The Washington times., 1903-05-10
ERNAL MACHINE
on BOARD UHBRIA
Police Warned in Time TO
Avert Disaster.
ALLEGED HAND OF "MAF!k"
One Hundred Pounds OF Dynamite Dis
covered-Would Have Blown Ship
to Bottom of Sea.

NEW YORK. May 9,-On the deck of
the steamship Umhria box containing
an internal machine was found this af-
ternoon. few minutes before The ship
sailed
The box Was OF plain white pine with
ircn handles, and was so arranged that
the 100 pounds OF dynamite which il con-
tanned would have been discharged by
clockwork within thirty-six hours.
Letter Gave Warning.
The discovery of the machine was due
to d letter received az police headquar-
ters this afternoon, which gave the
warning. The letter was written in pen
Gil. was mailed at the general postofTice
al - o'clock, noon, and as it bore a
special delivery stamp was taken at
once TO headquarters. II was addressed
10 Commissioner Greene, and read as
follows
Dear Sir. The Mafa greets you and
wishes you well. At the Cunard dock
is a box containing 100 pounds OF dyna-
mite. Inside also is machine that,
properly set, can explode the stuff any
time within thirty-sfX hours
"War Against England.
THE society has declared war against
England and has ordered the destruction
OF every steamer flying the British flag
sailing out of New York Harbor. The
undersigned received orders TO begin
operations by sinking the Oceanic, put
many women and children took pas
sage on that boat that the society-s
plans were changed at the last moment,
The society has undertaken TO clear
New York Harbor of British ships, ami
il will succeed. The reason for this
movement the society does not wish 10
disclose. Suffice 1t 10 say that the So
eiety, 10 protect itself, must carry The
war into the enemy's country. II nro-
poses to wage the war as fiercely as it
knows how.
"Iay On, Macduff'"
This is he society's first and last
warning and those who purpose to pat
ronize British steamers must take their
chances in the future. The society asks
and gives no quarter: so, Lay on, Mac
duff and damned be he who first cries,
hold, enough
"PIETRO DE MARTINI.
"P. S.-The battery is not attached
fuse is without caps, and lighter not set.
Consequently there is no danger in
handling it
This letter was opened by Mr. Blo-,
secretary of Second Deputy Commi ssion-
er Piper, to whom ne turned il over
Captain Piper consulted Inspector Cort-
right and fouf detectives were hurried
10 the pier, while the master OF the dock
and the captain of the vessel were in
formed by telephone.
Far From Hoax
It was thought that the matter was
probably hoax, and II it was not that
the fuse had not been arranged so as TO
make the handling of the machine safe
This was found 10 be correct.
Arriving at the pier. the detective be-
gan search for 1t and located the box
cn the deck among the cabin passen-
gers. 1t was lowered gingerly into the
water and the bureau of combustibles
WAS informed.
When examined later the box was
found TO contain 100 pounds OF dynamite,
enough TO have blown the whole ship TO
pieces. The fuse was even then burn
ing. SO that il would have exploded in a
short time and many people would have
been killed and injured.
Just IN Time.
'IR that machine had not been dis
covered. the entire charge OF 100 pounds
OF dynamite would have exploded within
one minute said Inspector Murray OF
the bureau of combustibles. this after
noon, after be had returned from the
Umbria's pier.
when the deadly machine was sub
merged in the water one of the tiEie
fuses had already burned through the
greater portion Of its length. ara in a
minute more. at the most. The explosion
would have occurred. There is not the
slightest doubt but that scores of per-
sons would have lost their lives The
force of the concussion alone would
have been deadly. Dynamite exerts q
downward and outward force. and that
amount would have swept the pier and
much space adjoining"
On the vessel we're I30 cabin passen-
gers l22 second cabin passengers. and
$50 in the steerage. The crew numbers
about 325. The leo dynamite sticks were
labeled "ClimaS Powder Manufacturing