BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1921, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. NEW AIRSHIP. "LONDON, Feb. 1. A new British rigid airship R. 36 will shortly be launched. It is intended to run to Central Europe and Cairo. It will surpass in size, and comfort any thing hitherto attempted. It will have sleeping and living accommodation for seventy people.

A STRONG PROTEST

reuter’s telegrams

LONDON, Feb 1. The “Times” correspondent at Baghdad strongly opposes the withdrawal of British troops from Persia. He says the decision caused a panic. Old established businesss will be torn up by the roots of the whole fabric of British influence, moral and economic, built up by devoted labours extending over more than a century, threatens to collapse, before menace of a few scallywags siting at Resht, pretending to be Bolsheviks, who have discovered if they make a noise they can frighten everybody, including Europeans. The correspondent says that with the troops withdrawn, the liemalists may attack Mesopotamia and the Turks are conducting a powerful propaganda in Baghdad in favour of establishing Burnham Eadin, fourth son of Abdul Hamid as Amir, while Hndjnz in Syria is conducting propaganda in favour of Sheriffs. Referring to internal conditions in Mesopotamia, the correspondent says some

iof the wealthiest corporations in the world have financial interests there, ! and asks why these do not make a huge i loan to Britain to develop the irrigaj tion, which he claims, would send the | value of the lance up in some instances from a shilling to two hundred sterling 1 per acre when a responsible Government is established through the proposed assembly. The security should be an absolute charge upon Mesopotamia. The correspondent concludes that if neither corporation nor Treasury will j take the risk, the sooner Mesopotamia is evacuated the better. ,

NAVAL APPROPRIATIONS. reuter’s * telegrams. WASHINGTON; Feb 1. The Nnvay Appropriations Bill about tb be reported to the House totals approximately 395 million dollars, a reduction of thirty-eight millions compared with last year. The Committee members think the appropriation will necessitate a reduction in the navy’s personnel from 153,000 to one hundred thousand, but will permit a continuation of building at the same rate as last yeai. ivr>Tm? m? wm? *rn

PRICE OF WHEAT, LONDON, Feb 1. The selling price of Australian wheat has been reduced to 92s 6d. * MEMORIAL TO INDIANS. LONDON, Feb 1. The Prince of Wales unveiled a memorial on tlio Downs near Brighton in memory of Hindus and Sikhs who died in England during the war. He said it was befitting that the future generations should not forget that when the need was highest, Indian comrades who were free men and voluntary soldiers were true to the Parliament and j.ave their lives in a quarrel, of which it uns enough for them to know that the enemy were foes of their Sahibs, their < Empire, and their King.'' The Prince recalled the fact that a memorial to Mohammedan soldiers was being creeled at Woking. These two memorials #ou]d strengthen the ties between India and Britain. BOLSHEVIKS IN FRANCE. PARIS, Jan 31. Arrests in connection with the Bolshevik plot continue. They include a number of young Serbs who are students in a Paris University, also nine Spaniards working from Bordeaux. Some were amongst the Intellectuals and others amongst the working classes. The papers seized show that large sums of money were being distributed in France, also many forged passports and stamps for use on forged official papers. TRADING AVITH RUSSIA LONDON, Feb 1 It is reported Armstrong’s firm turn contracted with a Russian delegation to repair practically all the Russian locomotives.

I TIIE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC. LONDON, Jan 81. Tlio first Ministry of Health has issued the first, extensive study of the influenza scourge. It states: “The cause of the epidemic is still an unsolved proMem and the immediate outlook doss not inspire confidence. Until universal improvement in the standard of comfort in the conditions of life is secured there can be no prospects of effectively mitigating the incidence of this disease. Other diseases have been brought under control, but influenza eludes us.” THE MUNRO MURDER CASE. LONDON, Feb 1. The Homo Secretary has decided not to advise a reprieve in the case of Field and Grey, who were condemned for the murder of tlio girl Irene Munto at Eastbourne. They will be hanged on Friday. REDUCED IN PRICE. meutkr’s telegrams. (Received this dav at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 1. The price of Cumberland hematite and pigiron has been reduced by £1 per ton. It is hoped this will result in business leading to a recovery upon trade.