BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1921, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

CABLE NEWS.

1 CSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.

INDIA’S MONSOONS. DEL.HI, July 12. The advent of the monsoon is awaited most anviously owing to the prolonged drought, especially in Southern India. There are apprehensions of another bad year. The monsoon burst at Bombay on the tenth and there are good rains throughout the northern and eastern portions of country, extending northwards. RUSSIAN INTERVIEW. PARIS, June 12. Krassin, interviewed by the “Petit Parisien stated in view of ihe economic collapse in Russia, Lenin was compelled to change his tactics and come to an understanding with peasants and talists. The Soviet' Government had purchased in various countries abroad, many millions "worth of goods but as the Soviet’s gold reserves were, limited and the badness of transport in Russia prevented raw materials reaching the ports, many concessions to foreigners were contemplated. He was of opinion that a vast international Consortium would soon be formed to work the rich resources of Russia. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE POSTPONED. LLOYD GEORGE ILL. LONDON, June 12. The Imperial Conference has been postponed till Monday, owing to the uncertain arrival of the Canadians and Hon Lloyd George’s illness. The doctor forbids him public work for another week, therefore he will proceed to the Isle of Wight. General Smuts, interviewed, said the forthcoming conference was of farreaching importance, -and the stock-tak- _ ing became imperative, as nothing was more dangerous than a vacillating course amid the present world’s perils.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

SOIREE FOR .PREMIERS. LONDON, June 13. The English Speaking Union will entertain the Dominion Premiers at dinner on June 22nd Mr W. Churchill presiding. The High Commissioners for New Zealand and Australia and the Agents-General have accepted invitation*.

BRITAIN AND NEAR EAST. (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, June 13. The Australian Press understands there .has been no departure from Britain’s policy of strict neutrality in the Turco-Greek war which Britain took up in conjunction with France and Italy when the Greek’s without the Allies consent, launched the January offensive. Britain has gone the. length of placing an embargo on the export of munitions for which Greece has yet large contracts in Britain. Recently the Cabinet several times discussed the advisability of departing from neutrality, owing to the recent Turkish outrages against Britishers and failure to set at liberty the prisoners in accordance with the agreement. Cabinet - hitherto has not reached a decision on the point. It is necessarily hesitant to take an unpopular military action, owing to the country’s depleted

chequers. The chief motive for action will be the punishment of the Turks and not support of the Greeks, though tlie latter may be the only instrument available. A further cause for hesitancy is the Greeks military weakness, under the new regime, largely due to the supersession of all of the best of the Yene'teloist’s officers.