NEWS OF THE WORLD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3019, 24 January 1912, Page 53

NEWS OF THE WORLD.

The following items have appeared in the Australian papers employing the independent cable service ; LONDON, January 9.

= Mr Fowler, the aviator, had a sensational adventure yesterday. He set out with the intention of making a flight along the coast, from Hampshire to Eastbourne, Sussex, when a gale sprang up and he was blown out to sea. iho machine fell into the sea near the Isle of Wight, but Mr Fowler continued to keep afloat until picked up. He was quite exhausted when rescued. LONDON, January' 10. There is no confirmation yet of the re-cently-published report that the King was likely to visit Canada this year. Downing street officials declare that they have not heal'd even a whisper that his Majesty had any idea of going to Canada. An opera written by the Duke of Argyll has been accepted by Mr Oscar Hammerstein, the American theatrical entrepreneur, who recently opened his new playhouse in London. The opera, the title and the subject of which have not yet been announced, will be presented in London in the spring. The erection at Parkhurst of a new prison for the treatment of habitual criminals represents an important step forward in the British penal system. reclamation of the class for which this new penitentiary ie intended is to be attempted by means of indeterminate sentences and more humane treatment. Prisoners will be allowed more social intercourse daily while at their meals, and will be provided with literary and other recreations. They will be entertained with band concerts and lectures on nature study. A dry canteen is to supplement the regulation fare, and prisoners will be able to procure various little dainties on the 1.0. U. system, the cost being deducted from the gratuities they receive. The new svstem will come into operation shortly, when a start will be made with 50 prisoners. January 11. Every member of the Unionist party is taking some part in the campaign against Home Rule, but Sir Edward Carson, formerly Solicitor-general, is the man who is relied upon to keep up the agitation. Sir Edward says that -in no circumstances will Ulster accept Home Rule, even if it is passed by the House of Commons, and that he is willing to lead an armed rebellion against the perpetration of what he declares would be “ tne crime of the age.” Ireland, adds the Solicitorgeneral, is prospering, and should be loft alone. The alleged weakening of the ■people’s demand for Home Rule is claimed by the Unionists to be a sign of increased prosperity. In place of Home Rule, Sir Edward Carson offers the Irish, under a Unionist Administration, restoration of land purchases without political interference, an Agricultural Department, reformation of the Poor Law, the improvement of primary and secondary education, and tariff reform, which it is claimed will benefit Ireland more than it will England. DUBLIN, January 9. A secret meeting of Unionists was held in Belfast last night at which a number of drill-masters were selected for the task of preparing those who have volunteered to resist by force of arms the introduction of Home Rule. Appeals have been sent out to 4500 Orange Lodges urging the members to hold themselves in readiness lor armed resistance in case their services are needed. The situation is regarded as critical.

January 10. The leaders of the anti-Home Rule movement declare that the adoption of self-government for Ireland will have to be enforced at the point of the bayonet. WASHINGTON, January 9.

Like those of moot other countries, people of the United States have been complaining at the high cost of living. With a view to ascertaining the causes, the Government recently ordered an investigation into the nation’s food supply, and the inquiry, which is being made by Mr Chas. Neill, Commissioner of Labour, commenced to-day. OTTAWA, January 9.

Amongst the resolutions to be discussed by the approaching Labour Congress will be one advocating the abolition of the Senate, which, it is contended, is not only a useless, but an unnecessary body. The business sheet for the congress includes also proposals for the exclusion of Asiatics, granting of eight hours to postmen and employees on public works, and the more rigid'enforcement of the alien labour laws. January 11. The appropriations in this year’s Estimates for the Dominion include £1,666,290 for the militia, £618,300 for naval service, £242.650 for immigration, and £5,000,000 for the transcontinental railPARIS, January 10. A riot arising out of the trial of a number of trades unionists occurred to-day in front of the Palais de Justice. When it was announced that the trial of the men charged with having distributed seditious circulars among the soldiery would take place to-day, the Labour Federation called a four-hour strike as an expression of sympathy with the prisoners. Thousands of masons, builders, and labourers, witli other workmen who are unemployed owing to the wintry weather, gathered in the streets leading to the Courts of Justice. Fearing that the mob might penetrate into the courts, the authorities ordered out additional police, who, with a large squadron of Municipal Guards, sought to keep the demonstrators on the move. The strikers resented this interference, and a violent conflict ensued. Sticks and stones were freely used, and about 30 of the rioters were injured. January 11. After a secret trial lasting nearly a fortnight the 19 ■persons charged with being implicated in the white- slave iraffle have all been convicted. Victor Flachon, one of the best known of the many prominent Parisians involved in the scandal, was

sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, and his mistress, who led the awful orgies that took place at Flachon’s villa, to two years. Another woman who was concerned in the abominable traffic, and who conducted the agency for the sale of girls not out of their teens, received a sentence of two years. Five other prisoners were ordered to be banished, and the mothers who confessed to having sold their girls for immoral purposes received sentences ranging from six months to six years. The evidence was so shocking that even the F rench papers dare not publish it. Bankers, manufacturers, and diplomats were proved to have regularly bought girls, whom they would afterwards discard for new purchases. Tire light punishment meted out to Flachon, who was formerly editor of La Lanterne, is believed to have been due to political influence. NEW YORK, January 11.

Dr Carlson Smith, a Los Angeles physician, has been summoned to New York to give a series of clinics on his discovery of a new anaesthetic. The drug is intended to take the place of cocaine and morphine in surgical and dental operations, and no harmful effects follow its administration.

Advices have been received in New York that Japan will be represented for the first time in the Olympic Games that take place in Stockholm this year. According to all accounts Western athletes will have to look to their laurels. It is reported that at least three Japanese pedestrians have broken the Olympic record for the Marathon race, one of them, Shize Kankaiiri, of the Tokio Higher Normal School, having lowered the time by 2min 32sec.