FEBRUARY 1921

FEBRUARY 1921 WAR’S NAVAL LESSONS London, January 30th – The “Daily Chronicle” in a forecast of the report of the Sub-Committee on Imperial Defence shows that the controversy which is requiring immediate settlement is not, the question of battleship versus submarine but whether in view of the world situation Britain is strong enough at sea to justify her retarding the programme of the construction of capital ships until the wars' naval lessons are better understood by all nations – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Pahiatua Herald (Pahiatua, New Zealand), Tuesday 1st February 1921, page 5 THE [JAPANESE] ALIEN QUESTION Washington, January 29th – Senator Johnson EFERENCES JOHNSON, Hiram (1866 – 1945). Republican American attorney and politician. He served as the 23rd Governor of California from 1911 to 1917 and represented California in the U.S. Senate for five terms from 1917 until his death in 1945. He was a leading liberal isolationist, among those "Irreconcilables" who opposed the Treaty of Versailles and rejected the League of Nations. Later, he was also a vocal opponent of the United Nations Charter. After World War I, he helped enact the Immigration Act of 1924, which severely restricted immigration from East Asian countries, Southern Europe, and Eastern Europe through the use of racial quotas. He unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1920 and 1924 and supported Democratic nominee Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1932 presidential election. attacked Shidehara-Morris’s agreement which he said means that the United States and Japan agreed to repeal the Californian law and prohibit, the passage of similar Laws contemplated in many western states and the administration of a new “Gentleman’s agreement” which could be just as loosely administered as the old gentleman's agreement. Secretary Colby COLBY, Bainbridge (1869 – 1950). American politician and attorney, co-founder of the United States Progressive Party and Woodrow Wilson's last Secretary of State. Colby was a Republican until he helped co-found the National Progressive Party in 1912; he ran for multiple offices as a member of that party, but never won. Secretary of State from February 1920 until 1921, at a time when President Woodrow Wilson was medically handicapped and largely out of touch, he is best known for promoting a Good Neighbour policy for Latin America, and for denouncing the communist regime in Russia. After leaving office as secretary of state, Colby continued to practice law for the remainder of his career. Earlier in his career, Colby's most notable client was Mark Twain. answering Senator Johnson’s attacks declaring the latter had arrived at an erroneous assumption concerning the trend and purport- of Shidehara-Morris conversations and at all events nothing would or could be done without the Senate’s consent – Pahiatua Herald (Pahiatua, New Zealand), Tuesday 1st February 1921, page 5 FLOURISHING GERMAN INDUSTRIES Paris, January 31st – M. Poincare POINCARÉ, Raymond (1860 – 1934). French statesman. He served three times as 58th Prime Minister of France, and as President of France from 1913 to 1920. He was elected as a Deputy in 1887 and served in the cabinets of Dupuy and Ribot. In 1902, he co-founded the Democratic Republican Alliance, the most important centre-right party under the Third Republic, becoming Prime Minister in 1912 and serving as President of the Republic from 1913 to 1920. He purged the French government of all opponents and critics and single-handedly controlled French foreign policy from 1912 to the beginning of World War I. He was noted for his strongly anti-German attitudes, shifting the Franco-Russian Alliance from the defensive to the offensive, visiting Russia in 1912 and 1914 to strengthen Franco-Russian relations, and giving France's support for Russian military mobilisation during the July Crisis of 1914. From 1917, he exercised less influence as his political rival Georges Clemenceau had become Prime Minister. At the Paris Peace Conference, he advocated Allied occupation of the Rhineland for at least 30 years and French support for Rhenish separatism. In 1923 he ordered the Occupation of the Ruhr to enforce payment of German reparations. By this time Poincaré was seen, especially in the English-speaking world, as an aggressive figure (Poincaré-la-Guerre) who had helped to cause the war in 1914 and who now favoured punitive anti-German policies. His government was defeated by the Cartel des Gauches at the elections of 1924. He served a third term as Prime Minister in 1926–1929. in “Le Matin” points out that the German industries are flourishing and the Allies are justified in taxing her future prosperity. Already German, pamphlets are demanding the neutrality of Alsace Lorraine as the first- step towards annexation proving the rebirth of Imperialism the aim of which is to regain pre-war power. M. Viviani VIVIANI, Rene (1863 – 1925). French politician of the Third Republic, who served as Prime Minister for the first year of World War In April 1917 Viviani led a mission to the US, which had just entered the war "associated with" the Allies. He was overshadowed by Marshal Joffre, who attracted much more attention from the American press. During Viviani's time as prime minister, a law was adopted in July 1915 providing for special boards to fix such a wage for women employed in home-work in the clothing industry. in the “Petit Journal” says that Germany will pay if the Allies strongly and unitedly desire it. If Germany does not comprehend the justice of the demands only force remains – Pahiatua Herald (Pahiatua, New Zealand), Tuesday 1st February 1921, page 5 BATTLESHIP BUILDING London, January 29th – Since the “Daily Chronicle’s” announcement cabled on the fourteenth, the sub-committee- of Imperial Defence has continued its enquiry. It is known that a large body at the Admiralty evidently arte in favour of continuing to build big ships though the financial difficulties are very great. It is now understood that Cabinet will not come to a final division in the matter until it has consulted the Dominions at the Premier’s Conference – Pahiatua Herald (Pahiatua, New Zealand), Tuesday 1st February 1921, page 5 THE NAVAL DISCUSSION London, January 30th – Rear-Admiral Patey PATEY, George Edwin (1859 – 1935). Senior officer in the Royal Navy. At the outbreak of First World War, Patey commanded the Australian naval squadron as part of the New Zealand Samoa Expeditionary Force that captured German Samoa and the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force that captured German New Guinea. He sailed with HMAS Australia to join the 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron at Rosyth, Scotland and on 8 February 1915, Australia became the flagship of the squadron. He was appointed Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies Station from March 1915. He served as a midshipman aboard HMS Shah as part of the British Pacific Squadron under Admiral de Horsey during the Battle of Pacocha, an action in company with the corvette HMS Amethyst on 29 May 1877 with the Peruvian armoured turret ship Huáscar which had been taken over by rebels opposed to the Peruvian Government and, it was feared, could be used to attack British shipping. says that he knows nothing to justify the statement that up-to-date battleships are obsolete and valueless. A combination of surface ships, submarines, and aircraft is essential for title protection of the lines of sea communication, our commerce, and coasts. The suggestion that we should wait and do nothing attracts politicians, but the Empire cannot afford to wait. Unless we immediately do the best for ourselves in four years we will be reduced to the position of a second naval Power, which would be intolerable. The most pressing need in Australia and New Zealand is dry docks. Whether Britain or Australasia provide the ships, docking accommodation must be made available. This is urgent, because the presence of ships in Australasian waters is imperative in the event of Pacific complications. He believed that, Australia and New Zealand, should concentrate on dry docks, aircraft, and submarine bases, while Britain should supply the largest surface vessel's – Pahiatua Herald (Pahiatua, New Zealand), Tuesday 1st February 1921, page 6 Melbourne, February 1st – Speaking at the Australian Natives Association annual banquet Admiral Grant GRANT, Percy (1867 – 1952). Royal Navy officer who served as First Naval Member and Chief of the Australian Naval Staff from 1919 to 1921. He went on to serve during the First World War initially as flag captain to Vice Admiral Sir Lewis Bayly in HMS Marlborough and then as flag captain and chief of staff to Admiral Sir Cecil Burney who was then second-in-command of the Grand Fleet. After the war he was appointed First Naval Member and Chief of the Australian Naval Staff. In this role, he served as defence advisor to Billy Hughes, Prime Minister of Australia at the Empire Conference in London in 1921. dealt with the controversy between supporters of big ships on the one hand, and submarines on the other. “It was a very attractive policy to choose apparently the cheap article when considering the question of defence but he asked the supporters of submarines and airships to take into account the amount required to keen Australia’s coast line of over 12,000 miles secure by these means. “One vital point was always forgotten and that was the most important one, that of the protection of the trade of any country which depended on export trade for its wealth and prosperity and on import trade for essentials for its industry. They must never lose command of the seas. “Big and small ships each had their function and in his opinion the time had not come when any one or two of these classes could successfully compete against a combination of all the others” – Pahiatua Herald (Pahiatua, New Zealand), Tuesday 1st February 1921, page 6 ITALIAN UNREST Rome, January 31st – The Nationalist in Florence claim to have discovered a Socialist plot for great revolutionary outbreak throughout the h whole of Italy, timed for February 3. A circular impounded contained a strategic plan of Florence indicating the precise positions for the insurgents to, seize, at the outset. The Nationalists also discovered numerous .confidential documents stolen from the District Military headquarters containing secret instructions for subordinate officers m the event of a sudden rising. Bologna, Modena, and Ferrara provinces are defying the Government's ultimatum for the delivery of arms. The total delivery at the expiry of the allotted time consisted of 70 old pistols and a number of rusty knives, whereas it is known that half a million persons are armed – Press Association – Ashburton Guardian (Ashburton, New Zealand), Wednesday 2nd February 1921, page 5 ENGLAND HOPELESS London, January 31st – At a congress of Bolshevik agents held at Bremen, the Soviet agent to Britain reported that England from a Soviet standpoint must be regarded as almost hopeless. The situation was better in Scotland, Wales and Ireland, though the mistake made by the Moscow Soviet had made enemies of the Sinn Fein leaders. He declared that Plymouth, Cardiff, Birmingham and Manchester were real centres of active communists, who in England did not exceed 20,000. Sympathisers numbered 100,000, while propagandists, mostly paid, totalled 1209 – Press Association – Ashburton Guardian (Ashburton, New Zealand), Wednesday 2nd February 1921, page 5 ATLANTIC FLEET ARRIVES AT PERU Callao, Peru, February 1st – The vessels of the United States Atlantic fleet arrived here at two o’clock Tuesday afternoon, having been delayed by a dense fog. The warships appeared in a single file but on a signal from the Pennsylvania flagship of Admiral Henry B. Wilson WILSON, Henry (1861 – 1954). US Navy Admiral. During World War I, he served as commander, Patrol Forces, Atlantic Fleet and then commander, U.S. Naval Forces, France. After the World War he served as Commander-In-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet 1919–1921, Commander-In-Chief of the U.S. Battle Fleet and later superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy 1921–1925., commander of the fleet, steamed into two files whilst were headed by the Pennsylvania. The latter vessel was escorted by the Peruvian cruisers Grau and Bolognesi which put out at dawn to meet the fleet. In this order the warships entered the harbour and took up anchorage behind the destroyers which arrived yesterday. The Pennsylvania fired a salute which was replied to by the batteries on shore. Many excursions vessels put out to meet the American warships and at least 60,000 people along the water front and on the excursion vessels greeted the visiting fleet. At four o’clock the United States ambassador to Peru, William E. Gonzales visited Admiral Wilson aboard the Pennsylvania and the Admiral returned. Later Admiral Wilson, accompanied by the members of his staff, Ambassador Gonzales and Peruvian naval officers, visited President Leguia in Lima. This evening the American officers were given a banquet in the American Embassy, which was followed by a ball in the Exposition Palace – Associated Press – South Bend News – Times (South Bend, Indiana), Wednesday 2nd February 1921, page 1 AN UNDERSEA DREADNOUGHT A recent dispatch from Berlin, apparently still dreaming of a place in the sun, reads: “Much interest was occasioned here today by the report that a well – known professor, Oswald Framm, of the Charlottenburg Technical School, had discovered a means of attaining stability whereby giant submarines as large and powerfully armoured as dreadnoughts could be constructed. The Lokal Anzeiger called if an epoch –making discovery, which revolutionises sea warfare. “When seen tonight professor Flamm said that the press reports were exaggerated. He said, however, that his experiments might have a vital influence on naval construction and warfare. “Poor old Germany! How little it has learnt if it still rejoices over an epoch – making discovery! It was the German submarine, as it existed in the war years, that was said to have revolutionised sea warfare. It was also the German submarine on which so much of that deluded nation’s faith in victory was pinned. And it was the German submarine that finally aroused the ire of the United States, and sent as into the war with a rush, and thereby insured Germany’s defeat. “Yet it does not become the United States to laugh at Berlin for falling for this bunker one is tempted to say flimsy – flimsy. So long as the United States avows a desire to possess a world beating navy of its own, how can Germany be exposed to curtail her naval extravaganza? And if this country should actually go ahead constructing the biggest fleet of dreadnoughts afloat, it is a sure thing that some other nation – if not Germany – will develop another destructive force no less laugh, no less huge and diabolical” – South Bend News – Times (South Bend, Indiana), Thursday 3rd February 1921, page 3 WHO IS MR. GANDHI? Now that the Duke of Connaught is visiting India as the representative of British Sovereignty and the Indian Nationalists, with Mr Gandhi as prime agitator, are decrying British rule and everything appertaining therto, the following excerpt from latest English files may be regarded as timely: “A host of officials in the India Office in Whitehall, a swarm of Government servants in India, a thousand and one traders in London, Bombay, and Calcutta know "Mr Gandhi'' and fear him (writes a correspondent of the "New York Tribune"). To them he appears a greater menace to the British Empire than all the revolutionists, Bolshevist agitators, Indian fanatics, and other trouble-makers of the last 50 years. “But who is "Mr Gandhi?" In the "Asiatic Review," N. M. Samarth, a distinguished lawyer and prominent leader of the Moderate movement in India, writes: “Mr Gandhi is not an extremist in the sense in which that term is generally applied and understood in Indian politics. Indian extremists, rightly viewed, are Indian patriots in an angry mood. That mood necessarily postulates absence of cool-headedness. “Mr Gandhi is nothing if not coolheaded. He is an idealist, pure and simple—an idealist with-an unshakable faith in adamantine 'soul force' as the only force opposed to physical force which can compel the most powerful Government, however stern and unbending, to yield to the dictates of justice j as he conceives it. Strength in sincerity “His strength lies in his transparent sincerity and honesty of purpose and his unflinching determination to practise what he preaches at all risks and all hazards." “Though the name of "Mr Gandhi" appears in every article on India published in this review, which reflects to a more or less degree the Government view ,there is not one word .against him morally, no charge that he is corrupt, that he is seeking personal honour or regard. "Mr Gandhi" is incorruptible. He cannot be bought. “This remarkable Indian, with the wisdom of a statesman, the cleverness of a politician, the simplicity of a peasant, is fearless, idolised by a large part of his countrymen, feared by many, but hated by none. His non-cooperation programme, adopted by a majority of the delegates of the Indian National Congress at Calcutta, provided for one of the greatest boycotts in the history of the world. “He asked for the boycott of the courts by Indian lawyers and of foreign goods by the public generally. Mr Gandhi would withdraw boys and girls from schools and colleges and boycott the legislative council which has just been reformed in an effort to meet the discontent in India. “This is the grave danger which England fears. Mr Gandhi is at pains to warn his followers against the use of force. He urges them merely to sit tight, and that policy is infinitely harder to beat than a force of revolutionists. Won aid in Congress “In the opinion of the Bombay correspondent of the London "Times," Mr Gandhi won the Indian National Congress to his programme because of the "almost universal bitterness" following the Punjab disturbances. On the other hand Mr Samarth, quoted earlier, declares that Mr Gandhi found the soil ready after the passage of the Rowlett Act by the Government of India, "betraying a spirit of riding rough-shod on Indian public opinion, as though it was absolutely unworthy of considerate treatment." “Then came the Khalifat agitation— the Moslem embitterment at the way in which Turkey was treated by the Allies, even though it is now common knowledge that .he British Government took an extremely lenient attitude towards the Turks. These are only a few of the cause of the discontent, or rather explanations of the tremendous "growth of the Gandhi movement. “Despite the efforts of the Indian Government to prove that it pressed the cause of the Indian Moslems at the Peace Conference, the belief apparently still exists that the British have been interfering with their religion and that the Sultan of Turkey, the Khalifa, had been endangered. “An Indian, writing recently in "The Nation," drew an interesting pen picture of Mr Gandhi. A lawyer with a lucrative practice in South Africa, Mr Gandhi is now a revivalist, "clad in the simplest and hand-woven garments, living on the most frugal diet." “According to this writer, Mr Gandhi is not a Nationalist who points out to his followers —like a modern Moses — the land of promise lying in the distance. He is not enamoured of Western institutions. He has no belief in industrialism, which is bound to follow in the wake of Western civilisation. Gandhi a revivalist. “He is a revivalist. His appeal is to the past. "What do the traditions, philosophy, and culture of India lack, says he, that we should wholesale import Western ideas, and thus endanger our immemorial social fabric, which has provided so many saints and heroes? It is because India has turned away her gaze from the Vedas and the ancient philosophy that she has fallen upon evil days. “Let her return to the past and all will be well. Here lies the irresistible appeal of Mr Gandhi the populace. For in matters of religion and social reform the average Indian is what the average European in the Middle Ages. “Religion is yet everything to him; he has not yet learned what the European has learned through bitter experience—to