THE FAR EAST.

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 8 March 1921, Page 41

THE FAR EAST.

FAMINE IN CHINA. NEW YORK, March 4. The State Department declares that recent reports that the Chinese famine sufferers are assured against starvation are over-optimistic. The Peking Legation reported that a minimum of 4,500,000d0l must yet be raised to carry the sufferers through until June 1. ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION. TOKIO, February 27. Seven assailants attempted to assassinate Hachiro Saionji, son of the Marquis Saionji, a former Premier and head of the Japanese delegation to the Paris Peace Conference. ITe drove them off wifTi his sword, and six I:is assailants were arrested. Saionji ..acts to accompany the Crown Prince abroad. February 28. The residences of the members of the Cabinet and the Court of Dignitaries are strictly guarded, as the result of an attack on M. Saionji. The latter’s assailants are said to be members of a secret society, seven members of which, besides six al ready arrested, have been apprehended. A groceryman who attempted to submit a written petition to the Crown Prince while the latter was riding was arrested. A man attempting to enter the residence of Prince Kanin, of the Supreme Military Council, was seized. It is believed that four men, assassins of Baron Bingenshoku, have been arrested near Port Arthur. The House of Representatives adopted a Bill permitting women to attend political meetings and to assume membership of political associations. March 2. Representatives of 17 Tokio nervspapers met and drafted a strong resolution protesting against the official suppression of news. They demanded freedom of the press and of speech. The resolutions will be sent to the Minister of Home Affairs. Thirty-one items are under the censor’s ban. The newspapers plan a series of mass meetings, at which the public will appeal for assurances that the censorship shall cease. The first national census shows a total of 77,005,000, for which Japan proper accounts for 55,950,000. Korea for 17,284,000, and Formosa for 3.653,000. There are 124,850 more males than females. IMPORTANT STRATEGIC MOVES. NEW YORK, February 28. The Chicago News correspondent at Rouk (Caroline Islands) states that the Japanese naval authorities are making two important strategic moves under Japan's mandate over the South Sea Islands. It ia understood that foreigners will be able to enter the islands only after securing Japan’s permission, whicn is rarely given when commerce is the object, 'and that high power radio stations are being erected on the islands ol \Vitze and Palau.