Aircraft Trial A BACKGROUND TO THE NEWS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 2, 28 September 1937, Page 7

Aircraft Trial

A BACKGROUND TO THE NEWS

Nine-Power Treaty The New York “Herald Tribune says it is out of the question for America to do anything under the Nine-Power Treaty. This treaty was concluded at the Washington Conference, 1921-22, by the United States,' Great Britain, Japan, France, China, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal. It said: “The contracting Powers, other than China, agree: “1. To respect the sovereignty, the independence, and the territorial and administrative integrity of China. “2, To provide the fullest and most unembarrassed opportunity to China to develop and maintain for herself an effective and stable government. “3. To use their influence for the purpose of effectually- establishing and maintaining the principle of equal opportunity for the commerce and industry of all nations throughout the territory of China. “To refrain from taking advantage of conditions in China in order to seek special rights or privileges which would abridge the rights of subjects or citizens of friendly States and from countenancing action inimical to the security of such States.” The contracting Powers agreed that “whenever a situation arises which in the opinion of any one of them involves the application of the stipulations of the present treaty, and renders desirable discussion of such application, there shall be full and frank communication between the contracting Powers concerned.” Field Of Cloth Of Gold

“The Times” compares the lavish and massive spectacle contrived by the Germans in honour of the visit of Signor Mussolini with the famous Field of the Cloth of Gold.

Nothing In previous history equalled in splendour the meeting between Henry VIII of England and Francis I of France, and to which historians have given the name, “The Field of the Cloth of Gold.” It was a struggle upon both sides for pre-eminence in magnificence. It would seem as if they sought more to dazzle than to please. Both arrived on the same day, June 1. 1520, the one at Calais, the other at Ardres. On Wednesday, June 7, the kings of France and of England, mounted upon great chargers, clothed, the one in cloth of gold, the other in cloth of silver, covered with pearls, diamonds rubies, and emeralds, their heads covered by velvet caps resplendant with precious stones, from which floated magnificent white plumes, set out at the same time and at the same pace. Their constables preceded them, bare sword in band, and the lords of their court, most gorgeously apparelled, followed in the train. Each of them was followed by a bodyguard of 400 archers or men-at-arms. Thus escorted they descended the two hills which led into the plain of the Vaidore, where a pavilion had been erected to receive them.' Their appearance was more that of two knights marching to battle than two princes going to a diplomatic interview.

At a short distance from each other, Henry, and Francis spurred their horses, reining in when they were side by side. Saluting one another in kingly fashion, they then dismounted and entered the pavilion arm in arm. Francis I showed great cordiality to Henry. For 25 days the rival camps indulged in courtesies (in which suspicion and jealousy were thinly veiled), jousts in the lists, archery, and wrestling. Henry actually wrestled with -Francis (an impromptu affair) and was thrown. Munich

Munich, where Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini met, is the third largest city of Germany. Its German name is Munchen, from the Latin “Forum monachorum,” meaning “monks’ market.’’ It stands on the left bank of the isar at 1700 feet above sealevel, on a plain, 25 miles north of the Bavarian Alps. It is regarded as one of the best-built cities in Europe. Brewing is the chief industry,'and machinery, rifles and scientific instruments are manufactured. Other industries are mainly applied arts, including bronze, casting, silver work, photography, process engraving, wood carving, stained glass, carpet and porcelain manufacture. Munich is also the centre of the south Bavarian railway system. The modern city is regularly built, and has numerous large open spaces, one of them, the English Garden, having an area of 600 acres. It was an obscure village belonging to the Benedictines when Henry the Lion, Duke of Bavaria, established a mint and a market place there in 1158. It figured prominently in the revolution of November, 1918, in which Bavaria became a republic, and it was the foundation centre of German National Socialism, which now goes by the name of Nazism or Hitlerism. Munich has beautiful buildings centuries old, and is noted for its museums and. historic possessions. The population is about 700,000. Casablanca Casablanca, where other disturbances occurred in Morocco, is a port. Situated on the Atlantic coast, it has a large maritime trade valued at several millions of pounds annually. The local industries are also important. Extensive harbour works, begun in 1913, were completed at a cost of £2,000,000. The town, which was built in the fifteenth century, was occupied by the French in 1907, after a bombardment. With a population of 111,000, including ■43,000 Europeans, it is the economic centre of Morocco. There are regular steamers to the ports of Western Europe, air lines to Toulouse and Oran, aud railways and motor-coaches to the interior. Its varied industfies give it the appearance of a rapidly-growing European town. Its trade is more than-half that of all the ports of western Morocco. South Africa Troubles Sixty-three native tax defaulters who were being rounded up attacked the police in East Griqualand. Hooligans at Vereeniging are still attacking natives.

Harding is 3535 feet above sea-level, and two miles from the frontier of Griqualand East, and 15 miles north of the Umtamvuna River, separating Natal from Pondoland. Tfie natural outlet of the district is Port Shepstone, 51 miles to the east The district is highly mineralised. In the neighbourhood are forests of valuable timber. Some of Chaka's most bloodthirsty raids were perpetrated in the district, and the neighbouring caves contain thousands of the • skeletons of his victims. Port Shepstone is about 79 miles from Durban.

Vereeniging is a town of the Transvaal. It stands on the Vaal River, 4ft miles by railway south of Johannesburg. Dams hold the river water, which is used for irrigation. Coal is minbd nearby. The population is under 1000.