BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1921, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

CABLE NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

IS IT PIRACY?

(Received This Day at 9.45 a.m ) NEW YORK, June 22

The Commerce Department lias listed twenty ships as missing during the last six months, including the British tankers, Ottawa, Gymeric and British schooner General Horne, and other vessels, including American, Italian, Japantse, Danish, Russian, SpahiSh, Norwegian, French and Brazilian. The piracy theory has been strengthened by the State Department’s statement concerning the American schooner Carol A. Deering, which was found off North Carolina in such a condition that foul play was suspected. The crew ivtis missing. On April 11th a bottle "as picked up off Cape Hatteras with a message reading, “Deering has been captured by oilburni'ng boat, something like a chaser.” When the Deering was discovered all the provisions, clothing and supplies had been removed and the lifeboats were missing; The State Department believes other vessels _ may have met a similar fate. The mystery is causing a sensation in shipping circles. Lloyds are joining the investigation.

ADMIRAL SIMS. ißeceived This Day at 9.45 a.m.) NEW YORK, June 23 Admiral Sims has arrived. Extraordinary precautions have been taken to prevent Irish demonstrations. The docks were closed to the public. A thousand police guarded the approaches to the wharf. Thousands of people assembled, including a big force of Sims sympathisers, who deafeningly cheered the Admiral. DISARMAMENT. .'Received This Day at 9.45 a.m. NEW YORK, June 23. According to a Washington message, a committee bearing a petition signed bv 20,503 clergymen, protestants, Catholics and Jews, called on Mr Harding urging the time was ripe for calling a disarmament conference. Mr Harding answered that he favoure i° principle, but it was impossible to move swiftly. America’s steps depend on the attitude, of other Governments. AMERICAN SYMPATHY. (Received This Day at 10.40 a.m.) NEW YORK, June 22. The American Federation of Labour Convention at Denver adopted a resolution urging Congress to recognise the Irish Republic, and expressing sympathy with the Irish people and the efforts of Radicals to secure a boycott of English goods. CHINA’S FEAR., fßecoivpa this da-y at 11.30 a* ,ll -l PEKIN, June 22. The Foreign Minister, Yen, has issued a statement that China believes there is no occasion for opening negotiations with Japan relating to the restoration of Shantung and regards suspiciously the Japanese suggestions. ,If Joan intends to unconditionally restore German leased territory at Shantung she should announce that fact tithe world poses to make conditions in regard to such restitution, she should frankly announce them, for .all nations to pronounce judgment on. China does not wish to jeopardise her Tight to carry the Shantung question to the League of Nations by directly negotiations. The internationalisation, of Tsingtau would meet China’s approval.

japan in pacific. NEW YORK, June 23

The Chicago “Tribune’s” Tientsin correspondent says great secrecy is observed in official • circles at Tokio, regarding the South Sea islands, though so far as he has learned their actual fortification has not been attempted. In view of Admiral Matsnmur’s cruise for investigation of base sites, the following moves are regarded as important. The foreign office announced that a plan to turn the islands over to the Colonial Department is held up. The Navy is continuing their administration till next year. The administrative base at Oarolinas has been moved from Truk to Pelew, nearer the mandatary in the Phillipines where Japanese have constructed an important harbour. The improvement on the property they own. An American naval authority points out the base at Pelew would menace all American traffic to Phillipines via San Bernardino straits, which alone is available in the event of war, as Japan would control Luzon 'route. Another important change affects Marshall Administrative base,which was moved from Jaluit to Wotje nearer Honolulu, the Japanese reason being sahitatiion. It is pointed out this would provide a base on the flank of any American fleet moving from Honolulu to Guam or Phillipines. It is believed Australia will he keenly interested in Japan’s moves in Marshall Islands.