AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1922, Page 3

AMERICAN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND H.Zi CABLE ASSOCIATION. U.S.A. .FACTSTI. NEAV YORK, Nov. 19 The New York “Time’s” Washington ' correspondent states that due to the j activities of the Ku Klux Klan, which has become so powerful that it hampers the activities of the State Government, Governor Parker of Louisiana will confer with President Harding and Mr Daugherty to-morrow regarding ways and means for combating the evil. .Members of the police force state it is believed that members of the Klan extra-legallv punish individuals for various alleged offences which the law does not recognise. Men believed to be guilty of moral offences are compelled to leave the towns where they live. Others are tarred and feathered. Jews, negroes and Catholics are subjected to persecution. This large, mysterious secret organ-

isation seems to he swaying the life of the State. It is understood that various Federal officials have been sent down to investigate, and have disappeared. Reports that Governor Parker will ask the President to have the Federal Government take over the State Government are discounted, but the situation appears to be grave.

A BRIBE, CAUSES TROUBLE. NEAV YORK, November 19. The “Chicago Tribune’s” Pekin correspondent states:—“New trouble in China seems to be impending. President Liquan has ordered the removal of the Cabinet, following the arrest , of the Finance Minister, Lowcnkan, on | a bribery charge. Lowcnkan was re- j fused bail, which was offered by the Premier Wang, and he remains in •gaol. The city is under virtual martial law. Lowcnkan is accused of accepting £BO,OOO in connection with an effort to revive a lean of £0,000.000 made before the war through German capitalists China had received C1...000000 n]i hi the time she entered the war. Interested parties, desiring to continue the, loan, offered Lowcnkan a bribe in j the form of a cheque, which was pass- i ed through the hanks of India and Australia.

AArEH 1C A X PAR LI A AIE NT. (Received this dnv at 10. JO a.m.) AVASHIXGTOX. Nov 20. A .special session of the Senate adjourned immediately, and is now await ing Air Hardinge’s message which is to he presented on Tuesday. Airs AV. H. Felton, aged 87, the first woman senator took her seat amidst a demonstration ill the Lower House. The “Wets” lost no time in launching a fight for the enactment of the Soldiers ’Bonus Bill, the, bonus to he paid out of a. ta.x on the legalised beer. Representative Hill (Republican) proposed the rt'iiactment of the adjusted compensation measures killed by the Presidential veto last summer. He suggested twenty cents per gallon levy on 7.75 per cent, beer in order to raise the bonus funds. PREFERENTIAL TRADE. Received this dov at 12.25 p.m.) OTTAAVA, Nov. 20. Canada is greatly interested in Air j Robbs visit to Australia, it being felt | a trade agreement on a preferential j basis is likely to result, especially in j view of the American tariff. The Afoii- j trcnl “Star” says there are many pro- t duets which can he exchanged between j the two countries, with mutual benefit, j Australia oilers a lucrative market. Robb's conferences with Australian an- I thorities will certainly reveal the wide ! scope for trade extensions and the desirability for building up commerce between two British dominions, with a

preference to commerce. Between one Dominion and a foreign country, the American tariff wall may prove our greatest benefactor yet.