Evening star., 1936-11-22
POWER TO CLOSE
MADRID EMBASSY
C|VENU. s. OFFICIAL
WendeIin Instructed by State
| Department to Study
+ Need for Evacuation.
l0YALISTS TO LAUNCH
COUNTER OFFENSIVE
Map Plans to Surround Insurgent
Force Across River From
Madrid.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

The State Department last night
INSTRUCTED Eric c. Wendelin, secretary
In charge of the American Embassy
in Madrid, to seriously consider the
desirability OF closing the embassy In
the Spanish capital and proceeding
with the American nationals who de-
sire to follow him to whatever port
they could reach most easily.
Following the precedent set last
April, when disturbances occurred
in Adds Ababa as the Italian armies
approached the Ethiopian capital. the
State Department has authorized the
American diplomatic officer in charge
of the embassy to use his judgment
about the evacuation of the capital.
The State Department is showing
real anxiety over the possibility OF
dangers confronting the personnel of
the embassy and the 76 Americans
who have found refuge within the
walls of the embassy building in the
event of hand-to-hand fighting in
Madrid. Furthermore, despite the as
surances given by Gen. Francisco
Franco that the rebel air force will do
Its utmost to avoid bombing foreign
embassies and legations, there is a
strong possibility that some aviator
by mistake may drop bomb and kill
some American national. The State
Department in its desire to avoid any
possible conflict with either of the
Spanish factions prefers to have the
embassy removed to some Spanish
port until order is restored in the
capital.
Statement Is Quoted.
Last night the State Department
issued the following statement:
"As a result Of the approach of
military operations to Madrid, the
Department of State has become in
creasingly concerned for the safety
of the members of the American EN-
bassy and Consular stats in Madrid
and the considerable number of
American nationals now in the en-
bassy. The department yesterday in
structed Mr.. Eric c. Wendelin, in
charge of the American Embassy, that
1t feels he should give immediate
consideration to the desirability of
closing the embassy and proceeding
with his American staff and such
American nationals as wish to take
advantage of the opportunity to leave
Madrid under his escort to whatever
port they can most easily reach. The
department does not know what facil-
tiles for evacuation are available to
Mr.. Wendelin and no final decision
will be reached until he has replied
to requests for information regarding
the practicability Of leaving for the
coast"
OF course, Secretary Wendelin is
allowed to use his discretion regard
ing the advisability of proceeding
with rs American in the embassy and
the 100 other Americans who still are
in Madrid to some sea port like Valen-
cia, where he will remain until the
situation is clearer and the fight over
Madrid is ended.
The situation in Barcelona seems
less strained. But here again, expect
ing some bitter fighting in the course
of the next few weeks, the State De-
partment has communicated with
Mahlon Fay Perkins, American consul
general in that port, authorizing him
to leave the city with the American
nationals still there, should the situ-
alton warrant it.
Instructions Sent Perkins.
The following instructions were sent
to Mr.. Perkins:
I'VE have weighed the various fac
tors in the general and local situation
affecting our interests and feel that
there remains only the question of the
safety of our staff, as all practicable
steps have already been taken to pro-
tect our other interests. We interpret
your telegram under reference to
mean that from the point of view of
your personal safety, conditions in
Barcelona itself are not yet in your
Judgment such as to warrant your
(See SPAIN, Page A-4)