divorce politics from religion. British are puzzled “Here, too, lies the distrust that most of the younger generation feel against Air Gandhi's proposals. For good or for evil, India has been committed to a system of government which, rightly or wrongly, has been called Western; we have, too, plunged into the deepest recesses of industrialism. Mr Gandhi would have us deliberately set the hands of the clock backward. Away With lawyers, doctors, railways, machinery; they are an abomination before the sight of the Lord. “British Governments have had many problems, many strange opponents to handle.' President Do Valera of the "Irish Republic" is a worthy antagonist, but his methods are not new nor unusual. Generals Botha and Smuts were tough enemies 20 years ago, but they fought along orthodox lines. Lenin and Trotsky nave introduced some new tactics, but their strategy generally is not new. Mr Gandhi is different; he is a radical reactionary. He is fighting in his own way for Indian progress, but banning all Western methods. He is the antithesis of Lenin and De Valera. The British are frank to confess that they are puzzled” – Northern Advocate (Northland, New Zealand), Thursday 3rd February 1921, page 1 RUSSIAN MONEY New York, February 2nd – The Assistant Secretary of the Treasury has admitted that since the fall of the Kerensky Government and the assumption of control by the Bolsheviks, Ambassador Bakhmeteff BAKHMETEFF, George (1847 – 1928). Last tsarist Russian Ambassador to the United States. He was a career diplomat descended from a Tatar noble family which had converted from Islam to Russian Orthodox faith. Previous to his service for Russia in Washington he had served as Russian Ambassador to Japan. He served in office between the years 1911 and 1917. (representative of the tsarist Government, and later of the Kerensky Government in Washington) withdrew 59,000,000 dollars from the United States Treasury, the sum being provided as a Russian credit by the Liberty Loan Act (a war measure). The manner in which Bakhmeteff utilised the money is not revealed. The matter threatens to become a scandal – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Evening Star (Dunedin, New Zealand), Friday 4th February 1921, page 4 BAD DAYS FOR BRITAIN In the midst of the political clouds that are hanging over the Island of Great Britain, it is pleasing to perceive that there is, apparently, a considerable body of opinion making itself manifest In favour of the revival of the old Liberalism which achieved its greatest triumphs under the Liberal Ministries that began under the great Gladstone, and performed most honourable acts of statecraft under the Premiership of Campbell-Bannerman. Liberalism began to degenerate when such, men as Lord Rosebery sought to combine it-with Imperialism, and when it took to its bosom Winston Churchill, the son of the late Tory-Democrat, Lord Randolph Churchill. Even Mr. Asquith seemed, at first, to have been tarred with the reactionary brush of spread-eagle Imperialism. During the war, however, he declined to take up the violently jingoistic pose adopted by the "die hard" Tories of the London "National Review," and of that enterprising and able owner of newspapers, Alfred Harmsworth, who seemed-to be cherishing the ambition to become the Napoleon of British Journalism and the dictator of the public affairs of Great Britain. . To the unscrupulous, and vociferous jingoism of the violent Tories. Mr. Asquith opposed a policy of passive' resistance. The Tories, however, succeeded in arousing public feeling against this policy by declaring that it was one of "wait and see." According to the Tories, Mr. Asquith was a political person of a somewhat similar type to the child who says to another child, "Open your mouth and shut your eyes, and see what God will; send you." His political antagonists asserted that that was all that he desired. ; There is good reason, however, to come to the conclusion that Mr. Asquith saw no advantage to Britain in pursuing the Continental war as determinedly as suited the politicians', who happen to be in power m France. In spite of the fact that Germany was a great trade rival to Britain, and had inflicted some serious damage to British trade, shrewd Liberal statesmen could not convince themselves that the complete smashing of. Germany would be advantageous to Britain— if it merely transferred industrial power from Germany to France. France, indeed, might easily become more dangerous to the commercial supremacy of Britain than Germany, and it could not be forgotten that France was geographically closer to Britain than Germany, and that the French and the British had been enemies for centuries. Indeed, Liberal statesman remembered that history recorded a "Hundred Years' War" as having' taken place between Franc* and England. Taking all these things into consideration, the Liberals of the old Gladstonian School hesitated to be regarded as "bitter-enders." They we're much inclined to ' think that British diplomacy had blundered m. leading Britain into a great Continental military coalition. It was considered that Britain could not be a Continental power; that history had shown that her wisest plan - -was to rely upon the advantages given to her by her Island -position, by the fact that she was separated by miles of sea from her most dangerous competitors and possible enemies, and that she had the most wonderful fleet of floating fortresses which the world had ever seen, which fleet specially qualified her to defend herself against her enemies, who might attack her upon her own element, the sea. This point of view is well expressed by the Earl Loreburn m his work, "How the War Came." It was clearly the point of view taken by the late -Lord Fisher, arid was shared by so eminent and able a military authority as General Sir Ian Hamilton. Mr. Asquith did not prove himself averse to coalition; but, as his policy was too much like that of the old Liberals, the jingo element did not rest until it had succeeded m driving" him out of office and making Mir. Lloyd George the head of a- Coalition 'which is now: more reactionary than anything that\ Britain has had any experience of since the Sidmouth and Castlereagh Coalition, which was m power at the beginning of what Harriet Maxtineau has called the “Thirty Years' Peace” following the downfall of Napoleon the Great.- The Liberal party of Britain has, for some time now, been heartily ashamed of the part it took m putting the present Lloyd George Ministry into power. The British Government still receives the support of some public men who call themselves "Coalition Liberals," but. the great body of the Liberal party, now under the leadership of Mr. Asquith, denounces the Coalition and, as was stated recently in a cablegram sent to N.Z. by the London "Times," "The newly formed Welsh-Liberal Federation denounces the Lloyd George Coalition as the worst Government. since the days of King George III." This is particularly significant because of its coming from Wales, for Wales Is the portion of Great Britain upon which Lloyd George had depended for unswerving support — mainly because of the fact that he, himself, being a Welshman. Indeed, the Lloyd George Coalition has reduced Britain to .a very sorry state Indeed. Largely as an outcome of the war, but with its salient 'features made worse by bad government, there Is now a condition of distress m Britain that has not been paralleled since the days of the "Hungry Forties." The condition of things in Britain now very closely resembles that which is described m contemporary writings as existing in the time of Sidmouth and Castlereagh. A cablegram recently published in the N.Z. press stated that- there were now over 1,000,000 unemployed m Britain; that there had been a great loss on the British railways; that various financial associations had been wound up; and that, In an attempt to give 1 an impetus to British trade, It was proposed to establish, a new system of exporting goods upon credit. It was proposed that the British Government should lend £13,000,000 to a financial syndicate for this purpose. The £13,-000,000 would not be sufficient, but it was proposed that the Government should only be liable for this amount. The facts with regard to the turbulent manifestations of discontent by the London unemployed have not been given sufficient prominence in the cable columns of New Zealand newspapers. Take, for instance, what occurred last October. A deputation of fifteen of the Mayors of London municipalities . decided to, wait* upon ths Prime Minister and personally : -place before him the facts as- to the distress of the unemployed. In order, that* their deputation should not be passed jayer m a few lines m the newspapers, but should attract widespread attention m the great city of London, the Mayors decided that they would allow their progress to 'Whitehall to be followed by a procession of persons declared to be unemployed. Several great contingents marched from all parts of London to the Thames Embankment. It was stated that when the contingents had arrived the number of persons present was about 20,000. ' The Prime Minister saw the deputation of Mayors at the offices In Downing Street, the crowd being kept back by a cordon of police. After a while, however, the crowd became impatient, and by their pressure slowly drove the police cordon back along the street, and reserves of police had to be, telephoned for and hurried up to the assistance of the constables already on duty, 1 m. resisting the onrush of the crowd. Standing three and four deep, with their arms linked, the 1 police were able to stop the advance of, the crowd for over an hour; but at last the police were attacked -by a man on horseback whom the crowd followed, and nearly succeeded 'm breaking through;: The pressure of the crowd was so great that it broke down a solid stone balustrade outside the Privy Council Office in Downing Street. Many combats occurred between members of the crowd and the police. Much damage was done by stone throwing. Some shop fronts were smashed and jewellery stolen from them. Some of the civilians were badly injured, and went away, or were removed with severely bleeding heads. That is the state of things in Britain itself. In Ireland, as we know, there is a Condition of civil War. In India there is a state of things that is more perilous than the celebrated Indian Mutiny. British rule m India is m far more danger there, now than it was m the days of that famous,, or infamous, event. Some of the cablegrams have told us that a system of government has already been set up in Egypt that la quite satisfactory to the Egyptian people; but as there has been much duplicity with regard to Egypt, and as there have frequently been promises made by the British authorities which have not been carried out, much more important than any allegation as to the satisfaction given to the Egyptian people by any political change, or proposed change, is the truth as to what the Egyptian people themselves think. For the time being, complaints from Egypt are not heard m this country; but as it la clear that .an Egyptian 'insurrection was, somewhat recently, ruthlessly suppressed, it may be that the silence of the Egyptians proceeds only from terror. On an historic occasion, after most of the inhabitants, of the city of Warsaw had been slaughtered, he who had made the slaughter sent the message "Peace reigns m Warsaw." Certainly peace did reign, but it was the peace of the grave. All things considered, the Welsh Liberal Federation seems accurately tb have described the Lloyd George Coalition when it styled it "The worst Government since the days of King George III." It is to be hoped that the Government will not be able yery much longer to stave off a general election ji and that the electors will place into power Liberals or Labourites who will be much more Jealous of the true honour of Britain than the Tory gang (using Lloyd George as its instrument), which is now known 'as the Lloyd George Coalition – NZ Truth (Wellington, NZ), Saturday 5th February 1921, page 5 WORLD MENACED London, February 2nd – A report of the Ministry of Health furnishes grave warning applicable to the whole world of the possibility of further epidemics similar to those of 1918 and 1919, which were responsible for more deaths than the world war. A number of most eminent medical men state that the world’s outlook as regards future pestilences is gloomy. Throughout the carefully prepared report that it is plan that the influenza epidemic remains a mystery disease despite all experiments, bacteriological tests and other data. Medical men are at a loss to define its cause or offer a cure. They are of opinion that conditions over wide facts of the world will be favourable for further epidemics for at least another generation – REUTER – Malaya Tribune (Singapore), Saturday 5th February 1921, page 5 OIL CONSERVATION London, February 2nd – A telegram from Washington states that Mr. Daniels DANIELS, Josephus (1862 – 1948). American newspaper editor and publisher from the 1880s until his death; he controlled the Raleigh News and Observer, at the time North Carolina's largest newspaper, for decades. A Democrat, he was appointed by United States President Woodrow Wilson to serve as Secretary of the Navy during World War I. As Secretary of the Navy, Daniels handled policy and formalities in World War I while his top aide, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, handled the major wartime decisions. Roosevelt appointed him as his Ambassador to Mexico, 1933–1941. has approved a Bill authorising the President to declare an embargo on the exportation of oil. This was referred to the Senate Naval Committee – REUTER – Malaya Tribune (Singapore), Saturday 5th February 1921, page 5 PRO – BRITISH SULTAN ROUTED BY ISLAM Paris, February 6th – The Sultan of Turkey has been flouted by the entire world of Islam, because he is declared to be pro-British. The Islamic congress at Sivas, attended by 8,000 representatives of all Asia Minor, has unanimously made a change in the spiritual leadership. The delegates discarded the Sultan's heir as the head of the Mohammedan religion and appointed as caliph in his place his brother, Emir Feisal. The congress also passed resolutions bitterly condemning British rule in Egypt, India, and Mesopotamia and calling upon all Islam to rise in arms – The Washington Times (Washington D.C, USA), Sunday 6th February 1921, page 1 EX KAISIRIN FAILING SLOWLY, REPORTS SHOW Doorn, Holland, February 6th – Former Empress Augusta Victoria of Germany is suffering periods of depression and shows great restlessness, says a bulletin issued at the House of Doorn, the home of the former Emperor and Empress. These are said to be the most remarkable symptoms shown by the patient, but the bulletin adds that her general condition is one of painful soaring, with a continual slow decline, which is invariably serious – The Washington Times (Washington D.C, USA), Sunday 6th February 1921, page 1 MAY RETURN SEIZED SHIPS TO GERMANY London, February 6th – The seizure of German ships to pay for the vessels of the allies torpedoed by the U-boats has produced an anomalous situation, the upshot of which may be that the ships will be returned to Germany. The British shipping board finds itself unable $o find buyers for 760,000 tons of the German shipping received in exchange for torpedoed tonnage and the controller has even offered to dispose of the vessels as low as $60 a ton as against $100 a ton, the cost of producing, the same ships in British yards. “The gigantic British shipyards are practically closed down and are completing only contract work as a result of the seizure of the German tonnage”, declared Sir Edward Mackay Edgar, one of the biggest British shipbuilder – The Washington Times (Washington D.C, USA), Sunday 6th February 1921, page 2 AUSTRIAN EX-EMPEROR HAS EYES ON HUNGARY London. Feb 6th – A dispatch from Geneva says both the Basler Nachrichten and the Socialist Tageblatt report that former Emperor Karl of Austria KARL I (1887 – 1922). Last Emperor of Austria, the last King of Hungary, the last King of Croatia, last King of Bohemia and the last monarch belonging to the House of Habsburg-Lorraine before the dissolution of Austria-Hungary. He succeeded to the thrones in November 1916 following the death of Franz Joseph. He made secret attempts to negotiate Austria-Hungary's exit from the First World War but was unsuccessful. Despite Charles' efforts to preserve the empire by transforming it into a federal union, Austria-Hungary hurtled towards disintegration. Following the Armistice of 11 November 1918, Charles "renounced participation" in state affairs, but did not abdicate. The Republic of German-Austria was proclaimed the following day, and in April 1919 he was formally dethroned by the Austrian Parliament and exiled to Switzerland. He spent the remaining years of his life attempting to restore the monarchy. He made two attempts to reclaim the Hungarian throne in 1921; both failed due to a lack of support from Hungary's regent Miklós Horthy. Charles was exiled for a second time to the Portuguese island of Madeira, where he soon fell ill and died of respiratory failure in 1922. eatified by Pope John Paul II in 2004, Charles is known to the Catholic Church as Blessed Karl of Austria is staying at Borne consulting his supporters and that he intends attempting a coup d'etat in the spring. It is declared that Karl has decided to return to Budapest and the throne of Hungary. The remnants of the Habsburgs, their politicians and the officials of the old regime are supporting the former Emperor, it is added, butt the Swiss declare that any infringement of the neutrality will call forth the attention of the government – The Washington Times (Washington D.C, USA), Sunday 6th February 1921, page 2 CALL ON COLBY FOR JAPANESE REPORT Secretary of State Colby has flatly refused to acquaint members of the California delegation in Congress with the terms reached by Ambassadors Morris and Shidehara for settlement of the California anti-Japanese land law controversy. This was learned yesterday after a committee appointed by the California representatives had visited the State Department and demanded to see Ambassador Morris' report. Secretary Colby said that Mr. Morris' report was nothing more than a memorandum on his conversations with the Japanese ambassador. The Secretary of State admitted, however, that the memorandum contained language which might be incorporated in a treaty between the two countries. When the committee reported the Secretary’ refusal the whole delegation decided to ask Senator Hiram Johnson to introduce and press a resolution demanding that the ambassador's report be given the Foreign Relations Committee. Secretary Colby, Senator Johnson said, is within his legal rights in withholding the report. The Secretary of State is the one official, besides the President, he explained, who cannot be required to supply all information in his department to Congress – The Washington Times (Washington D.C, USA), Sunday 6th February 1921, page 2 BAKHMETEFF SAYS CASH DRAWN HERE PAID BILLS Paris, February 6th – Boris Bakhmeteff, Russian ambassador to the United States, speaking yesterday of statements recently made before a Senate Committee in Washington concerning $59’000,000 withdrawn by him from the United States government loan to Russia, deposited in the National Bank of New York, said: “Every penny of this money was paid by me on Russian government contracts in the United States. None of it was used either for the Russian Embassy in Washington nor for any purpose than toward the sums owing to American firms for supplies furnished to the Kerensky government” – The Washington Times (Washington D.C, USA), Sunday 6th February 1921, page 4 BOLSHEVIK OFFENSIVE POSTPONED BY EPIDEMIC Paris, February 6th – Fears of a Bolshevik offensive in the spring against Rumania and Galitzia were virtually dispelled today by news that a violent outbreak of typhus had occurred among the Russian soviet troops concentrated near the Rumanian and Galitzian frontiers. The disease was ravaging that the Russian forces had to be disbanded, according to these reports. However, there are further warlike signs in the Caucasus as French officials express belief that war between Soviet Russia and Georgia is inevitable with a few weeks. Pilsudski PILSUDSKI, Jozef (1867 – 1935). Polish statesman who served as the Chief of State (1918–1922) and First Marshal of Poland (from 1920). He was considered the de facto leader (1926–35) of the Second Polish Republic as the Minister of Military Affairs. After World War I, he held great power in Polish politics and was a distinguished figure on the international scene.