FOILING PLOTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19999, 26 July 1939, Page 5

FOILING PLOTS

CHECK TO TERRORISM MORE DRASTIC ACTION 8188 BEFORE COMMONS SECOND READING PASSED iJJIec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. July 26, 9 a.m.) LONDON, July 24. In the House of commons, tne Home Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, moving the second reading cf tne prevention of Violence Bill, reviewed the activities of the Irish Republican Army terrorists as the worst way of influencing opinion.

He emphasised the skilful preparations of the plan and added tna. ate loss of life huberto had miraculously been avoided, partly owing w the courage and efficiency of me ponce. He pointed out, however, that the terrorists were becoming more astute and übiquitous. They were preparing the campaign without taking into account human life, Desides stimulating foreign organisations, and for this reason more drastic action was necessary. The rrietnbds for prevention were admittedly of a temporary nature in order to meet an emergency though the measure empowered the executive to act when it lacked legal proof.

Sir Samuel Hoare said that the “S” plan contained the sentence: “It .oust be shown that this is the time to strike England which has never aeon in so critical a condition, being traditionally barred from adopting die totalitarian methods, which are the only way of ensuring security.”

The plan also urged terrorists to attack Government offices and steal official notes. Sir Samuel Hoare asked the House not to press for further details, but he confided that the country had approved and demanded more drastic action against the plotters.

He revealed that the terrorists were becoming more astute and careful not to be caught in the possession of arms or explosives. “They are here to-day and gone to-morrow.” he said. “They leave no written instructions but give orders by word of mouth.

“The chief police handicap has been the lack of power to search suspects and therefore they have had to release suspects.”

Mr. A. Greenwood (Lab., Wakefield), agreed that terrorism would achieve nothing and that further powers were necessary to cope with the present ugly situation. For this reason the Labour Party would not oppose the bill, despite the enormous powers it conferred on the Home Secretary.

The bill .passed the second reading by 218 votes to 17.

The Daily Mail says that immediately the bill becomes law Scotland Yard may round up hundreds of suspects at present under observation with the aid of picked C.I.D. officers and members of the service intelligence organisation who know the ringleaders and channels whereby explosives reach London.