Evening star., 1940-02-06
Bombing Wave
Sweeps Britain;
/. R. A. Blamed
Irish Feeling Runs
High as Two Face
GuIIows Tomorrow
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, Feb. GA new wave
of bombings, attributed to the
Irish Republican Army, swept
England today as the govern
ment of Ireland sought to stay
the scheduled execution of two
I. R. A. men in Birmingham to-
morrow.
Explosions from balloon and acid
type bombs used previously by the
I. R. A. IN its campaign of terrorism
shook London's crowded Euston
Railroad Station, the birmingham
General Post Office and the post
Office in Manchester.
At Liverpool an attendant found
an incendiary bomb in the main hall
of the general post Office and pre-
vented an explosion by submerging
it in water.
-Four were hurt In Euston Station,
two in Birmingham, none In Man
chester.
AS feeling ran high in Ireland
after the British governments re-
fusal last night to grant reprieves
to the condemned men. John Du-
lanty, Ireland's high commissioner
in London, was instructed to see
Prime Minister Chamberlain today
to press an appeal for clemency for
the pair
To BE Hanged Tomorrow.
The two men, Peter Barnes and
James Richards, are scheduled to be
hanged tomorrow in Birmingham
for their part in a bombing in
Coventry last August Is, in which
five persons were killed.
The guard around the Birming-
ham Jail was redoubled against any
effort to save Richards or Barnes
or to stage bombing of the Jail
as a gesture of defiance.
Special units of Scotland Yard
versed in I. r. A. tactics supervised
a watch in key post Offices for fur
ther bombings Special precau-
tions were taken in railway luggage
rooms, where numerous bombs were
planted last summer.
Feeling reached pitch recalling
the atmosphere surrounding the
hanging of three Irish Republicans
for the killing of police sergeant
in Manchester in 1867. The trio
became known as the Manchester
martyrs"
A. postal investigation disclosed
th1t the bomb which exploded in
Birmingham was posted just after
last nights announcement that
Home Secretary Sir John Anderson
would not interfere with the execu-
tions.
Today's Irish government appeal
to Mr.. Chamberlain came after
many mass meetings in Ireland in
recent days demanding reprieves.
With refusal of these last night, the
bombings followed today.
Tom Barry, Cork Irish Repub-
lican leader, telegraphed Prime Min
lister Eamon de Valera Of Fire today
asking him to request four-day re-
prieves to enable him to place before
the home secretary in London
proof" that the men we're innocent.
Reprieves Urged in Dublin.
The British government announced
its refusal to grant reprieves for the
two condemned men after a huge
mass meeting in Dublin the night
before had urged reprieves Ito avert
the risk of extinguishing all hope of
enduring peace between Britain and
the Irish nation"
The Euston station was crowded.
In it were many soldiers on leave.
One of those injured was detained
at an eye hospital for injuries about
the eyes, while the others were
treated for abrasions and shock.
Flames followed the Birmingham
post office explosion. but were ex-
tinguished quickly. The blast was
heard in the street and drew a large
crowd.
Joseph Hewitt, 20, acquitted of
murder in the Coventry blast, was
freed today on charge of conspiracy
to cause explosions, possessing ex-
plosive and causing an explosion.
The prosecution offered no evidence
against him.
Barnes and Richards were SEN
fenced December IA, receiving the
first death penalties in the I. r. A..
campaign of terror against the
British.
The I. r. A. bombings began in
January, 1899. The organization is
outlawed in Ireland, opposed by the
De Valera government because of its