BRITISH AND FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 July 1922, Page 2

BRITISH AND FOREIGN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. HAGUE CONFERENCE, i HAGUE, July 18. As a. result of a letter from Litvinoff to the President of the Conference, the Sub-Committee on private property will meet the Russians on the 18th to discuss the possibility of finding a basis for a continuance of negotiations.

FRISCO MAILS. , - , SAN FRANCISCO, July IY. While the vice-president, Mr Samuels of the Oceanic Steamship Company is not reachable, his office states that the situation in connection with tha United States mail contract remains unchanged. No action has l>een taken.

SIBERIAN FISHERIES. TOKIO, July 17

The Foreign Office is inquiring into an incident on the Siberian fishing grounds where rival Japanese and Russian fisherman were operating under the protection of their respective warships. It is stated a Russian cruiser seized the output of a Japanese cannery at the mouth of the Suverta river and compelled the canncrs to suspend eperations. The Japanese officials are investigating with a view to lodging a protest if they find that the canners were acting within their rights.

SOVIET CLEMENCY. PARIS, July 17. Be Matins’ Berlin correspondent learns that the Bolsheviks, in order to keep faith with the Socialist conference <-f the Three Internationals, will probably pardon the social revolutionaries recently tried. . , If, is believed, however, that the Soviet dictators instead are secretly organising a lynching of the revolutionaries by an infuriated mob.

1! ' VFLOCK WILSON’S CANDOUR. LONDON, July 17. Mr Havelock Wilson (Secretary of the National Seamen’s Union) made a «p- cell at the trial trip of the Aberdeen liner Diogenes. Mr Havelock Wilson recalled his own sailonng experiences on the Australian Coast when he was a voting man. He said he recorded the Aberdeen Liners’ employees’ prolonged periods of continuous service as an evidence of amicable relations. He deprecated extremist proposals to destroy the capitalist system. He would prefer, he said, to see every worker become a capitalist. He ridiculed. however, the suggested participation l>y the employees in the management of ships. He said he would gladly allow the owners to have the full responsibility in the anxieties of management. All he asked was that the employees should have a fair slime in the profits.

TRAFFIC IN WOMEN. LONDON, July 18. The Council of the League of Nations, at a meeting in London, considered the Committee’s report on the suppression of the traffic in women, and—children, and decided that, in order to increase its authority and powers, representatives of Germany and the United States should he added to the Com,„iltce. Both powers are asked to nominate representatives.

JAPANESE NAVY. TOKIO, July 1<

A movement has been started to save the battleship Makasa (after she has been disarmed) from the scrap heap, to which she was doomed under the Washington Treaty. The movement is grounded on Sentiment, the Makasa having been Adnniv al Togo’s battleship m the battle the Sea of Japan, and is regarded by the Japanese as comparable to -Nelson’s “Victory. 1 h

CRIME IN DENMARK. COPENHAGEN, July 1.

As a result of an increase in serious crime, particularly against clnldreii, a special committee is drawing up a new penal law, which recommends a retention of capital punishment by using the guillotine instead of the axe, which has been employed from time immemorial.

INTERDICT BY POPE. GENOA, July I<A Papal decree has been issued pn> libitum - the reading of M. Aanatolc Franco’s hooks. It was announced in the Roman Catholic Churches in Switzerland. It has merely produced a frantic rush for M. France’s books, and the booksellers are unable to execute orders.

1 ONDON COUNTY’S NEW HALL. LONDON, July 17. The King opened the New London County Council Hall on the south side of Westminister Bridge. It cost four millions sterling, and is in New London.

THE NEXT WAR. PARIS, July-17. Kioto, speaking at Amiens, declared that if war broke out again it would be fought in the air. England would not gain any protection from the Channel.

AIRCRAFT AND WARSHIPS. LONDON, July 17 The “Daily Express” states:—“Although great secrecy has been preserv- - ed regarding the experimental aircraft attack on warships that was carried out during the King’s visit to the Fleet recently, it is understood that the aircraft registered a surprisingly large number of hits, and would have escaped practically unscatched. The Fleet had orders to prepare for an attack from the air at the time, and to * show the least possible _ target, ami surrounded themselves with, warships altered their course in order to present the smoke screens, yet within ninety seconds of their first appeaiance.' the' aircraft had discharged their torpedoes at short range, and escaped, after their having secured many hits recorded on vital spots. The attack was - carried out twenty miles from the coast. It is understood the aircrafts’ success in mimic warfare has pyofundly impressed the Air Ministry, which is planning a further special trial flight of seaplanes in the nea-gfr.--future.” The “Daily Express” adds:— ihe results open up possibilities of first rate "*'■ importance to an island nation, dependent upon its sea power.” It demands accurate official information regarding the measures that are being taken to secure the national security in the light of the new situation.