THE UNITED STATES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3596, 13 February 1923, Page 20

THE UNITED STATES.

PROHIBITION SENTIMENT. NEW YORK, February 5. A further extension of the orohibition sentiment, in Latin America is foreseen in the announcement of the agenda of the forthcoming fifth pan-American conference in March, which provides for consideration of measures to secure a progressive diminut : on of the consumption of alcoholic beverages. The United States a.t present is the only country having national pro hibition to participate, but variou: other Ventral and South America: countries have partial prohibition In Chile and Peru there is ai extremely active campaign in favour oi prohibition being carried out. There is a law prohibiting the sale of liquor on Saturdays and Sundays, and at all times in mining regions. Other Latin American nations also have laws for restriction in regard to the sale of intoxicating beverages. It. is expected that the conference will result in a programme of further restrictions. BOOTLEGGING.” NEW YORK, February 10. Four brothers named Lamonfagne and several others who were prominent in connection with a “bootlegging” conspiracy were sentenced to four months in gaol and were fined 2000 dollars. ADMISSION OF ARMENIAN CHILDREN. WASHINGTON, February 5. The House of Representatives Immigra tion Committee has adopted a 2 per cent, immigration quota provision based on the JB9O census. The provision, however, tnakess many exceptions, which probably will permit the admission of as many immigrants as under the present 3 per cent, law. The Senate parsed a Bill to admit 25,000 Armenian children to the United States. The me cure also admits between 5000 »nd 6000 Armenian adults in excess of the qwta allowed under the immigration law. EXCLUSION OF ASIATICS. WASHINGTON, February 5. Japanese, Chinese, and low-caste Hindoos will be excluded under the Bill which the House of Representatives Immigration Committee adopted. The committee is convinced that it is justified m excluding the Japanese, since the Supreme Court decision decided that the Japanese could not become citizens of the United States. [The Supreme Court ruled that the .Japanese are not white within the meaning of the American law. Therefore, they are not entitled to American citizenship ] WHEAT PRICES. WASHINGTON, February 5. Senator Hooding introduced a Bill in the Senate providing 300,000,000 dollars for the Wheat Stabilisation Board for the purpose of guaranteeing a fair price to American farmers by establishing the basic price of 175 cents per bushel for No. 1 grade northern spring wheat. DEADLY WOOD ALCOHOL. NEW YORK, February 5. Four deaths due to wood alcohol poisoning are reported, and a filth person is dying. INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC IN NEW YORK. NEW YORK, February 6 An influenza epidemic is raging, though the disease is taking a milder form than previously. A total of 320 cases have been reported, and 106 cases of pneumonia. There have been seven influenza deaths and 40 deaths from pneu monia. The health commissioner (Dr Copeland) attributes the outbreak to lack ®f coal, resulting in unheated homes, thus Aggravating the situation.

CENTRAL AMERICAN CONFERENCE. WASHINGTON, February 7. The. Central American Peace Confer■e ir-s ended. Guatemala, San Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa, Rica signed the protocol agreeing to limit their standing armies for five years. COLLISION AT SEA. SAN FRANCISCO, February 7. The passenger steamer Wilhelmina collided with the steam schooner Sierra off ' wireless reports state that the schooner is sinking and the , sue exnects to be able Sierra’s crew. Thirty tugs are going out. . ,iU : a lias been docked safely. BARQUENTIN-E OVERDUE. SAN FRANCISCO, February 7. The barquentine Katherine M ‘Kail, which sailed from Sydney on October 17 with coal for San Francisco, is 50 days overdue. She has not been heard of since she sailed. . BEERS AND LIGHT WINES. NEW Y r ORK, February 10. Senator Lenroot, addressing an association of lawyers, said that Congress could doubtless increase the alcoholic content of beer constitutionally to two or three per cent. ; but should legislation be passed permitting the manufacture and sale of light wines and beers the Supreme Court unquestionably would declare it unconstitutional. He pointed out that Congress and the Administration at present were able to do nothing else but- enforce the Eighteenth Amendment and the Volstead law conscientiously. Any attempt by States to authorise beers and wines wonid be fruitless.