GENERAL CABLES.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1927, Page 2

GENERAL CABLES.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.,' SINGAPORE At TLL LON. LONDON, Sept. 22. The “ Times,” in a leading article on New Zealand’s Singapore decision, says: It shows that the war has deepened -New Zealand’s sense of the vital importance of Imperial connections in the Pacific, wherein lies an important part of the Empire, and which becomes, the highway of growing international intercourse.

The “ Times ” endorses Air Coates’s rejection of the idea- of a Japanese danger, and proceeds to say: Pacific complex and changes rivalries may or may not develop conflict. The prospects are uncertain, and New Zealand is bound to feel directly and indirectly the impact of these changes. Her security lies in membership of the Empire, which is intent upon peace, hut is ready to defend all its members. If v its endeavours for peace are frustrated by unhappy choice, the British Navy to defend the Empire effectively must have a base such as Singapore. THE UNKNOWN DEAD. AT VERDUN CEMETERY. PARIS, Sept. 21. At Verdun, after 11) years, the cemetery mentioned in a cable of Sept. 18th, in which arc buried 250,000 who , died to* uphold the famous challenge: “ They shall not pass,” was consecrated in the presence of Marshal Petain, Marshal Koch, General Pershing, and . throng in which the glittering vestments of the Church contrasted with the military uniforms of the French veterans and of four hundred of the American Legionaries. The Prime Minister, M. Poincare, recalled that in September, 1910, in one of the underground chambers of the citadel, lie and others tried to estimate the results of the defence of A erdun, which, they found, gave an advantage on the Allied and the other fronts beyond all calculations. The first night ossuary was opened and Marshal Petain took It i s place throughout tho night among the guard mounted over the hones of the unknown dead.

RUSSIAN OIL DUPES. LONDON, Sept. 21

Joseph Aspinall, aged 53, of London, was sentenced to four years, and his son, James, to nine months’ imprisonment for obtaining hy false pretences sixteen thousand sterling from fortythree persons in connection with new Grozny oilfields, holding oil bearing i,ind, m Russia, which at present is valueless owing to its being confiscated by the Bolslieviks. The Aspinalls represented that they held the majority of the shares, and induced would-be .investors to subscribe sums ranging from £3O to £2OOO to assist in a scheme to force up the market.

A Police Inspector said the elder prisoner had obtained nearly two hundred thousand fraudulently in tile last twenty years. 'The police regarded him as an unscrupulous swindler.

OBITUARY. LONDON, Sept. 22. Obituaries.—The comedian, G. P. xL, Huntley, and Lord George Hamilton. : LONDON, Sept. 22. Obituary—Sir Arthur Shipley, the scientist, aged GC.

CHINESE AND JAPS CLASH. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) HONG KONG, Sept. 21. A naval wireless from Hangkow states a conflict occurred between Japanese sailors and (uinese soldiers. Firearms, bayonets and machine guns were used. One Japanese was wounded and the Chinese sustained mutts’— casualties. Other reports indicate a serious position, probfdily involving \} other foreigners. v

FRENCH DENIAL. PARIS. Sept. 22. An official communique has been issued, denying Litvinoff’s declaration regarding the debt agreement, adding that it is untrue that an agreement for credits is in sight. The French delegation of the Franco-Russian committee is issuing details. ARTIFICIAL SILK AND AYOOL LONDON. Sept. 22. Special provisional returns of artificial silk and wool mixtures exported from Manchester for August totalled 233,000 yards, eclipsing the previous record of February by 30,000. SCHNEIDER, CUP.

LONDON, Sept. 22. Reports from Lido states that interest is increasing in tbe Schneider Cup race on Sunday. Both teams held trial flights under perfect conditions yesterday. Two British flew all tbe morning at high speeds, pleasing tlio experts. The British airmen deny reports that their machines reach speeds of three hundred and twenty-five miles an hour, and say they are guess work. None of the trials have been over a measured mile. The Italians continue to complain m that their engine is not working at * the expected speed. Sunday’s race will be the severest test. The machines must make seven circuits of a thirty-mile triangular course.

AIOSCOAV. Sept. 22. Despite a denial on September 18, AI. Litvinoff lias issued a statement that a full Franco Russian debt agreement lias been reached but it remained unsigned, because France has hitherto not adopted our credit proposals. However, doubts will disappear when France learns that the Soviet is ready in six months to deposit a half yearly instalment of thirty million gold francs, from which first payments can be made to tlu> French holders of Russian securities.

AVI LH ELAI IAIPKRATOR ! BERLIN, Sept. 21. The ex-Kaiser has telegraphed President A'on Rindenburg thanking him for his Tannenberg speech. Wilhelm says: “I feel deep and unforgettable gratitude towards all who participated in this gigantic Cannae. Tannenberg showed the world what German power is capable of under strong, definite leadership. May tlie heroic spirit of Tannenberg penetrate and unite our divided nation. Then will we achieve wonders. Brave men will not Have died in vain, and, with God’s help, Germany will rise again.*’ Signed: “Wilhelm. Imperator Rex!”

AIR. J. E. HENRY’S VIEWS. (Received this day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 22. Air J. E. Henrys. handicapper for several New Zealand racing clubs is visiting England. He considers the British turf authorities are playing into the hands of the greyhound race promoters. He does not wonder, m view of tlie high admission charges, that people resort to cheaper sport. Though the English race tracks are beautiful, the public facilities and prize money do not compare with those offered in Australia and New Zealand, where everyone can see racing. Eng. fish horses are perhaps superior to colonial, but the prices of yearlings prohibit Dominion sportsmen from purchasing extensively. Mr Henrys pays a tribute to the clean racing of the English jockeys,