AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1924, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

[Reuters Telegrams.]

U.S.A. DE-MOCK ATS. I! IV A I.S AT CONVENTION. NEW YOKE, June 2d At Maddison Square Garden, in the arena made famous by histone pugilistic encounters, the hosts of the Democratic Party, numbering 13,000 per sons, opened their convention. There is a fine tension existing between the Smith and McAdoo forces. Every known art of political manoeuvring i.s being practised, from attempts to fill the spectators’ galleries with McAdoo partisans to arranging private deals whereby the support of delegates is traded with mathematical precision. New York is just now suffering from incredible heat, hut molting temperatures mean little discomforts, and cannot quench the real enthusiasm of a partisanship so real that it is feared that lasting breaches may sunder the Democratic Party before the Convention ends. .Something of a reverent spirit possessed the Democratic Convention today, when several speakers delivered addresses eulogising the late President Woodrow Wilson. Passions were easily stirred, however, and rebel yells, namely, the Southern Civil War eiv, made a great din. Colour and vividness abounded, and stir and movement touched every moment of the proceedings from the singing of the American National Anthem to the choice of the various committees. The efficient hand of stage managership was evident at every point where the air of the arena was tilled with the lluttoriiig of small Hags, which were released by mechanical means.

Senator Harrison gave hi* address, the roll of the Convention was called, the Doles Committee made its report, and the Convention’s afternoon business was completed.

The contest of the real forces, however. began in the hotel rooms for the Party’s platform. Hie contents of which are still an uncertain matter.

In the course of his speech to the Convention, Senator Walsh, the Permanent ( hnirman of the Democratic Convention, called attention to the biller fruits of the Kepuhlieans, who. he declared, had defeated Woodrow Wilson’s foreign policies. Senator Walsh condemned the failure ol the Republicans to assure the establishment, of the Association of Nations. He outlined detail* of the oil scandals, and he charged that President Coolidge had not hesitated to shield the culprits, and to attempt to suppress the investigations.

Senator Walsh condemned both tlie tariff and the isolation policy as “destructive of America's best interests in the world.” “The Republican Party dare not take a step for the pacification of Europe.”

lie added; “The Republican Leaders would like to have the Democrats raise the League of Nations issue again, but it is more important that we abandon foolish antagonism to any world movement, because it i.s connected with the League. The honour of our conn try demands a return lo the Wil*on ideals, and our resumption of moral leadership in the world. HUGE OIL EIRE. NEW YORK. June 23. Five men are missing and eight are seriously injured a*- the result of an explosion of naphtha aboard the Briti*li freight steamer Egernioiit ( a*t!e at the dock. The vessel's carg» consisiotl of one hundred thousand gallons of naphtha, and a large quantity .of motor oil.

The llames spread rapidly. The hatches were battened down, and the vessel was towed into the river and sunk.