BLOWN UP

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20258, 29 July 1937, Page 9

BLOWN UP

A SERIES OF OUTRAGES, ON THE IRIBH BORDER. ARMED MEN HOLD UP POLICB. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, July 28. Believed to have been designed by extremist Republicans to hinder th« flow of visitors from the Irish Fre* State to Belfast for the Royal visit there was a series of outrages las’ night on the whole length of the Irisfc border. A railway bridge at Dundalk wag mined and partly wrecked and traffic was held up. Customs houses at various points on both sides of the border were blown up. Some were soaked with petrol and set on fire. A police patrol at Killeen was held up by armed men and forced to watch the customs hut being blown to pieces. Four men were arrested at Omagh after a wide search. Precautions Taken. It is understood that rumours reached the authorities last week of the possibility of a demonstration during the Royal visit and special precautions have been taken. Police are being stationed on the roofs of buildings to watch the crowds during Their Majesties’ drive through Belfast, and precautions are being taken also at the prisons to avoid demonstrations by political prisoners. Railway bridges and cuttings are being examined in case further mines have been deposited. SHOCK OF EXPLOSION. EXCITEMENT AT ROYAL RECEPTION SHOTS ACROSS THE BORDER. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright (Received July 29, 11 a.m.) LONDON, July 28. While Their Majesties were receiving a loyal address in tlie Belfast City Hall the air resounded with tlie shock of an explosion, causing considerable excitement. It was revealed that the explosion had occurred In a warehouse a quarter of a mile away, and was believed to be due to an escape of gas. A machine-gun flred across the border from the Irish Free State last night caused the northern police in a customs car to retreat. It Is estimated that over 20 customs posts have been destroyed. Police cars, with wire-netting covers. are patrolling the decorated streets of Belfast. A LAND MINE. ADMISSION BY POLICE. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received July 29, 11 a.m.) LONDON. July 28. The Central News Agency states that the police now admit that the warehouse explosion in Belfast wag due to a land mine. SENSATION IN LONDON. ITALIAN SYMPATHY. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright, (Received July 29, 1.45 p.m.) LONDON,- July 28. A sensation was caused in London on receipt of news just before midnight that the explosion which occurred In Academy Street, Belfast, while the King was in the City Hall. 300 yards away, was due to land mine, and not, as cabled earlier, to a gas leak. The original statement made In the afternoon was official, but the police at a late hour, after continual questioning, admitted that it was caused by explosives. Meantime the correct story was widely circulated on the Continent, and later contradicted. Italian newspapers expressed sympathy with Their Majesties and till British people.