MISCELLANEOUS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1920, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS

•i3y Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) PAISLEY BY-ELECTION. LONDON, Jan. 30. Polling in the Paisley by-election takes place on February 12th, and the declaration of the poll will be made on Feb. 25tli. REWARDS FOR SPIES. LONDON, Feb. 1. The Order of the British Empire has been conferred of 275 Belgian spies, who were a vital part of the British intelligence system during the war. The recipients range from the Governor of Liege to a girl of sixteen.

A SOLDIER’S- CLAIM. LONDON, Feb. 1

A jury at the Gloucester Assizes awarded Howard, a demobilised soldie r damages amounting to £3OO against two trade union officials who complained to Howard’s employers on his re-engage-ment after demobilisation, that he was promoted and classed as a skilled mechanic, whereas his workmates declared he was incapable.

The employers gave evidence that Howard’s work was satisfactory, but they transferred him to less remunerative work owing to the union’s threats to strike.

A KIDNAPPED GENERAL. D’ANNUNZIO’S COUP. X ' MILAN, Feb. 2. D’Annunzio kidnapped General Nigra Commander of the Italian troops, on the armistice line, outside the Fining line.

The general was unpopular with D’Annunzio’s troops ,owing to his vigilance. D’Annunzio placed an ambush on the road along which General Nigra was motoring towards Trieste. After his capture, Nigra was compelled to walk to Fiunie, where ho was imprisoned in the Government Palace. The Italian- newspapers angrily denounce D’Annuzio’s impudence. Th 0 ‘.‘Comoro della Sera” says D’Annunzio, who nourishes revolutionary ideas, is championing every insurrection until a universal conflagration consumes tho British Empire, after which tho poet says Italy will he great and prosperous). This statement is the first publiq hint of D’Annunzio’s anti-British campaign.

PRESENT OF COLONIAL MEAT. LONDON, January 30. It is understood that the Government is likely to send' a present of ,-olonial meat to help relieve the Ausbrilan food? situation. Possibly Aw, tralia .and New Zealand will he asked ;o make a contribution.

THE BERRIMA MISHAP. (Received This Day at 3 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 2. The Berrima grounded off North. Fore land. She is in no danger, and it is hoped to refloat her by to-night’s tide. Tenders are lightening her cargo. REFLOATED .- (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, January 8. The Barrima has been refloated and i s proceeding to London. THE BERRIMA RE-FLOATED. LONDON, Feb. 3. As the weather continued fine the Berrima was re-floated during the night. None of the passengers disembarked, though a special train was prepared. Two tugs stood by all day long.

RID OF GERMAN PRISONERS (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON Feb. 2. The War Office announces that the last German prisoners have been repatriated from England. The total of Germans repatriated from all theatres is 274,358.

HUNGARIAN ELECTIONS. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) BUDAPEST, Feb. 2. The Hungarian general election returns indicate a large anti-communist majority. WISHING HIM LUCK. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 2. Hon Bonar Law in a letter, wishes McKean success in the Paisley bye-elec-tion. He says lie has the greatest respect for Mr Asquith but the suggestion that McKean withdraw in favour of Mr , Asquith is absurd. Crawford Vaughan, a South Australian. speaks on behalf of Mr Asquith.

PREPARING AN OPERA. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) MILAN, Feb .2

Puccini shut himsjelf up in a lonely tower near <)rebello for the purpose of concentration on'a three-act opera with an English Elizabethan setting based on the story of Christopher Sly from its introduction to tliio training of the shrew. The heaviest part will bo for a tenor, but there will also bo big soprano and baritone parts. Puccini receives a daily ration flung from a passing train. ENGLAND’S LEAGUE AIMS. t NEW YORK, Feb. 2. Senators affirm that Viscount Grey showed them a cablegram from - i Lloyd George, reading as follows: “Senator Lodge’s reservations arc satisfactory. Wo want the United States to enter the League.”

IN DOUBT. (Received this day, at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 3

The Council of Ambassadors has been unable to reach n decision regarding Germany’s proposal to try war-crimin-als cabled on 28th, and have cabled asking president Wilson’s opinion.

MR ASQUITH’S VIEWS. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 3. Hon H. Asquith, at Paisley, said we must persevere without delay with the system of Irish self-government. Personally he was prepared to run the risk of giving tho Irish -part control of excise. He was not alarmed that a majority would, inflict hardships oil the minority, because they would suffer more than Ulster. Ie should also be against Ireland’s interests to declare a Republic, as it would mean voluntary self-exclusion from the Empire, and favour devolution all round.

ADMIRAL JELLICOE ARRIVES -LONDON, Feb. 3.

Adinird Jellieoe has arrived at Spithead, and landed at Portsmouth this morning. His journey was expedited honiewai'd, the Admiralty desiring his advice on the naval estimates.

SPOTTED TYPHUS. (Received this day at 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 2. According to a message from Rcval there is an appalLiug epidemic of spot, ted typhus among the north-western army at Rarva.. There arc eighteen thousand cases at one collecting station. Many men are lying in tho snow, awaiting death. The American Red Cross is sending doctors and hospital equipment.