IMMIGRANTS RESIST TRANSFER

Chronicle (Levin), 19 August 1946, Page 5

IMMIGRANTS RESIST TRANSFER

HOSES AND TEAR GAS USED Received Monday, 10.10 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 18. • An attempt to blow a hole in the side of the ship Empire Heywood, which was taking illegal immigrants to Cyprus, is disclosed in an official communique, says Reuter's J erusalem correspondent. An explosion occurred half an hour after the ship left the jetty at Haifa. It was caused by a detonation in the hold of two small electric torches filled with gelignite. It was app.arently hoped to blow a hole in the ship's side. There were no casualties and no damage was caused to the ship, which is remaining at Haifa for the present. Immigrants were searched without result. The Empire Rival left port with immigrants for Cyprus. Hoses and then tear gas had to be used to overeome the resistance of the immigrants to the transfer to British steamers from the slum ship Kathiel Jaffa, which brought them to Palestine. After the hoses had been played on them without effect, tear gas broke down the immigrants' resistance. There were no casualties. In Jerusalem to-day, the General Post Office was again evacuated after a telephone call, saying: "Get out. There are bombs in the buildings British troops immediately cordoned off the surrounding area. The staff returned after the police and military searehers declared the building safe. Three hoax warnings have now been telephoned to the post office since the afternoon of August 17. A riot occurred among the refugees encamped at Caraolos, Cyprus, the inmates unfurling a Palestine national flag. Hundreds of Jews rushed the gates before the British guards could be mustered. About 100, including some women, actually got through the gates but the soldiers, firing over their heads, checked the rioters, none of whom sscaped. Some rioters hurled stones, slightly injuring soldiers. Dthers defied the soldiers' bayonets, Bxposed naked stomaches and yeling: "Kill 'me. We want to go to Palestine."