BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1926, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

[Australian,\fc N.Z. Cable Association.] DANUBE ELOOD. BUCHAREST, August 15. The most extensive floods' have occurred owing to the overflowing of tho River Danube in the Galetz and Tanslyvania districts. lied Cross workers from Jugo-Slavia report that over one thousand houses have been destroyed. The floods were due to the breakdown of the general conservancy of the river, which the Hungarian and Jugo-Slavian Governments are now endeavouring to revive. ENGLAND SHAKEN. WIDEST SPREAD FOR YEARS. LONDON, Aug. 15. There was an earthquake shock in Engliuul early this morning. It was the most widespread shock of recent times. It extended from Cardiff to Peterborough. and from Bath to Derby. There was only a slight shock in London. Til the most extreme cases, the beds moved, and the sleepers were thrown on the floor. Furniture and crockery were rattled, and ceilings were cracked.

The shock was accompanied by a large rumbling noise. In one vißige, a man caused excitement by rushing through the street shouting “The end of the world is coming!”

DISASTER AT SEA. HALIFAX, Aug. 10

It is feared that 52 seamen have been drowned—forty-seven of them fishermen—from Nova Scotia schooners, and five from the Norwegian steamer “Ringhorn.” This is tho human toll exacted by a storm which a week ago swept tlie coast of Nova Scotia.

BRITISH NAVY POLICY". LIQNON, Aug, 15

Mr Archibald Hurd, writing in tho “Daily Telegraph,” states: —“There will he no naval review at Spitliead m honour of the delegates to the Impel ial Conference. This decision is due to Lord Beatty’s post-war scheme of the distribution of the Navy now having . been carried out. Ibis is based on the assumption that the Navy exists to defend the Empire, and not merely Britain; and in consequence, most men o’ war are serving in outer areas. The most powerful squadrons aro in the -Mediterranean. In view of the financial stringency, it is not considered | justifiable to bring the Mediterranean Fleet and the more distant- fleets home (

for a review. The Admiralty’s moro modest plan is to invite, the Conference delegates to spend a day on the “Revenge,” the flagship of the Atlantic Fleet, which, though she participated in the Battle of Jutland, is still one of tho most modern, longest and most powerful battleships in the navy.’’

AN AUSTRALIAN’S VIEWS. LONDON. Aug. 15.A message from "Williamstown states: Dr Duncan Hall, of Sydney University, in an interview, said : ‘"Hie "Washington Conference was a magnificent gesture, hut it stopped on the threshold of achievement. The peoples of the Pacific and especially of Australia and New Zealand, were waiting for a second lead from the United States which would carry further the work of the Conference.” , Dr Hall maintained that wliat tho present situation in tho Pacific required was a regional pact, whereby the parties to the Washington Conference would agree to refer all their disputes to a permanent commission of inquiry, the report of which would not be binding, but would permit public opinion in tlie various countries to explore the facts and to give calm consideration to the possibilities of ail amicable adjustment. The parties concerned should agree not to resort to hostilities while the Commission was investigating. Dr Hall, who has been attending the Institute of Politics, will shortly assume the Chair of History of International Relations at the School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. X-RAY MARTYR. LONDON, Aug. 15. The death is recorded of the X-ray pioneer, Mr Hall Edwards. He contracted X-ray dermatitis twenty years ago. First his left hand, then the forearm, and later, all the fingers of his right hand had to'lie amputated. Ho suffered agonies for six years before tlie last amputation. He never slept except for a few hours intermittently, hv means of narcotics. Sometimes both of his arms had to he hound above his bond to give him a little relief.

KITCHENER MYSTERY. CONDON, Aug. 15. The “Daily Alail.” in a leading article on “Kitchener’s Body.” says: “It is a ghoulish act to exploit the fame of one of the greatest British soldiers. 'The Admiralty’s narrative of the 9th. of'August convinced all but the stupidly credulous that the Stories of foul play were utterly false and absurd. This body-snatching from Norway verges oil a public scandal. Whether British laws are at present unable to punish the desecration of the graves of the noble dead remains to lie seen. Otherwise, they should he strengthened, providing for exemplary punishment for any unauthorised meddling with war graves.” LONDON, Aug. 15. Detectives lengthily interrogated Air Frank Power, the journalist. The detectives took possession of documents referring to the body. Air Power announces that lie is now applying to the High Court for an injunction to restrain nutliorities from opening the coffin. CHANNEL SWIM. A CRITICISM. LONDON, August 16. The suggestion, that Aliss Ederle was assisted in the Channel swim hv the suction of tlie deep sea tug in conjunction with the clever navigation of another tug, which destroyed the action of the tide has been keenly discussed. The Cinque Port pilots are mystified why Aliss Ederle in a sea rough enough to prevent bathing on the Kent Const made no westward drift, although the current averaged two knots for seven hours. An eyewitness interviewed by the “ Gazette,” infers that Afiss Ederle swam in a pool of smooth water, which moved with the tugs and thus maintained twice the speed which could ever have been hoped for in ordinary circumstances.