NEWS FROM ABROAD

Evening Star, Issue 19794, 18 February 1928, Page 5

NEWS FROM ABROAD

LORD OXFORD’S BURIAL

Moving Tributes of England’s Leaders How He Accepted War Britain’s Lead in Disarmament Mr Ford’s Utopia

Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, February 16. In the House of Lords the Marquis of Salisbury, in moving the adjournment, said that the Lari of Oxford and Asquith stood out above all as a man most strongly hating Avar. Ayith its sorroAvs and bitterness, yet haying e moral courage to choose its arbitrament in the cause of national honor. Viscount Haldane said the Earl was essentially a man of character, having taken the decision Avithout asking whether it Avould be popular or whether glory Avas obtainable from it. “ I well remember the decision he took to enter the Avar. Viscount Grey and. myself were with him on the night of August 2. Avhen immediately, Avithout hesitation, his mind Avas made up. He did not wish to consult anybody; he simply decided that a situation had arisen in which, much as he hated war, it must bo accepted if Ave were to bo saved from war in a further form Avhich might entail disaster to the nation.”

Viscount Grey said that the criticism .vas often made that the Earl of Oxford and Asquith was slow to take decisions, but his reluctance to take decisions nowise implied an incapacity therefor. “ On the contrary, we members of Cabinet felt a decision was reached that nobody would announce it so clearly or defend and maintain it so powerfully. We had a most valuable axample of his quality in the week preceding the war. It is well known that in the last week of July the Government was so deeply divided that the parties were apparently irreconcilable in the House of Commons. The country was also divided. In tny opinion if we had been precipitate in an attempt to force a decision it would not have healed those differences, but would hove emphasised them, and made them Irreparable, and the consequence would have been that in the final crisis we should have confronted the world with a divided Government, a divided Parliament, and a divided country. The fact that this country entered the war practically united was due to that qua, ty of the Earl of Oxford and Asquith’s that, while not precipitating a. decision by those differing therefor. he was content to wait, knowing that in the end the decision come to would be a weighty one.” The Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Gainford added tributes, and the House adjourned. The tributes of the parliamentary leaders to the Earl’s character and rarcer were given in silence and an almost complete solitariness seldom attained where a crowd of such size is gathered. A pathetically quiet corner was the dark recess of the ladies’ gallery, where the Countess, her blanched face startlingly clear against the blackness of mourning, listened with an alertness which triumphed over fatigue. Others of' the family were beside her. When the speeches were concluded the members of the House of Commons rose slowly and left the chamber to its symbolical desertion. The Countess immediately rose and went to the House of Lords gallery, where she sat, a drooping figure, over the heads of those paying further tribute. It is announced that the Earl will be buried in the churchyard of All Saints at Sutton Courtney at noon on Monday, and only relatives and dose friends will be present. Applications for tickets to attend the Abbey service are greatly in excess of the accommodation.—A. and X.Z. and Svdney 1 Sun ’ Cable. THE PREMIER'S TRIBUTE LOYALTY DEEPLY SEATED. ''•■'’ELI:(TV ENASSAILAISLE. LONDON, February 10. silence reigned when Mr i tin' adjournment as a : > the Karl of Oxford and As--1 Mu lie described as one of si parliamentarians of the ' i ninr>. lie was equipped " ■, rare intellect, and his ■ ■ ■ 11 1 • -y Id! from his lips, • ere. He uas convinced a generations would study ‘ • .'’U aH.v (hose of the early I '■ war His temperament ; Daily nidicial. and he was i laulr. while his personal ini', a- unassailable and his loyalty Imply ,-eated. Ho was always ; r- a;r,i‘iii>, and never showed bit- > a - nor malice, even through the i i hitier controversies before the v innards the end ot his career h” had to lace hitter and cruel disappointments, but he faced them without bitterness, blame; or self-pity. Ho never attempted self-justification, but laced them with dignity and restraint; never more so than in the closing years. He conferred distinction on the House. Mr Ramsay MacDonald said that as a party leader the Earl of Oxford and Asquith, even in his most stressful moments, never used a dishonorable weapon nor selected appeals which were cheap and base. Through many months of national stress iand heavy personal anxiety_ he served the nation loyally and carried into the comparative _ retirement of his later years of service a placid dignity. He was a cultured gentleman, who amidst turmoil and trial never lost distinction. Mr T. P. O’Connor, as_ the last member of the once great Irish Party, paid a special tribute to the way in which the Earl canrn through the torturing hours of deciding between peace and war, representing the best characteristics of his country and race. ISLAND MURDERS TWO ARRESTS MADE [Special to Fbsss Association.] [By Radio.) APIA, February 16. Investigations in connection with two brutal murders at Lotopa, near Apia, in October last, culminated in the arrest i to-day of a half-caste relative of one’.of the two murdered girls and a l&moan, who has not been charged set.

