London, Aug 19.
"We are strengthening our defences fo prevent-a world war, and if our determination," declared Sir Samuel Hoare, the First Lord of the Admirally, in a speech at Cromer to-day connection with events in Spain.
The Government, he added, had not the Toast intention of interfering. in Spain's internal affairs.
"He then described some aspects of the work of evacuation carried out by British ships from disturbed areas In Spain. As soon as the first news of the Spanish revolt was received, became clear that the situation of a great number of British subjects might, at any moment, become precarious. Immediate measures were taken to furnish opportunities for evacuation and to provide British Consular 'OMicers at' Spanish ports with means of communications.
Sir Samuel Hoare explained that the waters off the coast of Spain were roughly mapped out into areas and were put under the direction of Various naval authorities, and moat sures were taken to ce-ordinate activities of all kinds.
a remarkably short time the organization was in full swing. His [Majesty's ships maintained by. wire-Tess a full system of communication Gen, atiguet Cabaneltas, the Rebel President between the Foreign Ofice and Con-gular authorities, and British and foreign citizens were evacuated by destroyers and cruisers to Marseities, Bayonne, St. Jean de Luz, Oporto and Gibraltar.
No distinction, Sir Samuel added. had been made between British and and s0 far about ud children had of whom about. 2,000
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.