BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1925, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

LATEST CABLE NEWS

[Reuters Telegrams.] AVAR PRISONERS IN SIBERIA. PARIS, February 2. l _. l)o Verscy, a native of Alsace-Lor-raine, who reached Metz after escaping from a Siberian prison camp, at Pluezaelski, says there all are unaware that the war has ended. He only heard ot its termination when he reached Petrograd.

BIG POLK'D HAUL. LONDON, February 3. The police, in tlie early hours of tlie morning, made two raids on night elides. I lie first was in Long Acre, where the names of thirty dancers were taken. The second was in Chame: Lane. .Motor tenders occupied every side street-, then the police rushed the hall anil found two hundred people around the dance floor. Fifty-nine men, women and girls, found in possession ot liquor, were taken to the police station. These, together with the proprietors of clubs, were .summoned to Bow St., some appearing in fancy dress. The dancers were mostly fined forty shillings. '

’The prosecution -alleged it was a bogus club, to which anyone could he ailinittel gratis, and in which they could buy any kind of liquor. The cases against the proprietors and others were adjourned. BRITAIN AND DOMINIONS. LONDON, February 3. Air Neville Chamberlain, in the Free Trades Hall at Alanchester, discussing Imperial trade, said: “Britain should make sure of tlie shelter we obtain L. Imperial markets, which are the only markets in which we now get any preference or favour against the fierce blast of foreign competition. Britain was too complacent in her attitude towards her relations with other parts of the Einipre, She regards preference as .secure, without giving anything in exchange for it. It would be better to buy wheat and cotton from British possessions instead of from the dimiii-' ishing surplus of American productions the purchase of which only exalted the dollar at the expense of the pound.” Air Chamberlain hoped the Government, by announcing its intention of proceeding with the Singapore base, anil pretei'enee to Empire goods would counteract the unfortunate impression created by the late Government in rejecting the resolutions of the Economic Conference. DENIAL BY AIUSSOLINI. LONDON, February 2. The “ Daily Telegraph ” features a lengthy exclusive interview with Signor Mussolini, in which the Italian Premier ridiculed the idea of a reign of terror in Italy, or suppression of the Press. lie points out his answer to the latter charge is that the opposition journals are able to make a daily outcry that Italy is a country without liberty.

Signor Alussolini sheds light on the policy towards freemasonry, which would be permitted to carry out legitimate activities, once the lists of members and statutes of governance are disclosed to the authorities. He adds: “ Anyone wishing to engage in polities must do so openly and publicly. Of course freemasonry in Italy is greatly .iill'erciit from that in England, where 1 once visited a lodge.” .

FRANCE AND THE VATICAN. PARIS, February 2. In the course of a debate on tlio Foreign Estimates, the Chamber approved by 314 to 200 votes ol AI. llciii-'t s oolicv in favour of the abolition of the Embassy at the \ atican, which "'is treated as a vote ol confidence. M. | li'i'i'iot agreed to the inclusion in tlio estimates of provision for a mission to !] U ; Vatican to represent Alsace-Lor-raine, which has a special concordat with the Holy See. PRIEST EX-COMMUNICATED. ROME, February 2. The Vatican, in pursuance-of tlie polriy of stamping out modernism, ex••ominnninicated Alonsignor Bomajuti, Professor of Religion in Rome University. Catholics are warned not to read iiis hooks, or attend his lectures, which have been attracting increasing-, attendances of young people. I lie decision caused great excitement because it is the first ex-communication since the case of Father Tyrrell, Irish Jesuit, in 1907. ],'! e: TIHC lANS STRIKE SETTLED. LONDON, February 2. The electricians strike lias been settled on the condition that the man whose employment caused the dispute rejoins the union. Work is being resumed forthwith.

KT. PAUL’S LONDON, February >. Tho “Dailv Express” editor tlly warns the public agtunst optimism as rewards Canon Alexanders statement concerning St. Paul’s Cathedra led yesterday), and says that f™ l architects and engineers support- the C’itv Surveyor’s view that the building is unsafe, hut they do no care to sa> so imblidv. The nation lias a njitto expert the Government to n. crvmH, to insure the safety ol the pu d c mid the preservation of the eathed da* a conflict of expert opinion is so H 1 Pant the former should appeal - Government. St, Paul’s mennwhde sliool.t he closed.

A’ESTY’K OFFERING. LONDON, Feb. 3. The “ Daily Herald ” says that within fortnight of Yesty’s nitdul ale of small profits from the ho«tl A c - can meat trade, the River Plate, I tltish and Continential Company G-ab ed on Friday) which is connected with the A'cstv’s group, have offered prospective ordinary shareholders the expectation of upwards of twelve and a halt pm cent, after paying hist mortgage debentures and redeemable prefenetl stock, seven and eight per cent respectively. CHINESE AFFAIRS. 1 PEACE IN SIGHT. PEKIN. February 3. The local Chinese military leaders ncreed to a scheme for the demilitarisation of Shanghai, the dismantlement 0 f tl l( , AA'oosung forts and the appointment by Pekin of a civilian as the tuna tt of Shanghai and AA'oosung. The local arsenal is to he handed to the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and dl troops will he withdrawn from shanghai within the next few Gave If Pekin agrees to the demilitarisation and there is every indication that : t will, the plans will completely satisV the desires of both the Chinese and i-reicm mercantile communities.