AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1924, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION, ’ HIGH AUTHORITY INVOLVED. WASHINGTON, March 28. At the Senate Inquiry Committee, sitting, Mrs Smith, recalled, was not allowed to give the names of the five men she had previously referred to as making thirty-five million dollars. Counsel lor Mr Dougherty said the name of a President was among them. It is understood the President in announcing Mr Dougherty’s resignation is expected not to declare Dougherty guilty of anything, but will suggest that so many charges wore piling up against him, that Dougherty cannot possibly give proper attention to the country’s business. A REPUBLICAN LOSS. NEW YORK, March 29 The resignation of Mr Dougherty pro-’ miscs a troublous Republican Conventio ntliis June with possibly unforeseen results.

Mr Dougherty remained in the Cabinet because be has proved one of the strongest leaders in the Republican Party, lie absolutely controlling the political machine in Ohio, which is always the pivotal State in national politics.

Observers indicate that the President was uncertain about requesting Mr Dougherty’s resignation, for fear of antagonising and losing Ohio -State s support in the coming campaign, but- the recent so-called primary elections in various States, at which delegates are chosen for the National Convention, indicate such strong support for President Coolidge, that the President’s advisers counselled that Dougherty should he asked to resign. The resignation is attended by actually visible popular relief, as the Senate’s investigation is causing a great distaste throughout the nation, and district in the Department of Justice, which has been long evident. SENATOR LA FOLETTE. WASHINGTON, March 29 La Folette is seriously ill with pneumonia. His son has been summoned to his bedside, where the remainder of the family have been in constant attendance.' Senator La Folette, for tlio past three week's, has been confined to his rooms with a severe cold, which tonight developed in to pneumonia, but, with his characteristic energy, he has kept in close touch with aflairs at the capital, and in his sick room did considerable reading and writing. Senator La Folette lias long been a leader in thi' insurgent group of Republicans, and is regarded as their logical presidential candidate as a third party, which President Coolidge’s adherents have feared as the greatest threat against Mr Coolidge’s success at the forthcoming elections. Senator La Folette’s illness, however, not only regales his own opportunity, but means tlio temporary abandonment of the third party movement, and the deferment of the hope of liberalising the Republican Party.

Senator La Folette is much improved from his attack of pneumonia.

SMUGGLING FROM “MEGANTIC.” NEW YORK, March 30 Six members of the crew of. the liner Megan tic have been arrested by New York Customs men, who discovered 136 bottles of champagne- being lowered info a motor boat. CO I.MERY EXPLOSION. NEW YORK, March 28 / message from Welch in West V irginiu, reports that twenty-six mineis were killed by an explosion in a coal mine. SIR WILSON’S WILL. NEW YORK, March 28. Mrs Woodrow Wilson, using the legal <mj-vices of the ex-President- s son-in-law, Mr M. A. Adoo, lias filed the exPresident’s will. The entire estate consists of bonds, personal properties ami securities valued at 250 thousand dollars, of which Mrs Wilson is the cldc beneficiary and executrix.

JAP immigrants. WASHINGTON, March 29. It has been authoritatively indicated that the Senate Immigration Committee does not approve of California’s demand lor the statutory exclusion of Japanese immigrants, because they are ineligible for citizenship, but approves of the order to modify the “gentlemen’s in leaving negotiations with Japan in agreement.” The question is proving seriously disturbing, causing enmities in Congress. The Japanese press reports that tie populace are following the Congressional Uan.snctions on Japanese-immigra-tion very closely, and are condemning all thought of exclusion. It is also having an effect on Congress, especially since Secretary Hughes is siding with the non-exolusionists. HOCKEY. OTTAWA, March 28. Tire Canadian Amateur Hockey Association has granted permsision to the British Columbia Association Act as it sees ft on a request from Australia that a hockey team from British Columbia be sent to that country to create enthusiasm in the game, but the trip i-annot he made this year.