AMERICAN CABLE NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1927, Page 1

AMERICAN CABLE NEWS

(Australian & N.Z. Cablo Association.] U.S. LATEST ATTITUDE. NEW YORK, April 25. __ i The newspaper “ American ” prints a Washington despatch stating that to-morrow United States will issue a. formal announcement that she had arrived at the determination to play a lone hand in the Chinese situation. It is understood a definite decision was reached to reject the recommendations of the council of diplomats at Peking, including .Mae Murray’s approval of the allied plan to employ force to nunpel them to make reparations for the Nanking outrages. The dispatch continues: "In diplomatic circles the decision lias caused the greatest 'amazement, since it was United States which suggested and insisted on the form or note to Chou in which the demand lor reparations was made. The allied (lowers are said to lie determined to continue without the assistance of the United States. Tho latest American policy, it is believed here, will prove of inestimable value in winning and holding Chinese trade for tlie future, although it may cause considerable embarrassment at the meeting of the four (lowers to discuss disarmament, since the vast extent of China has required the co-operation of all the powers in safeguarding nationals. Officials are wondering first how far others will go in view of America’s refusal to co-operate diplomatically. There is some apprehension and this is reflected in the- orders issued for an increase of American naval forces in China, so as to he able to afford protection alone if necessary. It is believed, however, that America’s hid for China’s friendship will result almost immediately in a better feeling Inward?. American-:, wherever they make it nationally known. Tho situation is further complicated by Chen’s refusal to take responsibility for American lives and property at Hankow. It is believed if lie persists in that attitude and the expected rioting occurs, that American warship.- there may bo forced to take action. .MISSISSIPPI STILL RISING. NEW YORK, April 25. With the Mississippi still surging past the city of Memphis at tho rate of more than two million cubic feet of water per second, and over three million a hundred miles further south, the present situation is one the gravity of which is beyond exaggeration. The number of little villages, rural post towns and fanning communities, which have been buried lit the deluge are numberless and so numerous that in face of the race with the flood to save life and safeguard the threatened districts, the authorities have had no time to list them. Not until the waters are under control and rehabilitation is actually started will it he possible to make a census of these little settlements, which until a lew days ago were tho homes of thousands of small American farmers. The river from St. Louis io New Orleans has become u vast la lie. Thousands of farmers have lost all their live stock, homes and property of every description and the posshility of any crops this year are said to be at a minimum. Red Cross authorities consider the present greatest menace is from typhoid fever, with measles, scarlet fever and ontorie disorders coming next. The Government is rushing all available supplies of typhoid serum and no time is being lost in inoculating old and young in every part of the Hood area, where the danger of a pestilence is apparent. MR COOT.IDGE’S PROGRAMME. NEW YORK, April 25. President Coolidge addressed the twentieth anniversary dinner nl the United Press Association, lie declared the policy of guardianship of lives. ( property and justice will be followed 1 in Mexico, China, and Nicaragua. < He stated there etui be no arbitration - in Mexico, but Mexico has said sbe will | not confiscate American property, and , there is every reason to expect an . amicable settlement of outstanding , controversies by negotiations. Ma- , rincs in Nicaragua will remain to , prevent pillaging by the populace, until such time as the United States | Government believes peace is restored. , United States forces in China content- , plate no aggression against China, hut will safeguard United States mission- ( aides and business men. I am assured adequate settlement of the wrongs "ill ultimately be made by victors in ( this three-fold defence against charges of Imperialism levelled at the administration of the existing foreign policy. .Mr Coolidge laid down a programme * for the final two years of his Government and policy, as tar its foreign affairs were concerned, Upon which he expected to seek re-election in IfJ-S. Regarding China. Mr Coolidge said 1 it is part of the country that is under- 1 going revolutionary convulsions. Tt

h;is broken up into several parts mine of which wo recognise. Our main difliculty here is the protection of life and property of our citizens. We hare many missionaries there and some commercial establishments. We har e nothing in the way of concessions. \\'e have never occupied the ferrite! \. Our citizens are being concentrated at ports where we can protect or remove them. It is solely for this purpose that our warships ami marines are in that territory. The friendship of America for China has become proverbial. We feel the deepest sympathy in these times of her distress. We have no disposition to do otherwise than assist and encourage every legitimate aspiiation of freedom and unity, cultivate a. national spirit and realisation of a republican form of government. In the turmoil and strife of the present time wo realise fully that forces ma\ be let loose temporarily beyond their power to control, which may do injury to American nationals. Our forces are in Chinese waters to guard against this eventuality." NEW YORK. April 25.

