A Spanish destroyer and. several armed trawlers; escorted the ship from Bilbao to the three-mile limit, where British warships awaited them. ’ A fleet of minesweepers preceded the ship as a precautionary measure, <,nd ‘their activities were; rewarded with a total bag of 300 mines.