BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1922, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. MARK PRICE. LONDON, August 26. The prospects of a settlement had a steadying effect on the mark which opened to-day at 9,000 and closed at 7,500. FRENCH BATTLESHIP SINKS. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, August 26. The battleship France was returning from manoeuvres when she struck a rock off Quiberon "Bay arid sank in eleven fathoms. Three lives are reported lost. BUSH FIRES. PARIS, August 26. Great fires have started in the communal forests of Pierrefeu near Toulon, and have spread to Collobrieres where much private and public property was destroyed. Seventy square miles of country is affected so far. The losses are estimated at millions sterling.

THE THUNDERER. ITS FUTURE OWNERS. " (Received. this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, August 26. Mr Garvin, writing in the “Observer” on the future ownership of the “Times” states there are many aspirants to succeed Lord Northcliffe as tho chief proprietor. The keenest competition is expected. The aspirants mentioned, include Sir John Elliman, now the second largest shareholder, Lord Rothmcre of Beaverbrook, owner of tbe “Daily Express”, Sir Mackay Edgar owner of the “Saturday Review”, Sir William Berry, who with his brother purchased the “Sunday Times”, ‘Graphic” and Cassells Publishing business. Mr Garvin states Mr Lloyd George and wealthy friends, including Berry will make desperate efforts to secure the ‘Times” but considers Lord Northcliffe took steps in his will to prevent the paper falling into such hands. He estimates Lord directly and indirectly paid nine hundred thousand sterling to get control of tbe “Times” and the proprietorship cost him from first to last £2,500,000. _ Mr Garvin reveals that Lord Northcliffe once intended and discussed with him framing his will something like Mr Cecil Rhodes, under which the “Times” would be endowed permanently as a national organ, above all petty influences, and an impartial reeordor of tbe world’s events and would become Lord Northcliffe’s own great monument for ever. In latter years, Lord Northcliffe’s attitude on he matter changed, but ho retained the intention of dominating tho future of tho “Times” by his will. This would involve an enormous expense. It remains to be seen when the contents of tfhe will are dtsclosed. whether he attempted to carry out such a plan.

RACER BREAKS DOWN. LONDON. August" 27. Tamar has broken down and will not run in the St. Leger.

LABOUR CONFERENCE. LONDON. August 26. In response to the Trades Unions appeal representatives of British labour, French and Dutch Socialists have arrived to confer with German labour leaders.

LORD NORTH CLIFFE’S WILL. LONDON, Aug. 27. “News of the World” states three caveats have been entered by interested parties against the grant of probate in Lord Nortbdiffe’s estate. Lord Nortlicliffe made a will in March 1910, and added four codicils. He named George Sutton (a business colleague), and Henry Artholz, a solicitor and old friend, as executors. Lord Northeliffe executed another will shortly before bis death, wherein Lady Northeliffe is appointed solo executrix. Lady Northeliffe is believed to ,be the chief bo nebcin ry under both wills, bnt otherwise they differ considerably. A writ'of summons lias been issued to determine which will shall lie admitted to probate. The first will is being propounded on the ground that the testator was of unsound mind when the second one was executed. LLOYD GEORGE’S ROOK.

(Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 27

The “Sunday Times” which is owned by the firm that purchased the English serial hook rights of Hon Lloyd George’s book, states his decision to give the whole profits to charities is entirely free from any ad captandum intent, or to meet the uccrimonious criticism, which the announcement ol the publication evoked in certain quarters. The simple fact is that in th" course of writing the hook, Hon Lloyd George has been so. distressed by the poignancy of the story that he has to telf, by the terrible sacrifice of the nation’s lifeblood involved in the struggle, that the idea of any personal gain in the matter lieeame impossible. He felt lie would despise himself, if lie allowed himself to think of the book in such terms. The story of the nation's sacrifice shall only lie told for the nation’s gain, PROFITS FOR CHARITY. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Aug 26.

It is announced that the whole profits of Hon Lloyd George’s hook will be devoted to charities connected with the relief of suffering caused by the tvar. . * FRANCE AND GERMANY. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, Aug 26. Sir K. Bradbury interviewed said : “] am satisfied the German Government is making great efforts to meet the views of the French Government ns far as the actual situation of Germany will permit. T am strongly of opinion that the Frencli Government is doing its best to meet the German Government half-way.” EX-KAISER TO MARRY. LONDON, Aug. 26. The ex-Kaiser is reported to he en gaged to marry a widow, a high !>on German herself, almost of Royal rank the mother of three children wit! whom she recently visited the exile ii Holland. It is expected the marriagi will be celebrated during the next fev | months. It is pointed out this is no : the lady to whom the ex-Kaisey wn : previously reported as engaged. I KEMALTSTS AND BULGARIA, i CONSTANTINOPLE, Aug 27. ! It is reported that Kemalists hav. started an offensive at Rommkeuv A Bulgarian mission has arrived a Tnebolare and it is believed will short ly sign a military treaty with the l\c malists, giving Bulgaria an outlet t the Aegean Sea,

DECEASED’S ESTATES. (Received this day at. 8.30 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, Aug 26. The Soviet Government is issuing a decree fixing 'the maximum inheritance und era will at ten thousand gold roubles, tho remainder to go to the State. INSURANCE POLICIES. Received this day at 8.30 a.m.! LONDON, Aug 26. Poll . ing the Lochmaree poisonings Lloyds Underwriters are issuing policies protecting hotel-keepers and restaurant keepers against deaths from food supplied.

A POISONING CASE. (Received this day at 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 26. Medico! investigation established that the Lochmaree poisonings were due to botulism. A provisional report says the bacillus of botulus itself is comparatively harmless. It likes, pioteids and dislikes oxygen. Therefore j tinned goods accidentally inoculated form an ideal medium in which the j germ breeds and may die. Mean-j time it generated toxins which affect , tho nerves of the consumer and causes nausea, weakness, double vision and j dilated pupils. The Medical Research Council is specially inVestiga- j ting the subject. The Bristol report reassuringly at th'e end comments on the rarety of cases. j PLIGHT ABANDONED. j (Received this day at 11.30 a.m.) DELHI, Aug 26. The aviators are expected to remain in hospital for a week The misfortune entails the abandonment ot the flight,. Blake and thel other two aviators hope to return to England in a fortnight. jjrlhl, Aug 26. The rescued aviators are in Chittagong hospital, progressing favourably.

RUSSIAN TURKESTAN. (Received this day at 11.30 a.m.) DELHI, August 2i. The situation in Russian Turkestan is still obscure, but the evidence shows the Bolsheviks have largely recovered tile ascendancy. Reliable nows from Bokhara confirms the death in action of Enver Pasha. The body was recovered by Russian forces. A report from K ash gale states Bolsheviks requested Chinese Turkestan authorities to receive a delegation with a view to framing a treaty. The request was referred to Urumchi, the headquarters of Hisquang Government. A materialisation of the treaty is doubtful, owing to the antipathy of Turkoman Chinese officials. For fifteen days telegraphic com. munication with Kabul was stopped i owing to a wireless breakdown. It was j most unfortunate as owing to the ah- • scncc of a landline, the British and , Italian missions are isolated. !

GERMAN OFFERS. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) (PARIS, August 26. Sir P. Bradbury and M. Mauclore Uav o returned with fresh proposals under which the German Government guarantee to supply timber and coal to France and Belgium, if a moratorium is granted. The proposals are backed by leading industrialists undertaking deliveries and miners agreeing to work an extra six hours nor week to increase the output. BERLIN, August 26. The press claims that Germany has done its best to arrive at an understanding. She requires a long breathing space in order to overcome the present crisis.