Gun-Running

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 280, 29 April 1914, Page 5

Gun-Running

A RISKY ENTERPRISE. 300-TONNER WITH A (ROMARTfC TALE. A SHIP WITHOUT PAPERS-A PIRATE. THRICE RE-NAMED, RE-PAINTED ' AND DISGUISED. A MIDNIGHT TRANSHIPMENT. OX THE HIGH SEAS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Received *2B, 10.5 p.m. London, April 27. For three weeks the 300-tons steamer Fanny tramped the high seas with Her rargo of munitions without 'her ship's papers. According to international law the steamer was a pirate. She weather- 1 ed three heavy gales in the North Sea. 1 She carried an Ulster captain. When the Danish authorities retained her papers, the Fanny, under cover of a fog, slipped to sea, and ran for a Norwegian port to ascertain whether the purpose of her cruise had leaked out. 1 From the newspapers it was learned that her disappearance had placed the nuthorities on the qui yive. During a storm 'her sidelight was smashed, and she eventually entered Yarmouth Road to replace the light and jet tobacco, but not as the Fanny. Twice she changed her name, first to the "Bertha," and then to the "Dorothy." ' She was twice repainted, and other disguising alterations were effected. THE MOUNTJOY'S NARROW ESCAPE. SIGHTED BY A CRUISER. BUT PASSES AS A HARMLESS COLLIER. Received 28. 10.15 p.m. London, April 28. Someone left the ship and proceeded to London, and got in touch with the Ulster authorities. From Yarmouth the steamer proceeded through the Channel and steamed down the French Coast, thence to Lundy Island, whw she was re-christened and re-disguised, but it was considered unsafe to a ppronch the Ulster coast. Hence the Mount joy, manned/by a picked crew, met the Fanny a hundr.-d miles south of Tuscar. The vessels were lashed together, and the cargo transhipped without displaying lights. At dawn the vessels parted, and me*; again at Cardigan Bay. where they completed the task. The Mountjoy made for Larne. One night a cruiser a few miles away played a searchlight on her, but doubtless regarded her us a harmless collier. PATROLLING THE COAST. FIVE WARSHIPS MANOEUVRING. ULSTERMEN TAKE THE LAW INTO THEIR OWN HANDS. SHIP'S CAPTAIN OVERPOWERED. TROOPS FOR ULSTER. Received 28, 10.15 p.m. London, April 2S. Five worships are manoeuvring off Larne, Donaghadee and Bangor, using searchlights. It is stated that the lloma v.as detained, and the Ayr commandeered at Larne. by the Ulster volunteers and compelled to land arms at Belfast. The captain protested, but was virtually made a prisoner by the Ulstermen. Dublin advices state that battalions of the Yorkshire and West Kent regiments t liave been ordered to be in readiness to proceed to Ulster. DESPERATE MEASURES. Received 2S, 11.25 p.m. London, April 28. The Daily Express says the Ulster Council had ordered that the Fanny should be scuttled rather than tie allowed to fall itno the hands of the Navy. MR. CHURCHILL EXPLAINS. NAVAL OFFICERS' ORDERS. Received 28, 11.25 p.m. London, April 28. Mr. Churchill, in the House of Commons, explained that the reason for ordering naval officers in Ulster to land in plain clothes was to avoid creating any unnecessary alarm or irritation. Sir Edward Carson, amid mocking cries of "Hats off to the king!" asked Mr. Churchill whether he had attempted to attain a similar object by his Bradford speech. Mr. Churchill dismissed the question as irrelevant. Lord Charles Bevesford reminded Mr. Churchill that the regulations demanded that- the officers wear uniforms on duty. PREMIER HAS AUDIENCE WITH THE KING. ' A STRENUOUS TIME FOR CABINET 1 MOTIONS IN PARLIAMENT. Received 28. 10.35 p.m. London, April 28. Mr. Asquith, after his statement ii the House of Commons, had an audienc with the King. Subsequently Cabinet discussed the I'! * ster question, and continues the snlijec r- tc-dar. ■ Notice- has been given of a numb?

of liberal amendments to Mr. Chamberlain's motion for a judicial enquiry. Tin; amendments declare that in view of t!i« preparation of the Ulster leaders, supported by the Unionist leaders, to resist the law instanced in the gun-running, this House supports the Government in taking action to vindicate the law. The Daily News says that owing to the exigencies of the Ulster situation, the presenting of the Budget has been postponed till Monday. "AN UNPRECEDENTED OUTRAGE." LAW WILL BE VINDICATED. London, April 27. Renewed activity was shown on Sunday night. Between Bangor and Newtonards fifty motors were transporting rifles and ammunition. It is now stated that there are 110 more than a dozen rifles in a single place, making police raids impossible. Ninety-six questions have been asked of Mr. Asquith, which is a record. He stated that the police informed the Government in December that the depots in Ulster were in danger of attack. Mr. Bor.ar Law: Why didn't the Government act until March? Mr. Asquith: The Government exercised its discretion. The Cabinet met to decide on steps to vindicate the law. The Army Annual Bill was read a second time in the Lords. Lord Crewe, answering Lord Lansdowne, said it was not the Government's intention to move troops to Ireland, but that would depend on eireunis tanoes. It is denied that troops have been ordered to Ulster, but there is much activity at The Curragh. Mr. Asquith, in the House of Common-.;, said that in view of the grave and unprecedented outrage: in Ulster, the Government would take without delay appropriate steps to vindicate the authority of the law and protect the King's officers, servants and subjects in the exercise of their duties and the enjoyment nf their legal rights. (Ministerial cheers). Answering Colonel B. G. W. Chalonjr. Mr. Acquith said the instructions to the howitzer battery to prepare their guns f:-r active service on March 20 was issued under a misapprehension. The Westminster Gazette says that the Government must ignore the suspicions of the loyalty of the Army and Navy ami proceed on the assumption that it has power and can use it. ' If there is any disaffection or disobedience, such as would cause serious embarrassment, let the Government dissolve an.i appeal to the electors against anarchy. A small steamer has been detained it Ayr for alleged assistance in the gunrunnimr. The Ulster Committee voted a provision for the family of the coast-guards-man who uicd of heart disease. The Irish Constabulary are instructed to Bton fll motor-cars to search thorn for arms, and arrest the occupants if they resist.