[1] He is viewed as a father of the Second Polish Republic re-established in 1918, 123 years after the final Partition of Poland by Austria, Prussia and Russia in 1795. , head of the Polish State, who is in Paris, is continuing his conferences with French officials on the Russian Polish situation – The Washington Times (Washington D.C, USA), Sunday 6th February 1921, page 4 CUNNING GERMANY London, February 6th – Premier Lloyd George, who was the guest of the Birmingham Jewellers’ Association at a dinner during his slay in that city, said he had an uneasy suspicion that Germany was not trying to establish her currency and was not trying to make her Budget balance. When he practised as a solicitor lie used to see men coming into the Court in very ragged clothes to answer judgment summons, exporting the judge to say: How can you expect a poor fellow like that to pay? Germany was adopting similar tactics, hoping the people of the Allies would say: They cannot make both ends meet in Germany. How can you expect them to pay an indemnity? However, as a matter of fart. Germany today is a strong, capable, and efficient nation. She can and will pay. She will feel better when the indemnity is fixed and she knows just what, she has to deal with – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Feilding Star (Feilding, NZ), Monday 7th February 1921, page 2 JAPAN'S FOREIGN POLICY New York, February 5th – The New York Evening Post's Tokyo correspondent slates that the Japanese Foreign Office denies that Japan is seeking to lighten her obligations towards Britain in the proposed revision of the Anglo – Japanese alliance. The correspondent states that well informed circles express the view that but for the United Stales’ stand against any alliances. Japan would, from the beginning, have sought 1o make the Anglo-Japanese alliance triple and a United States Japanese approachment constitutes the guiding principle of Japan's foreign policy. The Oppositionist, Mochizuki MOCHIZUKI, Keisuke (1867 – 1941). Statesman, politician and cabinet minister in Taishō and early Shōwa period Japan. In his early career, Mochizuki spoke out strongly against factionalism in the Diet based on old clan-based affiliations. He first joined the Cabinet under the Tanaka administration in 1927 as Minister of Communications. The following year, he was appointed Home Minister. During his term as Home Minister, renewed activity by underground Japan Communist Party in 1928 led to the March 15 Incident, in which police arrested more than 1,600 Communists and suspected Communists under the provisions of the Public Safety Preservation Law of 1925. , demanded information from the Government during a debate in the Diet, on the differences between Japan and Britain relative to the administration of the ex-German Islands in the Pacific, .South of the Equator. He referred to Uchida's .statement to the Diet that Britain maintained that the Versailles Treaty Clause, guaranteeing adherence to the principle of equal opportunity in mandated districts, did not apply to the South Sea Islands. Japan look a contrary view, but tentatively accepted the British theory, reserving the right to resume negotiations, and insist upon Japanese rights in the Islands, wherever Britain had been given the mandate – Feilding Star (Feilding, NZ), Monday 7th February 1921, page 2 THE MANDATED ISLANDS Tokyo, February 4th – The Oppositionist, Mochizuki, demanded information from the Government, during a debate in the Diet, on the differences between Japan and Britain 'relative to the administration of the former German islands in the Pacific, south of the equator. He referred to Viscount Uchida’s statement to the Diet that Britain maintained that the Versailles Treaty clause guaranteeing her adherence to the principle of equal opportunity in the mandated districts, did not apply to the South Sea Islands. Japan took a contrary view, but tentatively accepted the British theory, reserving the right to resume negotiations and to insist upon Japanese rights in the islands wherever Britain was given the mandate – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Otago Daily Times (Otago, N.Z), Monday 7th February 1921, page 5 THE EMPIRE’S FUTURE London, February 5th – Lord Milner, interviewed on the eve of his retirement from the Colonial Office, said the last vestige of the subjection of the dominions to the Motherland had disappeared, and the only basis on which the Empire could survive was one of partnership. The whole problem with which we were faced was how to make the partnership work. “Instead of affirming and reaffirming the dominions’ independence, which nobody disputes,” said Lord Milner MILNER, Alfred 1st Viscount Milner (1854 -1925). British statesman and colonial administrator. He played an influential leadership role in the formulation of foreign and domestic policy between the mid-1890s and early 1920s. From December 1916 to November 1918, he was one of the most important members of David Lloyd George's War Cabinet. He attended the 1919 Paris Peace Conference where, on behalf of the United Kingdom, he became one of the signatories of the Treaty of Versailles. Right until the end of his life, Lord Milner would call himself a "British race patriot" with grand dreams of a global Imperial parliament, headquartered in London, seating delegates of British descent from Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa., “we should concentrate our attention on the practical point of how six independent at different ends of the earth, can give one another the greatest mutual assistance ,and how most effectively to uphold the interests we possess in common. It is admitted that common interests of paramount importance do exist, but no sooner does anyone make any proposal for organising the dominions in co-operation and putting it on a workable basis than somebody raises the cry of endangering the dominions’ independence, and the thing ends in nothing being done. “Personally, I am sure nothing ever will be done to organise the Empire partnership by proposals coming from Britain. The impulse must come from the dominions, which, as they grow and think out their own future, will realise that the objects, which are dearest to each, are unattainable without the help of the rest.” – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Otago Daily Times (Otago, N.Z), Monday 7th February 1921, page 5 ENSIGN OF THE RAF The design for a Royal Air Force ensign has been approved by the King. It consists of a flag of Royal Air Force blue, one – fourth of which is occupied by a Union flag as in the maritime ensigns. The fourth below the Union flag bears no device, and centred in the remaining half of the ensign is the Royal Air Force identification mark carried by all British service aircraft. The Union flag in the corner of the ensign denotes its nationality, and the colour and the markings serve to identify it as the ensign of the Royal Air Force. The inclusion of the Royal Air Force recognition mark is appropriate, in that it is the symbol under which many thousands of gallant actions have been fought in the air and many thousands of British flying officers have been wounded or have met their death – Reuter – Malaya Tribune (Singapore), Monday 7th February 1921, page 2 U.S NAVY BUILDING PROGRAMME Washington, February 3rd – The Naval Committee of the House of Representatives estimates that owing to the cost of material and labour ($434,000,000 above the original calculation) $538’000,000 will be required to complete the ambitions naval programme embarked upon in 1916. The Naval Bill as reported to the House calls for the appropriation of $395’000,000 of which $90’000,000 is for the continuing new construction next year. The programme in 1916 authorised the construction of 156 warships. Many of these have been completed, but seventeen battleships and battle cruisers and a number of auxiliaries are still under construction. The Bill reduces the personnel of the Navy from 143,000 to 100,000 men, and appropriates for aviation £1’750,000, compared with £5’000,000 for the current year – Reuter – Malaya Tribune (Singapore), Monday 7th February 1921, page 5 Washington, February 3rd – The report of Mr. Daniels to the Navy Boars reiterates his belief in battleships as the principal units in the fleet, and states that without battleships the United States cannot hope to compete with existing navies; adding that while equality of power should continue to be a factor in the American naval policy, there should be no thought of instituting an international competition in construction – Reuter – Malaya Tribune (Singapore), Monday 7th February 1921, page 5 THE MONROE DOCTRINE Santiago de Chile, February 3rd – Admiral Rodman RODMAN, Hugh (1859 – 1940). Admiral in the United States Navy. He s erved during the Spanish–American War and World War I, later serving as the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet from 1919 to 1921. Detached in 1921, he served as Commandant, 5th Naval District, from 1921 to 1922, interrupting that duty once for a mission to Peru as Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary. During 1922–23, he was senior member of a board to formulate administrative policy for all shore stations and on reaching retirement age, 64, was transferred to the retired list. After his retirement, he continued to serve the United States and the navy on various missions which included, in the summer of 1923, accompanying President Warren G. Harding on his ill-fated inspection of Alaska. In 1937, he represented the U.S. Navy at King George VI's coronation ceremonies in London., who is visiting here with the American fleet, says the only object is to visit a sister nation. As regards the Monroe Doctrine, the United States never entertained any pretensions to absorb the South American Republics. The doctrine involved certain reciprocal duties. The States would watch over her weaker sisters merely as a sister Republic and give European nations no distinction. They must understand they must not interfere with American affairs – Reuter – Malaya Tribune (Singapore), Monday 7th February 1921, page 5 ARMAMENTS QUESTION London, February 6th – The Times' Washington correspondent, reviewing the armaments' question, says that there is a strong public desire for reduction of armament expenditure, but the general expectation is that whatever arrangement is reached will, leave the United States on a parity with Britain, and much superior to Japan. The only doubtful point in the translation of this into actuality is the ultimate relative strengths of the British and American navies. The feeling at present is that (lie question of equality should at least be considered. If the United States foregoes the opportunity to have as powerful a navy as Britain, it will be because she is assured of the impossibility of Britain giving Japan support, moral and physical, against her – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Waikato Times (Hamilton, NZ), Tuesday 8th February 1921, page 1921 FRANCE AND POLAND Paris, February 6th – The visit of General Pilsudski, President of Poland, is being made an international event. He is being feted. He conferred with the political and military leaders. It is understood that France has agreed to continue to supply Poland with instructors and war material to uphold the, barrier between Russia and Germany. An official statement has been issued embodying the resolve of the two Governments to safeguard the peace of Europe, to maintain close friendship, and to defend the high interests involved – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Waikato Times (Hamilton, NZ), Tuesday 8th February 1921, page 5 WOMEN IN [JAPANESE] POLITICS Tokyo, February, 7th – A Bill has been introduced into the Diet aiming to nullify the law prohibiting women from joining political associations or attending political meetings. The measure has the support of members of all parties. The extension of women's rights in the United States is believed to have considerably accelerated the Japanese suffrage movement – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Waikato Times (Hamilton, NZ), Tuesday 8th February 1921, page 5 RECOGNITION OF SULTAN Constantinople, February 7th – Kemal Pasha has announced the terms on which he is prepared to recognise the Sultan's authority. The Sultan must publish a decree recognising the Angora Parliament, the later guaranteeing to protect Constantinople, also to provide a civil list for the Imperial family and officials – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Waikato Times (Hamilton, NZ), Tuesday 8th February 1921, page 5 A GERMAN WAR PRODUCT Washington, February 6th – General Mitchell told the Naval Air Committee that Germany during the war designed -m airship capable of flying around the world. He also claimed that the Germans passed over New York with it flying at an altitude of 30,000 feet, well beyond airplane attack. The engines were electrically heated and the crew supplied with oxygen. General Mitchell added that the United States was designing airships to fly at an enormous altitude – Reuters’ Telegram – Waikato Times (Hamilton, NZ), Tuesday 8th February 1921, page 5 NAVAL OFFICIALS INVITE BOMB TEST Washington, February 7th – Participation by the War Department in a series of experiments to determine the value of aircraft against major naval vessels was invited by Secretary Daniels Monday In a letter to Secretary Baker. The first of the tests will be conducted within the next 30 days. Mr. Daniels said, and conditions approximating as closely as possible those of battle will be simulated. The captured German battleship Osfriesland of 26,300- tons, probably will be used for the first experiment. Admiral R. E. Coontz COONTZ, Robert Edward (1864 – 1935). Admiral in the United States Navy. He was Governor of Guam (1912 – 1913), then served as Commanding Officer of the battleship USS Georgia, followed by duty as Commandant of the Puget Sound Navy Yard and the 13th Naval District. He held those positions until late in 1918. Following a brief period as acting Chief of Naval Operations he assumed command of a battleship division in the Atlantic. In September 1919 n September he became Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). His term as CNO was marked by unceasing pressure for economy, Congressional unhappiness over base closings, diplomatic efforts to achieve naval limitations, internal Navy Department conflicts over organisation and the best ways to manage new technologies, plus the naval fallout of the Teapot Dome scandal. In 1925, he led the fleet on a trans-Pacific visit to New Zealand and Australia, the first massed deployment of American battleships since the "Great White Fleet" cruise, nearly two decades earlier, and a valuable demonstration of their strategic reach. From October 1925, until his retirement in June 1928, Coontz served as Commandant of the Fifth Naval District, reverting to the rank of rear admiral., chief of naval operations prior to the making public of Secretary Daniels' letter, had told the house naval committee that within the next three months the navy department would bomb a large warship from the air in the open sea in an effort to test the theory advanced by Brigadier Gen. Mitchell, of the army air service, that airplanes had made capital naval vessels useless. Rep. Mondell MONDELL, Frank Wheeler (1860 – 1939). Republican United States Representative of Wyoming. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he settled in the Wyoming Territory in 1887, was mayor of Newcastle from 1888 to 1895, and served in Congress from 1895 to 1897 and once again from 1899 to 1923. He was majority leader in the Sixty-sixth and Sixty-seventh Congresses on the floor of the House and took a prominent part in framing the legislation passed by that body. He took an active part in all the Republican conventions from 1902 to 1924 when he was a chairman at the 1924 Republican National Convention. of Wyoming, Republican floor leader, who preceded Admiral Coontz on the stand, warned the committee that unless expenditures for military establishments were cut down, some of the larger nations of the world would be driven into bankruptcy – Associated Press – South Bend News Times (South Bend, Indiana, USA), Tuesday 8th February 1921, page 1 BRITISH NAVY CONFERENCE AT SINGAPORE London, February 7th – The Morning Post's naval correspondent, commenting on the report that Admiral Grant is going to Singapore to hold a conference with the senior officers of the other Pacific squadrons, says: “The conference is a preliminary of the Imperial Conference in June. Lord Jellicoe has already pointed out that the naval requirements of Australasia will necessitate taking into account the requirements of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Singapore will doubtless be in the future headquarters of any British fleet in Eastern waters. While direct Admiralty control is essential under modern conditions over fleets operating near home, the direction of fleets at a distance must be delegated to officers on the spot, who act on the Admiralty's general instructions. It is not the intention that the Commander-in-Chief of the Far Fast shall exercise control over the Dominion's navies in times of peace, but shall have a Dominion representative of standing on his staff in order to secure the co-ordination which the exploits of the Emden and von Spee showed to be essential” – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Feilding Star (Feilding, NZ), Wednesday 9th February 1921, page 2 [GERMAN] MONARCHIST MOVEMENT London, February 7th – The Daily Chronicle's Berlin correspondent says that, with unlimited funds of industrial trusts, the reactionaries have embarked on a tremendous publicity campaign, with which their rivals find it impossible to compete. They have already flooded Berlin with pamphlets and posters, many of which blame the Republican 'regime for the high prices of rood, the shortage, and the labour troubles. One danger to the Republic is that the Administration remains in the hands of officials, few of whom am genuine Republicans. The military protection still rests with the Officers' Corps, which .is admittedly Monarchical. The methods of the reactionaries render a coup d'etat unlikely. Their new strategy is less risky and more effective—namely to place the government of the Republic in Monarchical hands – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Feilding Star (Feilding, NZ), Wednesday 9th February 1921, page 2 [WILSON] GOING INTO SECLUSION Washington, February 7th – President Wilson plans to retire into virtual seclusion for at least six months after he leaves White House (on March 3). He will take up his residence in Washington, in a home which he recently bought. It is understood that he does not intend to write anything until the end of his period of recreation, during which, time he will only see the- immediate' members of his family and his closest, friends – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Feilding Star (Feilding, NZ), Wednesday 9th February 1921, page 2 PALESTINE MANDATE London, February 5th – The terms of the Palestine mandate have aroused considerable interest on account of the assumption that the main principles will recur in all the League mandates. The obvious international fairness of the terms is taken as a happy augury, enhancing the prospects of the League’s power for good. The London press criticises the action of the Council of the League in ignoring Lord Robert Cecil CECIL, Robert, 1st Viscount Cecil of Chelwood (1864 – 1958). British lawyer, politician and diplomat. He was one of the architects of the League of Nations and a defender of it. During World War I he was responsible for devising procedures to bring economic and commercial pressure against the enemy forcing them to choose between feeding their occupying military forces or their civilian population. He awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1937.’s request for publication of the draft, yet allowing the Mesopotamian and Palestine mandates themselves are regarded as creditable to the honesty of the British Government, which, according to the Daily News, appears to have been inspired by a genuine desire to fulfil General Smuts SMUTS, Jan (1870 – 1950). South African statesman, military leader, and philosopher. He served as prime minister of the Union of South Africa from 1919 until 1924 and from 1939 until 1948. Although Smuts had originally advocated racial segregation and opposed the enfranchisement of black Africans, his views changed and he backed the Fagan Commission's findings that complete segregation was impossible. Smuts subsequently lost the 1948 election to hard-line nationalists who institutionalised apartheid. He continued to work for reconciliation and emphasised the British Commonwealth's positive role until his death in 1950. From 1917 to 1919 he was also one of the members of the British Imperial War Cabinet, and he was instrumental in the founding of what became the Royal Air Force (RAF). He was appointed as a field marshal in the British Army in 1941. He was the only person to sign both of the peace treaties ending the First and Second World wars. A statue to commemorate him was erected in London's Parliament Square.’s excellent definition of what a mandate should be, namely a sacred trust of civilisation. The Daily Mail and the Daily Express are the only serious critics, principally on the ground that the mandates will involve heavy expenditure when money is sorely needed at home – Reuter – The Strait Times (Singapore), Wednesday 9th February 1921, page 9 London, February 6th – Last year’s pioneer Jewish immigrants numbered 10,000, including 3,000 repatriated, 3,000 from Ukraine, Crimea and Armenia and 3,500 from Lithuania, Poland, Galitzia and Germany – Reuter – The Strait Times (Singapore), Wednesday 9th February 1921, page 9 GERMAN EVASION London, February 4th – In connection with the report of the financial committee of the Brussels conference, it appears from another annex that the approximate average taxation per head, direct and indirect, calculated at the current rates of exchange in the countries named, is as follows: United Kingdom £17, France 116s, Germany 51s – Reuter – The Strait Times (Singapore), Wednesday 9th February 1921, page 9 EX – GERMAN BATTLESHIP SUNK IN NAVAL EXPERIMENT London, February 9th – The former German battleship Baden was sunk off the Isle of Wight as a result of torpedo and aerial bombing experiments designed to test the stability of German construction and the present value of capital ships. She will be salved for further experiments – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Nelson Evening Mail (Nelson, NZ), Thursday 10th February 1921, page 5 MUTINY AT KRONSTADT Copenhagen, February 8th – A serious mutiny has broken out at Kronstadt. Sailors have taken possession of the harbour and docks. Officials at Petrograd, not trusting the local garrison, sent four Bolshevik regiments from Moscow, and severe fighting is going on – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Nelson Evening Mail (Nelson, NZ), Thursday 10th February 1921, page 5 PLAGUE OF RATS Sydney, February 10th – As a result of representations from the islanders, the Zoological Society offered assistance to the Board of Control of Lord Howe Island, for destroying a plague of rats, which are overrunning the island and threatening the principal source of revenue, the Kcntia palm seed, also the extinction of native birds – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Nelson Evening Mail (Nelson, NZ), Thursday 10th February 1921, page 5 30 U. S. MARINES WRECK NICARAGUA NEWSPAPER Managua, Nicaragua. Feb. 9th – American marines, numbering about thirty, raided the offices of the newspaper Tribuna today, destroying the presses and wrecking the plant. In explanation of the raid, it is declared that the Tribuna had published defamatory statements about some of the marines – New York Tribune (New York, USA), Thursday 10th February 1921, page 1 NAVY AS BIG AS ANY URGED BY SENATORS Washington, Feb. 9th – While advocating the general principle of reduction of armaments by agreement, the Senate Naval Affairs Committee, in reporting against the Borah resolution proposing suspension of capital ship construction, to-day took a strong stand in favour of a great navy for America under present conditions. It declare for a navy “at least equal to that of any other power”. The view of the committee is that it would be folly for the United State to halt its naval building programme or to start toward disarmament unless disarmament is general, and inclusive of the great maritime powers. The report in the main indorses the views of the Naval General Board. It holds that it would cost the government heavily to halt building for six months, as proposed in the Borah resolution. It takes the position the capital ship is not out of date. At the same time, the report favours study and developments of high explosives, aircrafts and submarines. Airplane Carriers for Destroyers To encourage aircraft development the committee makes the recommendation that in the 1916 naval programme two airplane carriers be substituted for twelve destroyers and six submarine therein contracts for which have not been let. Senator Poindexter presented the report for the Naval Affairs Committee. It is not without significance that the report reflects views of Senator Lodge CABOT LODGE, Henry (1850 – 1924). American Republican politician, historian, and statesman. He served in the United States Senate from 1893 to 1924 and is best known for his positions on foreign policy. His successful crusade against Woodrow Wilson's Treaty of Versailles ensured that the United States never joined the League of Nations. He sponsored the unsuccessful Lodge Bill of 1890, which sought to protect the voting rights of African Americans and introduce a national secret ballot (1890). He also supported immigration restrictions, becoming a member of the Immigration Restriction League and influencing the Immigration Act of 1917., chairman of Foreign Relations who also is on the Naval Affairs Committee and is on the sub-committee along with Senator Poindexter, to which the Borah resolution was referred. Senator Lodge expressed his opinions at the last meeting of the Naval Committee. The report of the committee backed by all of its members, except Senator King, of Utah, Democrat senator King in preparing a minority report, which he will make in a day or two. "The members of the committee”, says the report, “are as anxious to bring about a reduction of armament and relief from the burdens which those armaments impose upon the nations of the earth as anyone can be but no disarmament would be of any value unless it was general and, in the case of the great maritime powers universal. Unhappily, this is not the case at the present time, and we must deal with conditions as they exist”. U. S. Must Defend Herself "For one nation to leave itself exposed to attack while another is preparing all the engines of war would not only be folly, but the greatest danger to the peace of the world that could be imagined. We earnestly hope that an agreement may be reached among the nations for a general reduction o armaments, but at the present moment universal disarmament has not been established and the United States cannot leave itself undefended if it is threatened from any quarter. To do so would be a wrong to the American people and no service to the cause of peace”. The report embodies the letter of the Naval General Board regarding the Borah proposal for a six months' suspension of building. After quoting this letter, the Naval Affairs Committee makes these observations: “Your committee endorses and approves in the main the observations and conclusions of the foregoing letter. The value and importance of submarines, aircraft and high explosives are admitted, and the committee recommends that the scientific study and development of all these means of naval warfare be actively continued depth bombs, mines, aerial torpedoes and high explosive shells fired from great guns, whether of the howitzer of other types, are all important agencies of attack and defence at sea, and intensive study of their potential use should be continued, with a view of utilising them to the greatest possible advantage. Capital Ships Held Necessary “If we assume, however, a naval power armed with all these devices, and with destroyers and swift light cruisers, but with no battleships or battle cruisers and an enemy power equipped with all these and with battleships and battle-cruisers in addition, there can be no doubt that in any conflict the power equipped with capital ships would be victorious over its enemy not so equipped. The rival forces of light craft, whether on or below the surface, or in the air, would neutralise each other, leaving the power which possessed the heavy ships, armed with great guns, in undisputed control of the sea. “This was substantially the situation at the close of the late World War, with the capital ships of the Allies dominating all the seas of the world, controlling communications, isolating the enemy, cutting off his supplies and creating a condition which by its effect upon the armies of the belligerents was the predominant influence in crushing the Central Powers and bringing victory to America and the Entente Allies. Navy first line of defence “Situated as is the United States, with oceans separating it from other great powers, its first line of defence must necessarily be its navy, and as long as it has a battle fleet which can hold the sea against attack both its continental territory and its island possessions, as well as its commerce and the rights and interests of its citizens upon the high seas, are secure regardless of the comparative size of the armies of the world. On the other hand, if from lack of heavy ships of the line, or other weaknesses, its navy cannot hold the Sea against attack, then, even though it might have the greatest army in the world, its island possessions would fall away from it, its commerce would be destroyed, its coasts blockaded and subjected to constant attack. “In view of this importance of sea power to the United States, and the fact that without it we would be not the mercy of other nations, it is the opinion of your committee that this country should maintain a navy at least equal to that of any other power. The lessons of history teach us with indisputable truth that we cannot afford to depend for the maintenance of our rights and the defence of the lives and commerce of our citizens upon the mercy, generosity, or good will of other powers with rival and conflicting interests or ambitions. Opposed to Building Layoff “For these reasons we are of the opinion that there should be no suspension of the present building programme of the navy, which, as at present laid out, is, at the most, only designed to place us upon a footing of equality with any other power upon the sea. “It is estimated by the technical experts of the navy that the actual loss which would result from u six months suspension of this work would be between $15,000,000 and $25,000,000. Large numbers of workmen would be thrown out of employment, with consequent distress to themselves and their families, compelling them to seek other employment and rendering difficult or impossible the reassembling of these forces would work upon the ships 'be resumed. Any such result would give an immense advantage to such other powers as would continue uninterruptedly the construction of their fleets, or those already supplied with superior naval power. “It is the opinion of this committee that the United States should have under its control a sufficient force to protect and preserve both its material possessions, the policies it has established, the lives and rights of its citizens and the principles upon which its government in founded. “Battleships are a constituent part of our fleet are essential to this power, and any interruption or building holiday' in the work now provided for would seriously retard and might wholly prevent its attainment” – New York Tribune (New York, USA), Thursday 10th February 1921, page 1 to 4 TOKYO’S NATIONALIST PARTY ASKS MILITARY BILL CUT Tokyo, February 9 – An echo of the reduced armament campaign which is being carried on by Yukio Ozaki, a former leader of the Kensei-Kai, or Opposition party, is found in the decision of the Kokumin-To, or Nationalist party, to return the budget of the government with the request that it reconsider and curtail appropriations for military purposes. The Kokumin-To party declares that approval of the budget would mean an increase of taxation in coming years, and charges that the inclusion of an additional 150.000,000 yen for national defence would be in violation of the pledge given the previous Diet and also be tantamountly to deceiving the nation. It is urged that the budget be reframed on the basis- of shorter army service and for improvement in education. The Kensei'-Kai party also has declared itself in favour of reframing the budget, claiming that its adoption in its present form would mean an additional overwhelming burden on the people through increased taxation – Associated Press – New York Tribune (New York, USA), Thursday 10th February 1921, page 4 HINDENBURG’S STATEMENT Berlin, February 9th – Interviewed after the launching of a 12,000 ton- steamer from the Vulcan Yard, Marshal Hindenburg said: “The French desire for the Ruhr district is a danger which must be taken seriously, but must not intimidate us into surrendering to the Entente’s unreasonable demands. I hope the Government will remain firm this time. Dignity alone demands it. In America a complete change of opinion has come about in our favour” – Ashburton Guardian (Ashburton, NZ), Friday 11th February 1921, page 5 PANDERING TO AMERICA Berlin, February 9th – Herr Stresseman STRESEMANN, Gustav (1878 – 1929). Chancellor (1923) and foreign minister (1923, 1924–29) of the Weimar Republic, largely responsible for restoring Germany’s international status after World War I. With French foreign minister Aristide Briand, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1926 for his policy of reconciliation and negotiation. After initially sympathizing with the ideas of the Protestant social reformer Friedrich Naumann and collaborating with his National Social Union, Stresemann joined the National Liberal Party in 190. He was known for his organizational gifts, knew how to handle people, and was aware of the power he wielded. As a member of the German Colonial League and an advocate of a strong naval construction programme. A member of the German National Constituent Assembly in Weimar in 1919–20, he was an opponent of the new German constitution and the Treaty of Versailles and devoted his political life to its revision. From 1920 until his death Stresemann was a Reichstag deputy and chairman of the German People’s Party, and in August 1923 he became chancellor of the Reich at the head of a “Great Coalition,” composed of representatives of the Social Democrats, the Centre, and the German Democrats, as well as of his People’s Party., Nationalist leader, in an election speech said that Germany’s error in the war was that she didn’t try and float war credit in America. “We will now, however, prove to America”, he added, “that our reconstruction is in its interests” – Ashburton Guardian (Ashburton, NZ), Friday 11th February 1921, page 5 THE REFORMS IN INDIA Delhi, February 9th – A message from the King was read y at the inauguration of the Council of State. His Majesty congratulated the country on the success of years of labour. “For years”, he said, “may be for generations, patriotic and loyal Indians have dreamed of swaraj for their motherland. Today, you have the beginning of swaraj, within my Empire I with the widest scope and the most ample opportunity for progress to that liberty which my other Dominions enjoy”. After referring to the responsibilities involved, the King added: “Upon you lies a duty to convince the world of the wisdom of this great constitutional change, and to work for the interests and upliftment of millions of your fellow countrymen who are not yet qualified for a shared political life. I shall watch your work with unfailing sympathy and with a resolute faith m your determination to do your duty to India and the Empire” – Press Association – Ashburton Guardian (Ashburton, NZ), Friday 11th February 1921, page 5 THE INDIAN ARMY London, February 9th – Lord Sydenham SYDENHAM CLARKE, George, 1st Baron Sydenham of Combe (1848 – 1933). British Army officer and colonial administrator. He entered the Royal Engineers in 1868, served in the Egyptian Expedition and as Assistant Political officer during the following Sudan expedition. From 1885 until 1892 he was secretary to the Colonial Defence Committee, for which he was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 1893. He was also secretary to the Royal Commission on Navy and Army Administration in 1888, a commission which did much to improve cooperation between the two services. In the late 1890s he was Superintendent of the Royal Carriage Department at Woolwich. He retired from the army in October 1901, when he had been appointed Governor of Victoria, Australia (1901 – 1903). He served in India as Governor of Bombay between 1907 and 1913. In 1913 he was elevated to the peerage as Baron Sydenham of Combe, of Dulverton in the County of Devon. He was also the first Secretary of the Committee of Imperial Defence. He adhered to the 'Blue Water' school of thought which saw the Royal Navy as Britain's primary defence against invasion. He advocated the use of small field fortifications which could be built cheaply and rapidly. This view was based in part on the successful defence of Plevna in 1877 by Turkish forces using magazine-fed rifles and earthwork fortifications. His opinions on the strength of field fortifications were largely vindicated by the trench warfare of the First World War. He died at his home in Onslow Square, London, in February 1933, aged 84 and the barony became extinct., in a letter to the Press, says the present is not the moment to make drastic reductions of the fine, gallant Indian Army when agitators are doing their utmost to hamper and embarrass the Government. The cavalry appears to be in danger of the greatest relative reduction. On the vast plains of India the cavalry arm is peculiarly formidable, especially for purposes of internal defence. The efficiency of the aeroplane to deal with widespread rioting must be seriously discounted. Indian cavalry is the flower of the army, being recruited from picked fighting races which had proved their conspicuous loyalty to the Crown. Apart from many other sources of danger, there is the dark menace of "Bolshevism m the East. “We are also engaged m delicate negotiations with Afghanistan. It must be evident that in no time during the turbulent history of India have there been so many causes for misgiving or such an imperative demand for caution”, he says – Reuter – Ashburton Guardian (Ashburton, NZ), Friday 11th February 1921, page 5 TOURING JAPAN “Whatever we may think of Japanese policy, we must all agree that Japan is a beautiful country and its inhabitants a people of singular interest and charm. Here we have a territory about half the size of New South Wales, with a population of over 60,000,000. It is a country, too, which, though beautiful, is very mountainous, with a soil- that needs assiduous cultivation to make it fruitful. Only 17 per cent, is arable. It is this limited area and productiveness that has compelled the Japanese to look beyond their own country for support, and led them to an adventurous policy in Korea, Manchuria and China. “It is not easy to say exactly wherein the charm of Japan consists. It is certainly to a large extent in its scenery, which is diversified and, well-watered, with abundant vegetation, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, towers, almost everywhere. It also owes a good deal to its extensive seaboard, its innumerable bays and islets, and its unique inland sea. It is a picturesque country. “And besides this there is its artistic charm, its