MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1920, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

(Imperial News Service). NAV AL CO-OPE It ATI ON. ; LONDON, April 30. Hqn W. Long speaking at the Constitutional Club said the Imperial Conference at London in the spring was designed to create a more Imperial character for the Navy, based on the Dominion’s co-operation which was now one of the Admiralty’s and Government’s chief aims. THE SOUTH AFRICAN BILL. CAPETOWN, April 29. In the Assembly the Government Anti-Profiteering Bill was read a second time by 62 votes to 40. Both the Nationalists and tlio Labour Party bad moved amendments. The Labourites extricated themselves from tho position of voting with the Nationalists, and thereby endangering the Government, by seeking to withdraw their amendment. The Nationalists objected to its withdrawal, whereupon the Labour members left tlie Chamber.. The minority consisted soiely of Nationalists. MAY DAY STRIKE. LONDON, May 29. There are indications that seven or eight million workers in Britain will strike on Ist May to celebrate Labour Day. The explain the object is the giving of prominence to the importance of labour, without inconveniencing the public. Railways, tramways and other essential services will no t he interrupted. Workers in many of the biggest.industries are taking a holiday to participate in labourite' processions. There will ho speeches from twenty platforms in Hyde Park. The idea originated in France, where there arc preparations for a strike on a most extensive scale. Socialists in Germany are determined on a national holiday.

stolen gold. LONDON, April 30,

The “'Dpily .Chronicles” Dublin correspondent says half of the £1.8,090 stolen from Mill St. was recovered and probably the rest will soon be found. Cold and notes were found in strange places, including a cover in n silver tea pot •lmrictl in the turf and a saucepan sunk in a. hog. Notes were nailed to J ho nnderpart of a dresser. Six of the kidnapped men are in a secret prison, largely surrounded by water and protected by barbed wire. They are allowed two hours exercise daily, also tob icco and milk. A screen of scouts oxer -ises perpetual vigilance to prevent the surprise of the prison by a hostile party.

ASSASSINATION PLOT IN IJ.S.A NEW YORK, April 29.

The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says Mr A. Mitchell Palmer, Attorney-General, lias announced that tlie “Reds” have marked a large number of State and Federal officials, and other prominent men for assassination on May Ist, as part of agon eral strike demonstration.

The Department of Justice is taking all precautions to protect those whose lives arc threatened. It is understood that- the Communist Party and tlie I.W.W. are in co-opera-tion in a scheme to force the United States to recognise the Soviet Government in Russia.

SHELL SHOCK ENQUIRY. LONDON, April 29

The House of Lords approved the appointment of a Departmental Committee to investigate the effects of different kinds of shell-shock.

The enquiry will include cases where sentence of death was inflicted on soldiers on charges of cowardice.

Speakers urged the necessity of placing those suffering from shell-shock a sufficient time under medical observation to ascertain whether their mental balance was affected.

Viscount Peel, in replying, said the War Office would he glad to accept n mixed Committee, including a lawyer, and perhaps soldiers. Extreme care had, however, always to bo exercised at court-martials where shell-shock cases were involved. A medical officer was always included iu the Court ii tlieie was any suggestion of mental or nervous disorder, but many nervous and mental conditions had been encountered which were entirely new to medical officers. BUTTONS ALL. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Hay 1. The report of the committee appointed by the Foreign Office to consider the fostering of a greater spirit of solidarity amongst British communities m foroign countries and making British ideals more generally known and appreciated by foreign nations, incidentally mentions that in consequence of protests by Britishers that their children, horn abroad, are deprived of British nationality under the act passed in 1914, the Home Office is considering modifications for discussion at the next Imperial Conference' ; whose concurrence is necessary. The report favours voluntary as against compulsory registration of Britishers abroad, and favours subsidies for the establishment- and maintenance of British schools. It favours the establishment of British Chambers of Commerce and patriotic societies with public spirited objects, hut does not recommend subsidising British newspapers, although the latter, well managed, may do much good. All possible support should ho given to the British film industry, also the boy scout and girl guide movements.

