MISCELLANEOUS. ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1921, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS. ITEMS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

COLONEL HARVEY’S SPEECH

NEW YORK, May 20

The “Evening World’s” Washington correspondent states that President Harding and Mr Hughes were embarrassed by Colonel Harvey’s London speeeli which was not submitted to Washington for approval. The correspondent declares; Hud it been submitted certain passages would have been toned down. As the position stands the Administration can cay nothing uilliout seeming to disapprove of the appoint incut of its own Ahbassador. Officials generally are surprised at Colonel Harvey’s statement regarding the League of Nations as lie went further than President Harding or Mr Hughes have ever gone in public declarations.

At Winona Lake (Indiana) speakers at the Presbyterian General Assembly denounced Colonel Harvey’s speech. Doctor P. A. Atkinson, head of the World Alliance, an interdenominational body which is working for world peace, declared that it Colonel Harvey’s statement that Ameri. a entered the war for her own interests is true, hundreds of American soldiers died under false pretences.

THE FRANCO-GERMAN FEUD, CAPETOWN, May 29.

General Smuts announced that lie is taking with him the Ministers for Agriculture and Defence to the Imperial Conference. His influence at the Conference will be directed towards a lasting world’s peace, lie says: The time lias come when the Empire must make a most serious effort to extricate ourselves from the troubles of the Continent And foster a policy of peace in Europe.” Referring to the feud between France and Germany, General Smuts thought it time for the British Empire to appear not as a party, hut as a peace-maker. “Site lias emerged from the war,” said General Smuts, “the most powerful organisation on earth, and we would not he worthy of our part if we were haeke-1 up by any but the highest policy. If we were backed up by America, I am sure it is possible, even at this late hour, to secure the world’s peace.” Referring to the Japanese. Treaty, General Smuts declared that the paramount consideration was as far as possible to secure an understanding between the Empire and the United States. That, was the essential and cardinal principle of our foreign policy. No renewal of the Japanese Treaty should he satisfied that her interests were not jeopardised.

INDIAN REFORMS A FAVOURABLE CONFERENCE. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) DELHI, May 21. By arrangement, Lord Reading had comversations with Gandhi .and other Extremist leaders, and discussed Indian questions from their standpoint. Gandhi states Lord Reading assured him that there was no thought of wholesale arrests, if the Extremist leaders, avoided the incitement of the masses to rebellion. Gandhi expressed the belief that Lord Reading was sincerely seeking India’s good, and must he supported in his efforts to conciliate India. He anticipates a repeal or modification of some recent legislation in the direction „f giving Indians equal consideration with English in India. D \M \GR FROM AERIAL RAIDS. PARIS, May 20. The Commission which investigated the war damage to Paris and its neighbourhood through aerial raids and “Bertha’s” bombardments, assessed t.r amount at 110,000,000 francs.