AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 May 1924, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

[liEBTMis Telegrams.] L'.S.A. PRESIDENCY. A FOB KCAST. NEW YOBK. May 11. The •‘Times” Washington correspondent says: With the National Convention but a lew weeks away, the strength of the various aspirants tor the presidential nominations is becoming easier to estimate. President Coolidge has unquestionably become the outstanding figure ol -the Beptihlican Party, and not only is his nomination assured in the first ballot by a vote of 10.10 delegates (as cabled on April 20h.) but it is believed that he will bo able to dictate "ho the vice-presiden-tial candidate shall he. The tactical policy of the Bepublican leaders will be an attempt to secure unanimity, and tranquility through the party, especially conciliating the so-called Radical elements fiom the North-M cstorn Stales who are inclined to initiate an independent third party movement. Tiie oiistanding figures in the democratic Party are still Air McAdoo and Governor Smith of New York. Mr MeA,loo's campaign managers assert he is already assured of the support ol (>')() delegates, and will secure the requisite two-thirds majority- among the 1908 total delegates, after the first few ballots.

However, unbiased observers assert that probably a compromise candidate will secure the democratic nomination. DRY LAW IGNORED. NEW YOBK. May 11. \ telegram from Springfield, says that, in an impassioned speech denouncing the Federal enforcement of prohibition. Governor Pinchot, of Pennsylvania, addressing a Methodist Convention, declared that the Enforcement Law was the greatest moral issue before the American people. He said that there was a betrayal of tie Eighteenth Amendment by the politkffims. It was known from coast to coast, and openly tolerated. An alliance between the bootleggers and the politicians had corrupted their children degraded the characters, destroyed the health, and cost the lives of uncounted thousands; it had debauched the Government and shamed America before the world. The failure of the enforcement was sometimes claimed to mean that the Eighteenth Amendment had failed. It meant nothing of the sort. They were infinitely better now. with’all the deductions made for "'retched Enforcement than they were before. Air Pirn-lmt blamed Mr Mellon tor the failure of the Fedora] Enforcement. anil added that moral indignation was not enough. This was a (il -e for fearless, untiring, unpromising action in a cause wherefore every church member of America was irrevocably pledged. VOLCANIC EBCPTION.

NEW YORK. May 12. \ despatch from liih. says: Kilavea is aiigrv. A dust cloud from the volcano is rising to a height of two miles. It presents an awe inspiring spectacle. The Government station reports that it is the strangest sight seen for many years. Bock avatar,dies continue to thunder within the pit. Lava cataracts are falling from the crater, ami steam and gas are escaping from the crevasses. Yoleanohigi l al instruments continue give evidence of the temperament;.list's ancient cauldron. The h:vall,iw continues "itli an unknown outlet. which Assistant Volcanologist Fmcll indicates is ] rohahly into the sea. The sides of the crater are falling, and llie lava movement shows a. sinking tendency. Minor earthquakes have been continuing in the neighbourhood, tieenrding to the seismographs.

GOLF. NEW YORK. May 12. Kirkwood and Hag* n deieated Air Loan and Farrell in an exhibition 13holes; four up. OTTAWA, -Alav 12. Sir Robert Borden, interviewed at Toronto, refused to comment oil tlm Belfast despatch, that he was requested by the British Government lo act as chairman of the Irish Boundary Commission, and that his conditional acceptance had been received. AF.BOPI.ANE WRECKED. VANCOUVER, -May 12. Major .Martin and his mechanic are returning Irom Port Moller to the United States. Their aeroplane was wrecked when it hit a mountain in a blinding snow and log.

HOMICIDE BECOIiDAMERICAN FIGURES. NEW YORK, May D. Dr Frederick llolfmann, commenting on the homicide record ior 1223, declares that while the countrywide murder trend is upward New York city’s rate has slightly decreased. Dr llolfmami writes—“. New A ork in 1D22, had .'137 homicides as against 3()s hist year, representing a rate of o 2-10 per 100,0(10 of the population. Homicides in tweiily-eighl major cities in 1023 totalled 217.'., the average rate being two-tenths as against a into of nine-tenths during 1922. lie finds that Alemphis. Tennessee, lends the list for 1923 with 113 murders. representing a rate of (IT. and remarks that the sale of firearms, through mail order houses, is unquestionably one of tin* most truillul sources of murderous crimes. While several respectable firms had voluntarily discontinued the sale of firearms, there remained sufficient vendors v hose activities prevented the it ha toil cut of homicide.