BOMBS AND FIRES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 31, 7 February 1939, Page 7

BOMBS AND FIRES

LONDON DISCOVERIES INGENIOUS METHODS USED SCOTLAND YARD ON WARTIME BASIS [ By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright] Received Feb. 6, 9.5 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 6. A watchman found a home-made bomb in the electric-generating station in Tilchlield Street. It failed to explode owing to a damp fuse. Fires occurred in Coventry shops due to envelopes containing toy balloons filled with nitric acid which, after penetrating the rubber ignited magnesium powder, causing an intense blaze. Scotland Yard was organised on a wartime basis during the week-end and leave was stopped. A thousand policemen were distributed throughout London City’s square mile.

SAFETY OF ROYALTY ELABORATE PRECAUTIONS (Indtpendent Cable Service.) Received Feb. 6, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 5. The police took elaborate precautions against possible bombings when Their Majesties attended a dedication service at the new St. Andrew s Garrison Church at Aidershot this afternoon. Military police guarded the church all night, while two hours before the arrival of Their Majesties police ofiicers and military searched the building.

AN ULTIMATUM I.R.A. LETTER TO LORD HALII AX. LONDON, Feb. 5. The Daily Herald alleges that the I.R.A. presented an ultimatum to the Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, o<n January 12, giving Britain four days to remove her troops from Ireland. It recalls that the first bomb explosions occurred on January 16, which was the expiration of the time limit. The letter was signed by Patrick Fleming, secretary, on behalf of the Government and army council of the I.R.A. It declared: “The British forces are an active incitement to turmoil and civil strife, being both a symbol of hostile occupation and potential invaders. We regret if this fundamental condition is ignored we are compelled to intervene actively in the military and commercial life of your country as your Government is now intervening in ours. The Government of the Irish Republic believes that four days is sufficient for your Government to signify its intentions regarding military evacuation and issue a declaration of abdication respecting Ireland. Our Government reserves the right to take appropriate action upon expiration of this period of grace

if the conditions are not fulfilled.” Official circles in Whitehall confirm that Lord Halifax received a letter purporting to be from the 1.R.A., but refuse to make a statement. The Foreign Office later disclosed that it was an “ultimatum’ which was dated January 12. They passed the letter on to various departments, including the Dominions Office. It is now in the possession of the Home Office, which is dealing with it.