AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1923, Page 3

AMERICAN ITEMS.

tUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABI.E ASSOCIATION. NOTE TO CHINA. WASHINGTON. Alay 11. The State Department has been advised that the Lekiu Diplomatic Corps handed a Note to China demanding that immediate steps he taken to reinforce the protection of the principal i lovcrument railways to prevent a recurrence of tho bandit outrages. .FLOOD AND FIRE. NEW YORK, Alay 15. The famous hot springs resort of Arkansas was stricken by a terrific flood which swept down from three mountains, encircling the city. A firestarting amongst the wiockngo destroyed numerous buildings, including two large hotels. Tho city is severed from outside communication, but meagre reports to hand state that the water Lo a height of Hit is swirling through, tile streets. Rescuers are unable to estimate the casualties till the wreckage is cleared away. The damage to property will amount to $1,000,600. HATER. An unofficial estimate is that seventeen penplo have lost their lives. BALANCE OF TRADE. M'ARHfNGTON. Alay lib For the first time since 1911. the hula nee of trade turned against the United Stales in the month of March last, when the imports reached the value of 402 million dollars and the exports I'll millions. REOHIRmOX IN I'.S.A. (Received this day at 11.4-1 a.m.) NEW YORK, .May 16. Arising out of repeal by the New York State of the I’roliihit ion Enforcement Law (cabled -Itli-.ltli), which me Governor lues not yet signed, President flarding has written a h-tter rep,lying lo the urgiiius made on him (hat the Fodirn! officials lake immediate action to enforce the law should the State officers he relieved n! duty by the t oivernor’s signal tire.

President Harding admits that tlm repeal of the State Eniorceineut Statutes is likelv to result in a conflict Vtweon the State and Federal authorities. but adds, that the nation deliberately, after many years of omisiilerat inn, adopted the present police "iitten into the Eighteenth Amendment. It is the law of the land and ol every State within the Union and so long as it remains the national policy tui-re is (lily olio course for Hie National Government to pursue, and that it to use every means to make the law ofleotiic. The President declared that to do this will be the unquestioning policy of the present administration. I e.e nation’s executive, equally with the State’s executive, is sworn to eiiI',irco the constitution, and it K difficult to believe that public aunt-oval will ever given to any other than a policy filly' and literal!-.- discharging this duty.

'[The above cable referred to was as follows Tlm New ) ork State Assmnbly passed a Bill repealing the Stall’ Prohibiten Enforcement La" liv 76 to 71. The repealed measure provided more strict, penalties than were provid'd in the federal A ol-sl-ad Law. broad powers being vested'in civie notice, such as setir'b and arrest without warrant. _• ee new situation mentis that: prohibition enforcement in New York State will hr. left lai-eelv to the Federal authorities. The Federal Prohibition Bureau dechves that apart nllo-r-rtl.cw from the renral oi tbe Now York Enforcement Law, the notice and State officials are sworn to uphd’d the Federal Constitution, ol which the Eighteenth Amendment is a. part. It is stated that the city authorities will demand the continuance ot tho enforcement. [