THE ENEMY WITHIN

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 257, 28 July 1939, Page 8

THE ENEMY WITHIN

Killings and mannings of British citizens within their own country are making a tragic toll as the result of the bombing activities of the agents of the Irish Republican Army in England. .‘X Bill providing ample powers and drastic measures for dealing with this secret enemy within has been rushed through the British Parliament, and a wave of public anger is spreading over the country. ’ The danger is that the feelings of exasperated citizens may be turned upon perfectly innocent people, adding to the terrors of a situation that is becoming a national nightmare. The Yorkshire Post, in comment reported today, declares that these I R.A. outrages are being encouraged by German interests with the object of embarrassing the nation in the event of war. Such activities would be in accord with the tactics pursued by enemy agents in the last war, when attempts were made to foment internal dissensions, sed'tious activities, and to commit acts of sabotage with the object of hampering Britain’s war effort. The I.R.A. is carrying on its terrorist activities for purposes of its own, but it is conceivable that offers of assistance by way of funds from foreign sources not altogether disinterested would lie acceptable. However this may be, the people of the United Kingdom are now roused to a realization of the fact that guerrilla warfare of a most dastardly kind is being carried on in their midst by an irresponsible secret organization striking in the dark, too cowardly to come into the open, and causing death or injury to peaceful, unsuspecting citizens and untold damage to property. These terrorist outrages by the agents of the Irish Republican Army have evoked strong condemnation in the Parliament of Eire, which itself has passed drastic legislation for the suppression of anarchistic activities by this secret organization within its own borders. The measures now adopted by the British Parliament with the same end in view are urgently necessary not only for the elimination of the secret enemy but also for the safety of the nation in the event of a war crisis.