“ULTIMATUM” TO BRITAIN

Southland Times, Issue 23735, 6 February 1939, Page 7

“ULTIMATUM” TO BRITAIN

Letter From Irish Republicans WARNING BEFORE FIRST BOMBINGS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received February 6,12.5 a.m.) LONDON, February 5. The Daily” - Herald says that the Irish Republican Army presented an ultimatum to the Foreign Secretary (Viscount Halifax) on January 12, giving Britain four days to remove her troops from Ireland. The Daily Herald recalls that the first bomb explosions occurred on January 16, which was the date of expiration of the time limit.

The letter, which was signed by Mr Patrick Fleming, secretary, on behalf of the Government and the Army Council of the 1.R.A., declared:—

The British forces are an active incitement to turmoil and civil strife, being both a symbol of hostile occupation and potential invaders. We regret if this fundamental condition is ignored and 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 for your Government to signify its intentions about a military evacuation and the issue of a declaration of abdication for 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 confirmed that Lord Halifax had received a letter purporting to be from the 1.R.A., but refused to make a statement. The Foreign Office later disclosed that it was an "ultimatum” which was dated January 12.

The letter was passed on to various departments, including the Dominions Office. It is now in the possession of the Home Office, which is dealing with it.

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 a national demonstration by wreckers and a threat to blow up Bow Street, accompanied by the allegation that certain defendants have not received justice. MEMBERS WARNED The members of the House of Commons who raised the question of the Irish connection with the explosions have anonymously been warned to be careful what they are doing. The Houses of Parliament, as a precautionary measure, were closed to the public yesterday after the bombings on Friday. Sir Thomas Moore, M.P., has tabled a motion adding to the Criminal Justice Bill a provision to enable corporal punishment for the manufacture, distribution or placing of explosives for the purpose of destroying life 01 property. It is understood that detectives in London have discovered important clues which have been handed over to the political department. The search so far has covered more than 100 addresses in London. A special guard is stationed at the Government buildings. The guard of police pensioners has been re-estab-lished at Westminster Abbey. Michael Lyons, described as a clerk, was remanded at Bov Street on a charge of having explosives in his possession. The police gave evidence that they found seven hand-grenades and 11 cartridges in his garden at Stamford Hill, and newspaper cuttings indicating Irish Republican sympathies They said Lyons had been in touch jyith persons already charged.