CABLE NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18218, 4 October 1919, Page 9

CABLE NEWS.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. Tho Vienna correspondent of tho “ Cliicago Tribune” states that the proposal to sell Austria’s art treasures in order to buy food for tho populace is seriously considered. A dispatch from Monte Video (Uruguay, South America) says that the President sent to the Chamber of Deputies an Italian application for a 5,000,000d01. loan for tho purchase of Uruguayan products. The Martial Law Indemnity Bill, to protect officials against possible consequences of their action during tlie recent troubles in Northern India, was passed by tho India Council. Several Indian members opposed tho BillTlie new living wage has enured consternation amongst New South \\ ales employers, who declare that the Skate industries will receive a staggering blow in competition with other States. They demand a basic wage applicable to the whole of the Commonwealth. The Victorian House of Representatives passed tho Constitution Alteration Bill by 49 votss to 2. Tho bakers in Melbourne are advancing tho price of bread to 4]d for the 21b loaf.

The Australian Federal Senate read for the second time tho Nauru Island Agreement Bill.

The Queensland Assembly agreed to tho motion to increase the salaries ol members to £SOO a year.

A dispatch from Mexico City reports that floods in the northern part of the Stito of Chiapas wiped out the town ot Chilan, where thousands wero rendered homeless.

A dispatch from Pekin states it is understood that China proposes to abolish the extra-territorial privileges of. the newly;,constituted nationalities, including Austria and Germany. The subjects of those countries will be ordered to restrict their business operations to tho treaty ports. A dispatch from Pekin reports that attempts to resume the conference between the delegates from North and South China are likely to prove unsuccessful. The southern delegates refuse to meet Wang-i-Tang, tho representative of the Northern Government, declaring that he represents tho reactionary militarist element. The resumption of hostilities is feared. A competent Berlin observer, summing up the position in Germany, says that the time and tho opportunity for the overthrow of the present Government is past. Tho majority of the officers, though against the Government, realise that an attempted revolution from tho Right would be solidly opposed by tlie whole nation, while the members of the Extreme Left aro groavingly recognising that the idea ot the Soviet system, after the happenings in Budapest and Munich, would be unsupported by tho workers. The Independent Socialists have como to realise that a minority dictatorship would lie impossible. Indeed, there is evidence that all parties are solid for an ordered Government.

Constantinople telegrams disclose startling developments arising from the sinister movements of the Pretender, Mustafa Kemul (an imitator ol Enver Pasha), who is allied to the Young Turks. He is flouting tho Allies and defying tho Turkish Government by collecting taxes and levying military forces in Eastern and Central Anatolia. He threatens to cut off Constantinople’s food snpnly. Tho movement is professedly directed against tho Greek occupation of Smyrna and tho Aidin region (south of Smyrna). Kemal is rapidly gaining ground, and it is reported he has won over the Kotiia and Azerbaijan provinces. F’lirther extracts from Admiral von Tirpitz’s book, published in Berlin, show that Herr Bethmann-Hollweg would not agree to Britain being provoked to a naval battle, as von Tirpitd desired, with a view to striking at Britain’s prestige. Bethmann-Hollweg desired to retain tho fleet intact to the end of tho war for use in peace negotiations. Yon Tirpitz also favoured the bombardment of London by all available means, both by land and air.

Serious floods are reported in Spain, especially in the orovinee of Valencia.. Crons have been destroyed over a wide area, and the town of Oirtagona is inundated. People are taking refuge in the upper storeys of houses. The German Democrats have consented to enter the Cabinet, taking the • positions of Ministers of Ju c +’ce and the Interior, also in the new Afinistry for tlie execution of tho economic conditions of the Peace Treaty, including compensation to Gormans abroad and for the mercantile marine. Tho “ Vossiohe Zeitnng ” states that, a strong agitation is proceeding in Heligoland for separation from Germany and union with, England. A plebiscite is proposed. The application of an eight-hour day in all trades and professions in Spain, which caused apprehension in Government circles, lias been carried out without incident. At Sydnev yesterday there was a sudden weather ehango and it was cold and showery. The outlook for to-day’s racos was dubious. The schooner Valnmrio has been abandoned. Tlie Victorian Wheat, Commission has advanced tho export price of wheat to 8s 1R Notice has been given of the introduction of a Bill in the Australian Federal Senate to amend the Electoral Act and alter the method of electing the Senate.