AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1924, Page 3

AMERICAN ITEMS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

[REUTERS Teleciiams.] C.S.A. TREATIES WITH ECHOI’K. WASHINGTON, -May 22. The twelve mile liquor treaty be tween the United States and Britaii became effective with the exchange ol ratifications at the State Department Simultaneously the Department annex ed signatures to a similar treaty with Sweden, making the third in the series Germany having signed on Monday Another treaty with Holland is being negotiated. ' WASHINGTON, May 22. President Coolidge has formally proclaimed the liquor treaty with Britain, after ratifications were exchanged between Secretary Hughes and Ambassador Sir E. Howard. The treaty will remain in force one year, and will be automatically renewed yearly milesnotice is given that cither side desires to revise it. The penalties under the American prohibition statutes will not be applicable to the liquor aboard British ships listed as sea stores or cargo for other ports, provided ii is kept sealed in the United estates waters.

There i.s to lie compensation provided for damages sustained bv British vessels through the exercise of the right of search out-ide the three-mile limit. The question of compensation will he referred to the consideration ol two persons, each Government nominating one. Failing a joint report, the claim will ho referred to the Claims Board, established in 1910. for the settlement of pecuniary claims between the two Governments.

. DISTILLERIES IN BAHAMAS. WASHINGTON. -May 20. The source of bootleg liqiley is seen in an announcement of plans for the erection and operation of distilleries in the Bahama Islands, which already are recognised as the in .-t iormidable rum running base. Several steamships have brought the news that the Nassau Assembly has just passed a law authorising the operation id tin* distillery whence the Government expects an annual revenue of fifteen hundred thousand dollars. Sir Sydney Nettleton. (Lord Chief Justice of the Nassau Supreme (mull explained that so far Nassau had a-- distillery, hill the Government gave approval to the project, levying a tax of one dollar per gallon. It is significant that this putative revenue will bo yielded by distilleries costing only live hundred thousand dollars.

C.S.A. SCANDALS. WASHINGTON, May 2.'i The Senate’s Daugherty Committee listened to one of the most instructive witnesses yet summoned, John Crim, formerly in charge of the investigation of Radical. lie declared: That the so-called "Red” menace was mostly talk, which tic- private deteclive anciu’ifs foster, lienmse they prolit by creating ic fear of Bolshevism, la three years investigation. I was unable to find any Red Army whereof Senators Borah, France and Brookhart were allegedly the leaders. Crim. who secured the indictment of Forbes in tiie Veterans Bureau Scandals on February 29 defended ex-Attorney Daugherty saying that Daugherty had many faults, but corruption was not one of them, adding: That the office ol Attorney-General should he divorced from the Cabinet in order to keep the Department of Justice free from polities. I think ninety per cent of the personnel of the Bureau ot Investigation could lie discharged without impairment of the service. We need more organisation in the field and les» centralisation at Washington.

EXCHANGE DROPS. NEW YORK. May 22 The exchanges li.iw been suitering slight daily 10-se~. which, within :■

week, has brought stciling to 131 cents, representing a net loss of two cents. The franc has reached 3 l-l I cents, representing a net decline ol half a cent. The latter's weakness is traceable to the prospective change of the Government especially in Franco to the incoming Government's relueiance to lurtiish specific assurance of their altitude.

TAR IKK AGITATION. JAMAICA. Mav 22

The Legislative Council has passed a resolution urging the continuance by the Rritish Government of preference on Colonial products, especially sugar, otherwise il is intended that tin West Indian sugar industry will be unable to compete with Continental products. Ii was staled that unless preference remained, .laniaica must seek a new markei in Canada and the I'nited States.

KAUAI KUK TO HKNKI'TT. OTTAWA. May 22. The Massey Harris Company in

statement to the Press, says:—"We shall endeavour to adjust mil's, dve: to the new conditions, and a ill give the Canadian farmer every possible advantage arising Irom tin* changes inadc. Tbe provisions exempting fain implements Irom tin- sales lax ale most welcome, and these, combinve with the lower customs duties oil raw materials, now enable the mamilac turer to make an immediate reduction in his prices.”

In view of ihe recent action o' Britain in removing preferential tariff duties, a stimulus has been given in Canada to a movement for a reciprocal agreement between (amnia .New Zealand. Australia, and South Africa for a preferential agreement In mutual advantage. SI N VAT SKT.

NKW YORK. May 2.T The lOvoiiing Host’s Canton correspondent says: l)r San Vet Sen, m a first interview since the erroneous reports of his death, said: So long ns foreign powers persist in recognising the Wnpeifu clique as the Chinese Government. there will be disorder and .Strife in China. I beg no assistance from foreign powers, but as the tniim!ed of a new order in China. I have the right to demand the neutrality of the foreign power- in connection with out internal affairs, otherwise, the. day may enme when licrrassed China will set a lire another world conflagration. The correspondent says he learns Dr Situ Vat Sen's followers remain loyal to him, despite a shortage of funds. Conditions in Canton appear normal. The majority of the soldiers are now quartered outside the city, but the Canton Government has just lost another case with the inhabitants. Toe latter, with gay banners, fire crackers ami iosses on junks and sampans arc celebrating their victorious strike, marking the refusal of the people to pay taxes.

U.S.A. NAVY. WASHINGTON, May 22 Secretary Wilbur submitted the House of Representatives the Naval Affairs Committee’s report stating the Hinted States is second among the naval powers, the real ratio being 5 3 3, instead of ,-> —5—L Otherwise the report generally sustains Admiral Shearer’s conclusions (cabled April 2(5), and is specially- based on Admiral Coonty's rep°H of May ith.