MISCELLANEOUS items.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1920, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS items.

fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. OAIII.W AHSOI'aTIOn]

CHINESE PETITION TO BRITAIN PEKING, July 8.

Sir Beilby Alston, British Minister to China is enroute to England, carrying petitions signed by a score of leading Chinese commercial and student bodies, protesting against the renewal 'of the Aiiglo-Japane.se Treaty. The petitions will lie presented to the British Government.

JAPANESE AIMS. TOKIO, July 7

Baron Unchido, in a speech in the Oiet, said the Government did not intend to secure the establishment of a buifer state by negotiating with the Vladivostok or Vcrkhneudinks Governments. Japan, however, would not for. sake General Semenoff. She was sincere, as well as her Allies, in her dcesire to aid the moderate elements ill Russia, Japan, however, would not ask aid from Semenoff.

EGYPTIAN EXECUTION. CAIRO, July 9.

The Premier’s assailant, Massouco, cabled on June 12th., lias been execufi-

IX AFGHANISTAN. SIMLA, July 9. Great uneasiness is reported, here to prevail at Kabul, in Afghanistan. Lt is reported that there are great Bolshevik concentrations at Bokhara, at Merv and in Taskhent.

It is said the Bolsheviks have seven mobile divisions on the frontier and that Enver Pasha is at Merv and has been offered a command. Tt is said that there lias been sharp division of opinion through Afghanistan, one party, "ho are influential it court, is in favour of giving the Bolsheviks a free passage through the country to India and aiso of joining them in an attack. A portion of the Afghan army supports this. The cultivating classes and merchant class strongly oppose it. They advocate resistance to Boisheviks.

The Amir contemplates abdication. Meanwhile a mutiny lias occurred among the troops of the Afghan garrison on tlie frontier post, 45 miles south of the Bolshevik advance guard.. On the 2nd of July, the tribes near 'Rumeartlia, Mesopotamia, who for some time past has been urged by agitators to rebel, attacked the Government buildings in Rumeartlia. They killed the Arab guards, and forcibly released some noted agitators who had been imprisoned the previous day for inciting rebellion. ‘

The railway line lias been cut in several places, and considerable damage lias been done.

Military authorities despatched reinforcements, which have for their ostensible object the punishment of the tribes directly responsible. The punishing is reported now in progress. The situation elsewhere in Mesopotamia is said to be satisfactory.

Persian newspapers report that four Bolshevik warships have landed troops at Meshedisen with the idea of a fresh invasion.

LADY ASTOR ON DIVORCE

LONDON, July 10

Lady Astor made a lengthy speech in justification of her attitude regarding divorce at the annual meeting of the Unionist Association at Plymouth. Lord Astor was present. When she referred to the attacks made on her as a divorcee in “ John Bull ” (cabled on sth May) there were many cries of “We don’t want to bear it. Tear it up!” But Lady Astor completed her statement, speaking with considerable emotion. She said that when the streets of London were flooded with placards, bearing the words “Lady Aster’s Divorce,” many hud believed a- divorce was impending between herself and Lord Astor. The events referred to were seventeen years old. She said her divorce in 1903 was entirely due to her husband’s misconduct becoming so open that there was no al--tentative left but to dissolve the marriage. Previously she preferred separation, having the custody of their child. This was the whole history of her early sorrow. There wore certain influences which often led to corruption m politics, trying to undermine her position. A resolution of confidence was passed with cheers.

MONEY WASTED. LONDON, July 9,

The Select Committee on National Expenditure has seriously criticised the Government depot at Slough; Lord St. Omer urges the Ministry of Munitions should cease as a spending department. He draws attention to the fact that the Ministry has twenty-two mi - lions for stores on the current estimates.

GAS STRIKE. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 10

An unauthorised strike of gas workers in Manchester and neighbouring towns is causing great domestic inconvenience. Many mills and factories have stopped. Ten large towns are in darkness, and the bread supply is threatened owing to the reliance on coke for the ovens. SHOOTTNG TEAM. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 10.

Gray, Parnell, Thompson and Douglas are unable to proceed to Australia with the British rifle team. Then- places mil be taken by Colour-Sergt. H. T. Wood, Spvrrt ,T L. Dewar (who was King s prize winner in 1914), Chief PettyOfficer W. Gray, and Lieut. E. McCue. There is great interest at Bisley regarcino- the team’s visit. It is feared t - postponement of the Desmosthenes departure till August 20th will prevent the team shooting at Brisbane on 6th October. -

WOOI, DISPOSAL. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 10,

The Ministry of Munitions states it has no information concerning wool in dealers’ bands,.likely to be sent to Germany. Til 10 Board of Trade returns show that to May 31st, the total shippoints of colonial wool to Germany from England was 30,000 bales. It is now part of the Government’s present policy to take special steps in connection with the export of wool to Germany. There are no restrictions upon such trade, which is free to all private operators on equal terms. There is no reason why Government stocks of wool should take anything like four years to sell.

A DENIAL. (Received this day at 8 a.m.)

LONDON, July 10

It is understood in Paris that the report that Britain is seeking a treaty with United States for the protection of the interests of both countries in the Ear East, is absolutely groundless. No fresh treaties are contemplated, nor will the Japanese Treaty bo renewed until the policy of Britain and her Dominions is decided at the imperial Conference. CHINA WARNED. (Received This Da\ at. 8.45 a.in.) PEKIN, July 10. Diplomatic corps have warned the Government that in the event of an uprising, cabled on July 9th., there must not be fighting within the city and Pekin must not he subject to bombardment.