ROYAL GUESTS

Evening Star, Issue 19662, 15 September 1927, Page 15

ROYAL GUESTS

HOW THEY ARE GUARDED. Wlien King Fuad leaves London, one group of men will breathe more freely. They are the secret service < agents, whose business it is to secure his safety (says F, A. Mackenzie, in the ‘ Daily Nows ’). Everyone sees the open protection, the police car that drives in front of the Royal guest, and the attendant high police officials, and the like. But behind this is an organisation that goes much deeper. The real guard is the systematic watch that is kept on every _ possible dangerous organisation in this country. This is not a new thing. Thirty years ago, when the Internationale had its club and secret groups centred behind Tottenham Court road, some of the most violent members of these groups received police pay, not always from Britain. To-day the system is more far-reach-ing. Our secret service has its agents or informers in practically every violent revolutionary group in this country. People likely to make trouble arc known just as each class of thief is known to the C.I.D. Their records are docketed, and their faces are familiar to the men behind the scenes. Before any State visit to this country our secret service gets in touch with the secret service of the other country, and learns what dangerous elements, if any ; might get here, who the men are behind them, where they are, and what their appearance is. Suspicious nationals find the ports closed to them. On the day of the procession through London, any suspected man who comes anywhere near the Royal visitor is kept under close watch. If he starts to make trouble he is quietly, swiftly, and effectively put on one side, and the men who do it arc not particularly careful about tho methods employed. Quite recently, on the occasion of a big Royal ceremony, a violent Communist, who had been waiting quietly among tho spectators, started to shout as the Royal carriage drew near. / 1 This is what wo want,” he cried, putting his hand into his inner breast pocket to pull out a red flag. Before he had the flag half out, three men standing near turned on him: “ You’ll get what you want,” said one, and three fists simultaneously ■ struck his jaw. The man took no more interest in tho proceedings. Now, of course, these three men may have been loyal citizens suddenly moved by the same impulse, but it was a curious coincidence that they happened to be just where they were.