AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1924, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

[Reutkhu Teleghams.]

U.S.A. DEALOCRATS. NEW YORK, June 2S

A proposal for a national referendum on the question of United States membership in the League of Nations lias been approved by the Platform Committee of the Democratic Convention by thirty-four votes to sixteen.

Further planks unanimously accepted were those put forward by the sub-committee of the Resolutions Committee to pledge a further reduction in land and naval armaments; and the conscription of other resources besides man power during war; also a plunk in favour of the exclusion of Asiatics; a pledge that the Government will adopt a public works programme during unemployment. There is a plank endorsing collective bargaining and the right of Labour to organise. Another plank is a pledge to recover the I'.S.A. Navy’s oil reserves and a further one is for honesty in government.

The Full Committee has adopted the majority report on the League of Nations plank pledging membership of the World Court, co-operation in the settlement of European troubles and a general referendum concerning U.S.A. entrance into the League at some future date.

Alessrs Baker and Glass declare that they will present a minority report to the Convention endorsing an immediate entry by U.S.A. into tlie League. The Full Committee has likewise adopted a majority deport in favour of a Ku Kills Klan plank guaranteeing religious freedom and condemning secret societies, without mentioning the Klan. The nnti-Klan forces will present a minority report of the Convention specifically mentioning and condemning tlie Ku Klux Klan. There is a prohibition plank in the fonn of a general declaration for law enforcement.

Air William Jennings Bryan, veteran candidate, made a strong plea for the referendum. He said he wanted to make it possible for every Republican to vote for the Longue, irrespective of how lie might vote in November, lie was to get a vote of the American people that would force the Republican Senate to carry out democratic principles on the League. When the League was disposed of, the Committee devoted itself to the Ku Klux Klan. with every indication that majority and minority reports on the question, specifically naming the Klan, would he submitted, thus throwing the question into the open convention.

RIVALRY STILL KEEN,

NEW* YORK, ifunc 27

The Democratic Party Convention’s fourth session opened with the delegates tired and the real business barely begun. The Resolution Committee is still deadlocked over some important planks of the platform, and the choico of candidate has not yet been determined. The AFcAdoo and Smith factions arc still jockeying for tactical advantages, each side glorying over the minutest victory.

Governor Al. Smith’s partisans are now claiming that yesterday’s adjournment. which the AlcAdoo partisans’ leaders opposed, shows, in a test vote, that AH ATcAdoo does not even control a majority of delegates at the convention.

Meantime the convention to-day continued with the speeches by the proposers and .seconders of the nominations. Air Newton. D. Baker, former secretary for AYar, in a brilliant speech, named ex-Governor Cox, who represents the strongest position of Wilson’s League view during his candidacy in 1920. Air Baker’s speech was tin.' most stirring of the convention, dealing with foreign a flairs, and its keynote was the League of Nations, the necessity for which was due, he said, *‘to the fact that the four horsemen of the Apocalypse no longer only tread the highways of war hut are scattered into the bridle paths of peace.” ATr Baker recounted the accomplishments of the League, and delegates cheered. Then the ex-Secrotary of State suddenly launched into an attack on tlie Ku Klux Klan. and also on the Republican administration generally. especially its corruption. Air Baker himself is considered a more likely Presidential candidate than ex-Governor Cox. since the Democrats are not inclined again to choose the leader of a lost cause. There was a mild demonstration when Air Baker finished. Airs Carroll AVinter. of Pittsburg, seconded the nomination of Governor Smith. In doing so. she pleaded that there should lie no discrimination against the Governor of New York State liocaiise he i.s a Catholic. A wild demonstration on behalf of Governor Smith then followed.

The putting of the nominations eontinned. Governor Drown of Now Hampshire. Mr Silzer and Mr Dryan Avere named.

Mr O’Connor, a delegate from North Dakota, brought about an outburst when he .seconded Mr MeAdoo’s nomination. He said: ‘I condemn the organisation known as the TCu Khtx Klan.” This demonstration wa.s a clover Smith manoeuvre, whereby tbc auti-Klaii supporters of Air MoAdoo were forced to make known their disagreement with Air AleAdoo on the Klan issue. ALiny women continued making seconding speeches, lint the delegates were getting tired of the seconding';, and the floor -bowed the crowd’s ty) ica| merciless ness. Several male spoil kei ; were peiomptorily silenced. Then Air Glass was presented and seconded amidst aeola-matioii : and ox-Ambas-

.sadnp Davis wa.s also named cheered.

Senator Cummins, the Chairman of the Resolution Committee announced that the Committee were unable to report the Party's platform until next morning, and the Convention thereupon adjourned. NEW YORK. June 27.

An open light in the Demoeratie Convention of the Ku TCI II x Klan was'tlie forecast for to-day by platform builders after they spent many hours in trying to agree on the subject, and declaration regarding the League of Nations. Committeemen said there was little prospect of the Committee reverting the platform with a TCu J TClnx Klan plank that would avoid a row. The AleAdoo delegates openly disavowed aiiv sympathy on the part of Air AR-Adoo with religious tolerance. NEW YORK. June 2S. Mr Wayne D. AYlieoler. counsel for the Anti-Saloon Teague, declares that prohibition agents have seized 52.090 case- of liquor, three hundred barrels of beer, and 51.590 gallons of alcohol in New York sinee the Democratic (.’onvention. WOODEN SHIP CASE. A PRIVATE SETTLEMENT. SAN FRANCISCO. June 2L The attorneys for (he Australian Common wealth Government have informed the Official Secretary. Afr Edwards. that a private settlement has been reached in the Wooden Ship Case, last heard on 2nd ATarcli, which, after obtaining tlio Federal Court’s approval

boeomes official. Air Edwards has cabled the details ns follows:

“The trustee in bankruptcy for the Patterson, .McDonald Shipbuilding Company, has a fund of -108,000 dollars, representing the assets of tlie defunct concern. The Commonwealth and tho Trustee agree that, if both parties cancel their claims and counter claims against each other, including the ship ping company’s demands for a sum exceeding 300,000 dollars, the Trustee will pay the Commonwealth 130,000 dollars. The Commonwealth, however, must pay the attorneys’, referees’ and arbitrators’ fees and many others sums in connection with this long standing litigation, amounting to 115,000 dollars. The Commonwealth, therefore, will ultimately obtain a cash sum of 15,000 dollars.”

JAPAN BUYS COWS. SAN FRANCISCO, June 27 Japan lias entered into an experiment to make her people of larger stature, through the consumption of milk, and Japan is now negotiating for large purchases of milch cows in the United States.

The California Dairy Council announces that Doctor Miyrtwnki, Profossor of dairying in the llokkado University, is eu route to Japan with a big shipment of pure bred dairy stock, purchased in the United States.

CITY DF..MOLISHED. (Received this day at S a.tn.) NEW YORK, June 28 A Cleveland message states the Elyria lire department, which succeeded in reaching Lorain, which got the full force of the tornado, scut out a frantic appeal for help. It is reported that several hundred people were injured, when « theatre collapsed. A motorist who drove from Lorain reported East Lorain was demolished and the city of Lorain swept away. A relief train was rushed to the scene. All communication wires arc down, isolating Sandusky and other points.