AMERICAN CABLE NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1925, Page 2

AMERICAN CABLE NEWS.

[Reuter Telegrams.] A MODERN CRUSOE. VANCOUVER. Nov. 13 v The Aorangi's. passengers can tell a real story of the relief of a modern Robinson Crusoe, who has been marooned on a tiny coral island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean by the failure of a company for which he was managing a copra plantation. At the request of the liquidators of the Samoa Exports Company, the Aoragni called at Hull Island, between Suva and Honolulu, to get information and deliver letters to Mr A. Schaeffer, the man in question. He originally was engaged as manager there by tlie Leverhulmes. He, with his wife and two children, and a score of Kanakas, have been there for four years, and for the past eighteen months they have been entirelv out of communication with the world.

With a native crew Schaeffer left the island in an outrigger canoe. He told a story of worry and hardship which Captain R. Crawford wirelessed to the Governor of Fiji. For eighteen months Schaeffer had received no word from his company. For four months iiis supply of oruinary food hail been exhausted. They were subsisting entirely on fish and cocoanuts. Their medical stores hail been reduced to a dozen quinine tablets, though three of the natives were sick. Captain Crawford landed medicine ami supplied food. the stewards donating a welcome supply ot whisky anil tobacco.

Mr Schaeffer had not had a cigarette for two yeas, lie also mourned the loss of his false teeth.

The Aornngi was later advised that Suva was sending a relict ship to take off the community, and fifty tons of accumulated copra. In his gratitude, Mr Schaeffer wished the Aorangi to wait for him to deliver two mammoth, turtles, but the ship was unable to further delay her voyage.

ABOLITION OF SUBMARINES ADVOCATED. LONDON, November 15. The “ News of the World ” in pointing out that it was France’s objections chiefly which prevented the abolition ol submarines at the Washington Conference suggests that Britain should reopen negotiations on the subject, offering as an inducement to forego half France’s debt to Britain.

The paper adds that the abandonment of submarines would doubtless be approved by America, Japan and other naval powers. Reynold’s News.” in an editorial says submarines are valueless in peaee time and in wartime showed little use against surface warships. The world was talking loudly of peace by disarmament but let the Governments prove sincerity by banning submarines. They will have the support of the great masses of their peoples.