GUNS FOR RUSSIA

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 6521, 18 September 1924, Page 4

GUNS FOR RUSSIA

SMUGGLED FROM LONDON FISHING SMACK’S EXPLOITS SECRET MIDNIGHT TRIP. An attempt to smuggle machine guns out of London for use in Russia was discovered a few weeks ago and frustrated by Scotland Yard officers. The guns were, it is understood, for use against the Soviet Government, with which Britain is at peace. In these circumstances their transportation was a breach of the international law, which prohibits the exportation or importation of guns without a license from the Board of Trade. Several hundred of the weapons, of a comparatively modern pattern, were bought in the open market and stored in a warehouse not far from the Tower. The next step was to get them out of the country without the knowledge of the authorities. A fishing smack was hired, and in the darkness of the morning, a first instalment of the guns, numbering 72, was stowed aboard. The vessel then slipped quietly down the Thames to the open sea. Somewhere in the North Sea—the police themselves do not know exactly where- the guns were transferred to a steamer of unknown nationality. A heavy sea was running on the night of the adventure, and the transhipment of heavy arms in these circumstances must have been a hazardous undertaking. One of the guns fell into'the sea, and others were damaged by coming into sharp contact with the steamer’s iron hull. The fishing boat returned to London, where information as to her secret midnight trip leaked out and came to the ears of Scotland Yard. MARKED AS “STEEL CASTINGS” By order of Scotland Yard officers, a number of cases consigned to an address at Amsterdam, and awaiting shipment at Brewer’s Quay, Tower Hill, London, were retained at the Customs House. The cases, which were marked as containing steel castings, actually held machine guns in parts. Similar cases were shipped a short time ago from the same quay. They came from a garage at Wanstead used as an improvised warehouse, and were similarly marked “steel castings.” Allegations that the contents of the cases were guns, and were really going to Russia by way of Amsterdam, came to the notice of Scotland Yard, who authorised a watch, when more cases turned up for export. Watch was also kept on the garage at Wanstead, which was said to be the source of the consignments. The cases—ten of them—unusually large, made of wood an inch thick, and iron bound, were allowed to remain in the shed-alongside the quay while observations were kept, and persons who came to see about them were immediately questioned by the detectives. The cases were opened by the authorities. INSIDE ZINC LININGS Inside each case was a zinc lining, and inside were found dismantled machine guns hnd their mountings. Altogether they would weigh about two tons. The detectives kept a watch on the cases jintil the ship which was to have taken them to Amsterdam left the Thames. The cases were not taken on board, but were handed over to the Customs by- the police. It is stated that neither the carriers,, the wharfingers, nor the firm owning’ the steamer had the slightest idea that the cases contained anything but the light steel castings they were supposed to hold. Although the supply of guns was thus cut off, the steamer with the first instalment pursued its course undisturbed, and so far as is known, landed the guns either on the coast of Russia or at a spot near the frontier. Inquiries made by Scotland Yard revealed that the smuggling enterprise was of larger size and importance than was at first thought. It is stated that more than 1000 guns in all had been bought, and that these were all for transhipment to the same destination. Even then the police were not satisfied that they got to the bottom of the mystery, and searches and inquiries were made at other ports, but without results.