ITALIAN POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1919, Page 3

ITALIAN POLITICS

! NEW PARTY FORMED. ROME, Jan. 22. j A new political development is the j entry of Catholics into politics. Break- { tug away from the old tradition of ! abstention, tho Catholics have formed a political organisation, known as “The Italian Popular Party.”* It is claimed that the Party is not controlled by the Vatican. The Party has drawn up an advanced platform. The movement is regarded as an important one, taking in conjunction with the djnmoured attempts being made to find a now formula to govern the relations between the Vatican and the Quirinnl. JAPAN’S PEACEFUL INTENTIONS.

WILL GIVE BACK KIAUCHAU. 1“ « •' NEW YORK, Jan. 22. Tho New York “Times” Washington correspondent says: The Japanese 3 Embassy here has published Baron UkS hida’s lasted speceh at Tokio. Baron Ukliida said that Japan would cooperate with the Allies to ensure a 1 lasting peace. The only Japanese nnj tional aspiration is unimpeded developI meat on the high way of justice. Japan I wants tho rehabilitation of Russia as I a great power. She will withdraw her j troops from Siberia as far as she j deemed it wise to do. Japan has decided not to aid China financially. Japan has no aims in the direction of territorial aggression in China. Kiauohau will be returned to China in accordance with the terms of tho treaty of 1915. ! SECRET TREATIES. JAPAN TO GET ISLANDS. j Renter’s Telegrams f 1 LONDON, Jan. 21. f

The “Daily News” Paris correspondent learns that in British circles the Secret Treaties made during the war should be regarded as profoundly modified by later events, such as America’s entry into the war. America is taking » strong line there anent. It is .understood there is an agreement between the Allies and Japan giving Japan possession of tho Caroline and Marshall Islands; to this Aus-I tralia strongly opposes.

A BIG DISASTER. EXPLOSIONS AT GHENT. LONDON, Jan. 23. Terrific explosions alarmed the Ghent country side. A munition dump was blown up, destroying two kilometres of the main Ostend-Brussels railway. Peasants in adjoining villages "fled terrified. Several Germans have been arrested near Moils, disguised as women, A British sentry shot a German attempting to escape.

WOOL SALES RESUMING. LONDON, Jan. 24. The Goldfinch Coy have announced that their auction of Australasian nool will commence early in April. BRITAIN’S PARTLONDON, Jan. 22. A “Gazette” contains a despatch from General Milne, describing the important part which the British played in the offensive last September against the Bulgarians. He says that between Lake Doiran and the border, the British fought sanguinary battles on the 18th, and 19th, of Sept, suffering and inflicting severe losses in assaults on dominating and elaborately fortified heights Grand (Oourdmie. These battles achieved their object, which was to pin down the Bulgarians’ reserve so that they would not be available to oppose the great FrancoSerbian attack, which burst through ami led to the utter defeat of the en-

emy. The despatch incidentally mentions that when news of the armistice with Turkey was received, General Milne was actually on the river Maritza, ready to occupy Adrianople, while the First Sellcnic Corps was escheloiied between Kavalla and the Arava, ready to participate in a general advance on Constantinople.

LONDON ENGINEERS STRIKE. LONDON, Jan. 22, The Engineers’ strike has taken a more hopeful turn in London. Several employers have alrcaly granted concessions.' The Labour Ministry urges a give-and-take attitude. A PRESS VIEW. (Received This Day at 9.25 a.m.) NEW YORK, .Tan. 23. The “Evening Sun’s” Paris correspondents suggests the Pacific Islands should be divided between Australia and Japan. There are indications that Hon. Lloyd George is dissatisfied with Mr Hughes interview concerning the Islands.

AIR ROUTES. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) NEW YORK. Jan. 23. Sir T. Mackenzie, Meßride. 'Ro'Unsou, and Rirdwood, attended the Imperial Air Fleet Committee’s dinner for the celebration of the Empire’s victory. Lord Seely in a speech, promised on behalf of the Air Council, an effort to advance air traffic, and lie anticipated great air routes to every part of tho Empire, would bo established within the life of nearly all of us. He hoped that the dominions in forming their own air service will co-operate with the British so as to have one great air flee, as wc had one great fleet at sea. General Birdwood said if the war had lasted n little longer, the German towns would have suffered more than they thought possible. Tho air force was just getting to its real strength.

RAILWAY HOURS. j (Received this day at 9.25 a.in.) j NEW YORK, January 23. The Railway Executive Committee lias practically completed its arrangements for the establishment of an eight hour day from February Ist. The change will be affected gradually, ultimately necessitating "a largely increased staff. Meanwhile the men will ho paid on the basis of an eight hour day.

1 UNHAPPY RUSSIA, ! (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) j PARIS, January 22. j The “Petit Parisen” says M. Saveuij us’ statement at the Peace Conference ' favoured an iinmodiato energetic intori Mention in Russia. Peasants in several j provinces when trying to resist tyranny, • were shot in hundreds by tho Red I Guards. Committees formed in towns, , allegedly for the purpose of quelling ■ the counter-revolution, continue to hunt the bourgeoise. A few intellectuals escaped imprisonment or the Revolutionary tribunals. Tfifo remaining bourgeoise and intellectuals were forced to subsist on starvation rations,, where as Bolshevik partisans were allowed to sample food. It is understood that M. Savenius greatly impressed tho Conference,

DEMONSTRATION IN GAOL, (Received This Day at 10.35. a.m.) LONDON, January 22. The Sinn Fein prisoners in Belfast gaol demonstrated in connection with the opening of the National Assembly. Considerable damage was done to the doors and"'windows. The police were called in and handcuffed several ~ of them, OPIUM DENS, deceived This Dav at. 9.30. a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 22, London Magistrates are heavily fining owners of opiuin dens.