AMERICAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1927, Page 3

AMERICAN NEWS

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

TORNADO DAMAGE

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17

Authorites now estimate tlie casualties at one dead and two hundred injured. A heavy rainfall added to the misery of the scene at nightfall ■with a prediction for freezing weather to-morrow. During the tornado which lasted fifteen minutes and blew at a speed of ninety-three miles per hour, men and women knelt .in the streets and praj;ed for the safety of those at home. Eight aeroplanes at the Naval Air Station, Boltingfield, were badly damaged, and a 65-tou crane there was blown over. The property damage is expected to total more than one million dollars. Eye-witnesses saw what looked like a huge mass of black cotton-like clouds whirling in every direction, and people rushing wildly about. In the turmoil of fright and anxiety, bricks from roof tops and debris were flying through the air. Officials of the United States Weather Bureau said that the tornado was caused hy a warm earth current rising four thousand feet in the air, and encountering a cold current. The Secretary for "War, Mr Davis, ordered out the police reserves, firemen, soldiers and marines to aid in the rescue work.

ARMAMENTS question U.S. INTENTIONS.

'Received this dnv at 9.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Nov. 18. As a result of the debate in the British Parliament, the concern of Coolidge Administration in the coming session of Congress is expected tola- directed towards holding the House and “Senate to a reasonable programme of cruiser construction. Officials here are pleased that the controversy was precipitated before convening Congress so that the situation will he better understood with the possibility of curbing a big ship-building programme. Tt is not expected that the debate will lead United States to suggest another naval limitation conference twfore 1931, unless Britain proposes it first. The “New York Times” editorially states there could not well be a more significant gesture towards tho United States proposal to take the matter out of the hands of naval strategists and technicals, which must be done if sus- ’■ picion and distrust are not to l>o hied “'A by the Big Navy men of both countries. . * The “New Y’ork World” editorially says. the. attitude of tho two Governments are reassuring. They show a will to peace exists. Neither Government is really alarmed about the purpose of the other.’’

NEW YORK FIRE. GREAT DAMAGE DONE. (Received this day at'9.3o a.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 18. A fire wrecked the New York Central Railway warehouse, covering a large city block. It contained amongst —an immense assortment of general foods a thousand new automobiles and trucks awaiting delivery. The damage is estimated at half a million sterling. Three firemen were injured and fifty jumped to safety when a huge wall collapsed, destroying a new steel water tower. NEW YORK. Nov. 18. Tbp wfucj fine} rnip storms took n-

toll of thirteen lives throughout the United States and caused enormous property damage. The tornado which struck Washington also visited Maryland and Virginia. The mid-west is in the grip of a cold wave. Three persons were killed in Chicago in accidents due to slippery pavements. The air mail from Chicago to West is interrupted. Vermont is facing danger. Additional floods, rain and snow have seriously interfered with the work oi rehabilitation. Numerous villages and small towns are under water.