INTERNATIONAL DISARMAMENT PART PLAYED BY BRITAIN GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE DEFENDED (British Official News.) Prua Association—By Wireless—Copyright i RUGBY, February 10. Mr W. C. Bridgoman, First Lord of the Admiralty, speaking in London on the Navy, said it Avas untrue that the Government had not done its part towards general disarmament. Since the Avar it had played its part to the full. Ho said : “ We have to remember what our obligations are towards our country and Empire, and to make quite certain avc do not run the.risk of any drastic reductions unless other countries in a different position from ourselves do something in return. We, stand in a position totally different from that of every other country, and Ave cannot admit that Ave are in the same position as any other country, for we cannot run the risk of losing that power Avhich gives us free access to the seas.” He did not believe that a weak British Navy would contribute to the peace of the world. Dealing with the American desire to scrap submarines, Mr Bridgoman said that was the British Government’s proposal at the Washington Conference, and they stood by that suggestion. “We should be glad if the submarine could be abolished, but other weaker and poorer countries regarded the submarine as their only means of defence, and we had to take into consideration that fact.” LURED INTO FALSE SECURITY. AMERICAN ADMIRAL’S VIEW. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON. February 16. Admiral Plunkett, Avho yesterday retired from active naval life, when interviewed, said that the proposal for the freedom of the seas was the surest guarantee of international peace, but Britain never accepted it. Competition in foreign markets Avas bound to bring war, unless America was adequately prepared. Britain and_ the other nations violated the spirit, of the Washington Treaty by building cruisers in excess of the 5-5-3 ratio. The American programme Avas not an aggressive one, and no nation should be alarmed by it. American pacificism Avas foreign-inspired to lure the United States Into a false sense of security. PREPARA TORY DISARMAMENT COMMISSION. CONVENED FOR MARCH 15. LONDON, February 17. The, Preparatory Disarmament Commission has been convened for March 15. The agenda includes the report of the Security Committee, M. Liivinoff’s proposals, and the second reading of the Commission’s draft disarmament prospectus. NURSE CAVELI FILM NO GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE MATTER FOR LOCAL LICENSING AUTHORITIES ! LONDON. February 16. Sir William Joynson-Hicks (Secretary for Home Affairs), in ans Aver to questions, said he Avas glad of the opportunity of correcting misapprehensions relating to the Nurse CaA-ell film, ‘ The Dawn.’ All statutory powers controlling the character of the films were vested in the local licensing auI thorities, who relied in all exceptional cases upon an unofficial body known as the British Board of Film Censors. It Avdnld obviously be improper for the Government to interfere with the local authorities’ discretion, except where public policy is concerned to the extent of affecting international relations, Avhen it should intimate its views before the licensing authority reached a decision. This Avas the only action the Government had taken regarding ‘ The Dawn.’ AUSTRALIAN FLOODS LARGE AREAS INUNDATED SERIOUS DAMAGE REPORTED RAILWAY TRAFFIC SUSPENDED. SYDNEY. February 17. Heavy rainfalls continue throughout the State, and many places report floods and serious damage. The, town of Aunee is flooded. The bodies of drowned cows are floating in low-lying streets, the electric light _ plant is damaged, and the town is in partial darkness. The water invaded many houses, the railway is deeply under water, and traffic is suspended. The expresses to and from Sydney are held up by a big washout. The Clarence River is again rising, and threatens to flood Grafton. A cloudy burst occurred near Narrandera, and torrential rain resulted in houses and shops in the lower district being deeply flooded. Ganmain reports that th'i residents of thirty houses Avcre driven out by flood waters, and Ardleton reports 3ft of water in the main street. Rescue parties' took residents from the houses along creeks in the vicinity of

