AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1924, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

[Rkctkus Telegrams.]

AMERICA AXD JAPAX. XKAY YORK. May 3,

The Tokio corrcsponeiit of t lie “Chicago Tribune'’ says that the Foreign Otiiee has received information from Mr llnuihnrn. Japanese Ambassador at AYiisliingtou to the effect that President CW.idge is ready to accept the Japanese suggestion for the formation of a joint high commission to investigate and report upon all outstand-

ing i-siies between the two countries

and suggest new agreements. This idea has been frequently suggested by Viscount Kiyoura. Premier, and Baron Matsui. Foreign Minister, who consulted the Elder Statesmen and also Count Cellida. ex-I'oreigll Miltistor. and Count Knncki. who are prominent advocates of the commission and will probably be appointed to the membership should the plan be adopted. INVESTIGATIONS ARE COSTLY. OIL MAGNATE FIGHTS SENATE COMMITTEE. AYASMINGTOX. May 2. Senator AA'arren, chairman (of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has announced that Senatotial investigations thus far. have cost 325.000 dollars. The average investigation costs between 4000 and 10,000 dollars monthly, most of the money being spent in defraying witnesses’ travelling expenses and printing the testimony. Senator AA’arren asked the committee chairmen to submit estimates of their needs for the ensuing summer, so that the amount might he appropriated before the adjournment. In the meantime the Senate has voted an additional 100.000 dollars to cover the current expenditure on all

inquiries. Sinclair’s counsel, opening legal argument in connection with the Senate’s indictment of the oil magnate for contempt in refusing to give evidence before tho inqttity eominittee, submitted a demurrer anil a motion to quash the indictment, contending that the Senate lacked power to compel testimony.

Counsel for the Government. Messrs Pomcreno anil Roberts, based tlieii reply upon a technicality, which rendered their opponents methods inconsistent with a rule of procedure.

IXJI'XCTIOXS SOCGIIT

WASHINGTON. May

The ex-Altorncy-Goitornl, H. M. Dougherty, has applied to the Disti ici Supreme Court lor an injunction to prevent the Senate's special committee from investigating his alleged failure to prosecute violators of the so-ealleil anti-trust laws. Dougherty has also asked for an injunction restraining the Telegram ComI any from furnishing the eiiinmitiee with his private telegrams, sent dttrir , his incumbency. News of the injunction suits nr. piised tlie members of the committee, who declared that they would vigorously combat the proceedings. Senator AA* heeler stated that this was i list another evidence ol how Dougherty was attempting to block the commit tee’s investigation. h v practically an admission of his guilt, as they would prove if permitted to get at the truth. The Attorney-General. -Mr Stone, has declared that the Department of Justice, at the committee's request, would defend it against Dougherty s suit.

sect of fanatics,

NEW YORK, May B At Ivebation. in Pennsylvania, disease has made terrible ravages among the members of the Faith Tabernacle. » small teligious sect residing here, "hose tenets provide for the cure of all ailments through praycis. Seven members have died during the past three weeks from diphtheria.. No cognisance was taken alter the first few deaths, hut neighbours thereat ter sent physicians, who. however, were not permitted to treat the afflicted. One family lost three members in a few days, but the surviving relatives only continued their prayers. The nut fmri ties are unable lo force medical attention on tin 1 alflicled. and are compelled to merely quarantine the hoit-es. where the deaths occurred. The sect, moreover, conceals information concerning the presence of disease, the disclosures coming only after death.

THE CHEAT I.AKES. NEW YOB lx, May I. An important incident affecting the United Stales and Canada has just liven disclosed by the State Department's publication of correspondencf with the liritish Embassy, on the question of the waters of the Great Bakes. Canada, declaring these water- to he the common heritage ol tic peoples of both countries, protests most earnestly against any proposal to divert water from the Great Bakes watershed to the .Mississippi watershed. American engineers have suggested a diversion in the interests of the middle we-tern cities of the United States, which desire to Imild up trade via tile Gulf of Mexico. Canada, moreover, protests against Chicago's present diversion of much of the water of Bake .Michigan for sanitary purposes. The Dominion alleges this already has lowered the waters oi the (treat Bakes affecting Canadian liarhours. whereupon millions have been spent, and further drainage would inflict great detriment on navigation from Sault St Marie to Tidewater, especially injuring .Montreal’s status as the Dominions' great port. would corin'. NEW YOKE, May I. The “Times” Washington corresp indent says: The sub-Committee are holding the hearing of the World's Court (cabled April 30) and will probably report to the Senate Foreign Relatiens Committee that the Court proproposal should he accepted, with an amendment for the negotiation of a pro toeol with all members of the League of Nations World Court, which would create a separate assembly and council for the appointment courts and judges. The design of the amendment is to cl! vorce the Court from the League, which ! would thus he overcoming the Hopub- I Menu's objections to anything involv- , ing the United States in the League ! ineiuliership. The acceptance of this amendment would mean 'negotiations , with more than fifty nations, and una. J nimity would he extremely unlikely, j Observers clearly indicate, however, that the Senate will not accept the j Court proposal in any form, and it is j fairly certain the present session of | Congress will remain aetionless there-j on. A popular agitation, however, will j continue. It is expected opponents <■ j the proposal will make their objections known before the Sub-Committee dur- j ing it- continued hearing.