BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 March 1922, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

MOUNT EVEREST EXPEDITION

" THE TIMES ” SERVICE

«P.eceived Thip Day at 11.30 a.m.) LjONDON, March 28. Mr Bruce, leader of the'Mount Everest Expedition, telegrnphing from Darjeeling, states the entire party of twelve is expected to leave for Thibet on 26th. The expedition is thus considerably stronger than in 1921. A stronger party of British mountaineers has never before been anticipated. In this exploration, success depends on transport. The hillsmen have responded splendidly to the call for porters. They underwent severe hardships in 1921, yet they are keenly competing for inclusion. Owing to the size of the party and th e proved magnitude of the undertaking, it is far heavier than the one in 1921. It is hoped that the whole expedition will assemble at Pharidong on Gth. April, ready to enter Thibet, though the. Western Himalayas have now probably ten feet of snow, practically preventing transport. Before the beginning of May the road to Thibet over this part of the western Himalayas across Telapha, lies open to animal transport d‘u,ri.;ng the whole of 'the winter. Many mules bring wool from Thibet to Bengal early in spring, returning comparatively loadless, and thus the expedition will he able to engage the empty mules.

TREATY RATIFIED. WASHINGTON, March 29

The Senate ratified the submarine ajid poison gas treaty by seventy-one to nil.

IN THE FAR EAST

Received This Day at 12.25 p.m.) TDK TO, March 29

Advices from Vladivostock state that with the Dairen Conference there is again a deadlock, and serious situation is arising in the maritime province. Ihe Beds are demanding the right to pursue the White army into the railway zone established hv the Japanese. A brush is reported at Grodekovo in which a Japanese force, engaged at manoeuvres, was attacked by a Chita detachment. Three hundred Japanese replied, killing 30 and suffering three casualties. The light lasted an hour. Another clash is reported from Evgeiiiluka, but no details are available. The Foreign Minister, Mr Jan son, at Chita, sent a note to the Japanese commander stating that whereas Japanese are assisting the. Whites, the military agreement respecting the neutral zone is violated and abrogated. Therefore, the Reds propose marching on the zone. The I ladivistoek Japanese have referred the matter to Tokio, not desiring to assume the responsibility to precipitate a wai. Meanwhile, the Japauc-e commanders have notified the Chita Govern':.out that a Bed advance will he resisted, pending the Tokio negotiations. The Chita note savs: “Whereas a commercial agreement will soon he signed at Daiien, they expect the Japanese not to object to a Red campaign in the zone, hut will support and facilitate the operations of the Chita army.