BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1921, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

CABLE NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.

U.S. PATENTS. " WASHINGTON, April 25. Mr Weeks, U.S. War Secretary, has requested Congress to frame legislation to prevent Germans from stealing American military and commercial secrets under protection of the AmerG can patent laws. ’Mr Weeks, in a letter stated that.since July, 1920, 21 Ameri- *■ can patents were issued to Germans, all of which were assigned to Krupp’s. This, he declared, was significant. Out of twelve patents selected at random, eight pertain to railroads and artillerf*

PERSIAN POLITICS. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) DELHT, April 26. Rauza Kluin, the author of the Persian Cossack coup on 21st February, lias been appointed Minister of War. The Bolshevik Minister has arrived at Teheran. U.S. NAVY PLANS. WASHINGTON, April 26. Representative Kelley, in asking for the passage of the Naval Bill, declared President Harding favours the completion of the 1916 naval building programme before the United, States agrees to any disarmament. Mr Kelley pointed out that if the United States had a navy equal to that of any other Power in the world, their reduction would be proportionate, and the United States’ relative position would not be affected. He added:—“When America and Britain can go to sea as equals, there will he few questions that intelligent statesmanship cannot settle.” “TIMES” CONDEMNS CABINET. LONDON, April 26. The Times editorially considers the Budget is a blunder of first magnitude, but says it causes no disappointment, because everyone knew the Government intended to drift towards national insolvency. The estimate of the national revenue it says is quite unwarrantable, such an amount could only be raised by a crushing burden, which will greatly retard the prospects of a recovery; and result in the intensification of the deplorable economic depression, thus driving millions of workless people to wander in the streets.

The “Times” adds: If the Government cannot reduce the expendituie, let us make room for somebody who can.

ILL-TREATMENT OF PRISONERS

CHARGES AGAINST GERMANS

(Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, April 26

The hearing of evidence of British war prisoners who are unable to attend sit Irfipzig, has begun at Bow Street. German lawyers attended to cross examine witnesses. The first charge is against Muller, commandant at Flavelemartel prison camp, for cruelties practised from April to June 1918, where there were 500 cases of dysentery j>er month, averaging six deaths daily. Evidence showed there was no doctor in the camp. Accused habitually rode through the camp, scattering the prisoners, whom he photographed in

agonies. Doctor Stewart Meighen, ex-chaplain and war prisoner, stated 900 sick British prisoners arrived at Stendahl camp during June 1918, verminous, with undressed, open sores. A number died.^ Another witness stated between 50 and 60 of these died from lack of food and ill treatment. LABOR COMBINES. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, April 26. Communistic and more moderate trade union actions of the Labour Party are amalgamating on the basis of the third international retaining distinctive organisations with which to carry on an implacable fight against the Boiirgeoise. A GRAVE STEP. RAILWAY UNION’S ACTION. (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, April 26. Sir A. Geddes said he regretted to inform the Commons that the Railway Union had taken the grave step of instructing members not to handle coal on colliery sidings, or coal from overseas. The .action could only be interpreted as an attempt to starve the nation. He had invited the railwaymen’s secretary to meet him. No Government could allow the nation to be coerced. The-Home Secretary, in reply to a question, said consideration was being given to strengthening the law to deal with the agitator, paid or inspired, from foreign countries. PRIVY COUNCIL APPEAL. (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m ) LONDON, April 26. The Privy Council dismissed Archdeacon Wakeford’s appeal with costs. The Lord Chancellor read one of the longest judgments on record, covering thirty-four cl«*se print pages and occupy ing over ninety minutes. He said there was not a scrap of evidence to support the theory of a conspiracy, which was set up during the hearing of the appeal. STEAMER HELD UP.

LONDON, April 28. The Narkunda’s departure is delayed: for a week owing to the strike. WOOL SALES. LONDON, April 26. The wool sales are opening on 3rd May. The entry comprises forty thousand Bawra, and thirty-four thousand free Australian. WOOL agreement. MELBOURNE, April 27. The Bawra directorate, and Selling Brokers Association have agreed on a minimum reserve at which the various types of wool are to be sold. The decision is not disclosed