WARNING GIVEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 30, 6 February 1939, Page 9

WARNING GIVEN.

LETTER TO MINISTER.

I.R.A. Demands Withdrawal of British Troops. "PERIOD OP GRACE" EXPIRES, Uuitetl Press Association. —Copyright. LONDON", February 5. The text of the letter to Viscount Halifax purporting to come from the Irish Republican Army is published by the "Daily Herald," which says it was received on January 12, giving Britain four days to remove her troops from Ireland. The "Daily Herald" recalls that the first bomb explosions were on January 16, which was the expiration of the time limit.

The fetter, which was signed by Patrick Fleming, secretary, on behalf of the Government and Army Council of the Irish Republican Army, declared: "The British forces are an active incitement to turmoil and civil strife, being both a symbol of hostile occupation and potential invaders. We regret that if this fundamental condition is ignored, we will be compelled to intervene actively in the military and commercial life of your country as your Government is now intervening in ours.

"The Government of the Irish Republic believes four days will be sufficient for your Government to signify its intentions regarding the military evacuation and the issue of a declaration of abdication respecting Ireland.

"Our Government reserves the right to take appropriate action upon the expiration of this period of grace if the conditions are not fulfilled."

The Fianna Fail (Hire Government) Clubs throughout Donegal urge Mr. de Valera to send troops to the border as a counterblast to Viscount Craigavon s action in arming the Ulster Constabulary. Several Arrests Maae. Members of the Scotland Yard Flying Squad, travelling in disguised cars with ramshackle bodiesf, searched 30 houses in Manchester and carried out similar activity in Liverpool, several arrests resulting.

It is understood that detectives .n London have discovered important clues, which have been handed over to the Political Department. The search so far has covered over 100 addresses in London.

Michael Lyons, described as a clerk, was remanded at Bow Street Police Court on a charge of being in possession of explosives. The police evidence was that they found seven hand orenades and 11 cartridges in accused's garden at Stamford Hill, and newspaper cuttings indicating Irish Republican sympathies. They added that Lyons had been in touch with people already charged.

John Gavahan, arrested in Manchester, was charged with conspiring with Patrick Walsh (one of those arrested on January 18), and others, to cause an explosion in Manchester.

A police superintendent alleged that Gavahan said: "Although you have got us, the cause will go on. Something will probably happen in Liverpool to-night."

Two Irishmen, Michael Mason, aai engineer's fitter, and Joseph Walker, a labourer, were arrested in Liverpool and charged with being in possession of six electrical leads similar to those found at the time of the Manchester timebomb outrages. The police also found a large quantity of documents, to which considerable importance is attached, and which will lead to graver charges later.