WASHINGTON, July 24, 1936 (UP) - International co-operation on a scale unequaled since the Boxer Rebellion in China operated today to rescue beleaguered Americans and aliens of all nations trapped in Spain's civil war.
Virtually all major powers were rushing war vessels to the Spanish peninsula in friendly co-operation to aid those trapped.
France today placed all of her warships and vessels in Spanish waters at the service of American nationals.
The United States was reciprocating in the movement by aiding in removal of Belgian and other nationals in addition to her own citizens.
The French offer, announced by American Ambassador Isador Straus at Paris, was the latest in a swift series of international goodwill moves whereby all of the foreign powers were seeking to get their nationals out of the trouble zone.
The international accord followed reports of more and more serious difficulties, especially for those trapped far from seaport cities.
Consul Harold D. Finley, at Bordeaux, France, reported at noon, Spanish time, today, that the situation in San Sebastian today was considered "very bad." French authorities at Hendaye, on the Franco-Spanish frontier, learned that the French summer Embassy had been damaged by shell fire yesterday. The French authorities received information that the American summer Embassy "was probably safe," but this information could not be confirmed definitely.
The French advised they had five warships in various Spanish locations and that wherever Americans needed help it would be given.
Reciprocal action was offered by the United States when the American steamship Exeter arrived at Barcelona. This vessel prepared to evacuate 100 Americans and also 100 citizens of other nationalities who wished to leave. Belgian authorities were promised that Belgians would be taken off in response to their appeal.
Already some Americans had been removed at Barcelona through the co-operation of the Italian government. British authorities also have assisted Americans.
The Exeter was the first of four American vessels to arrive at the trouble zone. A navy dreadnaught and a coast-guard cutter are due tonight in the vicinity of San Sebastian and the heavy cruiser Quincy will arrive at Gibraltar Sunday.
Conditions approaching anarchy prevail in San Sebastian, the State Department was informed today by Hallett Johnson, counselor of the Embassy there. Mr. Johnson said conditions were "horrible," the city without government.
Ambassador Bowers was last heard from more than three days ago at his villa at Fuenterrabla, five miles out of the city on the road toward the French frontier. Mr. Johnson said the British and German Ambassadors were bottled up in the Hotel Continental at San Sebastian and were incommunicado.
The American consul in Barcelona confirmed that a clerk attacked to the American Consulate had been killed while on a mission to rescue an American from the outskirts of Barcelona.
The killing occurred Wednesday night. The car was riddled with bullets and later was burned.
Consul Lynn W. Franklin said Itsurralde's body had been taken into the city by the Spanish authorities, who expressed "concern, sympathy and regret."
Mr. Franklin also received indirect news from the Island of Majorca, where a number of Americans live, that the government there had surrendered to the rebels without resistance.
A dispatch from the battleship Oklahoma indicated that the virtual siege under which the American summer embassy at San Sebastian has lived for the past four days may now be raised this evening. The Oklahoma, now en route to Bilbao, said the United States Coast Guard cutter Cayuga, on a training cruise in European waters, had been ordered to put into San Sebastian and should arrive there this evening.
Both the Oklahoma and the Cayuga are under orders to get in touch immediately with the embassy, which is five miles from the city proper and entirely isolated.
Madrid Embassy officials reported government troops had been defeated in a major engagement north of Madrid and are "retiring in disorder" toward the capital.
"The situation in Madrid is becoming very serious," Eric C. Wendelin, third secretary in charge of the Embassy there, reported. Armed militia have taken up positions on rooftops throughout Madrid, he said.
Ill-disciplined government supporters have manned roofs surrounding the Embassy for sniping at invaders, he said.
