of bombs in busy thoroughfares or in public places. The 'bombs' varied in composition. The majority of them were fakes, that is quite harmless. but suspicious looking bundles often with such messages on them as 'Compatriots do not touch!' In other cases they were filled with gun- powder extracted from fireworks to produce a substantial report but little damage. In other cases again they were charged with gelignite or other powerful explosive and were often fitted with a timing device or other sophisticated method of detonation, with lethal effect. There was no way of distinguishing one from another and every suspect object had to be treated with the greatest caution. During such operations the surrounding area had to be kept clear, so that in addition to the poten- tial danger there were often frustrating delays to traffic and pedestrians while these objects were rendered harmless.
140. In August the use of explosives was put under closer supervi- sion by the Government and in September emergency regulations were made prohibiting the possession or discharge of fireworks. Dealers and members of the public were called upon to surrender the stocks that they had in hand; 130 tons of fireworks were handed in but the bombs continued. In August two explosive stores were broken into in successive raids and 743 sticks of gelignite as well as other explosives were stolen. It is not known whether the communists were responsible but it was clear that they could command a sufficient quantity of explosives for their campaign.
141. Their cowardly attacks did their cause little good. The Police were put under considerable strain. But the main purpose, to undermine the morale of the people, was not achieved. The bombs were generally accepted as an additional hazard of life by the public which continued to go about its normal business in spite of inconvenience and danger. The communists themselves affected to claim that deaths caused by these bombs were not intended and that they were not responsible for all the bombs that were planted. These excuses carried little weight with the public and the deaths of two young children by the explosion of a bomb on 20th August roused intense popular feeling against those responsible. There were demands for the death penalty to be introduced for all who took part in these attacks.
142. A disquieting feature of this phase was the growing employ- ment of school-children to carry on the work of confrontation-pre- sumably to fill the ranks depleted by the retreat of their elders. Most of these children were recruited from the comparatively few communist
42
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.