The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-04-26
No More Sensational
Coup Ever Attempted
in England.
DEFENSE FORCE
is STRENGTHENED
More Than 10000 Rifles and
100000 Rounds of Amrnuni-
ton Secured in Gun-Running
Exploit Hidden in Secret
Observation-Disclosures
Powerless to Act.
Especial Gable to Tho Timea- Dispatch ]

Especial CabI. to Tho Times- Dispatch
London, April 25.--While Premier
Asqutth and his government nre be-
ing hold up to ridicule by the Union
ists, who allego that they cndeavored
to force Ulster TO accept homo rule
by planning "a military invasion OF the
province. Ulster Loyalists to-day de-
ned every law in the Constitution by
an amazing gun-running exploit
No more amazing or sensational
coup was ever attempted in the HIS
tory of England: In fact tho exploit
eclipses the strangest romance ever
conceived by the most fertile novel
lists.
AZ result OF this dramatic and
deeply significant action the Ulster
defense force is to-day richer by TO-
600 rifles and $1,000 rounds OF am
munition. Here is a broad outline of
the bold and deliberate scheme.
The Norwegian steamer Fanny.
which month ago left hamburg, had
secretly transferred To her a week la
ter full cargo OF arms from Ger
man lighter off the Danish Island Lam
geiand. Last night the Fanny. after
narrowly escaping capture By British
warships, arrived at Il rendezvous off
the County Down Coast. where she
unloaded her cargo OF arms and am
munition TO two smaller steamers. one
OF which then proceeded To Larne and
the other to Bangor aud Donaghadee.
Volunteers Act M Steycdores.
At these points number OF Ulster
volunteers were awaiting TO act as
Htevcdores. when the vessel arrived
they hurricdly unloadcd hundreds OF
cases. working AT breakneck speed
More than COO automobiles were wait
ing at various points, and they We're
soon loaded ana despatched mt short
intervals Ia secret destinations, where
tho arms were Immediately hidden.
For this staggering tour de force.
every Clstcrite member OF the Ulster
volunteers modified around Bangor.
Larne. Doanhadee and Belfast. Lines
OF pickets were posted. and only those
accredited loyaiists who had the pass
word and countersign were allowed to
arrive or depart. All tclegra phic or
telephone csmmunication was cut off
from the four towns, and only the
commanders Of the volunteers could
signal each other by means or lighted
lanterns.
Tho police and customs officers In
each place were powerless. The en-
tire province was in the hands OF the
Loyalists all OF last night. Fly morn
ing all traces OF the raid had disap-
peured, tho wires were restored. the
volunteers demobilizcd and the gained
arms were safely distributed In hun
dreds of different caches.
Authorities Deceived.
AT Belfast, the authorities were COM
pieteIy deceived by decoy Eun-run-
ming vessel. Hundreds OF Ulster vol
unteers were at the docks awaiting its
arrival with n large number of trans
port wagons rs blind After the po,
lice had kept an all-night vigil, the
vessel was found 10 contain nothing
more dangerous than coal. Only then
did the police and customs men real ;
lie that something else was afioat but
then IL was too late.
Now the police and the customs au-
thoritics have been officially instruct
ed TO locate the destination OF the DIFF
ferent oonsignnents. but they might as
we'll try TO find needle IN several
hnystncks.
This remarkable chapter In the story
OF listers resistance had the effect
OF bringing Premier Asquith back to
town. post haste from his country
seat. The Premier had a long con-
ference with Irish Secretary B!rrell
and various generals.
Tho developments Will undoubtedly
s,ifcu AsQulth's back, since lie was
asSailcd again on Monday in the Com
mons with no less than los questions
regarding the Cabinets intention 10
use the army and navy to force Ulster
10 accept home rule.