Figure 1.--Here are some of the Basque refugeee children arriving in France during 1937. Some of the children had been wounded.

The French Popular Front Government considerd aiding the Republic. The Balwin Government in Britain, set on aa policy iof appeasement, however, convinced the French to remain neutral. Oubkic ooinion, however, as in Britain was on the side iof the Republic. The largest number of Spanish refugees were taken in by France. France and Spain had a extensive border and thus it was the easiest country for Spanish refugees to reach. This became a majoir drain ion Frnch resources. Thus when Franco's Loyalist forces began to close in on the Basque country, the Basque government, loyal to the Republic, chartered ships to evacuate the children. The children were referred to as "Basque refugees", but included also non-Basques. They were embarked in Bilbao (Santurtzi). The ships went to Britain, but the children ent on to Belgium, the Soviet Union, other European countries, as well as Mexico. They did not fior the most part go on to France because the country was already ioverwelmed with Spanish refugees. The French had about 15,000 Spanish refugee children. They took in over half of the total. France also had a Basque population and bordered the Spanish Basque country. After a quarantine, about 6,000 of these children were sent on to Belgium (3,100), the Sovet Union (2,500), Mexico, and Switzerland. We do not have mnuch information on the Spanisg refugee children in Franbce. We believe this is because miost were returned to their parents after the Civil War.

Created: 2:30 AM 9/19/2018
Last updated: 2:30 AM 9/19/2018