BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1924, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION THE CALIPH IN .SWITZERLAND. (Received this day at 51.0 n.m.) BERNE, March 11. A Swiss Government official waited on the ex-Caiiph at his liolel ami extended a welcome conditional on his refraining from political activities. The ex-Caliph attended a gala dance. His wives remain disconsolately in the hotel and refuse to see visitors. CABINET APPROVAL. [Reuters Telegrams.] (Received this dav at 0.0 a.in.) PARIS, March U. Cabinet has approved ot measures for the restoration of the franc. M. Poincare will make the passage ol the taxation bills now before the Senate without essential modification or a question of confidence. The debate will begin on Thursday and conclude on Saturday. THE MUNICH TRIAL. [Kee-mcd this day at 0.0 n.m.) BERLIN, March 11. The Court at .Munich was crowded to hear the evidence of Von Lossmv. ex-commander of the Bavarian I’oichswehr. He delivered a long speech, attacking Hitler and T.mlciidorlf, declaring Hitler’s whole account of the events in the beer cellar in November was untrue, he asserting the whole scene in tho cellar was enacted under the brutal coercion ot armed men, who surrounded him and \on Kahr. Lossmv referred to Hitler’s extraordinary clopm'iire and declared that Hitler considered him sol I a German Gnmhetta while his supporters regarded him as German Messiah.

(IT!EKCE AND IM'SSIA. [RkUTKIIS Tl-U.KOItAMS.] (Received this dev at 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, March lilt is learned from an oflieial Russian source that- the ■:Tivoli Minister in Berlin has informed the Soviet Anilmssiv dor there that the Creel; Government wished to resume diplomatic relations with the Soviet (iovernment, and formally recognised Soviet do,hire. Ihe Soviet (iovernment in reply, entitled the Greek (iovernment agreeing to an immediate renewal of diplomatic relations and a friendly settlement of all outstanding <|iiostinns on the basis ol reciprocity. mi cns 11 NAV v. COMMENT ON MaNOEFYK KS. (Received this day at 11-10 a.m.) LONDON. March 11. The choice of Tielorie Dies lor the manoeuvres of the cutnbim-d British „„d Atlantic Mediterranean Meets which have begun at Ma.ioria to-day. Lord iieaUv attending. eoinhined with the virtual breakdown of the Rome disarmament < ooleiem e is mm li commented onBAR IS. March H. I/Onvre says Britain intends to show she keeps the mastery of the Mediterranean and to impress it on Spam Franco and Italy. This manifestation is somewhat diseoncertthe moment when Mr MacDonald arises as a pacilicatur of Kttrope. It coincides with the recent vote in the Commons on laying down live cruisers and an increase of two millions in the air estimates. It runs the risk of arousing the suspicion, it not the hostility of the Mediterranean powers. Writing in "Re Journal” Admiral , Dcggu.v suggests the French Government approach the League of Nations with a view to the neutralisation ol the Mediterranean. CHINESE NOTE. PEKIN. March 11. The Chinese Government lots sent a long note to each representative ot the Powers, signatory to the Washington Nine Power Treaty, requesting a preliminary Conference which is to he nm held .it, Shanghai when all the Powers concerned ratify the aforesaid Treaty concerning an increase of 2j per cent, maritime customs duty. The note refers to the long delay and contends a preliminary conference will facilitate tho work of the regular conference later on.