Overseas

Southland Times, Issue 22915, 13 June 1936, Page 21 (Supplement)

Overseas

Attack on Everest Abandoned. Sheets of snow flying across the slopes and the increasing violence of the north-west gale caused the Mount Everest expedition to abandon its attempt to reach the summit. Two members of the party, Messrs Wyn Harris and E. Shipton, had a miraculous escape from death when without the slightest warning a snowfield split across its surface. Huge blocks of ice began sliding down towards a precipitous ice cliff. Mr Shipton was being carried away but his companion managed to leap to safety, jam his axe into the lip of a crevasse and pull Mr Shipton back to solid ice. Before they were out of danger they had to brave avalanches which threatened to overwhelm them with falling snow. It was fortunate that these two • climbers undertook a reconnaissance survey or the whole party might have ventured on the dangerous slopes, with fatal consequences. Sir Samuel Hoare. Sir Samuel Hoare, who resigned from the British Cabinet after the failure of the Laval-Hoare peace plan, has been appointed First Lord of the Admiralty in succession to Lord Monsell. Apart from strengthening the Cabinet by his undoubted knowledge of foreign affairs and by his high ability Sir Samuel is expected to make a change in the foreign policy of Britain, especially in her relations with Italy and her attitude to sanctions, which Sir Samuel considers should be dropped. Davis Cup Tennis. One of the biggest surprises in Davis Cup tennis in recent years was the defeat of France by Yugoslavia in the quarter-final of the European zone. Yugoslavia now plays Austria and Germany plays Ireland. Germany is almost sure to win the zone competition and will meet Australia, the victor playing Britain in the challenge round. Strike in France. While M. Blum was announcing his “new deal” the epidemic of strikes was spreading throughout France. It is estimated that a million workers were then idle, causing serious dislocation to the food supply of Paris, to transport, in fact to almost every branch of industry. Miners, railway drivers, hotel workers, gas workers, lorry drivers, these and many more swelled the ranks of the strikers and caused inconvenience, discomfort and even hunger to millions. The strike was not without its amusing incidents, but the shortage of food supplies caused the authorities much concern.

There were reports earlier in the week that the strike had been settled but the latest cable messages indicate that there are still many idle and discontented workers.

China and Japan. There has been much talk of war between Japan and China, but the divided state of China makes it difficult to judge whether there is any real intention of quarrelling with Japan. The Japanese are unquestionably aiming at political control of North China, and probably hope that some day they will exercise control over all China. But those who have studied the Eastern situation do not think that the official Chinese Government will take the drastic step of declaring war against her well organized neighbour. China in a Turmoil. According to a message from Nanking China is preparing for a civil war. Grandstand Collapses. When the King of Rumania and the President of Czechoslovakia were reviewing a parade of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides at Bucharest a grandstand collapsed. Thirty wrnre killed and 600 injured. Most of the sufferers were relatives of the boys and girls taking part in the parade. It is believed that faulty construction caused the tragedy, and the architects, engineers and builders involved have been arrested. France’s Socialist Government. The new Prime Minister of France, M. Leon Blum, has announced a programme which bears a ’ remarkable resemblance to that of the Labour Government of New Zealand. There is to be a 40-hour week, workers are to be paid for holidays, agricultural products are to be re-valued, public works are to be speeded up, the school leaving age is to be extended and the Bank of France is to be reformed. He has also asserted his willingness to encourage international peace by adherence to the principle of collective security. The announcement of the Socialist programme provoked a hot attack from the Right Wing (the Conservatives) who strongly denounce M. Blum and all his works. King Drives in State.

Accompanied by an escort of Household Cavalry King Edward drove in State on Tuesday from York House to Buckingham Palace where he held a levee. His Majesty’s progress was followed by many thousands of cheering subjects. At the end of the month the King visits Portsmouth to inspect the Naval Command. Palestine Riots. The Arab riots in Palestine have not yet been quelled. Snipers have fired shots into military billets and have had brushes with convoys of Cameron Highlanders. At Gaza the rioters threw bombs into a girls’ school but did not do serious damage.