quaint architecture, its lovely temples and castles, its toriis and wayside shrines. And then, .above all, are the people (for there is nothing quite so interesting as humans) with their quaint garb, strange customs, courteous manners, and active, inquiring minds. Nagasaki “My first landing was at Nagasaki, the ancient southern port, which possesses a magnificent harbour, indented with numerous bays, and surrounded by wooded hills. It has played an important part in the national history. It was here that the early Portuguese missionaries landed, and that the Japanese first made tire acquaintance of Europeans, of Christianity, and of firearms. It was for long the only place, at which any communication with the outside world- was permitted. When afterwards, in the first decade of the seventeenth century, the Roman Catholic missionaries were driven and Christianity extirpated, the Dutch merchants managed to gain favour and maintained a commercial monopoly for more than two centuries. In the bay one sees the little island of Papenberg, where all the missionaries were collected and flung over’ the cliffs into the sea. In addition to its ancient temples, Nagasaki possesses today large docks employing many thousands of hands. One sight that always interests the visitor here is the coaling. This is done chiefly by women. We had hardly dropped anchor before a number of coal barges were alongside. Bamboo ladders were quickly erected, and in a few minutes the workers dropped into their appointed positions, standing one .above the other. The baskets, holding about 141 b of coal, were thou filled in the barges and thrown up from worker to worker until they were finally tipped into the shute at the top. By means of these human elevators we soon had 1,300 tons of coal on board. The Inland Sea “From Nagasaki we proceeded through the Inland Sea to Kobe. Owing to dense fogs, we were nearly a week on the way, and on at least one occasion narrowly escaped collision; but when the fog lifted the view of the’ numerous wooded islets with scores of small vessels sailing around was charming, only comparable in my experience with such places as the St. Lawrence River, the Muskoka Lakes, and, Georgian Bay. Kobe “Our second landing was at Kobe, which I also visited later on; a big city, built along the foot and, up the slopes of hills, with water-front below—not a city where the tourist need linger long, and with the filthiest slums I have ever seen in my life. Accompanied by a Japanese friend, I walked through a considerable portion of these slums, the streets mere footpaths, with tiny wood and paper houses on either side, and filthy open drains and latrines —indescribable, unimaginable. In numerous cases the family lives in the little room about eight feet square. I spoke to the Prefect of the Province on the subject afterwards, and he acknowledged the truth of my description, but told me efforts were being made by the authorities to cleanse these slums, but that one of the greatest obstacles was in the opposition of the slum dwellers themselves, who preferred to go on in their old piggish way of living undisturbed. Of course, this cannot be allowed and will not be; hut from my knowledge of city slum-dwellers I can quite realise the difficulty. It will take many years and much patience and money to overcome it. “Something, however, is already being done. There have already been established an industrial school, with a small farm attached, for neglected children; a municipal market whore the poor are supplied at almost cost price; municipal restaurants where a meal is served for about three pence; a. free hospital and dispensary; a seamen’s home; a kindergarten; a home for poor men of sixty years of age and upwards who have no relatives to support, them. There is also a ladies’ society for visiting and assisting the very poor, and several other benevolent societies; so it must not be thought that the Japanese are unmindful of the distressed classes. Indeed, they are very generous, and I may say at once that such institutions as above are to be found in every-large city in Japan, though, owing to the clan system which prevails throughout the East, in which every family regards itself as responsible for its members, there is less-need for public charity than in European cities. “From Kobe we ran through to Yokohama, the port for Tokyo, and one of the busiest ports in the world. It has a population of about 500,000, including a large foreign settlement. It is neither a beautiful nor a particularly interesting I city, but is the best city in all Japan for shopping. We arrived in wet, uncomfortable weather, and there was hardly a day during the month off April on which it did not rain. Climate of Japan “And here let me say that the climate of Japan is much misunderstood and overrated. In the south it is fairly dry; but on the whole Japan has a heavy rainfall During the months of March, April, May, and June the weather is wet, showery, and frequently cold; in July and August it is extremely hot and muggy; in September and October nearly ’’perfect ; and from November to March bitterly cold. The guide-books advise tourists to visit Japan in the spring on account of the cherry-blossom, which is certainly very beautiful; but the climate is 1 so uncomfortable at this time of the year, and the roads so atrocious, that I would strongly advise the visitor to go during the autumn, say during September and October, when the weather is perfect and the chrysanthemums bloom. Another important advantage is that at this season it is easier to get satisfactory accommodation. There are few countries that beat Japan in point of attractiveness, but there are many—New Zealand and Australia for example—that beat it in the matter of climate. (To be continued.) – By Frederick Stubbs, F.R.G.S. (All rights reserved) – Evening Star (Dunedin, NZ), Saturday 12th February 1921, page 4 BRITAIN PROPOSED TIME AND AGAIN TO CANCEL WAR DEBT Washington DC, February 12th – Secretary of the Treasury Houston HOUSTON, David (1866 – 1940). American academic, businessman and conservative Democratic politician. He served under President Wilson as the 5th Secretary of Agriculture and the 48th United States Secretary of the Treasury. He became the Secretary of the Treasury from 1920–1921 shortly following the First World War. His brief tenure was marked by stormy controversies over federal monetary policies. He as against the cancellation of allied debts and converted the short-term debts to long-term loans. Houston resigned at the end of President Wilson's term, after only a year in office. After leaving the U.S. federal government, Houston became as the president of the Bell Telephone Securities and a vice president at AT&T. confirmed to-day the statement made by Austen Chamberlain CHAMBERLAIN, Austen (1863 – 1937). British statesman, son of Joseph Chamberlain and older half-brother of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. He served as Chancellor of the Exchequer (twice) and was briefly Conservative Party leader before serving as Foreign Secretary. Like many leading coalitionists, he did not hold office in the Conservative governments of 1922–4. By now regarded as an elder statesman, he served an important term as Foreign Secretary in Stanley Baldwin's Second Government (1924–9), during which he negotiated the Locarno Pact (1925), aimed at preventing war between France and Germany, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He last held office as First Lord of the Admiralty in 1931. He was one of the few MPs supporting Winston Churchill's appeals for rearmament against the German threat in the 1930s, and remained an active backbench MP until his death in 1937., Lord of the British Exchequer, that Great Britain has officially proposed to American officials cancellation of the allied debt to the United States. His information was given in executive session to the Senate Committee on Foreign relations, before which Mr. Houston appeared at his own request. Outside the hearings today there was a revival of the report that President Wilson had promised at the Paris peace conference that after the treaty had been ratified by the United States Senate he would do all he could to bring about cancellation of the interallied debt. In some quarters this was offered as an explanation of why Great Britain was willing to have the League of Nation covenant ratified with reservations and as a reason for her later proposals for cancellation. It was further developed that that proposals by Great Britain have been rejected by American officials whenever they were made. Secretary Houston told the committee it had been suggested not once, but several times, and at least once during the time the present. Secretary has been head of the Treasury Mr. Houston, following the example of his predecessors, declined to consider cancelation. Suggested at Peace Conference It is already known that suggestions of cancellation were made at the Paris peace conference and that France was one of those who favoured such cancelation. it is understood that Secretary Houston did not refer to any proposals for cancellation of the debt made by other allied nations, his admission being confined to the British proposal made to him and others who preceded him as Secretary of the Treasury. Most of the members of the Foreign Relations Committee who would discuss today's testimony expressed themselves as being satisfied with the conduct of the foreign loans and credits by Secretary Houston. Senator Lodge (Mass), chairman of the committee, said Mr. Houston's report was “eminently satisfactory” to him. Opinion is unanimous in the Senate against cancellation of the debt owed to the United States by the allied nations, and this was reflected more clearly today upon the disclosure by the Secretary that he had refused to consider cancellation. Senator Hitchcock HITCHCOCK, Gilbert (1859 – 1934). American congressman and U.S. Senator and founder of the Omaha World-Herald newspaper. His family had traditionally been Republicans, but Gilbert broke tradition and became a Democrat in response to agricultural issues and the leadership of fellow Nebraskan William Jennings Bryan. He was elected as a Democrat to the Senate by the legislature on January 18, 1911; he was re – elected in 1916 and served from March 4, 1911, to March 3, 1923. As Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, he was a leading advocate of the League of Nations and the Treaty of Versailles. (Neb.), formerly chairman of the committee, said "he considered Mr. Houston's handling of the loans and credits very satisfactory. “He told us that he had advised the British Government that it would have to pay”, Senator Hitchcock admitted, “a course which I approve”. There is a division of sentiment in the Senate and, in fact, in the Foreign Relations Committee as to whether or not Secretary Houston shall make further advances of credit balances now existing in favour of the nations of France, Italy, Czech-Slovakia, Greece and Liberia. Total existing credit balances for these nations are approximately $75,000,000. Secretary Houston already has informed the Senate Judiciary Committee, and also told the Foreign Relation Committee today, that he had made certain commitments as to these balances and that If called on by nations made he would make further advances before his term expires March 4. Senators oppose advances The making of further advances on this basis is opposed by a number of Senators, Senator Borah (Idaho) of the Foreign Relations Committee and senator Reed (Mo) of the Judiciary Committee among them. “I am certainly opposed to the Secretary being allowed to make further advancer”, said Senator Borah. “I endorse the efforts of certain public spirited men to prevent the Secretary from continuing to make foreign advances of credits or other commitments. I hope further light will be thrown on the subject for it is Information that it seems the American public is entitled to have”. There is still pending before the Judiciary Committee the resolution of Senator Reed to prevent the making of further advance by Secretary Houston or his successor. Further hearings are scheduled on this resolution next week and Senator Reed has stated that he proposes to have action in the Senate. Also he has announced his Intention of making a speech on the subject – New York Herald Bureau – The New York Herald (New York, USA), Sunday 13th February 1921, page 1 ANGLO – AMERICAN TIES BROKEN London February 12th – A plea for making the dominant not in Anglo – American relations one of friendship and understanding rather than of sensationalist and inaccurate representation was made tonight by Winston Spencer Churchill, the newly appointed Secretary for the Colonies, and Earl Reading ISAACS, Rufus, 1st Marquis of Reading (1850 – 1935). British Liberal politician and judge, who served as Lord Chief Justice of England, Viceroy of India, and Foreign Secretary, the last Liberal to hold that post. As law officer he handled many high-profile cases such as suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst and represented the inquiry into the sinking of the RMS Titanic. As Lord Chief Justice Reading presided over the trial of Roger Casement for high treason. In 1915 he led the Anglo-French Financial Commission to seek financial assistance for the Allies from the United States. In 1921 he resigned the chief justiceship to become Viceroy and Governor-General of India. On his return from India in 1926, he was made Marquis of Reading, the first man to raise from commoner to a marquesate since the Duke of Wellington. As Leader of the Liberal Party in the House of Lords from 1931–35, he took part in the Round Table Conferences of 1930–32 on the future of British India as head of the Liberal delegates. He was also a member of the select committee charged with the drafting of the Government of India Act 1935., Viceroy of India, at a farewell dinner to Lord Reading by the English Speaking Union. Both Mr. Churchill and Lord Reading in their speeches alluded to the cooperation between Great Britain and the United States in the late war and the need of preserving through long years of peace what had been gained at such cost and peril The Viceroy said it was essential that the two nations understand each other, because understanding bred suspicion and suspicion bred mistrust. But with a common understanding of each other’s ideal and aims Anglo – American unity was guaranteed for all time. Lord Reading gave what he declared to be the first public utterance concerning one wartime evidence of American friendship to England, saying that at a moment during the war when silver was unavailable and England urgently needed it to cover paper rupees in India, the American Congress passed legislation opening the Treasury reserves and silver was forwarded to India. “So far as I know”, he added, “America has since made no claim regarding the matter” The guests included Mrs. John W. Davis DAVIS, John (1873 – 1955). American politician, diplomat and lawyer. He served under President Woodrow Wilson as the Solicitor General of the United States and the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom. He was the Democratic nominee for president in 1924 and lost to Republican incumbent Calvin Coolidge. He helped establish the Council on Foreign Relations and advocated for the repeal of Prohibition. He did not seek public office again after 1924 but remained a prominent attorney, representing many of the country's largest businesses. Over a 60-year legal career, he argued 140 cases before the United States Supreme Court., representing the American Ambassador, who was absent owing to indisposition, Sir Hamar Greenwood GREENWOOD, Thomas Hamar, 1st Viscount Greenwood (1870 – 1948). Canadian-born British lawyer and politician. He served under David Lloyd George as Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department in 1919, as Additional Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Additional Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as Secretary for Overseas Trade from 1919 to 1920, and as the last Chief Secretary for Ireland, with a seat in the Cabinet, from 1920 to 1922. As such he was closely identified with the aggressive use of two specially formed paramilitary forces during the Irish War of Independence. He was made a Privy Counsellor in 1920., Chief Secretary for Ireland, Sir Alfred Mond MOND, Alfred, 1st Baron Melchett (1868 – 1930). British industrialist and financier. He served in the coalition government of David Lloyd George as First Commissioner of Works from 1916 to 1921 and as Minister of Health from 1921 to 1922. Although a supporter of the "New Liberalism", he became a Conservative in 1926 after falling out with Lloyd George over the former Prime Minister's controversial plans to nationalise agricultural land. In his later life he became an active Zionist. and the Archbishop of Canterbury– Associated Press – The New York Tribune (New York, USA), Sunday 13th February 1921, page 1 ASK AUSTRIAN VOTE ON FUSION WITH GERMANY Vienna, February 12th – Enactment of a law providing for a referendum relative to fusion between the Austrian Republic and Germany was formally demanded of the Government here Thursday by the Grosse Deutsche party. The organisation asserts that such legislation would be in fulfilment of promises made before the election In Austria recently, and makes its demand In spite of the reported Allied prohibition of movements looking to such a union. It is explained that immediate action regarding fusion would not necessarily follow a plebiscite, but such a vote would be taken out of a desire to show the real sentiment of Austria to the world – The New York Herald (New York, USA), Sunday 13th February 1921, page 3 HUNGARIAN ASSEMBLY ADJOURNS INDEFINITELY Budapest, February 10th – Admiral Horthy HOTYHY, Miklos (1868 – 1957). Hungarian admiral and statesman who served as the regent of the Kingdom of Hungary between the two World Wars and throughout most of World War II, from 1 March 1920 to 15 October 1944. He became commander-in-chief of the Austro-Hungarian Navy in the last year of the First World War following a series of mutinies. In 1919, following a series of revolutions and external interventions in Hungary from Romania, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia, he returned to Budapest with the National Army and was subsequently invited to become regent of the kingdom by parliament. In the late 1930s he sealed him a reluctant alliance with Germany against the Soviet Union. In October 1944, after announcing that Hungary had declared an armistice with the Allies and withdrawn from the Axis, he was forced to resign, placed under arrest by the Germans. He settled and lived out his remaining years in exile in Portugal., the Regent, adjourned the National Assembly indefinitely because of the Incessant clashes over the question of restoring the Hapsburg dynasty. He invited the party leaders to a conference, at which he personally advocated reconciliation, emphasizing that it was necessary to enable the Legislature to proceed with constructive work. All factions agree that the question of an occupant of Hungary's throne is the country's sole affair. It is understood that if it is impossible to reach an agreement as to a ruler Regent Horthy will appeal to the country, break new election – The New York Herald (New York, USA), Sunday 13th February 1921, page 3 FRENCH TAXES FAIL TO MEET ESTIMATES Paris, February 12th – French tax collections in January failed to equal the budget estimates for the first time under the present schedule. The total collections were 1,204’, 442,000 francs, while the budget estimates 1,362,783,000 francs. A heavy slump in the taxes on the business turnover and the customs on sugar which is attributed in the official announcement today on tax receipt to restrictions in consumption was chiefly responsible for the unfavourable result. The biggest drop was in the business turnover, which yielded 183’682,000 francs instead of the estimate 404’, 666,500 francs. Taxes for the registration of deeds and titles, however, showed a healthy increase, transactions yielding 271’, 325,000 francs, which exceeded the estimates by about 83’, 500,000 francs. The total January receipts exceeded those of January 1920, by 318’, 092,100 