BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1925, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

iUfITBALIAN ANB N.Z

LATEST CABLE NEWS

.ABLE ASSOCIATION.

THE OPAWA FIRE. LONDON, Feb. 25. The owners of the Opawa have received a telegram from Perim, stating - the fire in No 3 hold, between decks, is still serious, hut under control. Further damage was done by the cheese running to oil. The cargo is being removed. Considerable damage to the cargo is probable in Nos. 1 and jj <v holds. The danger to these holds is primarly due to the non-re-frigerated cargo. Part of the trunk ways of No. 3 hold were destroyed.

THE SECURITY QUESTION. LONDON, February 25. The “ Daily Herald ” Paris correspondent says that a deadlock has been reached in the Anglo-French conversations in relcrciice to the disarmament of Germany and the evacuation of the Cologne area. The French insist upon linking up both these subjects with ih’e question of French security, aiid they are supported in this attitude by Marshal Focli’s pessimistic report with reference to the dangerous condition f Germany’s armaments. Some of the conclusions that are drawn in this report are vigorously combatted by R tish miliary representatives m Pans. In consequence of the deadlock, Franco welcomes the proposed Allied Goniorcnce at Brussels feeling that, with. Belgium's support, a stubborn case can be made out against the eva nation. The " Daily Telegraph’s” hpol-u-.tic correspondent says: ‘‘l lie idea of an Anglo-French Belgian pact, without German participation, finds fewer supporters in Ministerial circles than does the conception of a mutual regional pact between these powers and Germany. It is contended that the latter type of pact is more in consonance with Hie spirit of the League of Nations, and would avoid splitting Europe into two camps, alld driving Germany into the avms of Soviet Auma or any Asiatic combination. For these and cither reasons, it would he less likely to arouse criticism in the Dominions than either the Geneva Protocol as it now stands, or an alliance fashioned more or less on pre-war hues.

A NEW AIRSHIP,, LONDON, February 25. A revolution in air travel, by which airships in future will travel more safely. and faster and can lie moored to flying bases, is foreshadowed iit an authoritative statement regarding a new live million cubic feet airship that is being constructed by the Airship Guarantee Company, for toe Imperial airship route. The crew and the passengers will be accommodated in the body of the craft, instead of the outside - cars thus enabling a very material increase in speed to he allowed, and a considerable increase in the flight range, so that- it will lie possible to fly from England to Bagdad in two days to Colombo in four clays; to Fremantle in tU days, and to Auckland in nine days. STATE SHIPS, LONDON. February 25, The “Daily Telegraph” says: The misfortunes of the Australians are the more remarkable, because, under their navigation laws, British and vesseles are excluded from ’the coast---* ing trade. This Ims proved costly to those interested in inter-state commerce, who have had to pay higher freights than would have obtained under free conditions, but the absence of competitors ought to have proved advantageous to State-owned vessels. Moreover, it was assumed that they would have been supported by largo sections of the Commonwealth people, who would feel a patriotic pride ill sailing under their own flag. It is impossible to veaili any other conclusion that shipping, above all industries, is more unsuited to nationalisation. It remains to be seen whether a cyclic prepared lo comply with the conditions which obviously decrease the chances of earning profits, however cheaply the vessels may he sold. A SOVIET PROTEST. [Reuters Telegrams.] (Received this day at 8 a.m.) PEKIN, February 26. The Soviet Ambassador has protested to the Foreign Office against the maintenance of Russian white troops between Nanking and Shanghai and lias urgently requested the Chinese Government to order their disbandment without delay. CROWHOROUGH MURDER. LONDON, February 25. At the request of Norman Thorne’s solicitor, Elsie Cameron’s body has secretly been exhumed and medically , examined in the presence of Sir Bernard Spilsbury, the Home Office Pathologist. ZANNTS FLIGHT. SEATTLE. February 24, The Argentine aviator Zanni, has unofficially been warned that he would be arrested if he landed in Siberia during his coming world flight, according to Mr Murphy, Argentine consul, who says negotiations are being carried on with both Russia and Argentina, through France, who is friendly with both, ti enable Zai.ni to break his High! between the northern end of Japan and Southern Alaska. The Russian reluctance to lend aid is ascribed to the action of the Argentine Senate, which is understood to reflect unfavourable on the Soviet.