MISELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1924, Page 1

MISELLANEOUS ITEMS.

[Reuters Teeeohams.] RUHR OCCUPATION. PARIS, March 14. In the Senate, reviewing tiro results of the occupation of Ruhr, M. Poincare said the receipts for 1924 were estimated at four milliards of francs, and expenditure at one milliard, leaving three milliards available for repatriation. No one any longer dreamt of asking them to evacuate the Ruhr.

IN DU ST RIA LISTS SEC'E I>E. (“Sydney Sun” Cables). BERLIN, March 1L Following on the dissolution of the Reichstag a group of industrialists presumably inspired by Herr Stinnes, seceded from the People’s Party and intend with the assistance of file Nationalists, to launch a popular vote catching programme. 'They have already repudiated Stress-email as leader. BLOTTERS ARRESTED. MUNICH. March U. Four men have been arrested on a charge of plotting to murder Von Knlir.

AIEA!EIi QUESTION. RUSSIA INTERVENES. LONDON. March 13. When the League of Nations appeared about to reach a solution of the question of Aleinel. Russia intervened, by despatching a note to Poland, protesting against tile settlement of the question by a third parly as being a violation of the Rusxo-Lithuniiian peace t reaty. Tlie Warsaw papers are most indignant at what they consider the hostile tone of the Soviet Note. The press is particularly incensed at a passage questioning Unkind's right to ATlna, and hinting id tlie possible rupture of the Russo-Polish diplomatic relations.

TRAIN BLOWN OFF BRIDGE. DELHI, .March IT. A train on the Roliilkanl-Kumaou Railway, when passing over a bridge near Bareilly, struck Ihe full force of a cyclone. Five carriages were blown over, and two carriages fell into tho river, and three more on the dried bed of tlie river. The death-roll was later estimated nt from forty to fifty, ft is unknown how many wore in the submerged carriages. CHINA AND RUSSIA.

TOKIO, March IT. The Chinese Government’s recent decision to shortly recognise Russia has been reviewed. This is due to an apprehension ol tlie attitude ol Japanese officialdom, which perceives therein a threat to Japan’s paramountry in the Far East, and which admits also that- such recognition, if employed to exert pressure upon Japan, could he a powerful lever. The Chinese Government besides cannot resume relations with Moscow while the Soviet s present attitude towards its international obligations persists. The officials further assert, that the Russian unpri- • oilmen I of 12 J uunr.fcie at V ladivos-

feck (cabled on March 13th) is a de111,era!e .-lap in Japan’s face, which will hardly hasten to the Soviet’s recognition. PEK'IN, Match 13. Acting under instructions from President Tsoakun, tlie Cabinet lias decided to sign. within a, week, an agreement with Russia covering the principles of a full resumption of formal relations as already cabled. This agreement would allow ( Inna to io-de.-ni the Chinese Eastern Railway, and to provide lor joint control until the purchase price has been paid. At the same time. Russia agrees to evacuate Mongolia, and to renounce the powers of extra territoriality. President Tsoakuti'.s desire to obtain remission of the Russian Boxer indemnity is regarded as an important cause of his earnestness to resume relations.

FRENCH FINANCE. PARIS. Abneh IT. The French Senate has adopted a crucial article in M. Poincare’s financial proposals by IT! votes to Ml votes. BARTS, March IT. The “Petit Parisian's" Berlin correspondent says: “The rivival of the h-nic is causing hitter disappointment in Germany. D .stated that a consortium ot German and American banks, which have svsteniatieally attacked the franc for over three months, have lost within the, last two days ton million gold marks, in consequence of tlie revival of the franc.

GOVERNMENT BY DKC'R ME. PAWS. .March sis. The Poincare Government has cleared its first and most difficult hurdle in connection with the Finance Bill, the Senate having rejected its own T'inanre Committees amendment to Article One l>y 10-l to 1 11. and it subsequently adopted Aitide One by 101 to 128. This Aiticle temporarily delegates j’arliamentary authority to the Government, more particularly regarding the issue of decrees to earrv out reductions in expenditure. The president of the Finance Committee, before the voting, suggested a compromise in order that AT. Pomcare might retain office, hut the Premier rejected any compromise, and he insisted on the adoption of the GovernincntLs text ns n vote of confidence.

FRENCH AUTHOR. PARTS, March 15.

The French author, AT. Huedohro. (who wrote the hook “Finis Britannine”! on Thursday arrived home in a state of collapse. He affirms that after a telephone message, which lie believed to he from friends, he wtw seized and thrown into a taxi cab. Then he was chloroformed and driven to a place where two Englishmen forced him to write over and over again: “England is the mightiest nation in the world. Thereafter he remembers nothing until lie found himself wandering in a boulevard. The police regard the affair csa practical joke, in consequence of M. Huidobro’s hook: “Finis Brilnniae." SNOW IN ARABIA. LONDON. March 15. The “Daily Express” Constantinople correspondent says:—The first fall of snow in the history of the country has caused consternation in Arabia.