francs – The New York Herald (New York, USA), Sunday 13th February 1921, page 3 NAVAL LEADER IN REPORT OF RECENT PROBE Washington, February 13th – “The United States, having put its hand to the plough in Haiti, must not now turn back through the withdrawal of the American forces there”, Rear Admiral H.S Knapp KNAPP, Harry Shephard (1856 – 1923). Vice Admiral of the United States Navy, Military Governor of Santo Domingo, and Military Representative of the United States in Haiti. He was promoted to rear admiral on 17 March 1917 and a week before the United States entered World War I was appointed Military Governor of St. Domingo and Military Representative of the United States in Haiti. He laboured to protect Allied shipping from German U-boats and to make the Caribbean Sea secure from enemy aggression. Soon after the armistice, he was Naval Attaché in London with staff duties and on 4 February 1920 assumed command of U.S. Naval Forces operating in European waters with rank of vice admiral. Even after he was placed on the retired list effective 27 June 1920, the Navy utilized his singular abilities. This won him temporary active duty as a consultant and as quasi-diplomat. He died at Hartford, Connecticut on 6 April 1923. declared Sunday in a report of his investigations in the island Republic [of Haiti] for the Navy and State Department. “Agitation against the American occupation of Haiti”, Admiral Knapp asserted, “is inspired by a desire on the part of a small group who represent at the most less than five percent of the population. This group of agitators are working to gain a hearing and the sympathy of the people of the United States, although their real object is to obtain abrogation of the treaty between the United States and Haiti to bring about a return of the old conditions of government. Majority wants Americans “Could this be attained? I think 999 out of every 1,000 Haitians would be glad to see the American forces remain to enforce good order. In other words, the Haitians, even the worst agitators among them, would be willing to have the United States act the part of policeman and otherwise leave them to their own device. “The 95 percent would enjoy less real freedom than they do now. Should the United States now withdraw, leaving the political agitators to their own devices, it would, in my opinion, be surrendering the interests and true freedom of 95 percent of the population and encouraging the unworthy minority to go on with its dishonest, arbitrary and tyrannical measures. While it is probably impossible to state that graft does not now exist, it is concealed graft unknown to the United States officials. “The people of the United States should not allow themselves to be deceived by the words ‘Republic of Haiti’ into believing that there exist in Haiti, or ever has a republic in any sense, founded upon the expressed will of an intelligent and educated electorate. Republic in name only “The so – called Republic of Haiti, left to itself, has been a tyrannical oligarchy, in which those in power fattened upon the vast mass of the population, while those of the governing class, out of power, sought every opportunity to get into power by fair means or foul, with the same corrupt personal ends in view. “Any idea of Haiti conceived on the basis of the surroundings of the average citizen of the United States, who is more or less educated, and who lives under a regime of law which makes possible his being exploited by a governing class and insures security of his life and property – if utterance false under the actual conditions, as is a judgement of happenings in Haiti founded up on such an idea. Country now tranquil “Tranquillity and security now exist in Haiti, practically throughout the country, and from all that I can gather people can move about the republic on their unlawful occupations without fear of molestation. This is the direct result of armed American intervention. “The Gendarmerie is a fine institution. Under its present direction, it is confining its activities within their legitimate scope, that of the police agency of Haiti. It is increasing in efficiency” – Associated Press – South Bend News (South Bend, Indiana, USA), Monday 14th February 1921, page 1 to 2 HIGH JAPANESE OFFICIALS QUIT; INVOLVED IN INTRIGUE TO STOP MARRIAGE OF CROWN PRINCE TOKIO, February 14th – The proposed visit at an early date of the Japanese Crown Prince to England has behind it a court Intrigue. The case is declared to form one of the most extraordinary Incidents in the dynastic history of the empire. Allegations have boon made to the effect that the real reason for the visit abroad of Crown Prince Hirohito is due to intrigue within the court to bring about a cancellation of his betrothal to the Princess Nagako, daughter of General Prince Kuni. The Household Department has issued an official statement to the effect that rumours seem to be current concerning the engagement of the Crown Prince to Princess Nagako, but that the nation should understand that no change whatsoever is contemplated concerning the marriage contract, as already informally settled. With a view to removing doubts and uneasy feelings on the part of the people, the Home Department has issued a similar communication. This communication adds that Baron Nukamuro, Minister of the Household, has decided to resign. It is reported also that Mr. Ishiwara, Vice Minister of the Household, will retire. The making public of the official communications was followed by a visit of Prince Kuni to the Emperor and Empress. The newspapers charge an intrigue to annul the betrothal of the Crown Prince and Princess Nagako while Hirohito is abroad was launched by Baron Nakamura, and that he is supported by Field Marshal Yamagata, one of the elder statesmen. It appears that several distinguished parliamentarians recently wrote Yamagata accusing him of interference in the love affair, and that they subsequently sent circulars to all the Imperial princes. According to the Michi Nichi, Field Marshal Yamagata has decided to retire from the Presidency of the Privy Council and to give up his Generalship, as a result of the incident, holding himself responsible for the grave affair. As yet mystery surrounds the situation. Beyond saying that the affair gravely affected the Imperial Household, the authorities are declining to discuss it. The Japanese newspapers, however, do not hesitate to characterise it as an intrigue. This being the anniversary of the accession to the throne of Japan's first Emperor, Jimmu, a body or "patriots" prayed at the shrine of the late Emperor Mutsuhito for the carrying out of the marriage of the Crown Prince to Princess Nagako, crown Prince Hirohito is twenty years old. What the Japanese newspapers saw an intrigue of the Choshu military clansmen to Interfere with the marriage of the Crown Prince and Satsuma Princess threatens to bring more into the open the long-smouldering struggle between the extreme nationalists, representing military influence, and the forces of progressive liberalism. The exposure of the alleged attempt of the army people to dominate the court follows charges made in the Diet that two governments really exist in Japan, one in the War Department and the other in the Foreign Office. Not having been permitted freely to discuss the situation, the newspapers appealed to the Homo Department, demanding liberty of expression, declaring this was necessary in order to allay the anxieties of the subjects of the Emperor. Today's edition of the Asahi and yesterday's edition or the Yomuri were suppressed. In the meantime six representatives of the popularly known "Six-Men League" continue their opposition to the departure of the Crown Prince. In an endeavour to gain their ends they have memorialized Premier Hara HARA, Takashi (1856 – 1921). Japanese politician who served as the Prime Minister of Japan from 1918 to 1921. He was appointed Prime Minister following the Rice Riots of 1918 and positioned himself as a moderate, participating in the Paris Peace Conference, founding the League of Nations, and relaxing oppressive policies in Japanese Korea. Hara's premiership oversaw the Siberian intervention and the March 1st Movement. Hara was assassinated by Nakaoka Kon'ichi on 4 March 1921. He was the first commoner and first Christian appointed to be Prime Minister of Japan, informally known as Hara Kei, and given the moniker of "commoner prime minister" and Field Marshal Yamagata, who is a member of the Military Council of the Empire, with the intention of having Crown Prince Hirohito designated Regent. The Imperial ordinance authorizes the Imperial family and the Privy Council to name the Crown Prince Regent in case the Emperor is incapacitated and the Crown Prince has attained his majority. Hirohito now is of age – Associated Press – The Evening World (New York, N.Y.), Monday 14th February 1921, page 2 COCAINE SENT HERE FROM GERMANY Dr. Carlton Simon, Special Deputy Police Commissioner in charge of violations of the narcotic laws, announced today that he had received a voluminous report from a special investigator sent by him to France six weeks ago to confer with the French police as to the source and methods of the unlawful shipments of drugs from Europe to this city. His investigator, Dr. Simon said, had been received with every courtesy by the Paris Prefecture of Police. He said the evils of drug using were far more general in French cities than here and the French were even more anxious to learn of American methods of coping with those in the business than they were to give information to the New Yorker. As to the substance of the report Dr. Simon limited himself to saying that it had been established that the cocaine sent to this country came from German drug factories through Holland and that the opium used in the manufacture of morphine here was brought to Marseilles from Constantinople and carried to this country by crews of steamers from the Mediterranean – The Evening World (New York, N.Y.), Monday 14th February 1921, page 2 AMERICAN OIL New York, 14 – The New York Times’s Washington correspondent states that Mr. Josephus Daniels, Secretary to the Navy, in a letter to the Senate’s Naval Committee, recommended that the President should be given far-reaching authority to lay an embargo on all oil- exports whenever it was believed that the conditions warranted action. The correspondent adds: “Mr. Daniels’ recommendations have a particular retaliatory character, since the British mandate over Mesopotamia restricts the exploitation of oil and other resources to nations whose Governments are members of the League of Nations”. The letter indicates, inferentially, that the Administration favours retaliation against the Allies who apparently refuse to permit the United States to share in the commercial development, of former enemy territory now held under mandate. It is also felt that this attitude has an indirect bearing on the action of the Allied Powers in giving Japan complete possession of Yap. Mr. Daniels pointed out that, although the United States produces fifty percent, of the world’s oil supply, yet they must import to meet home consumption – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Wairarapa Daily Times (Wairarapa, NZ), Tuesday 15th February 1921, page 6 INDIAN EXTREMISTS Delhi, 14 – There was a great non – cooperators’ demonstration in the city yesterday afternoon. Gandhi, and other Extremist leaders, in a decorated car, escorted by mounted volunteers, led a procession of 100,000 through the streets. The temper of the crowd at times was threatening. At one point they prevented an American photographer from operating by forcibly holding his arms to his side, but no serious incidents are so far reported – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Wairarapa Daily Times (Wairarapa, NZ), Tuesday 15th February 1921, page 6 REPORT BRITAIN WILL STAY OUT OF PARLEY ON CABLES London, February 14th – Great Britain will refuse to participate in the proposed new international cable conference because her motives in trying to mediate the Yap Island dispute between the United States and Japan were misunderstood, it was learnt from an official source Monday. Great Britain is understood to have taken offence at implications that she was aiding Japan – South Bend News Times (South Bend, Indiana, USA), Tuesday 15th February 1921, page 5 SUGGESTS U.S TAKE OVER WEST INDIES Washington , February 14th – A suggestion that the United States might take over the West Indies in satisfaction of part of the debt which allies owe to America was made today by Senator Frank B. Willis, of Ohio. “The West Indies”, said Senator Willis, “belong chiefly to England and France. As a territorial acquisition they would be of great importance to the United States because of our interest in the Panama Canal, as well as on account of the inherent productivity and value of the islands. We have intimate relations with Cuba and we own Puerto Rico and the British and French West Indies would be of tremendous advantage to us. “I am not in favour of cancellation of the war debt of our allies, but I would be in favour of taking over these islands and allow England and France a generous valuation for them, to be applied to the reduction of their debts to us”. It is the first suggestion that has been made looking toward a transfer of territory as one means of adjusting war debt which foreign nations owe to the United States. Senator Willis’ suggestion created a good deal of interest and may be taken up by the Foreign Relations Committee – South Bend News Times (South Bend, Indiana, USA), Tuesday 15th February 1921, page 5 NAVAL CONSTRUCTION Washington, February 14th – Mr Brooks (Illinois) introduced an amendment to the Naval Appropriation Bill in the House of Representatives providing that the now President must call a disarmament conference before any funds are available for the continuance of the United States 1916 naval building programme. The amendment was defeated, and the entire measure was passed providing funds to carry out the 1915 building programme, winch, when completed, will make the United States navy larger than Great Britain’s. The measure, however, reduced the enlisted marine personnel from 170,000 to 120,000 – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Evening Star (Dunedin, NZ), Wednesday 16th February 1921, page 4 Washington, February 15th – Senator Borah has offered an amendment to the Naval Appropriation Bill providing for the calling of a disarmament conference of representatives of Great Britain, the United States, and Japan – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Evening Star (Dunedin, NZ), Wednesday 16th February 1921, page 4 A CURIOUS DISCOVERY Paris, February 15th – The existence of a luminous zone or aura emanating from the human body, which Dr Kilner claims can be rendered visible by means of a chemical substance making the retina sensitive to the radiations, is regarded l by French scientists as a most important discovery. M. Rene Soudre, lecturing at the International Metaphysical Institute, declared that the abundance of proofs left hardly any doubt about the discovery. M. Borthoulat, a member of the institute, was of the opinion that the radiations were probably physical, like odours or the phosphorescence of plants, and not metaphysical – Reuter – Evening Star (Dunedin, NZ), Wednesday 16th February 1921, page 6 [AMERICAN] FINANCIAL CRISIS New York, February 14th – Advices from St. Paul state that a series of spectacular failures of thirty banks came to a climax when the huge Scandinavian-American hank closed, involving millions of dollars. There is no estimate available of the losses. Middle West farmers were caught last autumn with immense stocks of wheat which cost them more than the slumped prices could realise. The farmers have been hanging on for a better market, while the banks, unable to carry them, found it impossible to liquidate the farmers’ paper – Reuter – Evening Star (Dunedin, NZ), Wednesday 16th February 1921, page 7 U.S AERIAL DEFENCE REDUCED BY NAVAL BILL Washington, February 15th – Disastrous curtailment of American aerial defences, particularly at the Panama Canal and along the Pacific coast, is inevitable under the Naval Appropriation bill, now before the Senate Captain T.T Craven, Director of Naval Aviation, said today. The Appropriation bill, as it passed the House carried $ 6’915,413 for naval aviation and stipulated new development for which no money was provided. Other bills which has been proposed call for the construction of aircraft carriers, at a cost of $35’000,000 each, but make no provision for the design or manufacture or development of the equipment which they are to carry – The New York Tribune Bureau – The New York Tribune (New York, USA), Wednesday 16th February 1921, page 5 THE TAIL TWISTERS That the British government has risen for discussion the question of international debt cancellation has provoked reaction to be expected. The tail twisters have fastened their hands in a firm clutch and are eagerly tying new knots. “Behold”, it is said, “the diabolic cunning of John Bull as usual playing up a lofty ideal to save his pocket!” Yet Great Britain has some right to claim her proposal should not give offence that she has a standing for making it. During the war, to help the common cause, she lent as well as borrowed, and her loans greatly exceeded her borrowings. She advanced in all $8,700,000,000 to France, to Italy, to Belgium and other countries. On the ledger's other side she received $4,210,000, 000 from us. Thus Great Britain's loans exceeded her borrowings 100 per cent. If there was cancellation she would sacrifice on balance approximately $4,500,000,000. As her population and wealth are less than half our own, the individual Briton would give up something more than the individual American. So she does not invite us to practice a generosity she does not exemplify. To bring the debt cancellation project forward now is doubtless an error in judgment. It is too soon. In time it is not unlikely that mutual cancellation will come in some form, for if the war was waged for a common purpose it is scarcely fair to have some nations bear a greater part of the burden than others. But whether or not there is cancellation it is scarcely sportsman like to attack Great Britain for offering a programme under which she will give up her claims. But the tail of the British lion is tough and elastic, as has often been shown, and probably will be able to endure the new strain put on it – The New York Tribune (New York, USA), Wednesday 16th February 1921, page 8 THE NAVAL BILL The naval appropriation bill as it passed the House of Representatives represents a fair compromise on the 1916 building programme. Mr. Daniels's ambitious and extravagant new programme was brushed aside. The moderate sum of ninety million dollars was voted to continue work on ships already authorized. But an amendment offered by Mr. Oliver forbade the use of any of this money on vessels not begun or contracted for. The question of adhering to the 1916 programme in all its details or modifying it, so far as untouched construction is concerned, was passed along to the next Congress, which will have clearer data to go on. Those who want to break away sharply from the 1916 programme lay stress on the fact that the navy has already more than a full complement of destroyers and that the battleship has ceased to be an attractive investment. We are well supplied with super-dreadnoughts and have no battle-cruisers. There is relatively little opposition to the building of the battle-cruisers already listed. Admiral Sims recently advised their completion. In compliance with the policy of temporary retrenchment in military expenditure the House has reduced the enlisted personnel of the navy from 143,000 to 100,000 and of the Marine Corps from 27,000 to 20,000. The chief failing of the bill is the insufficient provision made for the air and sub-surface arms. The role of the air service in future naval warfare is just beginning to be realized. Naval forces must fight hereafter in the blue and under the sea's surface as well as on it. A three-plane development of our navy is essential. Limitation of the more costly forms of naval building through some international agreement, now much discussed in Congress, may produce a new