RED PLOT.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1922, Page 5

RED PLOT.

LONDON THREATS: ACTIVITY OF COMMUNISTS. VIOLENCE URGED. DISQUIETING REPORTS. POLICE IN CONTROL. My Tslefrapb.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Nov. 21. The police action in closing the pre- . cinets of Parliament is the sequel to the announcement that a procession of unemployed would assemble on the Embankment to-morrow. The London unemployed as well as provincial contingents are mobilising, and the organisers assert that 14ft,000 will respond. Some of the recent speeches by leaders, whom the Pall Mall Gazette asserts are Communists directed from Moscow, were extremely violent. One said everything was ready except the ammunition, which was accessible when needed. Another told his audience to be ready to obey his command to attack the House of Commons. The most serious views are evidently taken by the Government of the threat to force a hearing on the Premier, and details have been issued officially from the Premier’s office of what is alleged to be a Red plot to create disorder at Whitehall by the unemployed and Communist leaders. The statement points out that many of the marchers, who have semi-mili-tary discipline, are armed with knives and revolvers. All are well armed with sticks and intend parching en masse to Downing Srteet. In the event of opposition the procession will disperse and re-concentrate in twos and threes at Whitehall. Mannington, a well-known Communist, is leading the operations against the police and urging the men to fight if opposed. The statement further alleges that copies of documents and fiery speeches have been sent to Moscow to endeavor to induce the Sovietere to provide financial backing for the movement, which for several months nas been known to be in danger of breaking up for want of funds. Downing Street has also promulgated reports of Communist speeches, typical of which is the phrase uttered by one Cooke, from Cheshire: “We have brought 2000 unemployed to London, and we don’t give a damn whether or not they are taken back in coffins, so long as they win the fight.” Simultaneously with the above an official list, containing 24 names, addresses and records of the leaders of the marchers, was issued, including their police convictions. It is a regular ‘•Who’s Who” of Communism, and includes the name of a Sheffield parson. Though at present it is the determination of the men to assemble on the Embankment the effect of the police order will keep the men at least a mile from the Houses of Parliament. Hundreds of police, mounted and foot, are being drafted to Westminster and reinforcements will be stationed at strategic points. FALSE ALARM. A HARMLESS DEMONSTRATION. •London. Nov. 22. The unemployed organisation decided not to attempt to interview Mr. Bonar Law, but to send a deputation to the. Minister of Labor. This decision is evidently not pleasing to the Red Flag section. * About five thousand unemployed assembled on the Embankment with bamU and banners, but were prevented from entering Whitehall precincts. A deputation of 50 of their number was selected and waited on the Minister of Labor. Meanwhile the police diverted the demonstrators from the Embankment to Hyde Park to await the result of the deputation. The extraordinary precautions caused the unemployed demonstration to dwindle into an orderly march of a few thousand through the outer fringe of the West End and thence eastward, where it dispersed. Foot and mounted police were present in exceptional strength and flanked each side of the procession in unbroken lines, the mounted men being armed with sworde. Scotland Yard wa* packed with reinforcements, while the leave of the Guards regiments was stopped, the, men being confined to barracks ready formny emergency. The marchers wore red ros. ettee and sang and cheered as they marched. HOW THE DEADLOCK CAME. PREPARING OTHER PLANS. “SECOND ROUND OF CONTEST.’ Received Nov. 23, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 22. When the unemployed deputation returned the leader reported to the gathering that they had reiterated their demand to the Minister of Labor to see Mr. Bonar Law, and if the latter was not convinced of the necessity for seeing them they must withdraw, which they did, thus creating a deadlock. The leader added that they must now prepare for a second round of the contest, and the committee to-night would evolve new plans. Apparently the Government section of the Press was spoiling for a fight.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Association.