Evacuation work: 22,000 children ready to leave (press cutting) ; Spanish situation: evacuation of refugees - Bilbao (memorandum)

              THE MANCHESTER [GUARDIAN?]
EVACUATION WORK
22,000 Children Ready to Leave
Arrangements are being hastened in London to receive the first batch of Spanish refugees from Bilbao. These preparations are being made by the National Joint Committee for Spanish Relief, an official of which stated yesterday that it was expected that about four thousand Spanish children would come to this country. They will be divided into groups and accommodated at holiday camps. Many private offers, to give accommodation to the children in country houses have also been received. Miss Ellen Wilkinson, M P., yesterday received the following cable from Mrs. Leah Manning, of the Spanish Medical Aid Committee, who is investigating conditions in Bilbao:—
Arrangements proceeding rapidly for the evacuation of 2,300 children to France who will be provided for by the French trades unions. More than 20,000 other children ready. Deep anxiety felt in Bilbao as to what arrangements will be made for caring for the children. The Basque Government is willing to charter vessel bringing 4,000 to England. Would like to send young mothers. Constant air-raids on city. Repetition of Guernica feared any day. If lives of thousands of women and children are to be saved the British National Committee must act rapidly.
FIRST DEPARTURES TO-DAY
St. Jean de Luz, May 3. Eight hundred women and children are expected to leave Bilbao to-morrow in the 18,000-ton transatlantic liner Habana which has been lying in Bilbao harbour since the war began.
H.M. destroyer Firedrake left St. Jean de Luz during the night but Fury and H.M. battleship Royal Oak are here. The French destroyer Terrible is also here. The French gunboat Somme has gone down to Castro-Urdiales, between Bilbao and Santander. — Reuter.
FRENCH ASSISTANCE
Paris, May 3. The Somme will probably start to-morrow evacuating refugees who have been grouped by the French Consul at Bilbao. — Reuter.