LATE GABLES

Evening Star, Issue 18158, 26 December 1922, Page 8

LATE GABLES

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. FREE STATE GOVERNMENT’S MEASURES. LONDON, December 24. (Received December 26, at 11.15 a.ro.) The ‘Daily Mail’s’ Dublin correspondent says that the Government is determined to protect the railways by a system of blockhouses similar to that adopted in the Smith African War, These have been placed a few miles apart and garrisoned i>y from fifty to a hundred troops. Orders have also been issued that in future unauthorised 1 persons found in the vicinity of the railway lino will he shot on sight.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE POPE AND WORLD PROBLEMS. ROME, December 22. (Received December 26, at 11 a.m.) The Pope has addressed an encyclical to the Roman Catholic bishops, pointing out the necessity for the reconstruction of society and the restoration of peace throughout the world. He expresses joy that all nations except Italy now have friendly relations with the Holy See. He announced that he will probably call a great meeting of the episcopal world at Koine during the approaching jubilee vear, which will he a continuation of the Ecumenical Council held at the Vatican in 1870. His Holiness hopes that all who are still outside the Church of Christ may enter it. He says that this _ hope is encouraged by almost all the States of the world having entered into relations with the Apostolic See. He regrets that his country, which is the centre of the Papacv, is not represented. _ He protests against the Papal situation in Italy, and says that Italy lias nothing to foar fionx the Holy See. His Holiness condemns divorce and improper dances and fashions. —Reuter. AMUNDSEN’S ADVENTURE. WINTERING IN THE ICE. LONDON, December 22. (Received December 26, at 10.20 a.m.) A message from Captain V\ isting on the Maud, dated December 15, wirelessed via Spitsbergen, says: “The Maud left Point Thorpe on Julv 26. .North-westwards she met ioe in TOdcg Latitude, which was penetrated ninety kilometres by August I, when she sighted Harold Island. Vvintor arrived exceedingly early, and the Maud was frozen in on August 22, her position being 70deg 20min north, 175cleg 25mm west! We drifted variously. Wo are now TOdeg 20min north and 173dcg west. At 8 o'clock on the morning of September 26 the opening in the ico in which the Maud lay began to contract, pressing a largo block of ico slowly but powerfully against the Maud’s starboarel side, inis was her first experience. The screwing lasted for half an hour, at the end of which an ice harrier formed ahead and astern throe metres high, while the Maud herself was raised 2ft above the water. Contrary to expectations, we found few fauna. *We saw some walruses and killed some seals and two polar bears. The time passes smoothly and quietly, and all are well.”—A. and N.Z. Cable.

