AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1924, Page 3

AMERICAN ITEMS.

THE JONES SHITTING ACT. OPERATION POSTPONED. [Reuters Telegrams.] ißeceivsd this da.v at 8 a.m.» WASHINGTON, April 20. The House of Representatives Committee of the Meichant. •Marine, recommended the postponement until the Ist of .May, 11120, of tie operation of section twenty-eight of the Jones Ship; ing Act. This a tion is due to tremendous pressure from commercial interests throughout the United States, who sent representatives to make appeals before Congress, the inter-Stnte Commerce Commission, and the Shipping Board itself, there being virtual unanimity hat its enforcement would demoralise the nation’s indnsry.

TILDEN’S POSITION. NKAY YORK. April 2(5

■While it is considerably assured that —{ Tilden will not participate in the Davis Clip games, it is indicated that the Committee in accepting his resignation, reiterated that there was no question of his eligibility to represent the United States. Tildren now has the opportunity of accepting this ns defining his standing, which he demanded. There is a slight hope that he may he induced to withdraw his resignation. Deep disappointment is expressed in tennis circles at Tilden's withdrawal, the popular regret lieing that it will spread. The comment takes the line that the Amateur Rules Committee was undeniably justified in ruling that ex-

tensive journalistic endeavours invalid

eil an amateur’s standing, but the re■L >. port was not diplomatic and it could ho easily foreseen that it would hurt the feelings of any player, especially Tilden. who is known to lie sensitive.

THE NAVAL RATIO. WASHINGTON. April 20. N:ivy Depnrnient officials confirme'l the statements contained in the nnnly-i----of the Viiitoil States. Britain's and Japan’s naval power, made hy V illinm Shearer, a former special expert, employed by the Navy Department. Air Shearer alleged the ratio o-5-3. no longer exists as both Britain and .Japan surpasses the United States in armament range, guns, quality and strength of cruisers, submarines and quantity of oil fuel. He alleges lmt the United States would he unable to fight for a week upon the present oil reserves. Mr Shearer declared that Japan outranks the U.S. and Britain in the excellence of her naval bases, while the U.S. has only naval yards hut no liases. - A .naval official! declared that he was unable, without a great tech meal enquiry, to determine the truth of Air Shearer’s charges. The naval ratio is now 5.3-1, with the United States holding the last position, but they admitted the truth of Shearer’s other charges, declaring that Ins detailed i figures showed Acmrica’s infirmity in gun elevation, auxiliary craft strength, etc., was absolutely correct.