ALLEGATION BY POLICE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 3 September 1942, Page 5

ALLEGATION BY POLICE

I PREPARATIONS FOR ARMED REVOLT AMMUNITION DUMP FOUND London, Sept. 1. An allegation that the J.R.A. is 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 30th August a special manifesto issued by the ‘Army Council' of the I.R.A. was circulating in Belfast. The terms of this document made it clear that this illegal organisation has been preparing for an attack against members of the armed forces of the Crown, against the police and against the United States forces in Northern Ireland. The manifesto said: ‘The I.R.A. cannot recognise the right of England or any power to maintain forces in any part 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 to provoke a conflict between the American troops in Northern Ireland and the Irish guerrilla forces. If in the event of hostilities between Britain and the Irish Republic American troops are drawn into the conflict with Irish soldiers the responsibility must rest with 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 the plan which, if it had been carried through, would have resulted in grave disturbance and loss of life. FURTHER RAID MADE 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 persons were detained as a result of yesterday’s raids. AGITATION FOR REPRIEVE Agitation is being whipped up in Eire and Ulster and in Irish quarters in London for the reprieve of Thomas Williams, the I.R.A. youth who was not reprieved. Dublin workers threaten a general strike if Williams is hanged. Nationalist members of Parliament in Ulster have cabled the King, Mr Churchill. Mr Morrison. Home Secretary, Cardinal Hinsley. and the Archbishop of Canterbury urging that Williams be granted a reprieve. The death sentence still stands on Williams because he stated firing on the police was his suggestion.—P.A. EXECUTION CARRIED OUT London. Sept. 2. Williams was executed. The police took elaborate precautions to prevent demonstrations and cordonned a large area surrounding the prison and patrolled the streets. —P.A. The Governor of Northern Ireland rejected a final appeal for the reprieve of Thomas Williams. —P.A.