orientation to our naval policy. But the House wisely hesitated to discount such a concert. It favours a prudent continuation of surface fleet construction, which the Senate should supplement with more generous appropriations for aircraft and submarines – The New York Tribune (New York, USA), Wednesday 16th February 1921, page 8 INDIAN DISCONTENT Delhi, February 15th – In an interview, the editor of a prominent moderate vernacular paper said that all classes in India wore dissatisfied with the King’s message read at the opening of the Legislative Chambers. The message was apparently expected to express contrition over the Amritsar incidents and announce rectification of the treatment of Indians throughout the Empire. The latter question was causing great discontent, and was alienating the moderates, who favoured co-operation with Government measures. He referred to the treatment of Indians in East Africa, South Africa, Fiji, and Canada and was particularly bitter regarding Australia. He was an Indian gentleman, a British subject, yet lie was unable to go to Australia. Was it British justice that Australians could conic to India and establish great trading agencies, while Indians were forbidden to do similarly in Australia? “Unless the embargo is relaxed,” he said, “when we got self – government, which undoubtedly is coming, we will forbid Australians in India”. He expected these questions to be given early consideration by the new Legislatures – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Feilding Star (Feilding, NZ), Thursday 17th February 1921, page 2 ADMISSION TO AUSTRALIA Melbourne, February 17th – Mr Poynton, Minister for Home Affairs, explained that Indian tourists and merchants were conditionally admitted to Australia on the production of passports from their Governments certifying to their status – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Feilding Star (Feilding, NZ), Thursday 17th February 1921, page 2 U. S. WEAKNESS LEAVES PACIFIC OPEN TO ENEMY Washington, February 17th – The United States is woefully unprepared for offensive or defensive naval operations on the Pacific, according to official reports on file at the Navy Department today. These reports, in which the highest naval officers concur, show that while Congress was granting money with a liberal hand to increase the strength of the fleet and improve naval bases on the Atlantic coast the Pacific was neglected, with the result that today, when the interest of the world is centred there our facilities are inadequate to care for the Pacific fleet in time of peace and are hopelessly insufficient for the entire fleet in case it became necessary to carry on extended operations. The Pacific coast is lacking in naval, submarine and destroyer bases, drydocks, berthing space, yards and storage facilities at Hawaii, Guam and the Philippine Islands. The two latter possessions almost certainly would be seized in case of war and Hawaii would be seriously endangered. Congress repeatedly has been apprised of the Navy’s needs on the Pacific coast and both the Helm commission and the board headed by Rear Admiral Parke made elaborate reports on the necessity for proper development of bases at Pearl Harbour, Guam and Manila. “lf our big ships got into trouble In the far Pacific”, said one high naval official. “I don’t know what we would do with them. The old floating drydock at Olongapo is only 500 feet long and is practically worthless so far as our modern battleships are concerned”. Secretary Daniels declined to discuss possible developments in the Far East, but admitted that naval conditions are substantially as stated in the reports. The attention of Congress, the secretary said, has been called to these conditions by the reports of various investigating boards and by his own reports – Indiana Daily Times (Indiana, USA), Thursday 17th February 1921, page 1 ASSERTS REDS ARE RENEWING U. S ACTIVITIES Washington, February 17th – The Communist party is renewing its activities throughout the United States and is threatening to become as active again as It was before the Department of Justice sought to stamp it out, Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer MITCHELL –PALMER, Alexander (1872 – 1936). United States Attorney General from 1919 to 1921. He became a member of the Democratic Party and won election to the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1909 to 1915. He influenced the Revenue Act of 1913, which lowered the tariff and implemented a federal income tax. He became Attorney General under President Woodrow Wilson in 1919. Late that year he launched a series of raids that rounded up and deported numerous suspected radicals. Though the American public initially supported the raids, Palmer's raids earned backlash from civil rights activists and legal scholars. He received further backlash when a series of attacks on May Day 1920 that he had raised grave concerns about did not materialize. He sought the presidential nomination at the 1920 Democratic National Convention, but he faced strong opposition from labour groups and the nomination went to James M. Cox. declared today. Palmer resumed his defence of the Department of Justice and its bureau of Investigation In conducting "red raids" when he reappeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is considering the question of amnesty for Eugene V. Debs DEBS, Eugene Victor (1855 – 1926). American socialist, political activist, trade unionist, one of the founding members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) ("Wobblies") and five times the candidate of the Socialist Party of America for President of the United States. Early in his political career, he member of the Democratic Party. He was elected as a Democrat to the Indiana General Assembly in 1884. After working with several smaller unions, including the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, Debs led his union in a major ten-month strike against the CB&Q. He was noted for his oratory skills, and his speech denouncing American participation in World War I led to his second arrest in 1918. He was convicted under the Sedition Act of 1918 and sentenced to a term of 10 years. President Warren G. Harding commuted his sentence in December 1921. Debs died in 1926, not long after being admitted to a sanatorium due to cardiovascular problems that developed during his time in prison. and others convicted of violations of the espionage and other wartime acts. “The chief object of the Communist party now, as it was when the Department of Justice proceeded against its leaders, is the destruction of the United States Government and the substitution instead of the soviet rule”, Mitchell Palmer averted. When charged of the criticism of methods employed by himself and the Department of Justice in dealing with men and women rounded up in the “red raids”, he said they were largely inspired by widespread propaganda circulated by those affiliated with the communist party. He declared reds will prove a source of trouble to the next administration – Indiana Daily Times (Indiana, USA), Thursday 17th February 1921, page 1 MUST PREPARE FOR WAR NOW, ADMIRAL WARNS “The present American fleet is unorganised and unprepared for war even as a one-plane 'fleet”, Rear Admiral Fullam FULLAM, Edward (1855 – 1926). Officer in the United States Navy during World War I. In April 1917, Rear Admiral Fullam became Commander-in-Chief Patrol Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and was senior officer in command of the Pacific Fleet during the absence of the Fleet's Commander-in-Chief in South Atlantic waters. As Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet he coordinated with the Japanese and British forces all ship movements while patrolling the whole Pacific from Alaska to the Panama Canal Zone. He had a constant struggle with the Navy Department regarding Pacific force policy and shortages in personnel manning the ships. His communicating in personal letters to many of his fellow senior officers were forceful and were written with a freedom of expression- all wishing to prepare their units for the coming World War., retired, former super- intendant of the Naval Academy, said today before the Senate Naval Committee. “It was reprehensible to divide a strong force, but to divide a weak force is worse”, the admiral said. “It is not an exaggeration to state that if there is danger of war the division of the fleet is a peril to the nation. If we are to have war in the Pacific in Ave years, we ought to prepare for it now. The new base at Alameda will not be completed then”. Reading from a prepared statement, Admiral Fullam said the first thing to do was to consider a three-plane Navy surface ships, beneath the surface and above the surface. “A one – plane Navy will not do”, he said. “The Navy Department utterly neglects the future. It does not have a single long-range submarine to operate with the fleet. Without an air force our Navy cannot exist against a navy with one”. Senator Lodge, Massachusetts, said the committee was entirely agreed that the air and submarine forces should be developed. “The question Is what shall we do with the 1916 programme?”, the senator said. “We don't want to leave the country undefended. Meanwhile, there is nothing but the fleet”. “I want the fleet, made ready for a war quick”, the admiral said – Evening Star (Washington D.C, USA), Saturday 19th February 1921, page 1 U. S. QUITS ALLIED REPARATION BOARD The government of the United States today announced it had discontinued its unofficial participation in the proceedings of the Reparations Commission, and has issued instructions to Roland W. Boyden, the American representative, to so notify the Commission. The Secretary of War issued the following explanation of that action: “The representation of all the powers upon the Organisation Committee of the Reparation Commission was in the beginning unofficial in anticipation of the ratification of the treaty. The other powers on the Reparation Commission have ratified the treaty and their representation has long ago become official. The United States has not ratified, and as time has passed its unofficial representation of the commission has gradually become anomalous. “The United States not having ratified the Versailles treaty was unable directly to co-operate with the allied in the preparation of plans concerning reparation payments from Germany which would involve a change in the terms of that treaty. “The government realized then and now the great difficulties involved in the problem and fully recognizes the value of unified action with regard to Germany. However, since in the present circumstances it did not feel able to share in such discussions and to define its view it could only feel the impropriety of retaining even an unofficial representative on a commission charged with the execution of a plan in the drawing up of which it did not participate. “After long hesitation the government decided that even this representation should not be continued” Mr. Boyden was instructed particularly on behalf of himself and the government to express appreciation of the courteous attention which the commission and its members have at all times extended to the United States and its unofficial representatives – Evening Star (Washington D.C, USA), Saturday 19th February 1921, page 2 JAPANNING THE PACIFIC Sydney, February 19th – Mr. Evatt, leading Sydney barrister, who has just returned from a visit to Hawaii, states that 60 per cent of the population are Asiatics. Out of the total population of 263,000, no less than 110,000 are Japanese. The latter are so numerous that they have entirely ousted the white artisans – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Feilding Star (Feilding, NZ), Saturday 19th February 1921, page 3 HARDING GETS BUSY ON FOREIGN POLICY WITH HUGHES' HELP Saint Augustine, Florida, February 19th – Foreign problems that must be solved after March 4 were discussed at length today by President-elect Harding and Charles Evans Hughes HUGHES, Charles Evans (1862 – 1948). American statesman, Republican Party politician, and the 11th Chief Justice of the United States. He was also the 36th Governor of New York, the Republican nominee in the 1916 presidential election, and the 44th United States Secretary of State. After Warren G. Harding won the 1920 presidential election, Hughes accepted Harding's invitation to serve as Secretary of State. Serving under Harding and Calvin Coolidge, he negotiated the Washington Naval Treaty, which was designed to prevent a naval arms race among the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. Hughes left office in 1925 and returned to private practice, becoming one of the most prominent attorneys in the country. In 1930, President Herbert Hoover appointed him to succeed Chief Justice Taft., whose designation as Secretary of State for the coming administration was formally announced by Mr. Harding. Neither the President-elect nor the prospective head of the State Department would add any formal comment to the simple oral announcement of the former justice's selection. Mr. Hughes declaring it would be inexpedient to publicly discuss at this time problems that must be dealt, with in the future. Mr. Harding, in turn, said that one of the policies of his administration would be to let each department head speak for himself. The announcement embodied the first official word to come from the President-elect regarding selections for membership in his family of counsellors. There was no element of surprise in the selection, for it had been known for several weeks that Mr. Hughes virtually was certain to be given the place. He is understood to have been Mr. Harding's choice from the first, despite strong pressure on behalf of other aspirants. “Of course”. Mr. Hughes said, “I appraise it as a great privilege to be invited by Senator Harding to serve in his administration. And I regard it as an imperative obligation to accept” League under discussion It generally was understood that diplomatic appointments to be made at the outset of the new administration furnished one of the topics talked over, and that there was consideration also of the preliminary steps to be taken toward an association of nations. In regard to appointments the discussion was more or less indefinite, it being the policy of the President-elect to delay most of the selections for diplomatic posts until after inauguration. Although neither Mr. Harding nor Mr. Hughes would divulge the opinions expressed during their consultation the general impression among those closer to the President – elect is that the first diplomatic approaches to other nations in regard to a peace association will be of an entirely informal character. No official diplomatic correspondence is expected on the subject and no formally accredited diplomatic missions are likely to be sent abroad until the attitude of other powers has been felt out quietly and some basis for negotiation established. Mr. Hughes will b ring to the secretaryship of state a legal training of unusual scope as well as a mind sympathetic to international agreement for the maintenance of peace. During the treaty fight he advocated reserved ratification of the Versailles league and he proposed several reservations which were considered by the Senate majority in the preparation of its final programme. Saw justice during campaign In the midst of the national campaign last year Mr. Harding held one of his longest conferences with the man now selected to sit at the head of the cabinet, and when the conferences of "best minds" began at Marion in December he was the first to be summoned. It is understood that even then Mr. Harding virtually had decided on the appointment, though the formal invitation was not extended until a later date. Strong support for other available men for the state portfolio developed during December and January, one of the most insistent movements being for the selection of Elihu Root, a former Secretary. Since the first of the year, however, there have been repeated indications that Mr. Harding's mind was made up on the question and he is known to have considered the anouncement of the appointment early in January. The only question Mr. Hughes was willing to answer tonight in regard to the policies of his department relate to publicity. Asked whether he intended to follow the precedent of the present administration in holding periodical conferences with newspapermen, he replied with an emphatic affirmative, adding that he wanted to give the fairest publicity to every department question that would permit of public discussion. Although the conference with Mr. Hughes occupied virtually all of the President-elect's attention during the day, he had several other callers, including Chairman Fordney of the House ways and means committee, who came to talk about tariff legislation and Manual Angelo, representative of the Cuban Liberal Party, who asked that the American government aid in guaranteeing fair elections in Cuba. On neither of these questions did Mr. Harding express any final opinion – Associated Press – Evening Star (Washington D.C, USA), Sunday 20th February 1921, page 1 FIRST FLIGHT OF HELICOPTER SUCCESS WITH NEW PROPELLER Paris, February 19th – After a minute study of the theory of flight, Etienne Oehmichen, a French engineer, has invented a new propeller for flying machines which he asserts is 20 per cent more efficient than those now in use. With an old twenty-five-horsepower engine of 1910 date, weighing 100 kilograms. Oehmichen, in a roughly constructed helicopter, has made the first actual flight that has ever been made in such a machine. None others of the hundreds of helicopters that have been built in the world has ever left the ground, despite the use in them of the finest and lightest materials and the best of engines. Oehmichen is credited with the discovery of many dynamic laws from a study of the flight of birds. It is said that his success with the helicopter was due to his timing the application of these hitherto unknown principles of flight to the machinery he had built. His new propeller is described as a rotary wing. There are two of them on the helicopter, one at either end of the machine, which in itself looks something like the skeleton of a biplane. The propellers turn in the same direction. Their axes are inclined outward at an angle of 9 degrees, in order to produce stability by gyroscopic action – By Cable to The Star and the New York Tribune – Evening Star (Washington D.C, USA), Sunday 20th February 1921, page 1 SAYS U. S. SHOULD WARN EUROPE TO GO TO WORK Berlin, February 19th – Would a man, when a surgeon had split his stomach, do such a thing as learn algebra just after the operation had been performed, thereby depriving himself of rest which he needs for his convalescence? Would he start a quarrel with the man lying in the next bed and bombard him with bandages torn from his own wounds because the other happened to be of another nationality or religion, or possess another sort of patriotism or fanaticism? If he did, we would call him a fool, and the director of the hospital would say to him: “If from now on you do not devote yourself entirely to the recovery of your health. I shall have only one choice, either put you out of the hospital or into an isolated cell”. Old Lady Europe, exhausted by a serious operation, acts as senselessly on her sick bed as a man of this sort. Instead of trying to get well as quickly as possible, she devotes her time to all kinds of things which are perfectly foreign to her condition of today or tomorrow, and she quarrels with God and the world. The principal illness of this continent is that it is suffering from two wounds, a big one in the East, a smaller but very painful one in the West. Does a single person, who knows the world other than through the cinema, believe that this sickness can be healed by drawing up paper documents by a few well – dressed elderly gentlemen? People who calculate what they owe on another and who, because of their failure to agree, start calling each other such names as “perfidious swindler, imperialist, capitalist. Hun and boche” are hardly likely to accomplish anything constructive. This display of words, now two years old, produces neither bread nor coal, neither cement nor bricks. The whole world is suffering