BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1921, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. .JAPANESE CROWN PRINCE. BETROTHAL CONFIRMED. TOKIO, February 13. Rumours that the Crown Prince’s trip abroad is due to a Court intrigue to cancel his betrothal to Princess Negeko, daughter of Prince Kuni, has resulted in the Household Department issuing a statement denying any contemplated change in the marriage contract. The Home Department has issued a similar statement, adding that Baron Nakamura, Minister of the Household has decided to resign. It is reported that the Vice-Minis-ter.. Baron Ishiwara, will also resign. Prince Kuni, following upon the publication of the announcements, visited the Emperor and Empress. 'The newspaper charge Baron Nakamura and Field-Marshal Yamagata with intriguing to annul the betrothal while the Prince is abroad. It appears that several members of Parliament wrote to Field-Marshal Yamagata recently, accusing him of interference in the Crown Prince’s affairs. The newspaper “Shin Aichi” states that Field-Marshal Yamagata will relinquish his generalship and the presidency of the Privy Council. DAVIS CUP. NEW YORK, February 14. It is announced that the Davis Cup challenge round will be played at New York on Septenilier 2,3, and 5.

FRENCH POLICE DISCOVERIES. | PARIS, February 14. ■ An investigation by the French po- ' lice revealed details of an organisation for JJie purpose of infecting France England, and other countries with Bolishevik doctrines Secret headquarters being first established at Stockholm and Copenhagen, under Litvinoff, but a British secret sendee discovery in connection with the “Daily Herald’’ jewels, affair compelled the closing of the Stockholm and Copenhagen offices. They have now been traced to Bremen in Germany, whence secret agents are coming into Western Europe through Esthonia. Detectives secured a photograph of many confidential documents. The Bolsheviks propaganda is organised on military lines, each country being under special directors, responsible for all secret agents. Directors work under false names, and do not reside permanently in a country, but move about, leaving detailed work to resident lieutenants. None of the subordinate .agents know of the existence 'of the Bremen headquarters, believing they receive orders direct from Moscow. The last general meeting of Directors at Bremen took place in December. Shorthand notes show the Bolsheviks have no great hope of success in France or Britain, blit regard the prospects in Germany, Italy, and Central Europe as promising. Detectives also secured lists of Bolshevik agents in different countries and of sums of money paid them. There are 600 direct agents from Russia working in Europe, apart from native propagandists.

BRITISH LABOUR PARTY. LONDON, February 14. Tile Rt. Hon. Air Civile* lias bee; elected Leader of the Parliamentar; labour Party, in place of Mr Adam son, who lias retired owing to bis ill health. The party have decided to eo-operat with Labour generally in connectioi with the shootings at Mallow. The debate disclosed the party’s be lief that the Labour Party is the onl; effective opposition in* the present Bri tish Parliament. FAR EASTERN TROUBLES. SHANGHAI, February 14 Owing to the revolt. lod by General Tungohityad, the ruler of Yunnan, lias fled. The revolt weakens the southern position.

Russian whites, who were driven out of Siberia, have joined the Mongols. The town of Urga, whcli has been besieged for months lias fallen. Hntuktu, the living Budda, escaped from the city before its fall, and joined the revolting Alongols. The position in Chinese Mongolia'is regarded a precarious. 3IOHK AMERICANS INJURED. WASHINGTON, February 11. Admiral Strauss, of the American Asiatic Fleet, lias advised the Navy Department that two sailors of the United States cruiser Albany were slightly injured in an attack by some Russians at Vladivostok on February 8. Admiral Strauss states the affair lias .no political importance. Mr Daniels (Naval Secretary) lias asked for details, following on tb 0 report cabled on February 11th.

AMERICA’S. NAVY. WASHINGTON, February 14. An amendment to the naval appropriation Bill has been defeated, and the entire measure has been passed. It provides funds to carry out the U.S. 1916 building programme which v when completed will make th e United States navy larger than Britains’. The measure, however, reduces the enlisted marine personal from 170 thousand men to 120 thousand. DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE. AVASHINGTON, February 14. Representative Brooks (Illinois) was introduced an amendment to the Naval Appropriation Bill providing that Senator Harding must call a disarmament conference before any funds are available for the continuance of the United States 1916 naval building programme SCHOOLS TO RE-OPEN. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) CAIRO, Feb. 14. Some secondary schools, cabled on the 10th, have re-opened, numerous parents of students giving the guarantee required by Government.