BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1926, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

[Renner Telegrams,j REVOLVER. BATTLE IN' RAILWAY CAR. RIGA, Feb. 0. 'Two Soviet couriers travelling on tlie Moscow'-Riga, train were killed in Latvian Territory by two men who gained access to the compartment, and attempted to seize the baggage. The alarm was given and the train guards hurried to the compartment, and engaged in a fiisilndc wiin the assailants who committed suicide. 1 LONDON, Fob. (i. An amazing story of a revolver battle in the sleeping ear and corridor of a train travelling from Moscow to Riga, in which two Soviet couriers and bandits are concerned, is told by the “Daily Express’s” Riga correspondent. The couriers, named Theodore Nelter and .Maclnnanstabl. appear to have been, attacked in their berths. Both behaved bravely. They opened fire, but Nolle was shot where he lay. Macbmanstali.l, though shot in tlie stomach and in the arm. followed the bandits to the corridor, wounding them so badly that they were unable to cscajie. Both were found dead. Ibe sleeping car presented an alarming sight on its arrival at Riga. The steps and doors of the corridors were covered with blood. .Volte was lying dead on the floor of one compartment, and Mnchnianstahl was outside. half conscious, defending a pile of diplomatic papers'.

The fierceness of the fight is shown by the fact that Macliniunstalil's revolver was emptied, and in Xelte’s there were three discharged. The police, in another compartment, found two bandits dead together. One bad evidently expired from wounds inflicted by someone else, while the other had blown out his own brains. .Maelimanstabl affirms that there were four bandits, and the police are searching for the missing two. The Soviet Legation at. Riga believes that the attack had the political purpose of securing the important papers which the couriers were carrying, but the Latvian authorities declare that the bandits were ordinary robbers, wlm expected to obtain valuables which the couriers were reported to be carrying abroad. Jacob Masse!, an American, was r.o- | copying the next compartment. lie states that lie beard men groaning in the corridor. Me opened the door and

looked into the muzzle of a revolver. He slammed the door, locked it, and laid down. He counted more than ‘-9 shots.

When the train stopped, the police found all the passengers barrieudiiu their doors and hiding their papers.

A MURDERER’S REQUEST. LONDON, Febraury li. Locktam was charged with murdering his wife and two daughters. The evidence showed l'.:e tragedy billowed a domestic quarrel whereafter Locktam. after drinking heavily, killed his wile and daughters with a revolver. Locktam was sentenced to death and requested to lie buried beside his wile. A GUNPOWDER PLOT. TOKIO, February I. The “ Jiji's” special Seoul correspondent lias repoi ted that the police have discovered a plot h.v known malcontents to blow lip the Government building. Three ringleaders have been arrested.

HEROES OF THE SEA. BRITAIN’S APPRECIATION. (Received this (lav at 9.Vi a.m.i LONDON, February 7. The President Roosevelt from Bremen. made a special call for a few hours at Southampton and received a memorable welcome. Sir ('u nli He Lister (President of the Hoard of Trade) specially visited Caplain Fried, declaring he was commanded by the King to express regret that " Your short stay does not permit you to come to London to receive his Majesty’s personal thanks in connection with the rescue which has earned the gratitude of the whole Britikh Empire. It has already taken its place in the annals of the sea as typical service. It has done more than we realise to commemorate longer friendship and lasting peace hot ween Britain and America.”

Sir Cunliffo Lister presented a gold box to Captain Friend and a gold medal from the British to tlie members of the lifeboat crews.

EARLY BRITISH ELECTION

“DAILY HERALD’S” VIEWS

LONDON, Feb. 7. The “Daily Herald,” in an editorial, states that Air Ramsay AlacDouold returns to an unparalleled political situation. Mr Baldwin and a largo section of the Tories an? frankly protectionist. and not disinclined to try to obtain a general tariff mandate at another election If it comes in the first half of 1920, it will be caused by a Tory split over the coal subsidy. It is understood Mr Baldwin is convinced that the subsidy will he necessary for a long time. -Sir \Y. JoynsonHiclcs, who fancies himself as Air Baldwin’s successor, ] uhlic ly declares that a renewal of the subsidy is out of tho question. A big circulation of newspapers and the industrial group of Tories certainly support ,Sir JoynsonIlieks views. Air Baldwin, in order to avoid an open split, may go to tho country, hoping to obtain a free hand to deal with both the subsidy and protection.

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

STATE PRESIDENTS UNANIMOUS

BERLIN. Fob. 7. A meeting of the Presidents of the German States unanimously decided, in the event of Germany’s entry to the League, to do everthing to strengthen

her position. TORTUGUESK REVOT.T. PARIS. Fob. 7

First hand stories are brought travellers of the Lisbon revolt, which show it began among tbc troops at Vcndasnovis, who imprisoned the officers, killed the Commander and tli marched to Almada, where they were joined bv many civilians. The prisons were attacked and prisoners supplied with arms. The rebels opened fire on St. George fort, which returned the lire.

The rebels succeeded in preventing reinforcements, but were eventually worn down and overcome.

During tli? lighting all Cabinet members took refuge in the barracks.