BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1921, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

CABLE NEWS.

UKTmoJN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. RIFT IN THE LUTE. OF ANGLO-FRENCH RELATIONS. (Received This Day at 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, July 22. British official circles are viewing with misgiving certain tendencies in recent French diplomacy as evidenced by (I) postponement of the Supreme Council meeting; (2) forced pace in Upper Silesia in Poland’s favour; (3) apparent endeavour to play off Rritain against Turkey. Britain has long endeavoured to give Turkey the best possible settlement owing to a desire to placate Indian .Moslem opinion, but France lias created tlie impression that she is outbidding Britain, though it is extremely doubtful whether France is anxious to give Turkey any real powers. It is believed France’s attitude partly provocated the Angora. Government’s recent truculence. Greek victories in Asia Minor are likely to further complicate the situation by making it difficult for Britain to secure a Near East settlement, at which she is aiming.

THE ORANGE LODGE. (Received This Day at 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, July 22

The Grandmaster of the Loyal Orange Lodge Institution of England has written t-o Hon Lloyd George stating the Orange Order look upon tl negotiations between the Prime Minister of tbe great Protestant peace loving state with the head of an organised unrelentnnt murder gang, having for its object the disruption of the Empire as a, negation.of the British policy. They fear that the unpatriotic attitude towards Sinn Fein of such men as Mr Asquith, Lord Ruckmaster, Archbishop of Canterbury, and some Non-Conform-ist leaders, while prolonging the campaign of murder in Ireland, is also weakening the government in its resolve to stamp out crime and protect law abiding citizens. We realise.your difficult position was created largely by your predecessors, who deserve short shrift at the hands of the British people for their misgovernment of Ireland, prior to and during the war.