“SHADOWS” OF DOWNING STREET

Otago Witness, Issue 3868, 1 May 1928, Page 75

“SHADOWS” OF DOWNING STREET

GUARDING HIS MAJESTY’S MINISTERS. INVISIBLE WATCHERS. By J. Barr-Linnet. (Special fob the Otago Witness.) A famous American novelist once described a dramatic scene in Downing street—an attempt on the life of the Prime Minister outside No. 10, his official residence. But Downing street was the ast place in the world where such an attempt could have taken place. Indeed, with modern precautions taken by the Special Department of Scotland Yard (known as “XA ”) it would have been almost equally impossible, if not impossible elsewhere. Come with me on an imaginary trip, and I will explain. ’ We are on the parapet of the Colonial Office, and have a full view of the famous narrow thoroughfare with its ancient brick houses. Down below, almost opposite to us, are Nos. 10 and 11, where, when Parliament is sitting, live respect? ively the Prime Minister ..nd the Chancellor of the Exchequer. MYSTERIOUS MOVEMENTS. Apparently the street is deserted save for one solitary constable stationed on the pavement on our side. He, you, and I know that Mr Baldwin is due to leave for Chequers, the country residence of every English Premier, at 10 o’clock. So do a good many more people whom we cannot see. Ten o'clock passes and he does not emerge. His ear is waiting in the Foreign Off.ee quadrangle. Suddenly, as though apparently sum? moned by some invisible hand, it slides silently through the archway and waits outside No. 10. You did not hear the electric bell rung in the Chief Whip’s office, which, at the bottom, near St. James's Park, commands a view of the entire street. But the solitary policeman hoard it, and has made an almost imperceptible signal with hi? white-gloved hand. CROWDS DON'T COUNT. Hence the mysterious arrival of the car. Hence an answering signal from another white-gloved hand from Whitehall at the other cud of the street. The unseen watchers in the Chief Whip’s office have seen that the coast is clear. And they could have been equally assured had Downing street been crowded with people, so perfect is the espionage system of Scotland Yard's “ XA,” which, is responsible for the safety of his Majesty's Ministers. The door of No. 10 opens silently—seemingly by itself —and there comes out first two gentlemen in silk hats. One carries an attache case: he is the Prime Minister’s private secretary. The other also carries something, but you do not see it: it is a revolver, and he is the detective detailed by “ XA ” for the day, PREMIER APPEARS. Then the Prime Minister himself appears, debonair and smiling. Three camera men come out of the darkness of an alloyway which runs by the side of No. 11 into the Horse Guards Parade just in time to take a “ snap.” They ’.ad been watching the back entrance of No. 10. where a ■’axicab had been waiting, and they had expected Mr Baldwin to use a secret exit from the house. Just as Mr Baldwin’s car is leaving Downing street, this cab, containing another silk-hatted gentleman (also from “XA”), has crossed the Horse Guards Parade, shot under the archway past the mounted sentries, whirled into Whitehall, and is now 50 yards in arrear of the Premier’s car. And at this distance it will continue to follow all the way down to Chequers, in Buckinghamshire. Such are the “ fool-proof ” precautions taken by the exp jrieneed “ sleuths ” of “XA” —men with international experience—from whom no secrets of Anarchy or Bolshevism are hidden. KNOW EVERYTHING. And what the unseen watchers in the Chief Whip's office do not know of any strange face in Downing street is not worth troubling about; while the solitary policeman, the invisible opener of the door, and even Mr Baldwin's chauffeur are all equally wise and on the alert. It will be thus observed that the life of the Premier and those of his colleagues —for almost the same precautions are taken with them —are guarded by more than one pair of unseen eyes and hands. It is Budget Day. In spite of the April rain a large crowd has gathered in Downing street to catch a glimpse of Mr Churchill when he leaves No. 11 for the House. No car is waiting for him. He will walk, carrying his eagerly awaited statement of the national balance sheet, accompanied by his young daughter along ■ Whitehall to St. Stephen’s. It was this same girl who was the unconscious originator of “ XA’s ” perfected system. SUFFRAGETTE SCARE. When she was a little baby her father 1 was Home Secretary, and he had so much incurred the enmity of the Suffragettes that they threatened to kidnap her. Extra police vigilance was adopted to guard tho child and the life of her nurse.