BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1921, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION AUSPICIOUS OCCASION. THE KING’S MESSAGE. LONDON, October 17.

The King in a message to President Harding says: ‘I wish to express to your Congress and to the people of the United States the warn appreciation of this country fill- the tribute von are paving our unknown warrior. Your ..rift .if a medal of honour to a British” cimrnde in arms was a gesture of friendly sympathy and goodwill which' we shall not forget. On Armistice Day the British representatives in Wuslrington will join you m „ ceremony to he hold in honour of the splendid record of your troops oreatlv wish on that occasion to confer upon your unknown warrior our Id 1 -best dlocoration Bar valour, tie Victoria Cross which never previously Ins lieen bestowed upon the subject of another State. I also send my heartfelt mod wishes for the great Intelnational Conference which will open on that day, through your wise initiative.”

UNKNOWN WARRIOR decorated. The Duke of Connaught presided at «n official dinner to General Pershing to-night. He announced that the King had conferred a Victoria Cross on the American unknown warrior.

DISARMING GERMANY. WASHINGTON, Oct. 17. Bv a vote of 71 to 7, the Senate rejected an amendment to the German Peai'e Treaty offered hv Senator Walsh. Thu amendment, proposed to pledge the United States to protect Germany from foreign invasion if she is completely disarmed by the Allies ip compliance \vth the provisions of their Versailles Treaty. armament conference. LONDON, Oct. 17. Mr I.levd George, Mr Balfour, and lord Leo (Navy Department) will represent Britain irt the Washington Conference A fourth delegate may be nominated, because Mr Lloyd George cannot remain more than 21 days.

CHINA LOAN. LONDON, Oct. 18. The London “Daily News” Paris correspondent' reports that a hitch has oe_ ciined in the' negotiations regarding a • Chinese loan of 500,00.000 francs, because while the Chinese wish to spend moiiev oil locomotives, certain Paris interests are making it a condition that the money -hall he expended in placing orders for war material, *J which the Pekin authorities object. JAPAN AND CHINA. TOKIO, Oct. 17. The Foreign Office communicated with tho Minister Obata at Pekin, instructing him to invite the Chinese G«vernmeit* to reconsider its rejection of Japan’s Shantung proposals. According to a reliable source, the Japanese Note points out that China’s reply is open to some criticism on the basis of international etiquette regarding Treaty rights.

BRITISH COAL OWNERS. LONDON, Oct. 18. Mr Smith, President of the Yorkshire Minors’ Union, speaking at the Labour Congress, stated that 12,000 Yorkshire miners are now unemployed, while the majority 'of those who are employed are only working short time. Certain owners, lie said, were seeking to break their agreements, and were attempting to reduce tbe tonnage rates. He alleged that one colliery gave notice to a number of men for refusing to accept merely ss. per day wnifes. WELSH eOAL OWNERS. LONDON, Oct, 18. Mr V. Hartshorn, Member of the House of Commons, speaking at the coal miners’ meeting at Aberdal, declared that tho South Wales owners are guilty of dishonourable conduct in seeking to upset tho wages award made after the recent strike.

NEARLY DROWNED. LONDON. October 17. Madame Rosittn Buckman, the New Zealand singer, was boating at Saltburn. and had a narrow escape. She was with her husband, Maurice Doisley in a boat, which overturned. Doisley and another man saved Madame Buckman with difficulty. LONDON JEWEL ROBBERIES. LONDON, October 17. lining tbe absence of the Rajah of Pudukota in Paris, London thieves entered his Hat in Park Lane and stole jewellery and furs valued at £5,000. They aim adorn'd the attempt to force a safe with an oxy-aoeton blowpipe.

VICTORIAN BORROWING. LONDON, October 17. The Yictoiiian State Government have definitely declined both the American loan offers. MAN REGAINS HIS VOICE. LONDON. October 17. Thomas Lockham a timber worker, while! attending a Northern Union football match at Hall, suddenly recovered his voice, after lie bad been dumb for six years. A goal was sco'rcd a the last minute and Lockham shouted ‘‘Good!’’ Then lie rushed home to tell his wife that he could talk again. CRICKETER OR, STATESMAN. LONDON. October 17. Mr C. B. Fry accompanies th ( . Maharaja of Patiala to India to study at first hand problems in connection with his work with the Indian Delegation at the League of Nations. He may play cricket there. GEDDES GETS OUT. LONDON. October 17. It is officially announced that Sir Erie Geddes has resigned from control of the Transport Ministry, which hu lu\s long been exercising since war time