GENERAL CABLES

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1928, Page 2

GENERAL CABLES

AVAR MENACE. Australian Press Assn.—United Servico LONDON, September 15. “A distressing outlook faces the international (situation,” declared Mr Philip Snowden, M.P., one of the LaIwur Party Leaders, in a speech at Aecrinton. “I do not think that the outlook lias ever been as black since the last shot in tho war was fired. Terrible tilings iiavo happened at Geneva this week. Tho Speeches of M. Brmud and Lord Cushondun show that, while statesmen may have peace on their lips, they have war within their hearts."

GOLD SHIPMENT. LONDON, September 15. The discount market is not greatly jierturhcil by the news of a shipment of £502,000 worth of gold bars to New York, as such exports have been long - expected. It is rumoured from America that this is only the first of a series of shipments which are likely to aggregate five million sterling, hut the Bank of England’s position is ‘very strong, its gold stock being £25,500,000 higher than a year ago, so that the loss of five million can he borne with equanimity, though it must necessarily keep hill rates firm and possibly entail nn in crease in the bank rate.

MECHANICAL MEN. INTEREST IN PERFORMANCES. LONDON, September 15. London’s population has been increased by two Robots displaying a startling ability to move and talk. One, named “ Eric,” will to-day open the Model Engineering Exhibition at London, making a speech suitable fo tho occasion. "Eric” is six foot of steel, in which wireless mechanism is concealed. It not only moves the head and arms at words of command, but can differentiate between drinks. Asked whether it preferred ginger ale or double Scotch, it replied: “Double Scotch! ” The inventor offers Robots similar to “ Eric ” for £l5O. The other Robot, named “Ronald,” is mystifying audiences at the Queen’s Hall. The creator is Captain Roberts, who invented the wireless torpedo. He makes “Ronald” come to life by means of an electric torch, which plays upon the steel body, which then moves and converses at the inventor’s will.

CATAPULT MAIL. LONDON, September-15. Tho airman De Mougeot, states that j when the engine of the Isle do -/ France’s mail hydroplane compelled a „ descent, the sea was not rough enough to trouble a liner, but R was very bad for an aeroplane. The plane rolled like a barrel with the waves. It was impossible to use the wireless when the machine was floating on the surface, as tho apparatus had • only the smallest range, but all the time the aviators were able to receive signals from the Isle de France and other wireless stations. Two steamers were sighted, hut owing to the haze they failed to see the liydroplaffe. De Mougeot started the engine,and tried to reach them, but failed. - Then a trawler arrived, and the aviators and mails were taken aboard.

KELLOGG PACT. . SHANGHAI, September 15. The Nationalist Ministry of Foreign Affairs has telegraphed the United States Legation at Peking, requesting Minister McMurray to notify Washington of China’s adherence to tho anti- 1 war pact, and also of the appointment of Dr Alfred Szo (Minister at Washington) as China’s representative powered to sign it. ‘ <

HORRORS IN TURKEY. > WAIt PRISONERS TREATMENTi LONDON, Sepe. 15. Colonel T. W, White, of Melbourne has published a remarkable “Odyssey of an Australian Airman” to which ■English newspapers are giving prominence. It tells the story of, White’s captivity by the Turks, and details of a horrifying series of cruelties • inflicted on prisoners of war, based on •. . AATiitc’s own diary, written on tiny sheets 2J inches-by three inches. Upon this sheet AVliite managed, to write 3G9 words and concealed it in the soles of his shoes, pith of helmet and other curious receptacles. It tolls the > story of fourteen thousand British and Indian prisoners in Turkey. AA'hite estimates that eleven thousand prisoners died of the horrors of the march from Kut, which equalled the Black Hole of Calcutta. Ho says that 249 prisoners at Mosul were thrust in a single cell in January, 1916. On another stage of the journey, 40 prisoners were confined in a room ten feet square, three of them dying. The Turkish guards often with-held food and water from those emacated prisoners, who were without money to bribe them. AVliite escaped from Constantinople during the confusion following a railway collision, which enabled him to dash for, liberty. Friendly Greeks hid AVliite in a cupboard mntil ho was able to stow away on a Russian ship going to Odessa.