New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-07
PRECAU1I0Ns AGALNST DYNAMITE.

The English people have suddenly awakened
to a startling sense IF insecurity. They know
that their peace aud welfare are now menaeed
by gangs of murderous consplrators aud dyn-
amte iends every whit as dangerous as the
Cars Nihist foes. How can they pro-
tect themselves against dynamite workersH
Obviously, the main reliance la England,
as in Russia, must he the vigilance and intel
igence OF the detective force. Tho ar
rest of five conspirators and tho dIscov-
cry of the nitro-g lycerine factory near Birming-
ham attest the efficiency of the English police.
The authorities, moreover, seem to be acting
with self possession and vigor and precautions
have been doubled in every quarter But let the
police he as watchtul and the authorities as pru-
dent as they may, and there will still be ground
for public anxiety. The sentinels may be
doubled in front OF every public building and
the detective force may he largely increased IN
every city and town, and there viii be exposed
points where dynamite may be planted with
impunity. and the consciousness of deadly peril
from diabolical plots will remain.
Additional efforts will probably he made to
restrict the sale and transportation of dynamite
and other nitro-sl Ycerine explosives. Dyn-
aTnte is now manufactured in England mt the
rate Of 10, 900 or 10000 tons annually, and is
not only largely used in mining and blasting
operations at home, but is shipped 10 every
quarter of the world There are also German,
Swiss and French manufacturers, who have
agents in London and supply the market with
cheaper but more dangerous nitro glycerine
compounds. Not only is the manufacture of ex-
plosives regulated by special ordinances, bat the
Home Office also forces every dealer and large
purchaser to obtain license for trade or use. AS
the laws are now enforced as much as twelve or
fifteen pounds of dynamite could not be bought
at one time by a Fenian conspiTator anywhere in
England without license from the Home Office.
Smaller quantities, however could be readily
purchased, especially in tie great towns of the
mining districts, and in this way q moderate
stock could be accumulated. 1t is probable,
therefore, that the authorities will make de-
termined effort TO restrict so far as may he pos
sible the sale of dynamite and other explosives
even in small quantities. They may require
deolers in such substances to obtain definite
information respecting the character of the pur-
chaser and the use which is to be made of
them. Precautions may also lie multiplied to
prevent tho importation of explosives pur-
cUubtu dDlOdu bhu boHniHhtN w tiO FcCicJ
agents Of political conspirators. In this way
something may be done to protect the public
against dynamite operations.
The regulations, however, in regard to the
purchase aud transportation of explosives seem
to have been so rigid as to have forced the Fe-
Man desperadoes TO manufacture their own
supplies. The shipment of dynamite from
foreign countries was attended with extraordi
nary hazards in the handling required at tho
wharves and its delivery to those to whom it
was consigned and the purchase even of small
quantities would have tended to excite suspicion.
Those who were planning these outrages
shrcwdly decided to supply themselves with
all tie ammunition they might need and in this
way to arm themselves without being exposed
to scrutiny ut the wharves or at the dealers
agencies. The secret nitro-g lycerine fac
tory near Birmingham was put in opera
ton, and tho police suspect that there arc
similar workshops controlled by the Fcnians In |
other English cities. Apparently the explosives |
found of the lodgings and on the persona of |
the four men arrested in London were manu- |
featured In England by the Fenians themselves. |
Ii becomes necessary, therefore, for the Gov |
ernment to protect the public against tho illicit
manufacture, handling and storage Of dynamite |
and similar compounds. This 1t proposes to do |
by series of amendments to the act relating to |