BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 July 1921, Page 1

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

ITOTOILUV AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. A THRILLING JOURNEY. LONDON, July 19 A thrilling seven months’ journey through the unknown regions of Belgian Congo is graphically described in the “Daily Mail” by an explorer, Captain Phillips. Many strange tribes were encountered. Phillips crossed a waste tract dotted with piles of dean-picked skulls, the work of cannibals. A type of gorilla differing from any known species, and most closely akin to man, was discovered ; also a new species of otter, and a pigmy elephant. Captain Phillips says that lie discovered on rocks the footmarks of natives who were believed to be the first men on the earth.

MINISTERS’ STIPENDS REDUCED

LONDON, July 19

The Wesleyan Conference at Middelsborough has decided to reduce tlie Ministers’ minimum stipend allowance by L'2() per annum. An opponent of the reduction suggested that the members ot the congregations ought to give up motor ears, or oven pawn their shirts, in order to maintain the present minimum salary.

A HOHENZOLLERN’S COUP

BERLIN. July 19

Another Hohenzollern scandal has caused a sensation in tlic German newspapers. Prince Leopold, ot Prussia, uncle of the Kaiser, and one ol the wealthiest of the llohenzollerns before tin 1 revolution, has been living at Lugano, in Switzerland, whither be has escaped with a considerable store ol jewelieiy.- When in Switzerland he pawned the jewels lor halt a million Swiss francs. The Prussian Ministry of Finance promptly sent a representative to Switzerland and purchased the jewels. An inquiry has now been ordered to discover how the Prince smuggled the property out ol Germany.

CO-OP. SOCIETIES

ESCAPE TAX JX ENGLAND

LONDON, July 19

In the House of Commons, oil an amendment to the Finance Bill to relievo tlic Co-operative Societies ol the Corporation Profits Tux, the Government was defeated by l.‘L votes to U>. The Government will not attempt to recommit the Pill in order to restore fne rejected clause, which means that the co-operative securities will he exempt from the Corporation Tax.

AMERICA AND GERMANY

WASHINGTON, July 19

White House has confirmed the report that the American Commissioner in Berlin has been instructed to negotiate for a peace treaty with Germany and the resumption of diplomatic relations. The officials declined to say whether the negotiations will result in a separate peace treaty, or whether the sediment would ho based on the Treaty of Versailles.

BELA KPN ARRESTED. COPENHAGEN, July 19

Bela Kim, the Hungarian Communist Leader, lias been arrested at 1/einberg, upon his arrival from the .Moscow International, it being alleged that lie carried plans for a communistic rising in Galicia.

DAVIS CUP

(Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.)

NEW YORK, July 20

The Davis Cup Committee has announced that the Belgians are unable t<> come to America. Their delimit puts Japan in tho semi-finals. OTTAWA. July 20

.Judging from the Australian Davis Cup team’s torn).in the Ontario championship games, opinion boro is that ('ainula has a better chance ol sui \ i\ ing the elimination games than was lormerlv conceded her. Only two Canadians have yet been chosen -Bennett and Holmes, of Winnipeg -who' were defeated in the doubles final by lodd and Poach. The Canadian pair were beaten, (!—J, -7. o—7, 7—o. (5- I. «h«1 were twice within it point ol winning t lie .match.

In the fourth set Todd has shown excellent form, hut the other Australians are patchy.

YAP AND SHANTUNG

(Received This Day at 3.30 a.m.)

LONDON. July 20

Interviewed. Baron Hayashai said lhe Yap and Shantung settlement wore accomplished tacts under the Versailles Treaty. There was no need for a eonI'ereiie of the Powers to revise them.