I.W.W. OUTRAGES IN SYDNEY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1623, 12 October 1916, Page 3

I.W.W. OUTRAGES IN SYDNEY.

REIGN OF TERROR ATTEMPTED

Sydney, October 11,

Startling revelations of a gigantic conspiracy to cause havoc and destruction and endanger the lives of people were heard at the opening of (reason charges against twelve members of the 1.W.W., Charles Reeve (England), Thomas Glynn. (Ireland), Peter Linkin (Ireland), .John Hamilton (Victoria), Bernard Besant (England), Donald McPherson (Scotland), William Teen (Tasmania), William Beatty (England), Norris Fagen (Russia), Donald Grant (Scotland), Thomas Moore (New Zealand), and John King (Canada). Besides allegations of treason there wore further charges of conspiring to burn buildings in Sydney and elsewhere by means of phosphorous and inllammable material. in order to intimidate and overawe the State Government.

The Crown Prosecutor, in outlining the case, said (hat (he charges arose from a series of city (ires which, if successful, would have caused damage of at least a million pounds. Evidence would show that attempts had been made to place difficulties in the way of the lire brigades which were stopping the outbreaks. Accused*' associate was a notorious German who escaped from an internment camp. How far German influence affected the tires it was impossible to show, but the tactics adopted were pleasing to the enemy. The I.WAV .had adopted a, deliberate system of sabotage to force the Government to release one of their comrades, Barker. The (ires commenced in .June, and were aimed at a building owned-by the Government. If was further alleged that the object was to lorcc the Government to abandon its conscription policy. Many lines occurred after Mr Hughes' declaration. On the very day of the speech the co-oper-ative stores were 1 blazing. This lire was due to one of the accused. Another declared that he was prepared to burn down Sydney and it would cost the capitalists £IO,OOO for each day Barker was imprisoned. Counsel believed that the organisation had started ten (ires, including Winn’s and Simpson’s, .Mark Foy’s, Stedman’s, Biley Bros.’, Brown’s furniture warehouse, Beard Matson's, and Burns, Philip and Co.

Evidence was given how an Austrian participated in drawing lots to curry out plans. The Austrian then indicated which places they should attempt to destroy. In the treason ease the Crown Prosecutor added: —Alter the (September tires the accused desired to prevent the Government submitting the question of conscription to the country. Moore was present at the drawing of lots, and was afterwards seen near .Mark Foy’s. A detective heard Moore say: “This must go. Ten ’s ought to go at once.” Later Moore stated he had had luck, so many fires missing. Thirteen should have gone.