AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1923, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

iCS'I UAI.IAN* AN 11 N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. ( ATI-101.1C C OLLEGE BURNED.' NFAY YORK. Jan. 17. At the city of Baltimoie, Maryland, a fire, of unknown origin, has destroyed the Rockhili College, an historic Catholic institution. The loss totals 200,000 dollars. KU K LUX KLAN MURDERS. WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 According to a Merrouge message, the first legal step in the Ku Klux Klan eases occurred to-day, when a group of witnesses retained counsel to guide them in answering questions. Counsel adcised the witnesses not *o answer various questions on the Hun answer might incriminate th<fm THE MARK SLUMP. NEW YORK, January 17. A,, almost total demoralisation of the German mark has occurred on tho foreign exchange market here, follow- ’ iug the further penetration of the French into the Ruhr. The mark has dropped approximately to 21.000 for one dollar. .

Many exchange dealers now decline to accept any business in German exchange, alleging the mark has long since passed the point where there is a possibility of a speculative recovery. Meantime there is an active demand fen actual paper marks in New York, but they cannot be purchased for less than approximately double the current exchange quotations*

U.S.A. POLICY. NEW YORK, January 17. The ‘"New York Times’s” Washington correspondent says: F7.S. Secretary Hughes has sent a letter to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, gi>-» ing a detailed account of Mr Boyden’s activities, according to Senator Robinson’s resolution, asking for such information, and suggesting the appointment of an official American member of the Reparations Committee (as cabled on January 3rd). It is understood the letter which is not yet published, points out that tho Governnieiit is well saisfiod with Mr Boyden's activities, and has no intention of recalling him. The Administration also fools that it is inadvisable at this time to appoint an official representative. A commission of enquiry has developed the fact that the United States is imt now co-operating with Britain and Italy in any effort to bring pressure to hear on France. DM LARKIN PARDONED. WASHINGTON. Jan 17. An Albany Ulegram says;—Governor Smilli has pardoned Jim Larkin. Larkin was convicted in 1920 on a charge, of criminal anarchy, lie having advocated the dictatorship of the proletariat. Governor Smith said that the pardon was not because Larkin had subscribed to any views, but because his views did not constitute, or advocate anarchv. bet merely a radically different form >•>; organised government.

TilE DEADLOCK. NEW YORK, Jan If. The “New York Times’’ Washington correspondent says. Tim British and AiiK'rienn Debt Commissions arc still at odds over the interest charge on tho British debt. There will lie another meeting to-morrow. If no progress is made, it is understood that the British Mission will ask for a tem-po'-ary suspension of tho negotiations.

s.'.ivoral members of the British Mission are returning to England for consultation with their Government. L i reported that tho British con- ■ inn.' to ask for a J per cent, rate i f interest. They are pointing out that the Bank of England is now lending money at that interest, but the Americans declare that such a. low interest rau could not go through Congress.

It appears that 3J p r cent, i- the lowest possible rate of interest which 1' :; .A. Congress is likely to accept. It i, now also reported that the British will ask for a 00-year funding period, while the American sentiment is for a ■JO-year period. The situation is complicated by tho fact that the present Congress dissolves on Mat-eli -till, and unless President Harding calls a special session of tile new Congress, this body will not meet according to law until December. Tims, if the negotiations are broken off. the debt settlement may lx- dclaved until next year. WASHINGTON. Jan 17. It is stal-d f!-finitely that the British contemplate an immediate commencement of their debt repayments to the United States as soon as an agreement has been reached and rati-tP-l. The payments will probably he made by means of bonds deposited in the United States Treasury, part of which will he redeemable yearly, in addition to the interest. Tho American Government may hold the Isolds in the Treasury or place them on the market.