AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1924, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

VUSTtIALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. EXTREME COI.I) IN U.S.A. GREAT HAVOC CAUSED. NEW YORK. Jan. 5. The severest cold wave for 20 years lias gripped the country from east to west through the centre of the Contincut, causing twelve deaths, disrupted W eoiiililiuiioatioiis, transportation and untold sull'cring. At Chicago the temperature reached twenty two degrees below zero, while at Fargo, North Dakota the temperature was thirty five degrees below zero. Dakota, Nebraska, lowa, .Kansas, Missouri and Wisconsin were the hardest hit. a policeman being frozen to death oil his rounds, the telephone anil telegraph wires snapping through the cold and water and gas mains bursting. Several of the Great Lake steamers are reported lost. Tremendous cold is radiating south and south-west, and it has eten brought freezing temperatures at subtropical United States towns, which, itist- now. are crowded. The winter resorts in Northern Canada and Alaska, which havo been held under the freezing pressure for a week past, when the temperature reached forty degrees below zero, are now relieved, the temperatures in Alaska being today reported as thirty-live above.

THE LIQUOR LEAKS. WASHINGTON, Jan o. Upon tho heels of rumour, the Central European Legation, and the Central American diplomatic officers are involved in the leaks of liquor. Hughes, in replying to questions in the House of Representatives by Mr Davies. (Teiiucsee) concerning diplomatic immunities, states that under the Statutes diplomatic offices and their house-holders cannot h-e arrestt'Aor goods seized, hut- he hinted that diplomats aliasing this privilege respecting liquors would he the subjects of exe- _ entire action at the discretion of tho President. Aiming at a cause for tho abatement of such conduct inquiries here into tho liquor syndicate 22nd. Dee.) continue, hut the of its opponents gives the ease tlliyji'itl- - est publicity, and the enquiries seem baulked at uvery nun, the Federal Government- desiring discretionary so-“~r crecy. Hardly a day passes, as a result, without conflicting rumour concerning the syndicates widespread activities. MEXICAN GOVERNOR ASSASSINATED. MEXICO CTTY, Jan. fi. Felipe Carillo Puerto, the Socialist Governor of Cueatan and one ol O’Bregon’s right-hand supporters, was assassinated. This event is the most thrilling in the revolt so far because Puerto is probably Mexico’s leading Liberal. When lie became Govermvp — he created a sensation by confiscating the large estates and dividing them among the small land owners and establishing co-operative markets. SALE OF ARMS TO MEXICO. WASHINGTON. Jan. ti. Mr Weeks has announced that America has sold O’Bregon five thousand Enfields. five million rounds of ammunition and eight aeroplanes for delivery in Texas -within twenty-four hours after the Mexican Embassy pays half the hill. Mr Weeks defended the transaction by declaring that similar sales were made before to Panama and Nicaragua.