Unverified reports that “Jewish terrorists” have slipped into England to assassinate prominent government and military figures had this city agog today, with newspapers carrying screaming scare headlines, although authoritative quarters said that there was no evidence that terrorists had arrived here.
The London office of the Jewish Agency branded the reports as “probably without foundation” and “sensational,” and denied that it had received any threats, while Acting Chief Rabbi Dayan Harris M. Lazarus appealed to all British Jews to give the authorities any information they may have concerning terrorists.
Three companies of troops are being held in readiness for emergency and police guards were posted before many government buildings following early reports that threats had been made against the lives of Prime Minister Attlee, Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery, Sir John Shaw, former chief secretary of the Palestine government and other prominent persons who have had some connection with the government’s past or present Palestine policy.
However, the reports brought quick denials from many quarters that death threats had been received by Mr. Attlee or members of his government, while the War Office refused to comment on the report that Viscount Montgomery has been threatened, but said that as a security precaution it would not announce his public engagements in advance.
Scotland Yard detectives have been posted at ports and airdromes and coastal custom units, whose main responsibility is to halt smugglers, have been alerted. Guards were posted yesterday at the Home Office where the Royal Family, Attlee and other members of the government assembled for Remembrance Day ceremonies and special measures will be taken when Parliament reopens tomorrow.
The hunt for the terrorists is reported to have spread to Paris and completely unconfirmed reports said that Nathan Friedman-Yellin, leader of the Stern Group, had arrived there to direct operations in Europe. Another report said that the terrorists were receiving arms and funds from the United States.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
