CONSPIRATORS ON TRIAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 February 1939, Page 7

CONSPIRATORS ON TRIAL

PROSECUTOR’S STATEMENT “S” PLAN OUTLINED [BY CABLE —PREBB ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] (Reed. Feb. 7, Noon). LONDON, February 6. An “S Plan," covering a wide field of activity, was allegedly found in the possession of Michael O’Shea, labourer, which, the prosecution asserted, was a production of the 1.R.A., and, in conjunction with other documents, showed that the I.R.A. was active in England. It was mentioned when 12 persons charged with conspiracy, appeared at Bow Street. The other accused, in addition to O'Shea, are: Peter Stuart, signwriter; Michael Preston, no occupation; John Mitchell, garage attendant; and Harold Sutton. The Court was strongly guarded when the accused entered 1,110 dock.

Mr. McClure, prosecuting, said tha

two further arrests had been made, one being a person of considerable importance in the organisation. He

did not disclose the whereabouts of the arrests, but intimated that they would be included in. the conspiracy charge.'

Mr. McClure added that the “S Plan” was most comprehensive, and covered every field of public activity. It begins: “In order to exercise the maximum world effect, diversion must be carried on when there is no major war or world crisis, but, if carried on when trouble is anticipated, with jumpiness and nervous expectation by

the Government, and potential panic among the public, it can be exploited to the full. The beginning of Winter is a good time, either October 20 or November 18.” Mr. McClure added that the document must have been in existence considerably before October 20, as it mentioned an ultimatum being delivered to England, demanding the evacuation of Ireland. Mr. McClure then read the letter to

iord Halifax, previously published.

Mr. McClure added: The “ Plan” stated that copies of the ultimatum were also being forwarded to the Scottish and Welsh Nationalists, the Labour Party, the Independent Labour Party, and others. The document thereafter discussed methods of propaganda, and action concerning the latter. It pointed out that while our weakness would reduce actions against military, air, and naval operations to a minimum, and the sabotage of aeroplane factories and munition works is probably chancy, as they are well guarded, action against public services would probably be the most effective; also key industries would be accessible, with a view to crippling re-armament. Action against other industries and commerce was possible, although the reaction might render the latter inexpedient, while the “large circulation of the English Press” would he the last target. Mr. McClure explained that the document also referred to “incendiary unit number one,” while a method of attacking pillar-boxes was also dealt with. Telephones, telegraphs, broadcasting, electricity, and methods of secretly depositing explosives were referred to, cloak-rooms constituting the first objective for incendiarism under the heading of transport, recalling the recent explosions.

Mr. McClure continued that other documents referred to plans for explosions in electric cables.

rhe “S. Plan” referred to

“MORAL SABOTAGE."

regarding which there "was a suggestion for securing stocks of Government stationery and rubber stamps, to enable the counterfeiting of official instructions. It added: “Our men might even join precautionary units, such as the A.R.P., to secure an air of respectability, so as to cloak their activities and gain an insight into the precautions. England cannot organise for war without a national register. Accordingly, its prevention should be easy by burning depots where the returns are sent.”

A telegram among the documents read: “Carry out first operations at 6 a.m., January 16,” which, Mr. McClure commented, was the date of the first explosions. The telegram added: “When clock mines are used, see that they explode at the given time. No excuse for failure will be taken.” A further telegram from Lindsay, apparently a person of authority, said: “Cease operations until further notice. Will communicate shortly. Congratulations January 20.” The telegrams were in code, but the key was found among the documents. Mr. McClure added that balloons were constantly mentioned, and there were stores of them in every area. When Stuart was arrested, the articles in his possession included 1000 rubber balloons, in addition to 39 sticks of gelignite. Wharton had 103 balloons. Mr. McClure pointed out that balloons were ignited at Coventry, yesterday.

He added that the letters in O’Shea’s possession included one signed with the initials P.S., which were Peter Stuart’s. The writer calls himself “operations officer in Britain.” The letter emphasised the need for success in “battalion operations,” but the recipient, was entitled to call off the operation, and suggest an alternative. if the operators were likely to be arrested, or civilians killed. A letter from Dublin gave the names of volunteers living in Britain.

All the accused were remanded

POLICE COURT THREATENED. (Received February 7. 2.15 p.m.) LONDON, February 6. “My name is Riley. I am going to blow the Police Court sky high." was a. telephone' message received at Bow Street Police Court, while the conspiracy charges were being heard. Over 60 policemen guarded and searched the building, but nothing happened. A Cardiff newspaper similarly received threats that the offices would be blown up. Incendiarism is suspected at a big holiday camp at Skegness, where a concert and beer garden was burnt. FIRES CAUSED IN SHOPS LONDON, February 6.

A watchman found a home-made bomb in the electric generating station

at Titchfield Street. It failed to explode because of a damp fuse.

Fires occurred in several Coventry shops. Envelopes containing toy balloons filled with nitric acid had been placed in the shops. The acid, after penetrating the rubber, ignited magnesium powder in the envelopes, causing an intense blaze. Scotland Yard . was organised on a war-time basis. Week-end leave .was stopped and 1000 policemen were distributed in the square mile of the City of London. SEIZURE OF GELIGNITE. (Recd. February 7, 8 a.m.) LONDON, February 6.

A raid at Ilford resulted in the seizure of fifteen trucks of gelignite a*nd a. quantity of I.R.A. literature. Two bombs are reported to have been discovered near the hangars and a petrol store at the Flying School; Rochester. A policeman who stopped to question two men was attacked and slashed in the face.

A policeman challenging a man at the Hendon aerodrome was similarly assaulted.

Thus far, no foreign comment on he bombings has reached’ London.

ROYAL VISIT POSTPONED

(Recd. February 7,2 p.m.) LONDON, February 6

It is officially announced that as the result of advice from the Government of Northern Ireland, the Duke and' Duchess of Kent are postponing their vi-s?it to. Northern Ireland. The “Daily Maili” says: The advice

regarding the postponement was the result of evidence that the visit would have been an occasion for -al series of bomb outrages and train wreckings by I.R.A. It ifi believed the visit will be abandoned.