BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1921, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

iCSTHALIAN ANI) N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. PAPER CLOTHES. CONDON, Aug. 3. Investigations of clothing which fell to pieces In a lttundry established the fact it was made of paper. It is believed that large supplies of paper suits have been imported from Germany. THE SILESIAN QUESTION. LONDON, Aug. 7. The “ Daily Express ” lobbyist states British and French views respecting Upper Silesia are conflicting. Britain is repudiating that reinforcements are necessary. Britain will strenuously oppose reinforcing, unles France submits more conclusive evidence. Britain declares the presence of French troops may lead to more serious and avoidable trouble with the Germans. It is understood Hon. Lloyd George aitfl Lord C'H’zo n have formed a definite judgment. The despatch of French reinforcements may he a purely political move, not justified on ■ military grounds. Tne correspondent adds that British opinion is seriously disturbed by more than a suspicion that the Poles are intriguing with France and grandiose schemes are settled in udvance.

CYCLING. j COPENHAGEN, August 7. j Kergent (France) was third. Won by a wheel, the same distance between ■ second and third. SALVAGING' WAR .VESSELS. LONDON, August 8. An English fir.m has submitted a proposal to search the liottom of a Navarino Harbour for wreckage of the Turco-Egyptian fleet, consisting of upwards of 80 vessels, sunk en route to Morocco recently. EX-E M PER OR CH A RLES. 'ROME, August 7. The Italian Government lias granted ex-Emperor Charles (of Austria) permission to live in Italy. Charles will take up his residence at Viareggie. on the Gulf of Genoa, where he has bought a magnificent villa. V A NG-TSE HIST UR B ANCES. LONDON, Aug. 8. Chinese advices state that the notorious General, Hsu Shucheu, the leading spirit in the recent Yank-tse distnrbaiiees, escaped from Peking when defeated. He took refuge with other leaders im the Japanese Legation at Peking. The Chinese Government condemned the traitor to death and established a military cordon around the Legation. Hsu was smuggled through the cordon in a trunk as officers’ Igg- - age, and reached Japan, whence lie returned to China and recommenced depredations. OBSOLETE WARSHIPS. (Received This Dav at 8.30 ami.) LONDON, Aug. 8. Sim-e the armistice the Admiralty avc condemned more than 530 warships including 38 battleships, two battle cruisers, 87 cruisers, 300 destroyers. and 10(1 submarines. COAL OUTPUT. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. S The " Daily Chronicle’s” Cardiff correspondent states the coal output has outstripped the demand and a heavy slump in values is feared and will result in the closure of many mines. Last week steam coal fell to £2 per ton and a fall to 30s is pending. Fifty thousand are already idled. As a re.t of the coal strike, it is feared many thousands will join them, but it is hoped the reduction in price will enable Welsh exporters to recover the South American market. A JAP DENIAL. (Received This Day at 9.40 a.m.) TOKIO, Aug. 8. Count Mara, interviewed, denied the statements credited to him that Japan was determined that such a question as Yap and Shantung should he excluded from the Washington discussions, or that Japan expected a preliminary conference. Hara said all we ask was indicated in our note of 26th July, wherein we stated we deemed itadvisalde that an agenda lie arranged before the Conference was convened. Beyond that, we were quite willing to accept Mr Harding’s'invitation for whatever time and place he names.

SOF'I’ GOODS TRADE. (Received This Day at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 8. A sensation has been caused in the soft goods trade by Rylands and Sons, Ltd., announcing a loss of £1,263,315 for the half year ending June, owing to the unprecedented fall in the values of the stock in trade and losses under heavy contracts, all of which have been cleared or provided for. The company is claiming from tile Treasury, repayment of £1,200,945 excess profits duty, which will reduce the actual loss to £62,370. The directors propose to withdraw a quarter of a million from the reserve and pay tt five per cent dividend.

CA R RENTIER’S FUTURE. (Received This Day at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 8. There is considerable discussion regarding Carpentier’s future plans. There is some talk that' he wilTfight in London, possibly George Cook or Moran.