I.R.A. ARMS DUMPS IN ULSTER

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 288, 3 September 1942, Page 5

I.R.A. ARMS DUMPS IN ULSTER

Disclosure Of Plot

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, September 1. The allegation that the illegal Irish Republican Army movement was preparing for attacks against British and American troops in Northern Ireland was made in a statement issued by the Belfast police.

The statement says: “On the evening of "August. 30 a special manifesto issued .by the ‘Army Council’ of the J.R.A. was circulating in Belfast. The terms of, this document made it clear that tliib' illegal organization had been preparing'for attacks against members of the armed forces of the. Crown,, against the police, and against the United States forces in Northern Ire-, land,“The manifesto said: ‘The I.R.A. cannot recognize the right of England, or, any Power, to maintain forces on any pari of Irish territory without the free consent of the Irish people. The I.R.A. reserves the, right, therefore, to use whatever measures present themselves to clear . this territory of such forces. It will undoubtedly be, part of Britain s tactics io 'provoke, conflict between the American troops in. Northern Ireland and the Irish- guerrilla forces. If, ; in the event of thy resumption of hostilities between Britain and the Irish Republic, American troops are drawn into conflict with Irish soldiers, the responsibility must rest, on those who. presumed to use north-east Ireland as a military base without the free consent of the Irish people? . “The distribution of this manifesto was followed by the. timely discovery of two large accumulations of arms and explosives outside Belfast. The finding of these lethal weapons undoubtedly frustrated a plan which, if it had been carried through, would have resulted in a grave disturbance and loss of life." Dublin Strike Threat.

The Belfast police had earlier announced that they' had made; a. further extensive raid and taken possession of another andi bigger arms dump. Large quantities of arms, ammunition and explosives in barrels were discovered. Investigations showed that this material was intended for. distribution throughout Northern/Ireland and that quantities had already been sent out. Thirteen persons were detained as a result of yesterday's raids. ■ Agitation isJiqffiS whipped up in Eire, Ulster, and in'lrish quarters in London, for tho reprieve of Thomas Williams, an I.R.A. youth who was not reprieved when five others were granted-clemency after the murder of a policeman in Belfast. Dublin - workers threaten a general strike if Williams is banged. Nationalist members of Parliament . in Ulster have cabled the King, Mr. Churchill, Mr. Morrison, Cardirtal Hinsley, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, urging that Williams be granted a reprieve. The death sentence still stands on Williams because he stated that firing on the police was his suggestion. REPRIEVE REFUSED (Received September 2, 10.45 p.m.) LONDON, September 1. The Governor of Northern Ireland has rejected a final appeal for the reprieve of Thomas Williams.