BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1922, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

ITTSTIIALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. ITALIAN POLITICS ROME March 2. The new Italian Ministry is already faced with the difficulty of harmonising the conflicting views of the Democrates and the Catholic Parties. Signor Nitti’s organs are supporting the Catholic Party. Signor Facta has intimated his intention to preside at the Genoa Conference and then return to Rome. SECRET DIPLOMACY. I WASHINGTON, March 3. Senator Hitchcock, addressing the Senate, attacked the Four-Power Paci- j fic Treaty, declaring that unless it were amended, and satisfactory reservations madq he would vote against its rati-

fication. _ i Senator Hitchcock, who was the j leader of the fight for thq League of , Nations Covenant, said the Pacific Treaty was not included in the Con- 1 ferenee call or agenda., and it was negotiated secretly. Not even Senator j Lodge or Senator Underwood were able j to enlighten the Senate. He was shocked to learn that even President Harding did not understand the Treaty, j or know of the secret agreement be- | twleen the negotiators concerning its • meaning. I NEW YORK BROKERS FAILURE, j NEW YORK, March 2. I Four more brokerage firms have col- J lapsed, making 28 failures since Febru- |

***r "—j * «=» ary Ist. THE RAYMOND CASE. LONDON, March 2. | A cousin of Eric Raymond (whose j disappearance was cabled on January 10th), co-operating with' Australia | House, visited Cardiff and Scotland, ; and interviewed several of Raymond’s fellow passengers. He is inclined to agree with Scotland Yard that the suspicions of foul play are without foundation. GENERAL WE ANGEL. : LONDON, March 2 The “Daily News” states General | Wrangel bus arrived from Constantinople. A movement is afoot to form an army from Rusian refugees in Serbia. \ Tlie organisers arc confident they can J obtain an international loan. I

LABOR CONGRESS. LONDON, March 3

The national joint council representing the Trade Union Congress, Labour Party and Parliamentary Party, lias appointed a committee to considei causes impeding the maximum production of industries from the standpoint of interests of the communty. Also to advise a labour policy for industries to which nationalisation could not at present ho applied.

REFORMS PROMISED. LONDON, March 3

The Ministry of Pensions announces lie is prepared to reduce his estimates three million below what Sir E. Gcddes suggested. This will not touch pensions, but be a result of administrative reforms.

GERMANY PAYS. PARIS, March 3

Germany has paid the fifth instalment of reparations amounting to thirty-one million gold marks.

GENOA CONFERENCE. WASHINGTON, March 2. Italy lm s officially informed the United States that the Genoa Conference has been postponed

THE CHINESE STRIKE. HONG KONG, March 2

The transport workers' strike m China is spreading, and a general stoppage of organised Chinese labour is feared.

Many Americans are acting a s ‘‘special constables. The authorities arc taking energetic measures to prevent t<*t spread of Bolshevist propaganda ! Vl - m Canton, whence the strike is being largely directed. EGYPTIANS NOT SATISFIED. CAIRO, March 2. Snnvat Pasha has formed a Ministry, following upon Allenbv’s return; but the announcement of the new British policy has resulted in a demonstration in the “extremist’s” districts of Cairo, in which the native military forces arrested twenty-nine persons. The situation has lieoome a struggle between the Ministerialists and the extremists. The former are optimistic as to their ability to control the situation. They propose immediately to draft a constitution, and arrange for an early election of a politically Supreme Legislative Council- Sarwat Pasha has appealed for the co-opera-tion of the best elements, in order to establish a united independent Egypt.

THE WHEAT CORNER. LONDON, March 2

The “Daily Chronicle” states that : while rumours are still afloat as to the attempted wheat corner, inquiries show tiiat recent increases in wheat prices arc duo to increased Continental demand, and the fact that owing to the bumper crops, the world-wide prices slumped, hut too rapidly and too low with the result that the pendulum has now swung in the other direction. PROHIBITION MOVEMENT. BERLIN, March 2. The Brewers have formed a powerful league with almost unlimited capital, to combat a prohibition movement, which iia s latterly made much progress. The brewers are seeking the co-opera-t;ion of the agricultural and antiProhibitionists in other countries.

GERMAN LOSSES. PARIS, March 3

German documents state Germany lost during the war 199 submarines with 370 officers and five thousand others. Thirty Zeppelins with thirty-six officer? and six hundred men. Eight Zeppelins were destroyed in England, three in France, five in the North Sea, two in the Baltic and others in Germany and neutral countries. A WEDDING. LONDON, March 3. Mr Hilton Young was married to Lady Scott, the explorer's widow in the crypt chapel of the House of Commons. Mr Chnmh®rUin gave awaj: tfa bride,