I.R.A. AGAIN

Evening Star, Issue 24290, 3 September 1942, Page 5

I.R.A. AGAIN

PLAN TO ATTACK TROOPS IN NORTH ARMS AND EXPLOSIVES FOUND LONDON, September 1. An allegation that tho JJII.A. is preparing for attacks against British and American troops in Northern Ireland is 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 I.R.A. was circulating in Belfast. The terras of this document make it clear that this illegal organisation has been preparing for attacks against members of the armed forces of the Crown against the police, and against United States forces in Northern Ireland.” The manifesto said: “The I.R.A. cannot recognise the right of England or any other Power to maintain forces in any part of Irish territory without the free consent of tho 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 to provoke a conflict between the American troops in Northern Ireland and the Irish guerrilla forces. In the event of a resumption of hostilities between Britain and the Irish Republic, and American troops are drawn into a conflict with Irish soldiers, the responsibility must rest with those who presumed to use the north and east of 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 grave disturbances and loss of lives. The Belfast police had earlier announced that they had made a further extensive raid and took possession of another and 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 quantities had already been sent out. Thirteen men were detained as tho result of yesterday’s raids. THE WILLIAMS CASE AGITATION FOR REPRIEVE LONDON. September 2. _ An agitation is being whipped up in Eire, Ulster, and Irish quartern in London for tho reprieve of Thomas Williams, tho I.R.A. youth, who was not reprieved when the death sentences passed on his companions were recently commuted to imprisonment. Dublin workers threaten a general strike if Williams is hanged. _ Nationalist members of Parliament in Ulster

have cabled to the King, Mr Churchill, Mr Herbert Morrison, Cardinal Hinsley,_ and the Archbishop of Canterbury urging that Williams be granted a reprieve. The death sentence still stands on Williams because he _ stated that fixing on the_ police was his suggestion. [Five of six members of the I.R.A who were sentenced to death for the murder of a policeman were reprieved.] FINAL APPEAL REJECTED LONDON, September 1. The Governor of Northern Ireland, the Duke of Abercorn, has rejected the final appeal for the reprieve of Thomas Williams. EXECUTION CARRIED OUT LONDON, September 2. Williams was executed. The police took elaborate precautions to prevent demonstrations, throwing a cordon round a large area surrounding the prison and patrolling the streets in cars. Thousands of workers living outside the cordon were forced to make a detour, GUARDING AGAINST REPRISALS ARMOURED GARS PATROL BELFAST MORE I.R.A. DUMPS FOUND (Rec/ 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 2. All the United States troops in Northern Ireland were confined to their barracks during the execution of Williams, and all the troops were warned to be on their guard. An order was issued in Belfast and Londonderry that all the troops must go about in twos and threes and avoid walking alone, particularly after the blackout. Armoured cars are patrolling Belfast. The police are reported to have seized a document which may lead to further discoveries of hidden arsenals. The police last night found scores of small arms and dumps consisting mostly of rifles and ammunition. 'They arrested another I.R.A. suspect to-day. The special branch in London reinforced the normal police guards at the Government buildings as a precaution against reprisals. Shops and business premises in Dublin were closed from II a.m. to noon, and services for Williams were held in a number of churches. Flags on public buildings were flown at half-mast. SHEFFIELD STEEL WORKS RAID BY LUFTWAFFE Press Association By Telegraph—Copyright (Rec. 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 2. Berlin claims that th> Luftwaffe last night bombed important steel works at Sheffield, and that light bombers yesterday attacked a British camp at Dungeness.