GENERAL CABLES.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1920, Page 1

GENERAL CABLES.

AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] VERDUN BATTLEFIELD. "• LONDON, Nov. 19. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Paris correspondent says that France is meeting insuperable obstacles in connection with reconstruction work in the Verdun di^rict. One stretch of battle ground 'is so holed with craters and filled with bodies and shells that twenty-two villages which once stood thereon will not be rebuilt, because it would take years to clear the land. Eight hundred thousand bodies, half of them Frenchmen, fill this area. Ninety thousand bodies were recovered in the last two years, one-fourth of which have been identified. Every mile of ground contains a thousand bodies. The land is regarded as sacred and will be left untouched, hut a decade hence it may be converted into pasture land. i l BOXING. LONDON, Nov 20. In their return boxing match, Kid Lewis defeated Johnny Basham in the: nineteenth round. PEOPLE WANT CONSTANTINE. ATHENS, November 19. All over Greece many organised demonstrations have demanded ex-King Constantine’s return to Greece. The troops,’ in many towns participated in them. Hie new Government ‘ may find some difficulty In fulfilling the demobilisation which’ it has promised.'This is. owing to there being anarchic conditions’ in the new provinces given to Greece, and notably in Asia, Minor. A PLEBISCITE. ATHENS, November 19. Queen Olga lias announced that she has assumed the Regency during the absence of her well beloved son, Constantine, A general political amnesty bn" been proclaimed. The political prisoners have been released. Mr R-allis, the Premier states the first action of the new parliament will be demobilisation This will apparently involve the with drnwal of most of the Greek troops from Asia Minor. Such a withdrawn 1 will make the position of France and Britain difficult. It also will raise the question of whether they will he able to finish tlieir Greek job in Turkey M. Venizelos left Greece with bis immediate followers, including the Archbishop of Athens in fourteen cars It is now understood that a plebiscite i will be taken regarding the return of King Constantine. It will be in this form—Do you desire Constantino or another? If another give his name.

! EFFECTS QF VENIZELOS FALL. I ' r •' ' " LONDON, November 21. j The entire staff of the Greek Legation in London have resigned in consequence of the fall of Venizelos, | FRANCE AND GREECE, j 1 LONDON, November 21. I Paris advices report that it is officially stated that M. Leygues has inj formed Lord Derby that the French 'Government is absolutely opposed to j Conktahtine’s return to the Greek ! throne. M. Leygues pointed out the ' possible 'consequence in Asia, lojwing to the fall of Venizelos. He urged that tile “protecting” powers should at an early date examine the question ! ENGLISH FOOTBALL SCANDALS. : LONDON,'.November 20, .The English football Association are taking drastic action against the Millwall; 1 a/idi Crystal Palace league club's, owing to misconduct among the spectators! The grounds have been closed for thirteen days, the clubs thus losing revenue from two home matches. They also have to' pay the expenses ol an enquiry. The spectators invaded the ground and assaulted the referee. The jMillwall spectators also stoned a visiting team last which may .be the subject of further enquiry.

McCORMICK, TENOR. November 19. John .McCormick' the famous Irish tenor, arrived in London. Mr McCormick is still lame as tile result of the accident whereby he broke his leg aboard the On arrival he was interviewed. He refused to discuss tlie refusal to sing the National Anthem at the end of the Adelaide concert. He stated, however, fie would not be forced to sing it by anyone, though lie .had sung it elsewhere. Mr McCormick added: —“I was not welcome .it seemed in Australia, so I came away.” GERMAN FORTUNES. " BERLIN, November 19. The Rqiclistag are debating sensational relations regarding the transfer of private fortunes of many royal personages, aristocrats, arid financiers to Holland. A bank raid .has revealed that the Grittser-Rhilipson Company arranged an extensive flight of capital abroad, including sums on behalf of the Crown Prince and Princes Eitel, Fritz Adalbert, Oscar, August, Wilhelm Eiulenberg, and General Ludendorff, who now lias three hundred thousand sterling in. Holland. BIG COMMONWEALTH LOAN. LONDON, Nov. 20. It is rumoured that a big Commonwealth .Loan is impending. .EMBARGO ON HIDES. OTTAWA, Nov. 19. The Canadian Government lias prohibited the importation of liorse ,liides and sheep-skins from Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, New Zealand, and Australia. ' This is with the object of - preventing the introduction of animal ) diseases into Canada.

TURKEY AND ARMENIA. LONDON, Nov. 20. Some adulterated'' messages from Tiilis state -that the Turkish Kemalist Government is presenting an ultimatum te Armenia, and is imposing crushing conditions. The armistice of the 12th has ended, and hostilities are being resumed. The Armenians declare they are determined to fight to the end. AUSTRALIAN WHEAT. LONDON, Nov. 20. The International Traders’ Limited, of Sydney, recently offered the Italian Government 200,(300 tons of wheat at 13s 3d per bushel c.i.L, which is equivalent to eleven shillings f.o.b. In consequence, the Imperial {Government has notified Italy that the Australian Wheat Committee are the sole authorised sellers of Australian wheat. It is understood that Italy has been informed that in the event of the unauthorised vendors failing to deliver the wheat, the Australian wheat Committee will refuse to come to the vendors’ rescue, and will with hold supplies. FIJI LEGISLATION. SUVA, Nov. -j. The Fiji Legislative Council closed yesterday. The measures passed included an amended Licensing Act, reducing the hours of hotels to from ten in the morning to ten in the evening,and ordering them to be closed oh Sundays. The Customs Tariff was amended. Most- foodstuffs li ave been placed on the free list, also agricultural machinery. A Death and Gift Duties Ordinance was passed, increasing the rates.' 1 1 '' The Income T ax Ordinance was providing for a super tax of 20 per cent on all the Company’s profits exceeding 15 per cent.