AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1923, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN’ AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION AIRSHIPS FOR. AMERICA. NEW YORK, March 7. Rear-Admiral Moffett, in a speech, said the United States Navy was now building a rigid dirigible utilising helium gas. wlicli would make a. tour of the world, probably proceeding to the North Pole or the South Pole for scientific purposes. The dirigible wtild embody the latest improvements in aeronautic science, and lie capable ol long-sustained voyages and carrying heavy loads. Germany was building for the United .States a similar craft. Admiral Moffett predicted that tlie dirigible would be a tremendous factor in future warfare and a vital agency in national defence. He stressed the fact that aeronautics had produced a serious defence problem for the United Stales, in view of the nearness of foreign island possessions to the ■American coast, notably the West Indies. The United Slates, lie said, could easily U‘ subjected to bombing from these places as centres of operations. CAPITAL PENALTY. NEW YORK, March 7. Several Mid-Western State Legislatures have passed, or arc considering Bills characterising the sale of intoxicants causing death as murder and imposing murder or manslaughter sentences upon those selling sue.i Oklahoma has already passed a law terming the sale of such tilings as wood alcohol murder. Ohio passed a similar law, making it- a crime in the sec.uid degree of murder. Kansas and Indiana have bills pending providing niftier sentences. lowa has passed hi'- providing for punishment as for manslaughter. while Michigan lias a similar bill pending.