BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1921, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION,

SMALL NATION’S INTEREST. WASHINGTON, July 23. Mr Hughes (U.S.-, Secretary of State) has advised Belgium, Holland, and Portugal that when the Washington Conference discusses the Ear Eastern question ill such a way as to affect the interests of those there will he no difficulty about their being represented.

GREEK VICTORY OVER TURKS. ATHENS, July 22.

The-- Greek Royalties, the Cabinet Ministers, and the members of Parliament attended a Te Deum service at the Athens Cathedral to mark the victory at Eskisiher of the Greek troops over the- Turkish nationalist. Advices from Athens state that Greek military circles are of the opinion that the capture of Eskishclir practically ends the war against the Turkish Kemalists.

It is reported that the Greeks have captured immense booty, including 180 guns, and a 1000 prisoners. The Kqmalists are fleeing in disorder.

TURKS STILL HOPEFUL. LONDON, July 23, A CoiLstantTinoplq message states that the chief of the Kemalist general staff, declares the loss of territory and of fortresses of secondary importance. Tlie army had retired to re•atranged positions, without serious fighting. He was confident regarding the outcime of the struggle.

MASSEY’S PLANS IN ENGLAND. LONDON, July 23. After the (Premiers’ Coffferenf e closes Mr Massey will make a round of provincial visits. At Bradford he will consult the wool interests; At Sheffield he will be the guest of the master cutlers; at Newcastle and Cardiff, he will he "tlie guost of the Chambers of Commerce; and at Bristol, he will make inquiries about the possibilities of direct trade with New Zealand.

He embarks for New Zealand on Au gust 25t1i., via Vancouver.

EXPLOITING CHINA MARKETS PEKIN, July 22,

An Australian trade commissioner addressed business men at Shanghai in the General Chamber of Commerce, the subject !>eing the prospects and development of Chino-Australian trade. He said Australia now seriously intended to enter into the China market. The first, requisite was an improvement of tin 1 means of communication. Steamship companies were prepared to start direct sailings from Australia to China, provided that sufficient cargo were offering. The commissioner described a wide range of Australian exportable products whereof a comprehensive display of samples was exhibited in the cliamher, and attracted the close attention .>4 of those present.

GERMANS AND SILESfA. ' LONDON, July 22 Berlin advices state that Herr Gradnaeur, the German Minister of the Interior, in a statement, declared thht a disaster was impending in Upper Silesia, unles a speedy decision was taken by the Entente. Reports had been received by his Government of an antiGerman revolutionary movement there but a Polish insurrection would only be possible if France desired it.

IN MOROCCO. MADRID, July 23

A strong contingent of natives violently attacked an advanced Spanish position at Melilln. It is reported that several hundreds of Spaniards were killed and wounded, after a desperate struggle, which is continuing.

GENERAL’S SUICIDE REPORTED.

MADRID,.,JuIy 23

General Sylvestre, commander of the garrison, is reported to have*committed suicide when lie heard of the disaster. Other reports state that he was wounded.

King Alfonso is hastening from* San Sebastian to Madrid. Reinforcements are being sent to Melilla.

PROFIT SHARING PLAN. LONDON, July 23

Arthur Fells, ex-Mayor of Bermondsey, has decided to present his century old wine business to his employees. He has handed over funds enabling them to conduct the business on a profits sharing basis.

ENGLISH DROUGHT. LONDON, July 23. Biis-li fires affected 40,000 acres of moorland at Duside. Hundreds of tons of stacked peat were destroyed.

DISASTROUS EXPLOSION. LONDON, July 22. The Geneva correspondent of the “Daily Express” states that a nitric acid factory exploded at Bodio, the resultant fire threatening two other factories with reservoirs of ether. Thirty persons were burned to death and 100 were terribly injured. Every window in Bodio was broken. Special trains with doctors and nurses rushed to the scene, but were unable to approach the fire owing to poisonous gases.

ARREST OF GERMAN CAPTAIN BERLIN, July 23

An unconfirmed Danish report states that Captain Patzig, who was responsible for the sinking of the Llandovery Castle, lias been arrested in Denmark. If this is true, the Government intend to demand his extradition. UNITED STATES AND JAPAN.

WASHINGTON, July 22. J. V. A. McMurrav, of the FarEastern division of the State Department, told the Houoe Immigration Committee that Japan holds that the Japanese exclusion agreement of 1908 does not apply to Hawaii. This is the reason for the large increase of. Nipponese immigrants there. The committee expressed surprise and ordered all diplomatic correspondence preceding the agreement to be placed before them