BRITISH S FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1921, Page 2

BRITISH S FOREIGN ITEMS.

CABLE NEWS.

iJY TELEGRAPH—MESS assn., copyright. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. BRITISH CO.AL STRUGGLE. NEW FIGHT STARTING. LONDON, Feb. 21. The first move was made yesterday in what probably will be a crucial struggle affecting the mining industries’ future, when the Executive of the Miners’ Federation accepted a Government invitation to hear its proposals for the financial decontrol of the mines. The Federation at the same time have'decided to oppose the proposal as vigorously as possible, unless they are given satisfactory guarantees regarding wages. The owners demand that the Government, before srurendering control, shall settle thejvages question in their* favour, or shall guarantee a subsidy. They are claiming that it is impossible' to conduct the industry on the existing wage basis. COINAGE OF SILVER.

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 21. It is understood United States has begfin coining silver dollars. It will be recalled that United States -melted down 270 million dollars producing 208 million ounces of silver, during the war, to meet the demand of India, which was seriously embarrassed by Hack of imetal. The resumption of coinage and purchase of silver on the open American market is expected to stabilise the silver market.

REWARD OF OFFICE. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) NEW YORK, February 21. It is definitely settled that Mr Harry M. Dougherty, Mr Harding’s political manager, will be Attorney General. THE MANDATES, (Received this day at 8 a.m.) WASHINGTON, February 21. The transference of the part- of the Syrian mandated territory from Franc 0 to Britain under convention has been formally concluded between them without reference to the League, is considered an apparent violation of the Treaty of Versailles. State Department officials pointed out that the entire mandate question is so involved that it is being officially investigated by United States, in order to determine the precise status of the various conventions.

THE SHOT OFFICER. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) ( TOKIO, February 21. It is officially announced that the Mayor General Nishi Fara, Commandant of the Brigade of which the sentry who shot Lieut. Langdon is a member, has been suspended. A press report indicates that various other officials will become implicated in the case, because their instructions to the sentry would bo justifiable only in the event of war. It is believed, however, that the penalties will be light. WAGE DECLINE IN BRITAIN. LONDON, February 22. The Ministry of Labour’s January statistics show the first substantial decline in wages. There are 1,450,000 persons affected, they sustaining a net decrease of £168,000 per week. They are mainly in the mining, textile. and steel industries. * Some .seven hundred thousand workers received a'net increase of £54,000 weekly being mainly railwaymen. PEKIN, February 21. . The Chinese War Minister is preparing an expedition against Urga city, the religious capital of Mongolia. Tt has been captured by Russians and Mongolians. There are estimated to be 5500 Russian and 10,000 Mongolians anting the cantors, are officered largely by Japanese. It is reported that the independence of Mongolia has been proclaimed. Twenty thousand cavalry and infantry have been organised.