BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1922, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION 1 1 CHINESE CIVIL WAR. TOKIO, May 3. The ,ex-Premier of China, liang-Shi-Yi and the ex-Minister of Communistions, Yoh-Kung-Sho, have reached Kobe, and have asked a refuse tnere. INJURY TO PRINCE. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) MANILLA, 3tay 13. The Prince of Wales has arrived and was enthusiastically welcomed. He was unable to attend a. dinner and reception at night as he met with a slight accident playing polo. He was struck by a. ball, which slightly bmised and cut his left cheek. He returned to H. 31.5. Renown, where lie was able to dine as usual after the wound was dressed. He will probably be able to fulfil to-morrow’s informal programme. His injury is not causing the slightest anxiety. COLLINS’S ASSURANCE TO PROTESTANTS. LONDON, May Id A deputation from the Protestant Synod of Ireland waited on 3lr Michnu Collins. 'They asked if the Irish Pio visional Government desired to ref the Protestants of Southern Ireland, or wanted them to go. Mr Co’lins assured the deputation that the Gov ment did not wish them to go. The Government would protect all its citizens and would ensure to all civil and r- - ligious liberty. He said thnt eitner spoilalion or confiscation would not be tolerated.

COALITION POLICY. LONDON, M\> 13. lii the House of Commons, Mr Austen Chamberlain, referring to the Gorernment’s policy, claimed that Mi Lloyd George had done his utmost to cake further steps towards restoring the peace of Europe and rehabilitating its economic position. In Ireland, lie said, the British Government, sup jorted by the vast majority of the Bouse of Commons, had tried to make peace on the most generous terms that were compatible with the British Crown’s sovereign.; ty there nnd the Empire’s unity He clnimed that from the date of the signature of the treaty, the British Govern-| incut had stood loyally thereby r.nd had interpreted it patiently and generously in the interests of Ireland. The tin:-.-had now come when they inigh expect the Irish signatories, not onlv to show good faith, but show power in onrr ng out the treaty. It was urgent that the Provisional Government must actively, resolutely, and at all costs, protect their citizens. I !

KING IN FRANCE. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, May 15 The King in bis message added : —A generation of our manhood offered itself witluiui question, almost without need, in answer to the summons. We may truly say the whole circuit of the earth is girdled with the graves of our dead. .

The King’s visit to Etaplcs Cemetery, where are ten thousand British graves, was marked by a touching incident. A letter from an English woman was handed to the King in which the writer begged tlie Queen to place forgetmenots on the grave i.f her son. The King, in the absence of the Queen reverently hore the flowers to the graveside, knelt down, placed them at the foot of the tomb, and gave instructions that the flowers he specially tended nnd left undisturbed. The King was received at the cn--1 ranee of the cemetery by Sir James Allen Hogbcn and others. LONDON, May 13

Tie King and Queen have returned to London? They were enthusiastically welcomed bv crowds, during tbe drive to Buckingham Palace. PARKS, 31 ay 14. France is deeply moved by the King’s noble- wolds at Terlingshun, especially the following quotation: In this fair land of France which sustain, ed with the utmost fury, the long strife, our brothers are numbered by hundreds of thousands, and they "ill be in the keeping of tried generous, friends and resolute chivalrous -com rndes in arms, who with ready, quick sympathy have set aside for ever, the soil in which they sleep so that we and our descendants may for all time reverently tend and preserve their resting places. I have many times asked myself in the course of niy pilgrimage, whether there can be more potent ad voc.ates peace upon the earth, through the vears to come, than this massed multitude of silent witnesses to the desolation of war.”

The whole press pays a warm tribute to the King’s speech. 3lany newspapers pointedly differentiate between the speech and 31r Lloyd George’s attitude towards France at Genoa contending Mr Lloyd George does not represent English feeling. The “Figaro” states there issued from every sentence of the King’s speech, a 1 high emotion. Who knows but the old hatred which separated France and England lie buried in the graves of her heroes, that even the monstrous efforts of politicians will fail to reawaken them. The “Republiqtie Francnis” states the King’s pious pilgrimage comes opportunely to remind the exasperated French.

The “3lntin” says, Lloyd George is England’s Rappel, and suggests some kind friend should translate the King’s Speech into English for the benefit of Lloyd George.

31. Millerand, replying to the King’s message on the eve of his departure at Boulogne, expressing the Empire’s gratitude to France for the generous gift of ground for cemeteries, hallowed by the memories of common sorrows and glories, states France will never forget the sublime sacrifice of British soldiers, who fell by the side of French soldiers in the course of the terrible, glorious struggle against unjust aggression. The memory of the heroes of the British Army will forever remain piously honoured in the lnnd where they fought so magnificently. Together with the French nation, and Government I join in homage to Your Majesty tribute to the glorious British and French soldiers who forever united in gratitude and admiration of the two countries.

J. P. MORGAN SAILS. NEW YORK, May 13

J. P. Morgan Ims sailed for Europe to confer with hankers regarding an Jnternnfionstl Rernien I°?TL