A message from Memphis states General Green commanding the Mississip- j pi National Guard ordered the forcible evacuation of Greenville, Lonhnul ana other flooded towns. A fleet of more than one hundred boats of all sizes is being asembled at Vicksburg to carry soldiers into the flooded areas to bring out the remaining residents by force, if necessary. Green said:—“We cannot allow these people to die like rates from disease and privation or permit them to he by the rising water. If they refuse a o leave we intend to force them out stricken territory.” ***" Green's order is expected to effect thirtv thousand refugees at present in the condemned centres. -*Six hundred guardsmen await a commandW^£nd meantime additional hundreds.-of fogees continue to-nrrive at \ iolsiMjipfigF THE FLOODED AREAS. NEW YORK. April 25. Mr Hoover arrived at Memphis today ns Mr Coolidge’s representative in

the direction of relief work for one hundred thousand homeless flood refugees. Agricultural experts estimate six million acres, including some of the richest farming land in the Continent is inundated. All drinking water is ordered to be boiled. In Aransas relief camps disease continues to spread. Supporting Mr Green’s order Red Cross officials declared the determination of hundreds of sufferers to remain in the vicinity of their property is liable to greatly increase tho death list. With waters eontining to rise, captains of rescue ships told of many instances where families living m houses and barns already surrounded by water, refused to move. - Further breaks in the levee ate toported and conditions in Lower Mississippi Valley are increasingly alarming, causing Mr Hoover to hastily proceed to Vicksburg to organise relief measures. Meanwhile, Red Cross received tlio first million dollars of five millions lor which they appealed lor the sufferers.

DU PIN EDO. NEW YORK, April 25. Following his arrival secretly. Do Pinedo detrained from Washington at two in the morning under an extraordnary arrangement that assured his personal safety, after the threat oi possible anti-Etfseist demonstrations had been made. A group of special detectives known as tt bomb squad reinforced by uniformed patrolmen and railway police met tho train. I lie Italian Consul-General and stall greeted the aviator. Tho Consul showed the greatest reluctance to permit anybody else to meet him. Do Pinedo informed the Australian Press Association that be looked back to tbo Australian flight as a very pleasant experience, particularly the welcome accorded upon arrival. It was more like a home-coming than a visit.

PRESIDENT COOLIDGE. NEW YORK, April 25. "Wherever a United States citizen goes, the duties of our Government must follow him.” declared President Coolidge in a speech at the 1 nited Press dinner to-night. lie declared: ••The Government’s main problem in China and Nicaragua is the protection of American lives and property. Our Government lias usually been to remiss rather than too active it) supportibig the lawful rights ol our citizens abroad.” Admitting the existence of contentions that the United States was imperialistic, he disclaimed any programme of military agrandisemont. He described Foreign Minister Chon’s reply to the powers’ protest against the Nanking affair as “ conciliatory In tone and in a certain degree responsive in leaving the final deposition issue of the matter for further consideration hv our Government.” i He said he had been informed recently that Mexico did not intend to confiscate Amercan property and had shown diligence in capturing and punishing those who murdered United States citizens. He expressed a wish I thill ilie t’niteil States should cordially entertain and keep cordial and I friendly relations. THE MEN!CAN REVOLT. MEXICO CITY, April 25. Bixtv members of the rebel baud which attacked the Guadalajara train a. week ago were killed in an engagement with Federal troops, according to an announcement .made by tho Mexican AYhr Department.