GENERAL NEWS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 August 1920, Page 7

GENERAL NEWS.

- JiKivL-LN ASSEMBLY. HOW OVER DARK TROOPA ’ Stormy scenes took place in the Nationai Assembly during a debate on tne use of coloured troops in the oo , cupied region. A v/onicUi deputy was the cause ol the uproar. A Socialist interpellate!' had said “These savages are a terrible danger to women, children, men and boys, and only the smallest part of the horrors is known.” Dr. Koeseter, the Foreign Minister, said : “We think of the blacks in' our Colonies who fought with us, but the planting of 50,000 coloured troops in the heait of Europe is a crime.” WOMAN’S FRANK CHARGES. Frau Zietz (Independent Socialist) created an uproar by her candour. She reminded the interpellators that they had said nothing about the acts of immoral brutality committed by German soldiers against women in Russia, Belgium, and elsewhere. This remark caused a tremendous hubbub-; and Frau Zietz was unable to ■ make herself heard amidst cries of i

“Shame! She insults the German people ! Unheard of baseness !” Unperturbed, she continued ; “By these interjections you are only acknowledging the misdeeds of German soldiers. ” “OUT WITH HER!” Renewed uproar followed these words, and there were cries of ‘Tnsulter of the Fatherland !” “Out her! ’ ’ Frau Zietz continued : “This is only a racial fight against the blacks,” and the greater part of the Majority Socialists cried, “Leave the House.” “It is the fault of all capitalistic Governments that the blacks have remained behind in civilisation,” said Frau Zistz. “Germany’s colonial policj’ is one long story of German cruelty. “We will nob iicilvo part m d campaign of racial hatred.” Here there were cheers from the Independents. ANOTHER WOMAN’S VIEW. Frau Mende (German People’s party) said: “We deeplv regret that a German woman should have defended those conditions.” Frau Zietz answered; “It is a complete distortion of the facts if I 1 ran Mendo says I approved of them. I ■» .1 . . i • j ‘ 1 ~ f -

have shown that the whites have also committed similar acts of brutality.” Herr Becker interrupted : “A Frau Fietz is only possible in the German Parliament.” The debate was closed.

THREE SuADAYS IA WEEK. In Algiers no fewer than three Sundays are observed during me week; on hriday that o± tne Mohammedans, on Saturday tnut of the Jews, and on Sunday that of the Europeans. Of these only one could in any sense be tamed a “day of rest.” Tor while the Prophet enjoined his followers to attend worship on Sunday, he warned them against allowing it to become a day of idleness. An Arab or Moor, therefore, will frequently leave his wares unattended in his shop while he goes off to the Mosque to pray, and lie seldom has occasion to- regret this course, cases of robbery being extremely rare. The Erench Sunday is typically French'. The Jew alone makes Sunday a day of rest, his religion forbidding anything save talking- on that day. TRAGIC BRIDAL PARTY. An extraordinary story of the He Avas married eight years ago, marriage was told at an inquest it Bradford on Alfred Rushfirth, is’ed 36. of Wibsev.

Rushfirth, an ex-soldier, was shot through the lungs during the war, and suffered from consumption. He was marled eight years ago, but lived with his wife for only a fortnight, and they had not since spoken to each other. Unknown to his relatives lie became engaged to- Constance Little, of the- Brunswick Hotel, Thornton Road, Bradford. The banns had been published and the wedding was to have taken place at St. Michael’s Church, Bradford. On the morning of the day set for the ceremony Rush firth was found dead in bed from gas poisoning. As the bridal party were preparing- to leave the hotel for the church a policeman called with news; of the discovery, and Miss Little learned for the- first time that Rushfirth had a wife alive.