BRITISH AND FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 April 1922, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN ITEMS.

i.BY TELEGRAPH—fER PRESS ASSOCIATION!

ARMSTRONG’S TRIAL. LONDON, April 4. In the poisoning ease. Armstrong’s trial lias commenced. . Justice Darling pointed out that the evidence connecting Armstrong with tlie sending of the poisoned chocolates was very slight. The grand jury, accordingly rejected this count. The prosecution are calling -36 witnesses’ and the defence cass 12. THierc are indications that the defence will suggest that Mrs Armstrong committed suicide. ’l'hey will not deny that her death was due to arsenic, hut will contend that Armstrong was not responsible. TIPTON EXPLOSION SUFFERERS.

REUTER’S TELEGRAMS,

(Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, April 4. Reverend Mortimer, the Kew vicar of Tipton, in whose parisli the Dudley explosion occurred, gave a square foot of his skin for grafting on the bodies of four survivors still in hospital. It is possible, that owing to the extent of the sufferers’ burns, others may be asked to make a similar sacrifice. NATIVE OUTBREAK.

LONDON, April 4. Advices from Nairobi state the trial of natives concerned in the recent outbreak resulted in 37 convictions. The sentences range from three months to fwo years rigorous imprisonment.

BOLSHEVIK FINANCE. {Received This Day at 9.40 a.m.) PARIS, April 4. The newspaper “La Presse” states that in order to obtain funds, Bolsheviks are arranging to sell treasures in the Academy of Fine Arts, Alexander Museum and other collections. A RELIGIOUS CLASH. 'Received This Dnv at 9.40 am ) PARTS, April 4. Advices from Petrograd report a series of collisions occurred in Petrograd between the populace and Bolsheviks militia in consequence ol the Bolsheviks attempt to confiscate church treasures. FIRES IN PETROGRAD. HELSINGFORS, Apiil 3. A series of fires broke our in Retrograd. Railway stations, bank premises and harbour buildings are involved. The Bolshevik newspapers, attributed the outbreaks to incendiarism by social revolutionaries. j

SIBERIAN CLASH

'Received This Day at 9.40 a m >

TOKIO, April 3

Despatches from Japanese correspondents in Siberia report frequent minor clashes between Chita Reds md -Japanese, with the latter avoiding aggiessions even to the extent of withdrawals before the Red advance. The Rods ate pressing forward on both wings and almost envelope the Japanese garrison at Spasknya, which Japanese civilians are evacuating. Reds advanced to within four miles of Spaskavn, exchanging shots with Japanese outposts, who withdrew. Japanese garrisons in the vicinity of Hnrbarovsk were ordered to withdraw. This will be difficult for some detachments, which will probably , have to enter Chinese terii'uu v. In ; view of the uneasiness felt by Japanese residents and Russian whites, the Ja-, panese command has issued a com-j munique stating that the witlidi aw a - • of advanced posts is not forced by * h j Reds, but is carried out in pursuance of a policy of avoiding open hostility, as long as possible, in the hope of an eventual amicable understanding. (

obituary. LONDON, April 4. Obituary.-gir John Kirk, of the Ragged School Union. LABOR CONFERENCE. Received This Day at 12.25 p.m.) BERLIN, April 4. A conference between representatives of the three internationals, with a view to e«llmg on International Labour Conference early got to loggerheads, over a demand by Vnnderyeld (a delegate), that guaruitee be required of the Bolsheviks. Upon this R«dek replied tauntingly, and Vaudervelcl said it appeared to lie hopeless trying to br.ng about a united proletariat front. Ramsay ATacDonald requested time to consider Radek's further suggestion -o secure co-opera-tion between iiitvinationals, but the Conference is likely to be resultless.

JAPAN AND CHITA

ItKUTKJt’B AMS.

(Received This Day at 9.5 a.m.) TOKIO, April 3. )

The Japanese commands communique added, that in the event of future developments forcing the Japanese army to demonstrate a display oi efficiency, it would not hesitate to take the drastic step. The Japanese command also despatched a. note to the Chita Government, demanding the immediate disarming of the invading Reds, or their prompt withdrawal, on Chita’s initiative. The correspondent of “Asahi Shimbnn,” says Chita is unlikely to obey, even courting the risk of defeat of* her armies, which will he used to demonstrate and support the charge that Japan is nggressivel vambitious. Chita hopes thus to create American and European suspicions regarding Japan.

AN EARL’S DEATH. .'Received This Dav at 9.5 a.m.) CAPETOWN, April 4. Obituary.-Earl of St Germans, at Johannesburg. AMERICA’S MERCANTILE. FLEET.

"Received This Day at 12.25 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 4. Mr Lasker, Chairman of United States Shipping Board, told the House Committee the United States was at the point of bankruptcy as a merchant marine power. The country can sav e th e merchant fleet by a direct subsidy or indirect aid, at a cost of forty million dollars yearly.