BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1923, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION, PARIS DOPE TRAFFIC. PARIS, 9July 22. The dope traffic trial, started on April 10, has resulted in all the doctors and chemists concerned being found guilty of delivering practically unlimited quantities of morphine and other drugs. The court declined to accept the defence that the doctors and chemists had acted with a view to on aiding the victims of the drug habit to liberate themselves from these vices. Dr Raoul Reguler was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment : two other doctors to six months each; two to three months, each, and three others, including a woman doctor, were fined. One chemist was sentenced to six months, and another to four months. Thirty-nine drug-takers were sentenced to terms oi imprisonment ranging from 11 1 roe to In months, and lines of ]of)lj to 3000 francs were imposed.

COLLIERY DANGERS

LONDON. July 23. A Government, experimental station ai Eskmeals. Cumberland, has carried out a remarkable series of experiments i.i testing the explosiveness of coal dust in the course of research dealing with safety in mines. The conditions approximated the actual coal mine explosion in which hundreds of lives were lost. Jn a gallery of 750 feet long was strewn coal dust. A Canton lire ignited the gas, and a flash oi' liame like lightning rushed through the gallery, followed by a cloud of dense black smoko and deadly coal gas Pit props am! other lollierv equipment were hurled a great distance. Later the mine was cleared by special lans. The experiment showed the benefit of mixing stone dust with the coal dust to rial nee tlio strength of the explosion.

CHESS. LONDON. July 23. Dr. Lasker has won the Czoelm-Slo-vakian Chess Tournament with 10J points out of 12. against the strongest young Europeans. It is a remarkaole vindication of Dr. Lasker's skill, alter his .10 years’ abstention from tournaments. Other scores were: Tteti 91. Oriimfchl 81, Silesdielf 7‘, Etiwe and Tartakover 7.

.1. H. THOMAS’ CRITICISM. LONDON. July 23. Mr J. 11. Thomas. Labour 31.1’.. speaking at. Derby, said: “If the principles behind the dockers' strike represent the intentions of any large mass of the workers, they will mean the end of collective bargaining, and the end of trades unionism. CHINATOWN IN PARIS. PAR IS, July 22. The police raided the Parisian Chinatown, adjoining the Garc do Lyon. British travellers arriving from the Fast have had disagreeable experiences there. The police anested 30 Chinese men. nine Chinese girls, 29 other Asiatics, and several Italians, Poles ami Belgians. CARR’S WIN IN DENMARK. COPENHAGEN. July 22 Carr, the Australian, won the Danish championship over one hundred metres in ten and three-tilth sees. He created a new Danish record, and equalled the world’s record. GREAT GYMNASTIC FESTIVAL. PARIS. July 22. Twenty-eight thousand gymnasts, from all parts of Europe, are participating in a great gymnastic festival fere. All Piled Loini'e the l nknown Warrior’s Grave in the Are de I riomphe and g;nvo a display in the Champ,- de Mars.

A NEW DISCOVERY. ROME, July 22. At 3filan two Italian scientists have discovered a specific germ tor scarlet fever. POSITION IN C HINA. FRAUGHT WITH DANGER. (Received this dav at 9.45 a.m.) PEKIN, July 23. Grotesque as is the siluaPoii in China, it is nevertheless fraught with danger.

The capital is devoid of admitiisi ration beyond the three members id' the defunct Cabinet. They issue mandates and orders as the regents charge. Parliament is not sitting as a quorum is not obtainable. All sources ol revenue •are dry and the Chinese diplomatic missions abroad are breaking up through not receiving remittances from Pekin.

The Chinese are wondering bow soon the troops "ill invade the capital and blackmail the hanks and merchant.-, for their maintenance or openly loot. 11l several provinces the troops are carrying oil civil war, competing with brigands in harrying the inhabitants. Much cruel anarchy prevails and trade is al a standstill.

Foreign vessels on the Upper 1 nngtse arc frerpienily fusiladed by rillcmcn hidden amongst the rucks. The illegal taxation of goods in transit is the most important function of the administrative officers in the provinces and foreign Invitin' do not count outside treaty purls, foreigners again becoming the traditional "foreign devils.”

THE DOCKERS’ STRIKE. (Received this day at 11.4., a.m.) LONDON. .Inly 23. Strikers marching from London, reached Tilbury as dock workers were signing on. and persuaded several hundred to join the strike. Ad ork was consequently stopped on two New Zealand boats, two 1\ and 0.. two flan liners and several smaller vessels. 'I hose inarching returned to London, leaving pickets. A GREEK MOVE. PARIS. July 23. The “Matin" learns from Belgrade that a. great Republican movement is afoot in Greece, with headquni tci s at Salonika. It. is reported that M. Yeiuzclas. General Pangalos and one A—miral are associated with the liiotement. also that Basil Zahnrotf, the financier. is supporting it. A collision is imminent between Royalists and Republicans in Salonika and Thrace.

A DIVORCE. (Received this day at 12 nomi • LONDON, July 23. Mrs Anneta Crawford has obtained a decree nisi against ,1. N. ( rawford, the famous cricketer, on the ground ol desertion and misconduct.