AMERICA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 8, 24 February 1909, Page 9

AMERICA.

Three Hundred Perish in Theatre Fire. A dreadful disaster Is reported from Acapulco, Mexico, 300 people perishing

there by the burning of the Flores Theatre during the progress of a performance. The fire extended to other buildings in the town, destroying the telegraph office. The theatre was a wooden structure, and the blaze spread with amazing rapidity. The outbreak was caused by a cinematograph film taking fire. The audience numbered a thousand, and included members of the oldest and wealthiest families in the district. When the outbreak occurred there was a great stampede for the only three exits with which the building was provided. The exits quickly became blocked by a struggling mass of humanity, and a terrible panic followed among those penned within the burning building. Seven hundred escaped, but the remaining three hundred were burned or trampled to death, many of the victims being ineinerated, this number including many German residents. U.S.A. Tariff. A National Tariff Convention, including 3000 delegates, is sitting at Indianapolis, discussing the question of appointing a permanent advisory commission to inform Congress on all matters relating to the tariff schedules, and to periodically recommend changes with the object of endeavouring to keep the tariff out of partisan polities. Dearer Newspapers. In consequence of the increasing scarcity of wood pulp, from which principally for some years past paper has been manufactured, the cost of paper is becoming a serious item, and the price oi many American journals has been increased. Panama Canal. President Roosevelt, in a message to Congress, strongly supports the lock system in preference to the sea-level proposal, for the Panama Canal. He suggests reduction in the height of the great Gatun dam of twenty feet. The complete cost of the canal under these proposals is estimated at seventytwo millions sterling. Patrolling the Pacific. The Senate Committee has urged Pre sident Roosevelt in the exercise of his discretion to keep one-half of the navy in the Pacific. Senator Hale, speaking in the Senate, remarked that the United States navy would cost £27,500,000 sterling in 1909. The cost would be £32,000,000 next year, and probably £40,000,000 in 1911. Argentine Buys Guns. TJi-e London “Standard’s” Berlin correspondent reports that the Argentine Government is purchasing artillery to the value of £750,000 at Krupp’s works', Essen, and rifles to the value of £150,000 in Berlin. An Imperial Army. Canada has accepted Mr. Haldane’s proposal for a uniform system of militia organisation in different parts of the Empire, preserving local autonomy. This is virtually on the Canadian lines for the past decade.