AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 January 1923, Page 3

AMERICAN ITEMS.

Australian and n.z. cahi.k association. AX EMPIRE VIEW. XEW YORK, Dee. '29, Addressing the American Historical Association at. Xcwhaven, Connecticut, on “ The Ken turns of External Relations of the British Commonwealth of Nations,” Sir Robert Borden (lorinei Canadian Premier) xitid : “I believe the essential unity of the Commonwealth in no sense hu~ been diminished by its development into an organisation of virtually a Brittanie League ol Nations. If seems paradoxial to affirm that as the ties in form become looser, the truth is they beeoiw stronger, ’ml this was demonstrated in 191 I." Sii R. Borden advocated an extension ol the conference with the Dominions which existed during the war and which should he made permanent, while the present, conditions eotinue. lie declared “the best that can he Imped for is a system of Ircqucnt consultation liveable, and occasional consultation and discussion by conference, whenever domestic and political duties permit the Dominions' Ministers to attend. It is not improbable that the status of Ireland will have a certain influence upon (■(institutional developments of otlnu self-governing dominions.

IT.S. PROPOSALS'. WASHINGTON. Dor -2!). Senator Borah has announced the withdrawal of 11is proposal for an ernnomi rcoiiftironr-t-. following on Senator ’Lodge’s statement tlmt, its ;tdoj>t.ion would l:o lumnful lo tin- ;itilllinis-Li;i--tion’s efforts to secure nn mljiislment of European A (fairs. Senator Johnson bitterly and sarcastically attacked Senaor Borah. who was once his closest fellow opponent against the Wilsonian policies Senator Johnson (Iceland Senator Borah’s proposal for an economic conference it;its ill the interests of the international bankers. 110 would rather see the I'nited States m tile League ~f \ations than in such a conference! “I am against such a cun fen nee." lie said, “because it will embroil u> in Europe's controversies and finally make the I'nlted States a part of tin j 'European system. I am against it.| with either reservations or amendment, j for I am unable to conceive either an | nmendnifiut or a reservation which j would avert the possible injurious con- | sequences. 1 decline to enter Europe's i maelstrom- without definite, cogent ] reasons—upon the mere arrogatinn of j sulperier charity, henevolenee. and j ullriuism by those who would take us. . ! Senator Johnson said that it would . he impossible, to keep political (pies- I tions out id’ an economic conference, j Furthermore the X T nited States, as the nation calling for a parley. would j have to join in its agreements, and ; Inter sen that they were operative. 1 good faith prohibiting any other course. Ho said: “We inu.-t. clioo.-.-oither the alternative of arousing false hopes and doing incalculable harm, or of enermg courses far removed from wind is merely linaneial. and wliich nun jeopardise our future. W e ha: e been Lold that, if we do not intervene oconomically in Kuropc. we shall have to intervene in war here! I deny it! To say that, without this eonlerem-e. we shall, he involved in some future European war. Ls a. hit extravagant. Ihe bait is held up before our farmers that, they will prosper if wo but cooler regarding Europe's reconstruction, but our farmers are net told that the only reconstruction suggested will involve ■us, for gwieartions, ill Europe's eoiit.rowrsies. fid the farmers No! Aid the inlernationill hankers—Yes! And the farmers will pay for it!"

WIRKICA’S MOVE. WASHINGTON. Dec- .29. Senator Borah’s withdrawal ot hiamendment to tin- Naval ApP'l'opi in,ions Bill, proposing an cucmiomie eon-IT-renee. followed a scene o! great con fusion in tlm Senate. Senator Watson stated Llial the Vnited Stales (lovernmcnL had alreadv put out feelers to foreien Gotciiilnt.nts. Senator Borah pressed lor details, which Senator Watson could not give. Seator .McCormick declared lie know i, ,-itivolv that conversations had been carried on with a view to an economic imilcrence at Brussels, including tne I'llited States. Senator Borah then demanded to know whether Ids amendment would cmharass President Harding's ellorts. Senator Bodge thenannounced tlm Adinitistratiou some time ago had entered n peon ambassadorial couver.-a-Uon.s. hut. In- did not know what had I,Min accomplished. In his opinion Senator Borah’s proposal was em-liarni-siiig. Senator Borah then withdrew it. White Mouse has confirmed an intimation. made in the Senate regarding America's intended fortification in . Knroprn n settlement, by issuing a statement that the, Government is n.eo„tinting with European nations to brim' about Hie international route - .-..cTof (ianeial and economic experts determine how tfiiich Germans i- ( able to pay. This conference win ht , field in Europe, and probabh in t-' I pels. | rs \. TiOAN TO G BUM ANY. ! WASHINGTON. Gee. , Senator Bursum has uitroduetd a resolution in the Senate providing i I. | onlv of 1 .(KIO.OGO.OOtX) to Germain, to l>o usable for the purchase "I Amen- : can farm products and implements. 1 ho Cm would he covered by German mdn<trial securities. | CNITED STATES NAVY. j WASHINGTON, Dec. 30. President Harding is supporting an j appropriation of sixty million dollarbeing made over a period ol one .tea., j for the purpose of modernising tie. j American first line war ships, o.v !-«> . viding longer range guns, with a gn-ai- . or elevation; homh-proot decks: and blister side construction against tor- . pedoes. ... It is expected that Congress will appropriate the money, of which seven millions will bo used in 1928 lor uumediate construction. EXITED STATES PIIY LAW. j NEW YORK. Dec. 29. High society circles are staggered by a ernnd jury indicting Rene Bamou- _ taigne. ,>olo player and a leading so- ■ cietv man, together with his thu-e ; brothers, on charges that they supp > millionaire members of exclusive !•'<- q «et and tennis clubs with h.pmr, a. d that they otherwise have conspired to evade the prohibition laws.

AMERICAN NEWS. Washington, December jo. A High Adniinistmtion official states Britain. Germany and some other nations concerned have formally indicated their willingness to accept the American proposal for an international Commission on reparations. While France Inis not rejected the proposal, she has withheld an expression of her attitude for two months. The American Government has made public, th" proposal in the hope of forcing the issue. The Federal Government has filed with the Supreme Court, its anxwei to a suit brought by shipping lines to have set aside the Dougherty ruling prohibiting the transportation of liquor inside the .‘I mile limit. Government declares United States constitution cannot he made to conform to foreign nations shipping regulations, and adds, “We have no reason to believe Italy and France will object to recasting their shipping regulations. ,-o ns to eontorm to our law. as -non as thaf law is settled by this Court.'' The Administration ohms to assist in the adjustment of Geinmn reparations has been most favourably received among Senators. There is lit lie criticism and this also indeates that European f’oweis will receive the American suggestions favourably It i. felt that in view of a Senatorial reaction. the Senate’s approval of the treaties growing from pourparlers or conferences is likely BRITAIN'S DEBT. ''Received this dav at x a.m t I NEW YORK. Dee 111. i Mr Havev on arriving made a .state-' incut that England <ould not have sent better men to the conference with the American, reprsontatives on tlw debt question. They will make n complete study of the question and agree regarding the best way to handle the problem. The British Government was going to pay her debt to I'nited States in full. The arrangements will he a delicate job because this will he the largest financial rransaclion the world has ever known.