CABLE NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18408, 14 May 1920, Page 8

CABLE NEWS.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. The Germans will nob withdraw from the Spa Conference. Because of the alleged attacks on German girls by French black troops in the Frankfort district, the German Press is furious, alleging that many girls have vanished, and many others have been ravished in houses of prostitution, which are filled with under-aged girls maintained for the troops. The first list of individuals whom the Allies desire to bo brought to trial before the Imperial Court at Leipzig was handed to the Government on May 12. It comprises forty-five, chiefly officers, especially U-boat officers. Tlio Crown Prince, Von Hindenburg and von Ludendorlf are not mentioned.

Hungary has started concentrating troops along the Jugo-Slav frontier, and has recalled all_ officers to the colours.

A Reuter message states that Signor Nitti, the Italian Premier, has resigned in consequence of his defeat 'bv 192 to 112 on internal policy, which the Catholics supported but which the Socialists regarded as too weak. A Reuter messago states that Hamilton Rice’s party has returned to New York from an exploration of Lara and tho river Orinoco (Venezuela) and reports a battle with giant cannibals and ferocious savages almost white in colour. Dr Rico believes it is the first time that these cannibals had met the whites since 17G3, when a Spanish exploring party met them. A “Times” messago states trat the Oxford Convocation passe'd unopposed, a statute providing for the matriculation admission _ of women. Cambridge syndics, are divided whether to take similar action or establish a separate university. A representative meeting at tho New Zealand Office discussed plans for assisting visitors to war graves in France. It was resolved to ask the New Zealand Red Cross to guarantee the necessary financial assistance. _ Admiral Lord Beatty will he a guest of honour at the Westralian dmnor early in June. Colonel L. C. M. S. Ameiy, Undersecretary for the Colonies, is visiting Canada and the West Indies, Signor Nitti’s defeat was due to the Catholics siding with the Socialists ion a motion condemning the Government measures dealing with industrial unrest. It is understood in Paris that a conference of Jugo-Slavia and the Italians at Pallanza readied an agreement. Italy accepts President Wilson’s boundary between Italy and Jugoslavia. Italy obtains sovereignty over the town of Fin me, but the League of Nations will administer the seaport. A rumour comes from Tokio that the Mikado is dying. Nows has hitherto been repressed under law prohibiting stories regarding his recent unbalanced actions and habits The Aliens Naturalisation Bill, which is being introduced into the House of Lords, is published. Inter alia the measure provides that no alien may be appointed to the Civil Service, nor as the master, chief officer or chief engineer of a British merchant vessel registered in tho United Kingdom, the exceptions being those who have performed faithful service in the war. Aliens also are debarred from holding pilotage certificates, an exception being made in the case of Frenc-h pilots using the ports of Newhaven and Grimsby. Special clauses are inserted providing special powers of naturalisation for the British possessions, subject to the proviso in the cose of tho dominions'that the measure should be adopted by tho Legislatures of such dominions. The Agent-General of Queensland will proceed to Manchester on Friday to negotiate regarding cotton-growing _ in Queensland. This has been tho subject of correspondence for some months. Lancashire is particularly anxious to extend tho sources of supply of raw ootton in view of increasing demands on the American and Egyptian crops. The Chambers of Commerce have now invited the Agent-General to discuss definite details. It is pointed out that the big enterprise in cotton-growing in connection with soldiers’ settlements and otherwise is only justified if the present high prices of cotton are continued or if Lancashire brokers, spinners and others havo guaranteed purchase of the output at n fixed price over a period of years. Experiments conducted by the Imperial Institute and the Manchester Chamber of Commerce showed that Queensland cotton was of good marketable quality. The Thames dockers refused to complete the loading of aeroplanes, guns and ammunition on th<j' steamers Polly and George when they learned they were destined for Poland for use against Russia. The owners agreed to discharge the munitions and accept only general cargo. The dockers then resumed.

It is understood Britain and France will agree to a slight postponement of the Spa Conference to meet Germany's wishes.

It is unlikely that the Italian crisis will affect Italian representation at Spa, as it is expected Signor Nitti will resume the Premiership.' Although fliere is considerable resentment in Constantinople at the severity of the peace terms, the police maintain order in the crowded streets and no anti-Ally demonstrations are reported. The Young Turks are engineering opposition to the Treaty in the hope of securiug more favourable terms. The salvage steamer Racer has gone to North Ireland to salve £3,000,000 remaining in the hold of the Laurentic, twenty fathoms deep, where the pressure is nfty pounds to the square inoli and divers only remain below half an hour. The Racer contains a pump capable of lifting seven hundred tons of mud per hour. It will be necessary to explode the ship’s plates until the safes are reached. The deck's of the liner are so crushed in that the height of the -jjji’eck is now only ten feet. The hull is so battered out of recognition that it took two months to discover the locality. The gold is in the strongroom, which was twelve feet high and is now only a few inches. The steamship Assiria, of 965 tons, engaged in service between Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica and Leehorn, struck o mine and sank. Four boatloads of the ships' people were soon neaT Santo Stefano. Destroyers have gone to the scene.