BOMBS IN BRITAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 January 1939, Page 5

BOMBS IN BRITAIN

ATTRIBUTED TO IRISH REPUBLICANS | EXPLOSIONS AT ALNWICK & IN BIRMINGHAM. SOME SUGGESTIVE EVIDENCE. By Telegraph—Press Assoei.it ion—Copyright. LONDON. January 17. Following on the explosions reported ycste”day in Southwark, Harlesden and Manchester, the Northumberland police report that an attempt was made to blow up an electric pylon near Alnwick. Only slight damage was done. Another explosion occurred in Birmingham. The electrical power sta-

tion is reported to have boon damaged in one of the cooling lowers, but the supply was not affected. No one was hurt. Police patrols during the night will guard vulnerable points in the electricity, gas and water systems throughout Britain as a result of the explosions, which are believed to have been caused by home-made bombs. Scotland Yard is working with the political branch on the theory that the explosions related to the Irish Republican manifesto, with which several towns were placarded yesterday, demanding the withdrawal of all English armed forces from Eire. A scorched fragment of an Irish newspaper was found near the scene of the Harlesden explosion. The “Daily Herald" believes that an Irish Republican bomb factory exists in London. Wholesale chemists have lately received unusual demands for the bulk sale of potassium chlorate, which is an essential ingredient for home-made explosives. The paper adds that Irish Republican units are known to exist in London. Liverpool. Manchester and Glasgow. ULSTER INTERNMENTS

MINISTER'S DECLARATION. VINDICATION GF ACTION • TAKEN. BELFAST. January 17. The Homo Minister, Sir Dawson Bates, declared today that if any vindication were needed for the recent internment of 34 Irish Republican Army leaders, it is provided by the I.R.A. proclamation. He added that the recent blowing up of Customs posts doubtless constituted the first shots in the campaign. It is unlikely that the bombings will interfere in the visit to Ulster in March of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, but the matter Will be further considered later.

FURTHER OUTRAGE

INTENSE POLICE ACTIVITY. ROUND-UP OF SUSPECTS. (Received This Day. 1(1.5 a.m.) LONDON. January 17. Aii attempt was made to blow up an electric pylon at Great Bai', near Birmingham. A second bomb was found nearby. The Home Office's Inspector of Explosives has gone to Manchester to investigate three explosions. The police are watching ports and carrying out one of the biggest roundups of suspects for years. They are visiting Irish colonies,- especially inquiring in circles known to be sympathetic to the I.R.A. and ensuring that every suspect is /interviewed. There was intense police activity after the posting of the I.R.A. proclamations in the Irish districts of Liverpool.