COMMUNISTS UNMASKED

Grey River Argus, 18 December 1940, Page 3

COMMUNISTS UNMASKED

WIDE SECRET CAMPAIGN Conducted in Britain TO SABOTAGE THE WAR EFFORT. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received December 17, 7.40 p.m.) LONDON. December 16. Rt. Hon. Ernest Bevih, the Labour Minister’s reference yesterday at Glasgow to the Communists, is. referred to by the “Daily Telegraph.” Mr. Bevin, who was interrupted in nis speech, halted it to comment on the part which, he declared, has been allotted to the Communists to prepare the way for Hitler’s peace offer. He declared: Subversive elements are to be found in the Trade Union ranks, interfering with the war effort. Some of the Reds are just unfortunate tools. The Government must face this issue, as a matter of war strategy, and it must teach Russia mat this method of carrying on foreign policy does not pay here. 1 snail not allow a small and unrepresentative minority to become a problem.” The “Daily Telegraph” says: “Mr. Bevin’s reference to the Communists follows a month’s inquiry, which was conducted .by Scotland Yard. Scotland Yard has submitted a comprehensive report to the Home Office. “The inquiries made have revealed that there has been a secret meeting held in London with the purpose of preparing a large scale campaign to take advantage of the war so as to cause discontent among the workers. Agents—many of whom have secured jobs as Shelter Marshals, were posted at the tubes, these to undermine the morale of the shelterers, and to spread subversive propaganda. “The Communists have distributed hundreds of leaflets in the big shelters throughout Rondon, attacking the Government. The Communists have also instructed their sympathisers throughout the country to mix with the war workers, and to do their utmost to impede the war effort. “A number of trade disputes have been traced directly to the Communist agitation. The Communists have also joined the voluntary war-time organisations for the purpose of furthering their “cause.”