BRITISH AND FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1922, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] AI

LENIN’S ILLNESS. 'BERLIN, March 21

In connection with the departure of Professor Klomperor to attend Renin, a local Russian newspaper states Lenin has been ill at intervals for a long time partly as the result of a wound inflicted by a would-be assassin. Recently he lias become much worse.

BIRTH CONTROL (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) TON 10, March-21

Mrs Sangers’ stay in Tokio cabled on Feb. 18th, has been uneventful. She is obeying strictly all the police regulations. She is now resting at Nikko and intends to visit Osaka and Kyoto, where she will address a doctors’ meeting on birth control. The press continues to deride the Government’s attitude

G ERM A N ENTER PR ISE

BERLIN, March 21

Seven German air transport companies flew 1,650,000 kilometres during 1921. They carried 6,820 passengers. The fares approximately were equal to those for first class railway travelling. The German aerial travel system iii 1922 will be more extensive than that of any other country, hut it is regre*ted that it is still impossible to link up with the services of Allied countries.

SECRET TREATIES TOKIO, March 21 It is announced that Japan will not take formal cognisance of the charges made by the representatives of the Chita (Siberian) Government that Joffre negotiated a Franco-Japanesc agreement. regarding Siberia A high Japanese official declared that the Government feels these charges are too ridiculous to he -dignified with a denial Washington, March 21 White House emphatically denies that the United States has entered into a secret understanding with any country. President Harding says lie believes it would have been the height of perfidy for the United States to invite Japana to Washington and then betray her confidence by making a secret agreement with England.

NEAR EAST CONFERENCE. (Received This Dav at £*. In a.m.v PARTS, March 22. The Near Eastern Conference has opened at Quai Dorsay. Broadly speaking the French desire the remodelling of the Sevres Treaty, the withdrawal of Greeks from Asia Minor and restoration of sufficient territory in Thrace to enable Turkey to properly protect Constantinople. France also regards the Angora Government as more representative of real Turkish aspirations. The British view inclines in favour of the Greeks, who desire to have Boullon Treaty repudiated. In view of M. Poiiicaire’s adverse criticism of the Treaty last year he may agree to some modification.

GERMANY'S INTENTIONS. PARIS, March 22. A telegram from Berlin states Herr Wirtli does not intend to attend the Genoa Conference unless M. Poincaire and Hon. Lloyd George take part. Germany’s delegation will number sixty, including Hermes (Minister of Finance).

NOT TRUSTWORTHY. CAIRO, March 21. The Egyptian native soldiers who were' assisting police applauded a procession of demonstrators. This incident is regarded seriously It is creating the impression that thv Egyptian soldiery are untrustworthy. The soldiers have therefore been withdrawn and replaced by native police.

IION. CHURCHILL’S PROMISE. LONDON. March 21. Rt. Hon. Mr Churchill (Minister pf War), in the House of Commons, replying to a question, said that tli* general condition of Ulster boundary was one of most serious tension. The liaison officers, on both sides ot P, were not functioning as they should do. He added: Overwhelming tnrees would be made available for t ! *o Northern Government if they wanted them tor the defence or maintenance of law and order. The conditions in Belfast hity, he said, were lamentable. Mr Churchill added that he had telegraphed to the Free State that there is really no danger of a raid from Ulster on Southern Ireland.

JAPAN’S ARMY

fßeceived This Dav at 12.25 p.mA TOKYO, March 22. The leaders have announced that the fight for a heavy reduction of the Japanese army has been abandoned in the Diet, until the summer session. Meantime small reductions in the Army will l>e made in accordance with the Mar Do pa rtm on t’ s promises.

COLOMBO’S LOYALTY. - (Received This Day at I.'> P-m.) DELHI, March 22. The demonstrative loyalty of Coloinho was again shown this morning, when the Prince of Wales inspected the island infantry and presented colours in the broiling heat. When the ceremony was over, thousands of Ceylonese rushed eagerly around him cheering wildly. When his car drove off to Queen’s House, the crowd ran after it still cheering for the King and Prince, and waving Union Jacks. There were t’.e same signs of uuiversal loyalty last nisrht when the streets were packed with a. slow moving procession of spectators afoot, who crowded over into the motor cars, rickshaws and carts surging round the Queen’s House with then fkires and cries for the Prone.