TERRORIST CONSPIRACY

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 February 1939, Page 7

TERRORIST CONSPIRACY

I.R.A.’S “BOMB” OPERATIONS

SCOTLAND YARD CAMPAIGN [by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, February 4. Police,- in a raid on houses of Irish Republican Army adherents in Belfast, are reported to have found plans to blow up Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, the House of Commons, and the Bank of England. The documents are regarded as of sufficient seriousness to justify their being flown to London, and the holding of a conference between the Home Office and Scotland Yard officials. More than 100 members of Scotland Yard flying-squads are scouring Irish quarters throughout London for those responsible for the tube station bombings. London’s entire police resources have been mobilised, all being called on duty to participate in the biggest round-up for years. Scotland Yard has issued a statement appealing to public utilities and explosive manufacturers to protect their properties. The “Daily Telegraph” says that the Ulster police informed Scotland Yard that they had discovered a widespread plot, including the assassination of police officers in London and elsewhere. Hundreds of tons of explosives, ammunition, and arms are believed to be hidden throughout Britain. Scotland Yard was warned by telephone throughout the . day that sabotage was contemplated . against police courts and other buildings, particularly Bow Street. • The “Daily Telegraph” adds that it is learned that the Irish Republican Army documents seized by the Ulster police show terrorist plans, which can be traced to a Dublin group. Irish Republican ■ Army membership throughout Britain is estimated at 3000. The authorities are convinced that a campaign is planned similar to that in Ireland in 1920. A message from Dublin says that the Cabinet considered the tube station bombings and decided that no action was possible while Eire was politically calm; but the Government will co-operate with the London police if requested. An explosion wrecked the interior of the Conservative Club at Torquay. Nobody was injured. The police are maintaining an allnight patrol at the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, where their Majesties and the Princesses are spending the week-end. Four detectives are guarding Mr. Malcolm MacDonald’s home near Chelmsford. Revolvers were issued to the Bristol police after the receipt of anonymous notes threatening the destruction of local petrol tanks. Meanwhile, in spite of the presence of police at unexpected points, life in London is perfectly normal and there is no sign of apprehension. At Liverpool police are protecting the Mersey tunnel and railway bridge. Guards are stationed at the British Broadcasting Corporation’s studios and the Bristol electric power staion, Portishead. Private property owners are instructed to maintain watch over large buildings. The police are not only most active in London, where members of the flying squad are travelling in disguised cars with ramshackle bodies and anticrime equipment, but they also searched 30 houses in Manchester. Similar activity in Liverpool resulted in two arrests.

The “Daily Mail” says that large stocks of explosives are missing from British factories, and Scotland Yard has reason to believe that the explosions might be the signal for national demonstrations by wreckers. A threat to blow up Bow street has been received, accompanied by an allegation that certain defendants have not received justice. Members of the House of Commons who raised the question of the Irish connection with the explosions have been, anonymously warned to be careful what they are doing. The Houses of Parliament, as a precautionary measure, were closed to the public to-day after Friday’s bombings. It is understood that detectives in London discovered important clues which have been handed over to the political department. .The search has so far covered more than 100 addresses in London.

Special guards have, been stationed at Government buildings. The guard of police pensioners has been reestablished at Westminster Abbey, and precautions have been taken at Windsor Castle.

A flying squad, in the course of raids, discovered seven bombs, at Stoke Newington. It is believed that the bombs were brought to England by men crossing the border secretly to Northern Ireland and thence to England, thus escaping the customs examination.

Fianna Fail and Eire Government clubs throughout the county of Donegal are urging" Mr. de Valera to send troops to the border as a reply to the action of Lord Craigavon (Prime Minister of Northern Ireland) in arming the Ulster constabulary. ••ULTIMATUM" RECEIVED. LONDON, February 4. The “Daily Herald” alleges that the Irish Republican Arfmy presented an ultimatum to the Foreign Secretary (Lord Halifax) on January 12, giving Britain four days in which to remove her troops from Ireland. The newspaper recalls that the. first bomb explosions occurred on January .16, which was the expiration of the time limit.

The letter was signed by Patrick Fleming, as secretary, on behalf of the “Government and the Army Council of the Irish Republican Army.” It declared: “British forces are active in the incitement of turmoil and civil strife, being, both a symbol of hostile occupation and potential invaders. We regret that if this fundamental condition is ignored we are 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 that, four days is sufficient, time for your Government to signify its intentions regarding military evacuation, and to issue 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.” Official circles at Whitehall conirm that Lord Halifax received a

letter purporting to be from the. Irish Republican Army, but refuse to make a. statement. The Foreign Office later disclosed that the letter was an “ultimatum,” which was dated January 12. It passed the letter on to various departments, including the Dominions Office. It is now in the possession of the Home Office, -wiricli is dealing: with. it. ACCUSED IN COURT LONDON, February 4. Michael Lyons, described .as a clerk, was remanded at Bow street on a charge of having explosives in his possession. The police gave evidence that they found seven handgrenades and 11 cartridges in his garden at Stamford Hill, and newspaper cuttings indicating Irish Republican sympathies. They sdid Lyons had been in touch with persons already accused. John G'avahan was arrested at Manchester on a charge of conspiring with Patrick Walsh and others to cause an explosion at Manchester. The 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, an engineer’s fitter, and Joseph Walker, a labourer, were arrested, at Liverpool, on a charge .of having in their possession six electrical leads similar to those found at Manchester at the time of the outrages there, and also a large quantity of documents to which considerable importance is attached. The documents will lead to graver charges later. ATTEMPT AGAINST GAOL (Recd. February 6, 8 a.m.) LONDON, February 5. Shortly before midnight an attempt was made to blow up the wall at Walton gaol, Liverpool, where are the men remanded in connection with recent explosives charges. A small hole was blown in the base of the wall. ’

During a raid on a house in . a London suburb, the police found a list of names of all officers attached to the special branch. It is believed this was complied from a list supplied from a police source. <

GUARDING THE KING.

(Recd. Feb. 6, 11.30 a.m.). LONDON, February 5.

The police took elaborate precautions against possible bombings, when Their Majesties attended the dedication service of the. new St. Andrew’s Garrison Church, 'Aidershot, this afternoon. , Military police guarded the churen throughout the night, while two. hours before the arrival of Their Majesties, police officers and military searched the building.