AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1924, Page 3

AMERICAN ITEMS.

ICSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. ENGRAVIXG \DEPARTA!ENT FRA CDS. St’L-RIOL'S LIBERTY BONDS. WASHINGTON. Erl). 7. Charles Brewer, special assi.-tiinr At-torney-General, claims that iv.entv per cent, of the Liberty bonds sold throughout America may be .spurious, lie alleges that he investigated the Treasury's engraving department at the personal rep nest of President Conlidge, and which disclosed colossal graft and frauds. He adds that two years ago Air Harding caused the dismissal of certain officials, who. for fear of discovery, destroyed millions of dollars worth of duplicate bonds. Many -'ere already sold and lie alleges that during the year following, Tune I'.GI, b-n iiul'Ji'cMi dollars wnrlffi r.f i i-;iitdiib-u t bonds were issued. F.ft.A. Oil, SCANDAL. WASHINGTON. February 7. In tile U.S.A. Senate, tbe oil investigators have abandoned their efforts to compel ex-Setuttor Fall (a former Cabinet .Minister) to te>ldy a- they proposed on Fc-hrttary thereby virtualb denying him an opportunity to n,p pci unless lie waives |n.- immunity. Fall, enough apparently free. known to be under constant sun cilia nee in view of tin; Government possibly making demand for his arrest upon trunjj al ■•■Lr.rgtbated on the testimony already add'i'.vJ before the Senate - raittes The partisanship seems during AG Wilson’s funeral to have been cooler to such an extent that- there is a growing disposition to let the investigation die down, especially since certain leaders fear the revelations may blacken the Republicans and Democrats alike, ft- is recognised the fate of the investigation depends upon Air AfeAdoo who appears before the Committee in hi--, own defence next week.

WILSON’S EF NEPAL. GERMAN EMBASSY ATTITUDE. WASHINGTON. February 7. It is officially stated that the Gorman .Minister to F.S.A. asked the German Government if lie should officially express his sympathy on the death of Afr AVilson. The German Government replied that there was no occasion to do so, and the Minister must decide for himself on what form he personally wished his participation in the national mourning to take. Somebody placed a llag on the Gorman Embassy lawn and later it was removed by tin unknown person. All yesterday afternoon the embassy failed to hall-mast its llag for ex-l’rosidont A\ilsou The announcement ol its intention not to half-mast its flag caused such a sensation as to dispose the German Ministry to change its mind. .By noon a big crowd had gathered before the German Embassy. Evideutlv the German Ambassador teared a

riot and for an hour before the funeral the llag was half-masted, though the Ambassador said lie did so against the express instructions from Berlin. The German Consuls at New A ork and Philadelphia said they had no tlag poles so they coilid not do honour to Mr Wilson's memory, even if they wished. There is every indication the flag incident may cause results not expected l.v the Germans. Tt appears that when M I’lisserand asked the diplomats to contribute a wreath. Count Weidieldl «as compelled to do so out ot his own pocket. The former F.S.A. Ambassador tc Germany. Afr Gerard, related that All Wilson gave him a handsome contribution to help the Centum Professions' Congress, which has before it measures tc aid the Ruhr, ami another authorising a big loan to Germany. It is not improbable that these will be dropped.

Lit,)FOR POLLS IN CANADA. OTTAAYA. ' Feb. “. According to a telegram trom 1 oronto, a provision enabling the Government to secure the opinion of the people with reference to liquor legisla- ; tiou in Ontario was forecasted in the j speech from the Throne, at. the open- ’ ing of the legislature. The province is now dry ANSWER FOR ALLEGATIONS. (Received this day at 10 a.m.) WASHINGTON. Feb. 8. Afrs AVlison will decide, in the next few days, whether she will allow her husband’s private files to be searched for an answer to the allegations in the Lloyd George controversy. While Mr Wilson left no memoirs he had a voluminous file of private letters dealing with the history of the war and post war events. The AYisons will dispose of the estate valued at thirty thousand sterling.