CHRISTMAS IN ROYAL HOUSEHOLD. LONDON, December 22. (Received December 26, at 11 a.m.) The Royal Family at Sandringham is spending Christmas on simple, happy, old English lines, though on a larger scale probably than ever before, owing to the size of the gathering, which includes their Majesties, Queen Alexandra, the Prince of Wales, Prince Henry, the Princesses Royal, Maud, and Victoria, the Dowager Empress of Russia, Queen Olga of Greece, and the King, Queen, and Crown Prince of Norway.—A. and N.Z. Cable. OHRISTMASTIDE IN IRELAND. LONDON, December 22. (Received December 26, at 10.20 a.m.) There is some evidence of the Christmas spirit in Ireland, where eight former officers of the Republican army, who had taken no part in the fighting since the truce was signed, sent a Jotter to the Dubilin Press appealing to the belligerents to make peace. Sir James Craig, in a message to the Ulsterites, says: “God .grant a year of peace and good-wili, not only for Ulster, but for the whole of Ireland 1 . I pray that the new Governments may be given a fair trial, so that each, within its own sphere, shall be able to work {or the .advancement of the people, and that the dissensions which have torn the land may disappear.” —A. and N.Z. Cable. DUBLIN, December 25. (Received December 26, at 12.30 p.m.) Free State troops at Portobello Barracks are searching the houses for two assailants who stole behind l Inspector Daly, of the Criminal Investigation Department, and fired three shots into his back, wounding him seriously. Talk of reconciliation with Ulster continues. Mr Cosgrave, in a statement, expressed the hope that union will not ho too far distant.—A. and N.Z. Cable. i A BOMB OUTRAGE. LISBON, December 22. (Received 1 December 26, at 11 a.m.) A bomb exploded at the door of the Italian Consulate. Blight damage was done. A document found near saidi: “Beware of oar vengeance against Fascism.”— A. and N.Z. Gable. PRISONERS ESCAPE. NEW YORK, December 25. (Received December 26, at 12.35 p.m.) 1 According to a Detroit telegram, seven ' prisoners effected their escape from gaol in ! an unusual manner. By using broomsticks (.they succeeded in overthrowing four guards and getting away. One guard, who attempted to use his revolver, found that the cartridges refused to discharge. The police declare that the prisoners are all desperate characters. —A. and N.Z. Cable. CHURCH DESTROYED. NEW YORK, December 25. (Received December"S6, at 12.30 p.m.) At Woburn (Massachusetts), teh St. Charles Roman Catholic Church and the parish residence were destroyed by fire. This is believed to be of anti-Oatholic incendiary origin. Four priests and three servants were rescued with difficulty.—A. and N.Z. Cable. FRANCE AND THE RUHR. PARIS, December 25. (Received December 26, at 12.6 p.m.) It learned that Franco renounced her intention of occupying the Ruhr at an extraordinary session of Cabinet, over which M. Poincare presided. According to a high authority alternatively the French will propose the establishment of a Customs barrier between the Rhineland and the Ruhr and Germany without annexation, thus reserving military intervention for the protection of Customs controllers, who will be representatives of the other Allies. The correspondent understands that such a Customs levy is tho only manner by which France can hope to be paid. Tho ‘ Matin’s" Toulon correspondent says fkit orders have been received directing a number of engineers to prepare to proceed to the Ruhr Valley to supervise the coal production should France decide upon occupation.—A. and N.Z. Cable. NO CREW FOE WAIHEMO. SYDNEY, December 26. (Received December 26, at 12.30 p.m.) The Waihemo was unable to sail on Saturday night in consequence of having no crow. Notwithstanding the union’s resolutions lifting the boycott on the Union Company, there is still a strong under- . current against men accepting employ- ! jnent.

HEAT WAVE AND BUSH FIRES. SYDNEY, December 26. (Received December 26, at 12.30 p.m.) Bush fires are reported in the Blue Mountains. Many holiday-makers have been compelled' to secure their belongings and go elsewhere for safety. On Sunday 105dcg was registered. It was the hottest day for eighteen years in December. INDIAN FRONTIER. OPERATIONS AGAINST TRIBESMEN. DELHI, December 23. (Received December 26, at 11.5 <v.m.) During the last ten days there baa been much activity on the Waziristan frontier. On December 17 aeroplanes bombed .the Ahmadwam area. The airmen surprised the enemy, who lost several killed and wounded, and they suffered heavily through the destruction of cattle and villages. The machines all returned safely to Dardoni. During the morning the troops advanced a mile and a-balf from Kotkai, and occupied the commanding hills. One soldier was wounded by a sniper. During the night the tribesmen advanced towards Kotkai. In the ensuing action the 91st Punjabis, in an exposed position, came under heavy fire, and the casualties considerably delayed their withdrawal. Lucidly the enemy did not follow the withdrawal. Our losses were three killed (including an Indian officer) and three missing (believed to be killed), and twenty-eight wounded. The enemy had eight killed and twelve wounded. Gu the night of the 18th the enemy, reinforced, was seen entering opposite Kotkai, from which they were expelled by shell fire. On the 19th eleven aeroplanes operated against further villages. The results are not yet known. Our pickets report all quiet, except for sniping.—A. and N.Z. Cable. MOTOR CAR CAPSIZES. TWO WOMEN KILLED. MELBOURNE, December 26. (Received December 26, at 12,30 p.m.) Owing to a motor car capsizing at South Yarra on Saturday two young women wore killed. Tlio driver and another passenger were seriously injured.