ARGOS IN TURKEY CLOSING DOWN SHORTLY OSTENSIBLY FOR ECONOMIC REASONS. CONSTANTINOPLE, February 16. Arcos, ostensibly for economic reasons, is closing down shortly and relinquishing its business to the Russian Trade Delegation. PAH-AMERiGAN CONVENTION NO FREE TRADE DECLARATION ARGENTINE DELEGATE RESIGNS. HAVANA, February 10. The resignation of the Argentine delegate, Senor Puerrydon, as a protest against the failure to include a tree Trade declaration in the new 1 anAnicrican Union Convention, and an impassioned statement by Mr C. E. Hughes (ex-Sccretary of State) that the United States would never be guilty of an act of aggression upon any Latin-American country, and would do everything in its power to avert international friction in future, again emphasises the spirit of revolt among the Latin Americans in the present conierence. Mr Hughes declared tthat the United States sought nothing but the prosperity, independence, and friendship of all American States. Ho supported the Mexican resolution declaring aggressive war illegal, and providing that international disputes should be settled by pacific means. URUGUAYAN SPECIAL MISSION FOREIGN SECRETARY HONORED TRADITIONAL FRIENDSHIP AND UNITY. (British Official News.) Press Association—By Wireless— Copyright RUGBY, February 16. Sir Austen Chamberlain was the guest at a dinner last night given by the Uruguayan Special Mission at present visiting England. Speaking the mission, Dr Alberto Herrera said that the welcome which the Government had triven them confirmed the traditional friendship which united them to the British nation. Britain was associated with the independence of the whole of South America, not only by her bo d feats of arms but by her liberal attitude of her people and her Ministry of foreign Affairs. . . . Sir Austen Chamberlain, m replying, recalled that Britain bad been closely associated with the birth of the Kepublics of South America, and through all their history the ties of friendship, sympathy, and commerce had linked the fortunes of this country with their Republics. He paid a tribute to the statesmanlike quality of the Uruguayan representative on the League of Nations, and spoke warmly of the value of co-operation of the Republics of South America generally in Geneva. He concluded by declaring that Britain was grateful that the President should have sent this special mission in return for the visit to Uruguay of the Prince of Wales. BIG SHIPPING DEALS SALE OF PACIFIC LINES 39 VESSELS DISPOSED OF. Press Association— By Telegraph Copyright WASHINGTON, February 16. The Shipping Board ha s accepted bids for the sale of the Pacific steamers, thirtv-mne vessels being sold. .1 he Matsoiv (Navigation Company and the American Hawaiian Steamship Company bought the American-Australian Orient Line with a joint bid of 1.081,755-idol; Mr K. D. Dawson, on behalf of a now corporation to ho formed obtained the Oregon Oriental Lino for l,06o,000dol; and the Tacoma Oriental Company took the American Oriental mail line for G93,901d01. The bidders agreed to operate the vessel. v for five years, paying 25 per cent, of the purchase price on delivery and 10 per cent, each year for seven years and a-half, with 41 per cent, interest on tho unpaid balance. MILITARY SERVICE FRENCH OFFICIALS GRANTED EXEMPTION PARIS, February 17. The Senate voted that members of the Government and Parliament shall not be liable for military service in wartime. WEDDING TRAGEDY ITALIAN MURDERS HIS COUSIN SHOOTING AFFRAY IN QUEENSLAND. BRISBANE, February 17. A tragedy followed a wedding near Ingham. The guests included an Italian named Rosens Grasso, his wife, and his cousin, a youth' named Silvato Grasso. After the married couple departed Bosons allegedly ill-treated his wife. Silvato intervened, and the former drew a revolver and fired six shots at Silvato, killing him. WIRELESS TELEPHONY TRANSATLANTIC COMMUNICATIONS JOINT MEETING OF ENGINEERS. LONDON, February 16. Using the transatlantic wireless telephone and I j2OO miles of land lines, the British Institution of Electrical Engineer and the American Institute held a joint meeting in London and New York. The Britishers transmitted from Rugby and received at Coupar, Scotland, while the Americans used Long Island and Houlton, Maine. Loud speakers amplified the incoming messages after greetings were exchanged. The American president (Mr Bancroft Gherardi) ' requested the British president (Mr_ Page, as head of the senior institution) to take the chair. Mr Page, in » speech of acknowledgment, invited Mr Gherardi to address tho joint meeting. A number of speeches at both ends followed, and General Carter, an American, moved a resolution of satisfaction that wireless enabled tho holding of a joint meeting. Sir Oliver Lodge seconded from London, and tho chairman put the motion, which was carried by acclamation. The American speeches and applause were heard with perfect ease by a large audience gathered in tho hail adjoining tho meeting room, whither the messages were relayed. Sir Oliver Lodge said that the results were excellent, and they were not worried bv atmosotaries.

