HOME & FOREIGN

Waikato Argus, Volume XXIX, Issue 4481, 19 August 1910, Page 3

HOME & FOREIGN

THE EXHIBITION FIRE. London, August 18,

Britain has suggested to Belgium that a Joint Board of Experts should apportion the responsibility in connection with the Exhibition fire. It is possible that the Belgian Government will be liable for amounts not recoverable under insurances. The Times estimates the total loss at two millions sterling. The Journal de Brussels justifies complaints of correspondents that the firemen were unable to find tne hydrants, and the hoses were too short. While the fire was spreading the firemen squabbled over leadership. Another great fault was following instead of isolating the fire. Other statements showed that the British hose was taken out directly the Belgian section was threatened, but the pressure was equal to that of a toy squirt. Five attendants, finding it impossible to stay the fire, attempted to save the art furniture and tapestry, but the excited soldiery and police rushed in with fixed bayonets and forced them to leave the building. The safe containing the De Beers diamonds has been recovered. The Times asserts that a watchman admittedjthat his action in lighting his pipe caused the fire.

THE GIBRALTAR COLLISION. Madrid, August 18. Later details of the collision between the German steamer Elsa and the Spanish steamer Martos, near Gibraltar, show that the Martos sank in a few minutes, and 45 of her passengers and crew were drowned, including a mother and three children, who were travelling saloon. The third class passengers were principally fishermen with their wives and children. The captain, who was 70 years of age, went down standing on the bridge. One survivor was in the water for an hour, and was twice sucked under by whirlpools. , The Elsa, which put into Gibraltar in a damaged condition, saved 65 lives. THE GREEK CHURCH. Athens, August 17. The Greek Patriarchate has convoked a national assembly to discuss the position of the church. The encyclical states that there has been systematic and violent persecution. Sometimes an inebriate’s petty offence leads a whole town to be treated as though it were revolting. Innocent people have been severely punished, churches defiled, cemeteries dug up, priests arrested, and citizens beaten to death or tortured. The Turkish Government has forbidden the national assembly. MANUFACTURER’S FAILURE. London, August 17. James Platt, of St. Martin’s Lane, woollen manufacturer, has failed, his liabilities totalling £182,580 and his assets £62,314. His failure isj due to unsuccessful speculation. Losses were paid from deposts in the banking department. A TOTAL WRECK. London, August 18. The East African liner Khedive has been totally wrecked off Cape Morgan, South Africa. One of her officers was drowned. The vessel was valued at £70,000, and the cargo at £50,000. LANG v. KAUFMAN. New York, August 17. The Lang-Kaufman fight has been called off', notice having been served by the Acting-Mayor that it would not be allowed.