COLD-BLOODED MUDER OF

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 14431, 1 August 1947, Page 3

COLD-BLOODED MUDER OF

BODIES FOUND HANGING FROM TRE&S NEAR NATHANYA MOST DASTARDLY ACT IN WHOLE HISTORY OF VIOLENCE IN PALESTINE OFFICER INJURED BY BOOBY-TRAP PREPARED FOR DISCOVERERS London, July 31. The British High Commissioner of Palestine, General Sir Alan Cunningham, has confirmed the murder of the two British sergeants, Mervyn Paice, of Bristol and Clifford Martyn, of Coventry, who were kidnapped as hostages by Jewish terrorists 19 days ago. Their bodies were found this morning hanging from two trees near Nathanya. A note was pinned to the bodies* saying that the men had been hanged as British spies by what was called the "national military organisation." As the first body was cut down by an army captain a small bomb exploded injuring him in the face. In the House of Commons, the Colonial Secretary, Mr Creech Jones gave the official account of the murder and said: "In all the history of violence in Palestine there has scarcely • been a more dastardly act than the cold-blooded murder of these innocent young men after holding them as hostages for more than a fortnight.'' Such an outrage on men discharging their duties under international obligations was not only to be deplored by all civilised persons everywhere but must surely .mean the condemnation of the terrorists in the eyes of their own people. It could only be hoped that this latest attack will result in this evil being rooted out of Palestine. Mr Eden, Acting-Leader of the Opposition, asked for a debate on Palestine before the House adjourns for the coming recess. Mr Herbert Morrison, leader of the House,-replied that he could not say whether the debate would be held or not.