BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1921, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT.

- ALLIED CONFERENCE POSTPONED. LONDON, Jan 17. The Conference of Allied Premiers at Paris has been postponed till January 24th. THE PARIS CONFERENCE. COMMENT ON POSSIBILITIES. reuter’s telegrams. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, Jan 17. The approaching Paris Conference will he confined to the disarmament of Germany, reparations and the Turkish treaty, which France is anxious to discuss, and possibly the danger of collapse of Austria. British opinion is that disarmament is not likely to need long consideration before an agreement is reached. It is not thought possible that the reparations question can be finally settled. Probably the will not go beyond a general exchange of views. France and Britain have to decide how far the question is capable of settlement at present, but -Britain believes nothing definite is attainable until further information from. Germany is available. The question is not only what the Allies want, but what they can get. With reference to • the Sevres Treaty it must be remembered the position of Turkey is somewhat obscure. The whereabouts of Izzef Pasha and the mission which was sent from Constantinple to arrange matters with Mustapha Pasha and Kemal are unknown. He was expected to leave Angora on the conclusion of his work at the end of December, but at present it is thought he is still with Mustapha Kemal in Asia minor. The military situation is regarded as absolutely secure. The Greeks are holding their position and extending their front at several points. The question presents itself whether Constantine can carry on without the support of the Allies. If he can, there will be no question of forcing Greeks to evacuate Smyrna, but there are doubts whether the financial resources of Greece are sufficient to hold her position. Present reports are reassuring. Britain’s attitude towards Greece will bo one of the greatest reserve and the desire for a fuller observation of developments before she sees any reason to alter the position she has always held about a settlement.

A DIVORCE. (Received This Day at 11.30 a.in.) LONDON, Jan. 18. Lady Victor Paget, formerly Olive May, a Gaiety girl, has secured a divorce on tlie grounds of her husband’s misconduct. REDUCING COST OF LIVING. (Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) ‘ LONDON, Jan. 18. It is officially announced that if a decline of ten points in the cost of living is maintained (to the end of the month, the railwaymens wages .will be reduced by 2s weekly, under the .sliding scale, saving the railways £3,600,000 sterling annually. HOHENZOLLERN COUP. (Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) PARIS, Jan. 18. The “Matin’s” Strasburg correspondent reports the Netherlands Government possesses documents proving the Hohenzollerns are preparing a. coup detat. Plans.have been made to smuggle tlie Crown Prince into Germany in order to enter Berlin at the head of troops loyal to the old regime. JAPAN AND SIBERIA. (Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, Jan. 18. An impression exists that Japan will insist on solving the Siberian question in her own way and her own time, if for no other reason than to assert the doctrine that she is paramount in the Far East. Tlie Ohra Cabinet appears to retain strength, and it is believed it will survive the coming session of the Diet, during which Japanese-Anie-rican relations will be discussed. Diplomatic circles (believe Japanese and American affairs do not warrant the uneasiness that prevails on the bordei of the Japanese Empire. The efforts of Shidhara and Morris have profoundly impressed -Japanese with the fairness of United States in connection with the killing of Langdon. This incident is genuinely regretted, because it is believed it will open the entire Siberian situation, concerning which United States has already sent several protests.

AFRICAN ATHLETES

(Reeeixed this tiny nt 12.‘25 «*-*'*’ CAPETOWN, Jan. 18. A meeting of Transvaal athletic a»so- 1 ‘ ciation at Johannesburg approved of ( ' the scheme for sending a team of ath- - letes to tour 'Australia in 1922. Trans-| vaal Rugby Union is appealing for the j delay of the Springbok ta’ir to Aim- j tralia by one month, to efiable Dellacy to take part. 1 / appeals DISMISSED. (Received This Day at 10. Jo a.m.) 'LONDON, Jan !18. The Eastbourne Beach murder ap-,-peals were dismissed. . V. i WOMEN AND MATRIMON Y. I (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) •LONDON, Jan 18. Sir John Cockburn lecturing before the Women’s Reform League declared the choice of mates should belong to women. Females always selected tneir mates, except in the case of man. It was absolute nonsense to say a man was more courageous than a woman. Girls were born in favourable seasons and boys in times of war, famine and adversity. Thus wealthy families had a plethora of heiresses and frequently no heirs, with the result that families were dyingogU^^^^^