AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3673, 5 August 1924, Page 17

AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

JAPANESE IN CALIFORNIA. NEW YORK, July 27. A message from Santa Rosa (California) states that, according to Sheriff Pialpli Byrnes’ warnings to Japanese to vacate their jobs as pear pickers were delivered in Mendocino County by a party of men in an automobile. Advices from Tokio report that the Japanese newspapers are publishing articles saying that the Ku Klux Klan is intimidating the Japanese. The sheriff investigated the circumstances, and found notes reading “Out with the Japs. Final warning. K.lv.K.’’ Some Japanese workers are said to have left for San Francisco. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. NEW YORK, July 28. The Republican leaders are jubilant over the revival of the agricultural markets, and are becoming convinced that the Presidential campaign should stress the economic prosperity of the farmers, who have lately been ominously dissatisfied. Tfye Democrats, however, secretly hope that their rivals will adopt this slogan, believing that it is easily provable that the so-called prosperity came largely to speculators and isolated farmers. The Democrats furthermore cite gloomy figures showing a reduced industrial production and a decline of factory employment. NAVAL ARMAMENTS. WASHINGTON, July 30. Britain’s representation against the ship modernisation plan of the United States may bring to a head a controversy that has stirred naval circles here almost continuously since the adjournment of the Arms Conference. Officials decline to comment on the London announcement of the British move, or to indicate the policy of the United States. They will carefully study the subject before replying to London. It is recalled that modernisation, including a change of gun elevation, was recommended to Congress by Mr Harding, and Mr Denby (then Naval' Secretary) declared the proposal to be of vital importance to national defence. It was pointed out that many British warships already had gun l’anges comparable with those requested.for the United States. ELEVATION OF GUNS. NEW YORK, August 2. Speaking at Williamstown (Massachusetts) Rear-Admiral W. L. Rodgers (retired) said that the British protest against the alteration of the elevation of the guns in the United States capital ships was without foundation. “We need only stand_ on our rights,” he said, “and Eirgland will scarcely continue to insist upon a point on which our judgment is just as authoritative as hers.” Referring to the reports that the Navy Department was proposing to argue the matter, Admiral Rodgers said: “It is a matter upon which no argument would be satisfactory to England. She wants our navy to be inferior to liers.” BRITAIN CONSULTS JAPAN. TOKIO, August 2. A copy of the British representations regarding gun elevations has been received at° the Foreign Office, which is considering a reply ’in conjunction with the naval experts. THE PROHIBITION LAW. OTTAWA, August 1. “There are more ‘drunks’ to be seen in the streets of Montreal in a few days than in the streets of New York in a year,” is the opinion of Miss ltuby Andendorff, a South African dry worker who has been sent to America under the auspices of the South African Temperance Union to study the conditions. In making her final report she will advocate total prohibition rather than Government control.