AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 December 1922, Page 3

AMERICAN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. AMERICAN POLITICS. WASHINGTON, Dee 2. Believing the recent elections showed nation wide dissatisfaction with the present politcal leaders methods, Senator I.afalette has called a mooting of Progressives for the purpose of initiating a minor definite bloc next Congress. Thirteen Senators and twenty-one House members attended. While disavowing any intention '» initiate a third party, resolutions were presented for the organisation of a Inpartian bloc in both Houses. flic So uatci with a s ub-coinmittcc to work framing legislation. Tt was announced they had organised, pledged to drive -d'ecial privileges out of the Government, and to restore it to the people. A na- , tion wide campaign will be .-tarted tor the abolition of the electoral college, open and direct primaries and ->•««»- ment of corrupt practices act. Progressives also seek reports regarding agriculture, labour, railway, shipping, natural resources and tnxa'-i m. HOURS QUESTION. NEW YORK, December 1. A Committee which has spent two years in studying the working periods in the continuous industries for the Federated American Engineering Societies lias published its reports. It finds that the 12-hour day is not an economic necessity.

There has also been issued a statement h.v President Harding that the 12-hour day and the type of worker it produces, have outlived their usefulness in American life. IN MEXICO. . MEXICO CITY, Dec 1. The Labour Unions .bore have called a general strike until after the luncrals of the victims of yesterday's tingedv, ns a protest against the -hooting of rioters. A strong cordon of troops is guarding the City Hall, which is badly wrecked, and the archives arc destroyed Strong forces are held in the barnicks, ready to subdue further attacks, which tho radical-element arc urging. All the theatres and picture Houses are closed, and a largo exodus o' foreigner* is in progress, “TIGER” IN DANGER. NEW YORK, T)ce. 2. One hundred police and special guards, armed with guns, surrounded the re sideuc-e of Mr Joseph Pulitzer, i„ St Louis, where M. Clemeiiceau is staying. This precaution followed on the receipt of numerous threats against the “Tiger’s” life. St Louis City is the centre of a large German population, and the authorities are taking extraordinary measures to guard tne visitor against attack. | COUNTERFEITS. - (Received this day at 8.30 a.in.) | NEW YORK, December 2. United States Secret Service men arrested a man formerly resident at Los Angelos having in his possession a bag with fiftv-six hundred Bank of England notes totalling £935.000. The Secret Service obtained info'illation through him passing six thousand pounds counterfeit English currency in California. It is understood a counterfeiting gang manufactured spurious notes in United States and intended to circulate them in British Dominions. Since the police in England reported, no attempt has boon made to circulate counterfeits there.

A PROTEST. (Received this dnv at 8.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, Decemlier 2. New York “Times” Washington correspondent states Greek ex-Minister of Foreign affairs Corntilas, of the special Commission wlio were sent to United States to further the interests of the Greek Government, has announced he lias cabled his resignation as a protest against the revolutionary Government’s executions. AMERICAN PROTEST. . (Received this dnv at 8 n.rn 1 NEW YORK, Dec. 3. A storm of protest has arisen over the Turks order for the evacuation of Christians from Thrace and the Allied assent. The New York “Times” calls it one of the blackest days in civilisation. White Mouse questioned regarding Cnited States position, pointed out that relief organisations in America will he urged to extend any aid possible, and should an emergency arise, cruisers with relief supplies will be furnished, but concerning the proposal that I’nited States pay the cost of removing Christians who otherwise would face death, the correspondent says White House remained cold. The churches arc leading a protest movement and it is proposed that Sunday sermons will deal with the situation and appeal for Cnited States aid.

AMERICAN POLITICS. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Dee. 2. The Anti-Lynching Rill is lost. Southern Democrats won their filibuster fight against the measure cabled on November 20th. Republicans consulting among themselves, decided to withdraw the measure, which had been supported hv churches and social re* fo>-ni organisations throughout the country. Negro organisations spent thousands of dollars in advertising in the iittenint to gain support for the measure. It is understood Mr Harding seeing the hopelessness of gaining a passage to law, and fearing tit the same time the defeat of the Ships Susidy liill, ordered the withdrawal of the liill in order to give the Ship liill tin opportunity to pass. SCRAPPING WARSHIPS. WASHINGTON. Dec. 3. Explaining the reference in the House of Commons to scrapping warships, the British Embassy has published a list of eight liritish capital ships already sold to shiphreakers, eight others arc in the first stage of scrapping, none of which arc obsolete or would have been scrauped except for the Washington Treaty. The Embassy refuted the recent press despatch which made the positive statement that neither Britain, United States nor Japan had begun scrapping vessels not already obsolete, and were awaiting a ratification of the Treaty bv till the Powers concerned.