the town. At Cooiamundra, over 500 OA’erland train passengers are waiting for repairs to raihvay Avashouts in order to resume their journey. Several minor derailments are reported oAving to washouts, but there have been no fatalities. There is general' dislocation of railway traffic. The rivers are rising everywhere, and worse floods are anticipated. QUEENSLAND RIVERS IN FLOOD. CROPS SWEPT AWAY. BRISBANE. February 17. The Burnett River is in high flood, and at Mill to it has formed a lake miles Avide, sweeping iiivay the maize and cotton crops and miles of fencing, and is encroaching on the divellings Other places along the river valley report similar destruction, and other rivers are also flooding, causing widespread destruction. THE FATAL SERUM . COMMISSION OF INQUIRY FURTHER MEDICAL EVIDENCE BRISBANE, February 17. Before the Serum Commission Dr Eluigton, Federal director of tropical hygiene, said he did not issue the Federal laboratories’ Avarniug circular regarding the use of serum, because lie distinctly understood from a letter received from the laboratories that each carton Avould contain a circular. Witnesses gave evidence that they had seen cartons which did not contain a Avarniug. Dr Williams deposed that the batch of cartons he used contained no Avarning. As a matter of fact ho avus not aAvare that it Avas highly dangerous to use serum after the rubber can was pierced. It Avas a terrific shock to him to hear that such a method might have fatal effects. BRITISH POLITICS RIGHT 0? FREE SPEECH INTERFERENCE BY IRRESPONSIBLES LONDON, February 17. Sir William Joynson-Hicks (Secretary for Home Affairs) has issued a statement that there is evidence that nr recent years there has been an organised attempt by' _ irresponsibles to interfere seriously Avith the right of free speech at meetings of political movements. In consequence of this he adA'ised chief constables that they ,should be rcaclv to entertain applications from responsible persons of all recognised political parties for the police to be present inside as well as outside meeting places, without charge to the promoters, if the chief constables are satisfied that there is reason to fear disorder. THE BRITISH PRESS LARGELY OWNED BY THREE TRUSTS LONDON, February 16. ‘The Spectator,’ in an _ editorial headed ‘ independence of British Press,’ alludes to the announcement of the creation of a chain of Rothermere provincial evening noAvspapcrs, and says; “Trustification of the British Press is one of the serious problems democracy has to face. As journalism has to he conducted on commercial lines it is difficult to see how the tendency to combination is in_ bo avoided, but avc confess to a feeling of something akin to dismay Avlien we compare the ownership of Ihc Press to-day with that of thirty years ago. The British Press is now largely owned by throe trusts. Syndicated nows is distributed eu masse, and is never quite the same as the honest opinions of the working proprietor-editor or the independent editor, avlio earnestly seeks to be society’s Avatchdog. In a feAv years Ave may witness the formation of one great ncAvspnper trust. Surely’ a_ special obligation rests upon the remaining independent journals to safeguard their independence.” , The article pays a graceful tribute to the Burnham family’s tradition of dignified, enterprising, independent journalism. MR HENRY FDRD DIPS INTO THE FUTURE A PLEASANT’ WORLD VISUALISED. NEW YORK, February 16. Mr Henry Ford, Avhen intervieAved, pictured n, future houndarylcss United States of the World, with interplanetary communication. Women would be freed from household drudgery, as cooking Avould not be done at, home. Great corporations Avould plough and soav for farmers, and parts of the body when worn out Avould be replaced like machinery. There would be universal Prohibition of liquor and tobacco. He said no one smoked now in the Ford industries. CANADIAN FINANCES SUBSTANTIAL SURPLUS RECORDED INTERNATIONAL TRADE WELL MAINTAINED. OTTAWA, February 16. The revenue is estimated at 419,000,000 dollars, and the expenditure at 364.000. dollars, leaving an estimated surplus of approximately 55.000. dollars, of which approximately 38,800,000 dollars avIII bo applied to debt reduction in 1927-128. Mr Robb stated that international trade had been Avell maintained. Excluding Britain, Canada bought from the [Empire countries in the fiscal year ended March 31 goods worth £50,000,000. On this £4,000,000 was collected in duties, 54 per cent, on sugar or spirits showing the major portion. The imports from the dominions consisted of non-competitiA’6 or raiv products. CANCER AND NERVES POSSIBLE CONNECTION CANADIAN DOCTOR’S DISCOVERY. OTTAWA, February 17. Dr Certell, director of the M'Gill Pathological Institute, has announced the discovery of the presence of nerves in human cancers and other malignant tumors. Dr Certel stated that this discovery shows that cancer is not an independent, self-contained growth, and points to a possible connection of cancerous arowtk with the nervous system.

AVIATION

NEW BRITISH DIRIGIBLE THE LATEST DETAILS. LONDON, February 16. In the House of Commons, replying to questions, Sir Samuel Hoare (Secretary of State for Air) gave the latest details of the airship RIOO. She is capable of a non-stop flight from England to Egypt, which is the first stage of the normal service to the East, with 100 passengers and 10 tons of mails and freight. ITALIAN POLAR EXPEDITION TO START IH APRIL ROME, February 16. The programme of the Polar expedition has been fixed as follows :—Thc airship Italia will leave Rome in April, bound for King’s Bay, Spitzbergen via Venice, Vienna, Prague, and Stettin. King’s Bay will be used as a base, and it is hoped to make at least ten excursions over the P.olar regions, effect a lauding at the North Pole, and establish the Italian flag. The expedition is limited to Italians, pressing requests from three Russian and two Norwegian scientists beinz refused.