Evening star., 1936-07-21
British Vessel
Standing by
at Malaga.
u. S. CITIZENS
BELIEVED SAFE
State Department
Kept in Touch
by ENJOYS.

A British warship was standing by
today at Malaga, Spain. prepared to
safeguard British and American citi-
zens in that southeastern Spanish sea-
port.
Word Of this precaution against
harm in Spain's fierce civil war was
received by the State Department
from Herbert O. Williams, the Amer
ican consul at Gibraltar.
Williams cabled the department this
morning that British officials at Gil
braltar informed him the captain of
was in contact with the British and
American consuls at Malaga "and has
assured that all possible measures will
be taken for the safeguarding of Brit
ish and Americans In Malaga"
Thus far the State Department has
received no reports that any American
lives were in jeopardy in the revolu-
ton.
1882 Americans in Spain.
The number of Americans in Spain
was estimated by the Department at
1882, however. including 80 diplo-
matte and consular agents.
The total represented only citizens
who had registered as residents of
Spain as of January l, 1896. They
we're distributed as follows:
Madrid 466; Barcelona, $50; Tar
ragona, 1: Bilbao. 1855; Malaga, 70;
Seville, 81; Valencia, 81; Vigo. 81; Las
Palmas, Canary Island, 26; Tenerife.
Canary Islands, 90.
Ambassador Claude G. Bowers, now
in residence at his Summer home at
San Sebastian, Spain, reported at 6
pm. yesterday spanish time) that
the revolutionary movement, appar-
emily led by Gems. Franco. Quiepo del
Llano and Mola, and supported by
Fascists and other rightist elements,
had assumed large proportions" He
added it was impossible to obtain any
definite information. Wires between
San Sebastian and Madrid had been
cut.
Messages to Consulates.
The Ambassador has dispatched
kilograms to every American consulate
in Spain to inquire as to the situation
and the welfare of Americans. He had
no assurance, however, that his tele-
grams could be delivered.
He reported that the Spanish gov
ernment had requested all loyal sup
porters to arm themselves and had
distributed arms at San Sebastian to
the Socialist Youth and other repub-
Iican organizations.
In San Sebastian and neighboring
towns barricades had been erected and
bridges blown up on roads leading to
Victoria and Pamplona. The Am
bassador added there was sporadic
shooting in the streets and roads,
probably the result of arms in mex
perienced hands.
The civil governor at San Sebastian
was quoted as saying the frontier was
closed to all except diplomats.
Americans Believed Safe.
Earlier today other reports indicat-
ing that Americans in the area affect
ed by Spain's civil war were safe so
far were made public by the State
Department.
Those in Madrid, however, have
been urged by the American Embassy
to remain indoors and arrangements
have been made for their transfer to
the embassy if necessary.
This information came from the
American Minister to Portugal, Rob-
ert G. Caldwell, who talked with the
American Embassy at Madrid by tele-
phone from Lisbon at 11:30 am. today.
Minister Caldwell said he talked to
Eric c. Wendelin, third secretary of
the embassy, who informed him that
the rebellion in Madrid was suppressed
by government forces yesterday.
"Quiet but Serious
Wendelln was quoted as adding that
conditions "are quiet but serious" He
said he had been unable to telephone
from Madrid and was uncertain
whether his kilograms dispatched from
the Spanish capital were being de-
livered.
Wendelin is in charge of the en-
baSsy while Ambassador Bowers is in
residence at his Summer home at San
Sebastian.
He told Minister Caldwell that NAL
aga was reported to be in the hands
Of rebel forces and that these forces
were reported marching to Madrid.
Communications Cut on.
From Gibraltar, American Consul
williams reported as of pm. yes
terday that communications with
Spain were cut of; that Algeciras
and La Linea we're in the hands of
insurgents; that many persons were
(See AMERICANS, Page A-3)