AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1923, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

lUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

ANGLO-U.S.A. DISPUTE. WASHINGTON, Feb. 28. The State Department lias published the text of i'ls recent Note on the Newcastle Consulate dispute, addressed to Britain. The Note states that the Newcastle American Consulate confirms the informal intimations previously conveyed. The Note further points out that the United States never had questioned Britain’s right to cancel the exequatur of any American Consul on the ground that he was persona non grata, Ini? where specific charges are advanced, these must lie substantiated. The United Slates call into question a parallel which Britain drew as between this case ami the looted States’ cancellation of British Consuls’ exequaturs at Philadelphia, New York, and Cancinnati in 185'-. on the ground of illegal recruiting. Judicial proceedings were brought against these latter. They showed them to he guilty of violations

of the law. Mr Hughes (Secretary of State) has also issued an explanatory statement t]iai Britain, in January, 1922, asked the United States to voluntarily withdraw .Messrs Brooks and Slater, on the ground that they were attempting, by unfair means, to induce passengers to travel by American, boats. The United Stales lias investigated the matter and has found that the charges were not true, and therefore refused to withdraw the American Consuls from Newcastle.

U.S.A. POLITICS. NEW YORK, Feb. 28. The “New York Times” Washington correspondent says: It is understood that what occurred at the President s conference with Air Hughes to-day wa> that a .Senator informed the President that even if the Senate began immediate consideration of the World Court proposal, there was no hope of its passage during the present session. Meanwhile necessary delayed legislation would never he passed, due to the shortness of the available time. Senator King, in deference to the wishes of many senators, refrained from calling up his resolution for a day at least. It is now undetermined whether he will attempt this to-morrow. It is understood that in that event, either Senator Lodge will move to have the resolution tabled, or the Republican Senators will vote to refer it to the Committee of Foreign Relations. The result will be the same. The Senate will not consider the proposal during this session. President Harding informed Senator Lodge that the preparation of the answer" to various questions asked by the Foreion Relations Committee (cabled (m February 27) will take some time. President Harding told Senator Lodge the Foreign Relations Committee would he s,.pnlied with the desired information in due time. The correspondent understands that Mr Harding graeetul|V accepted Senator Lodge’s explanation of the situation that, the propose would remain in abeyance until next session of Congress, but was somewhat taken aback by Senator Borah’s request for information.

DEBT FUNDING. WASHINGTON, February 28. President Harding has signed the British Debt Funding Bill.