SINN FEINERS IN BRITAIN. LONDON, April 30. In the House of Commons,' the Minister for Home Affairs, Rt. Hon. Mr Sliortt, replying to questions regarding Ireland declared the Government would not yield to the threats of the Dockers to strike at Liverpool and at Glasgow unless the 170 Sinn Feiners’ prisoners were released from Wormwood Strikers Gaol. This movement he said, was not a trade unionist one. It was engineered by the local Sinn Feiners.

THE RAILWAY DISASTER. (Ifjecoivcd this day at 8 a.m.) ( x DELHI, May 1. All official statement shows only 45 were killed and 5'5 injured in tho Morada ba dl rai 1 way accident.

GERMAN WAR STORES. LONDON, May 1. A Berlin message states that tho -Minister bf Defence lias made a statement regarding German war stores. Four hundred and seventy-eight and four hundred and thirty light guns are at present in Koenigsberg. Tlie Entente ■lias been offered 12,000 light and 500 heavy-guns; 3000 mine-throwers, 20,000 iiiach&e guns, 377,000 rifles, 15) million rounds of artillery ammunition, 38 million cartridges, and all the available air craft, namely, 400 aeroplanes. The strength of the army on April sth, was 11,500 officers, and 228,000 men. The naval conditions have been fulfilled and the Entente lias not complained in that direction.

JAPANESE REPORT. TOKIO, April 29. A Japanese War Office communique has announced that the Japanese troops have now occupied the northern section

of Russia’s Saghalien Island. They were not opposed. Tlie troops will proceed to Nikolavisk, whoso garrison, it is believed has been annihilated. The Siberian provisional Government is said to have accepted all Japanese demands, including one for the withdrawal of all Russian troops thirty kilometres from the districts occupied by the Japanese and also the surrender of tho Russian warships, arms and arsenals in the occupied districts . “WORK TO RULE” STRIKE. LONDON, April 29. Brandies of tlie railwayman,numbering 50,000 men, passed a resolution on Saturday to work lo rule until they receive a full extra pound weekly that they demanded. This variation of tlie “stayin” strike will result in a serious dislocation and delay to traffic and complete confusion in the service. | A similar resolution was passed at 1 Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, and Carlisle. \ The movement is not supported by the Trades Union officials. j . A SHOCKING 1 MASSACRE.. j (Received This Day at 3 a.m.) j LONDON, April 30. j The “Daily Express” Beirut correspondent states the Americans from j Urcfa give horrible details of the mas-j sucre of 400 Frenchman near Urefa ■ where they were defending themselves j in an impregnable position for many weeks. They left this position in con-! sequence of a safe conduct being grant- I ed by the Turkish' Government. Three thousand Kurds and Turks attacked the j French column in a ravine and killed all j except a few, who escaped. There were I shocking scenes at Urefa, where later j Kurdish and ,[Turkish women shrieked i war cries behind a procession of soldiers, I carrying poles with the heads of the : murdered Frenchmen. ‘ i

POLITICAL. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, May 1

There was an interesting meeting of the Scottish Liberal Federation, at which the annual report made a vigorous justification of Mr Asquith and Liberalism, and implied criticism of the" action of Hon. Lloyd George and Coalition Ministers, including Churchill, who had an unfriendly reception. Others Ministers present spoke, defending the Government sanction, but the report was carried by a large majority. The meeting marks a further break between the wings of the Liberal Party. THEATRE SCENE. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, May 2. At the first night- of Manner’s play on Monday, there was a big demonstration of public sympathy with Lauretta. The reason for the disorders is still undisclosed, but it is generally believed to he traceable to certain remarks that Laurotto made in New York, after Ins last English visit. PICTURE PURCHASE. - (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) .LONDON, April 39. The Felton bequests have purchased for the Victorian Gallery J. A. lngre’s water colour drawing, “Star of the World,” for 1000 guineas. DECISION REVERSED. (Received this day at 8 a.m A London, April 30. South Wales Miners’ Conference .e- ---• versed the decision to strike on Monday. THE DERBY COURSE. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) j LONDON, April 30 In view of the dangerous condition of Epsom course os revealed by the widespread complaints after Eie Derby of 1919, the authorities have vastly improved the going, removing hills and filling holes. There is a notable change at Tottenham corner which lias been considerably flattened.