because the European sickness continues. Europe must return to work. Her double wound, however, cannot be healed by mere renunciation of her voluptuous standard of life. When, in 1914, she decided to mutilate herself, she did not waste time over rhetorical intrigues and conferences which then might have been more useful than they are today. Twenty to thirty millions of the strongest men were called to arms, the agricultural interests of huge countries, aged men and women and children all worked for naught but war. Towns sprang up as if by magic and railways, factories and shipping wharves shot up out of the ground. Why is it not possible to heal wounds with these same means? The world does not benefit at all by one minister showing another a carload of papers which contain the obligations of a defeated country. And, because the final bill will never be settled without America's help. I longingly hope that she will not wait, but speak now proving that she is the heir to that majestic common sense which formerly was old England's prerogative. What will America say? I can just about imagine it. Thus: “Whether you come to terms in the London meeting, or four weeks later at Geneva, or, for a change, have your next conference on an ocean liner, is perfectly indifferent to me. I don’t care anything about those terms which you are drawing up on paper. What I desire are real results which make it possible for me to resume honest trading with the whole world. We Americans have not sacrificed our blood and our billions so that your foolishness, old or new, shall afterward shatter the mighty body of our state, socially and economically. “England has 1.000,000 unemployed, Germany many hundreds of thousands. Let us mobilize at last for a sensible purpose. Draft your workingmen into armies, let them build houses for the people and help give back the purchasing power to 300,000,000 consumers, of which the world now is in need. “Are you willing? Then, willingly will we help you in financing and delivering materials. If, however, you continue your conference and quarrels do not reckon with our help. We will then have to make arrangements for a very long time to do without Europe, and this will keep us so busy that we cannot waste our time with lunatics” Short and clear speech like that would act quicker and more thoroughly than ten congresses of the cleverest theorists, who are only proving to one another the impossibility of the fulfilment of their demands – MAXIMILIAN HARDEN – Evening Star (Washington D.C, USA), Sunday 20th February 1921, page 4 CHINA WOULD END ANGLO - TOKYO PACT London, February 19th – Chinese diplomacy is displaying unusual vigour in the western world. Not for a long time has it been so energetic and able in Europe as now. One of its clearest-headed and most-trusted exponents is Saoke Alfred Sze for six years Chinese minister to London, who sails for the United States today on the Aquitania to assume his diplomatic duties in Washington. Another is Wellington Koo, who succeeds Mr. Sze in London. In type of mind and character, these men are like the other diplomats China is sending out to advance her interests throughout the world. China cherishes hope not only of great internal development, but of an important role in the promotion of general civilisation. Her purposes, according to her occidentally educated representatives, are entirely pacific. She believes in the League of Nations and will devote to its success every form of influence she commands. Sees help from Dominion In a dispatch sent February 8 there was reported a movement looking to the formation of a quadruple agreement by Britain, Japan, China and the United States to secure peace in the Pacific and the Far East. It is now possible to describe the genesis of this movement. It arose from objections to the Anglo-Japanese alliance. China objected. Australia objected. Canada regarded the alliance not as an imperial integrant, but as an imperial disintegrant. Advices from America indicated that better relations between Britain and the United States would follow a termination of the alliance. China saw her opportunity. She saw that in seeking to have the Anglo-Japanese treaty ended she would carry with her the influence of the British dominions and would have the benefit of the desires of the British government and people to get rid of everything prejudicial to good British American relations. She saw more. She saw that the leaders of British industry and commerce with special interests in the Far East would support an effort to free the soil of China from forms of endeavour supported by undue political pressure from without. So China has been pleading for the suppression of the Anglo – Japanese alliance. She has based her plea primarily upon the thesis that no arrangement affecting China should be made by outside nations without China's consent. She has said: “Get rid of this special treaty and let the questions it presumes to deal with pass under the governance of the general principles of the League of Nations”. No snub for Japan This is what China wants. If she cannot get it, she would accept something else. She would accept an agreement bearing the signatures of herself, Britain, Japan and the United States. She believes that an agreement could be drafted that would guarantee justice to all the nations concerned and put peace in Asia and the Pacific on a permanent basis. China desires close relations with the United States. She desires close relations with Britain also, and her spokesmen assert that nothing is any farther from their minds than any wish to offend or wrong Japan. They declare that their diplomacy is directed wholly to the realization of the ideals of the best minds at the Paris peace conference. Militarily, they admit. China is almost impotent. But economically, they hold, she is a powerful world factor – Evening Star (Washington D.C, USA), Sunday 20th February 1921, page 4 INTRIGUE WITH ARGENTINA Buenos Aires, February 18th – Argentina has refused a request by the Allies that she should prevent the German exportation of, war materials to Argentina, 'which is in violation of the Versailles Treaty. The Government takes up the ground that Argentina is not concerned in the stipulations of a treaty to which she is no party – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Evening Star (Dunedin, NZ), Monday 21st February 1921, page 4 GERMAN PROPAGANDA Washington, February 19th – The State Department has published a report of the investigation by American officers in Germany of alleged malfeasance and barbarity by French coloured troops in occupied regions. The report states that the charges are grossly exaggerated, there being only sixty-six cases of misconduct towards women up to June 1920. The charges were merely used' for propaganda purposes, especially in America – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Evening Star (Dunedin, NZ), Monday 21st February 1921, page 4 VON TIRPITZ ON NAVAL PROBLEMS London, February 19th – Admiral Von Tirpitz, writing in the German Gazette,’ says that America in the next world war expects surface ships to retain their importance with improved protection of the submerged parte. Submarines will remain as adjuncts, but of increasing importance, and with an increased number of greatly-improved long range guns only – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Evening Star (Dunedin, NZ), Monday 21st February 1921, page 4 MILNER COMMISSION’S REPORT London, February 18th – The report on Lord Milner’s mission to Egypt has been issued. It stales that when the members of the mission arrived in Egypt they found the people everywhere determined fur complete independence. The enunciation of President Wilson’s fourteen points had aroused widespread expectations, and a promise of self – determination to other Eastern peoples added to the discontent. A large number of experienced British, officials, lost to the service through the war, had been replaced by new men, who knew little of the traditional system whereby in Lord Cromer's day British control was maintained without wounding the susceptibilities of the people. Administration during the war necessarily entailed a certain subordination of Egyptian to British interests, and the employment of rough-and-ready methods likely to be resented by people whose sympathies are not actively engaged on our side. Martial law had become necessary. The Administration was carried on in the teeth of universal opposition. The word “protectorate” lead become a. symbol of servitude, and argument on this point was wholly useless. It became evident that unless we got on to new ground a settlement would be impossible. The Commission formed the opinion that the fulfilment of Great Britain's promise of self-government to Egypt cannot be postponed. The spirit of Egyptian Nationalism cannot be extinguished; but there are formidable difficulties in the way of any sudden or complete transfer of all the powers of government essential to British interests, as well as to the safety of a large number of foreign residents, which must be maintained; also it is necessary .that independent Egypt shall not pursue a foreign policy hostile to' that of the British Empire. The capitulations had also imposed crippling restrictions, and without their removal no Egyptian Government could enjoy real independence. Mixed tribunals must be reorganised, therefore any treaty between Great Britain and Egypt should give the former the right to intervene in legislation affecting foreigners, who are now protected by the capitulations. Subject to these safeguards there should be a, restoration of government in Egypt by the Egyptians, winch, the Commission believes, can be done with, a good prospect of success. The Commission recommends immediate negotiations for a treaty –Press Association – Evening Star (Dunedin, NZ), Monday 21st February 1921, page 4 [AMERICAN] EPIDEMIC DISEASES Washington, February 19th – The he discovery of four desultory cases of typhus fever in various parts of the country, and a large- number of cases of sleeping sickness, including 308 in New York City alone, has caused considerable agitation that Congress should deal adequately with the immigration problem. A measure has been passed providing a large sum for the purpose of supplementing the inspection in New York Harbour, through which more than 90 per cent, of immigrants enter the country. A Cabinet meeting recently, owing to the possible menace to health as the result of unlimited immigration from the Central European countries into the United States, ordered the American Consuls in those, countries rigorously to reduce and cull emigrants to America. The Senate passed a measure limiting immigration annually to 3 per cent, of the various nationalities already present in the United States, or approximately to 355,000 in 1922. The local and Federal health authorities, notably in New York and Boston, are in conflict over the application of sanitary laws to immigrants – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Evening Star (Dunedin, NZ), Monday 21st February 1921, page 7 FEELING AGAINST GOVERNMENT [IN JAPAN] Tokyo, February 20th – The motion of want of confidence in the Government was defeated in the House of Representatives by 259 to 141. The session is extremely turbulent, police reserves being held both within and without the Diet building. The galleries have been crowded at every sitting, many women being present. Visitors hooted the speakers on both bench as, and many arrests were made. Outside popular meetings were held in several parks, all demanding the immediate resignation of the Government. Opposition speakers in the Diet declared that the Government did not think of the people, but always of maintaining the Ministerial Party. The Government supporters replying, declared that the policy of the Government was always justifiable, although the results were not, always satisfactory – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Evening Star (Dunedin, NZ), Tuesday 22nd February 1921, page 4 BRITISH COAL INDUSTRY London, February 22nd – The first move was made yesterday in what is probably a crucial struggle affecting the mining industries’ future, when the executive of the Miners’ Federation accepted the Government's invitation to hear proposals for the financial de-control of mines, at the same time deciding to oppose it as vigorously as possible, unless given satisfactory guarantees regarding wages. The owners demand that the Government before surrendering control, shall settle the wages question in their favour, or guarantee a subsidy. They claim it is impossible to conduct the industry on the existing wage basis – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Pahiatua Herald (Pahiatua, NZ), Wednesday 23rd February 1921, page 5 EMPIRE SOLDIERS’ CONFERENCE Cape Town, February 21st – Earl Haig, accompanied by 20 ex – servicemen’s delegates, representing Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, has arrived. They were accorded an enthusiastic civic welcome. Earl Haig, in a speech said that the Conference he had come -to attend aimed at linking up all 'the ex-servicemen throughout the Empire and preserving the spirit of comradeship evolved in the great war so that the benefits for which they strove in the war should not be thrown away. After paying a tribute to the services of the South Africans in the war, he said it was singularly fitting that an important conference of ex-service men should be held in South Africa, where 20 years ago men from the overseas Dominions gave the first great proof of the abiding solidity of the British Commonwealth of Nations – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Pahiatua Herald (Pahiatua, NZ), Wednesday 23rd February 1921, page 5 THE YAP CABLE New York, February 22nd – It is understood that France and Italy join the United States in her contention that Yap should be used by all nations on terms of equality. At a meeting of the International Communications conference on Friday it is expected the issue will therefore be settled upon the basis indicated by the United States with modifications – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Pahiatua Herald (Pahiatua, NZ), Wednesday 23rd February 1921, page 6 TO HALT SHIPMENT OF WAR MATERIAL London, Feb. 22 – The allied control commission in Germany will prohibit shipments of war materials from Germany to Argentina or any other neutral country if such country persist in buying munitions. This announcement was made in British official circles here Friday. It was stated that despite the reply of Argentina to the Allied reminder that the Versailles treaty prohibits Germany from manufacturing' or exporting war materials. No drastic measures were needed now for enforcing the prohibition on shipment to Argentina, but it was said continued efforts to obtain the same would bring the Allied commissions to full exertion of their duties. While it was appreciated that Argentina, like other neutrals, would appreciate the advantage of bargains in war supplies. It was declared this was impossible in view of the treaty. Efforts to obtain supplies would only embarrass the allies and Germany, and particularly the latter, which had enacted measures to forestall such shipments as were reported to be preparing for South American, it was said – Associated Press – South Bend News Times (South Bend, Indiana, USA), Wednesday 23rd February 1921, page 1 JAPS REITERATE REGRET OVER SHOOTING OF OFFICER Washington, February 22 – Regret on the part of the Japanese government over the fatal shooting of Lieut. W. Largdon, an American naval officer at Vladivostok early in January, is reiterated in the reply of that government to the note from the United States government. The hope was expressed by the Japanese government “that the government of the United States wilfully appreciate the sincere spirit in which the Japanese government has acted in dealing with this most unfortunate incident”. The Japanese government informed the American government that Major General Nishihara, commander the Japanese garrison at Vladivostok, has been removed from the active list of the Japanese army and that various officers under the command of Gen. Nishihara has been subject to various degrees of punishment – Associated Press – South Bend News Times (South Bend, Indiana, USA), Wednesday 23rd February 1921, page 4 TO PRESENT ARMY APPROPRIATIONS Washington, February 22nd – An army of an average strength of 175,000 for the next fiscal year was provided in appropriations approved on Tuesday by the Senate Sub – Committee on Military Affairs in completing its report on the Army Appropriations bill for presentation to the full committee. This strength compares with an average of 150,000 as provided for in the bill as passed in the House. The bill as reported by the Senate Sub – Committee provide $7’800,000 for aviation, compared with $4’000,000 favoured by the House. Of this increase $3’000,000 would be used for purchasing new planes and equipment. An increase also was made for vocational training, the total being $2’500,000 as compared with $1’000,000 adopted by the House. Substantial provision is also made for the National Guard, based on Assurances Committee men aid the National Guard next year would number 123,000 men. The 175,000 average in personnel, it was explained, would mean an army of only of about 161,000 at the end of the next fiscal year. The total of 181,000 was the figure army officers suggested should be the average held – Associated Press – South Bend News Times (South Bend, Indiana, USA), Wednesday 23rd February 1921, page 10 DARES BRITAIN TO VOID WAR DEBT London, February 24th – Great Britain is called upon to "set an example to the world" by cancelling the war debts owed to her by Italy and France, in a note addressed to the Allies by the Italian government, it was learnt this afternoon. The specific demand in the note was Italy's share of German to be increased from 10 per cent to 20 to 23 per cent. Italy protests that she would suffer economically by the enforcement at the Paris decision to collect a 12 per cent tax upon German exports. This protest is based upon the fact that Italy i a large importer of German gods, and that the Germans are to be expected to increase the prices of her exported merchandise to meet the ad valorem tax. Italy makes it plain that she favours the cancellation of Allied war debts by the United States notwithstanding the fact of her share of indemnity would be influenced by such action. For example, if the United States should cancel the huge amounts owing to her by the Allies it would naturally aid the financial situation to such an extent that the Allied powers would not need such a large amount of reparations from Germany. Italy is not raising a new question by increasing her indemnity demand. Ever since it has become apparent that Italy could expect little or nothing from Austria, she has been pressing for a larger share of the money which the Allies expect to get from Germany. Her note, however, brings the matter to a head and places it in concrete form for discussion by the Allies when the indemnity conference is held here next month. The Italian note promises to put complications in the way of the Allied statesmen when they assemble here on or about March 4 to hear the German counter-proposals. Italy's attitude, it is said by officials, may hearten the Germans to make stronger protests upon the assumption that the Allies are not united – The Washington times (Washington D.C), Thursday 24th February 1921, page 1 BEWARE OF JAPAN London, February 24th – Sir John Findlay FINDLAY, John, sir (1862 – 1929). New Zealand politician of the Liberal Party, and Cabinet minister from 1906 to 1911. (of Wellington) informs the Australian Press Association that his declaration regarding the desire of the people of New Zealand not to renew the Anglo – Japanese Alliance, although published in the form of a signed article, was really an interview. He was incorrectly reported. The statement should read that "Australasia would object emphatically to any renewal of the Japanese Treaty accompanied by amendments in the direction of a relaxation of the Australian and New Zealand immigration laws, which it was rumoured were imminent, through Japanese pressure on Britain." Sir John, although he took no steps to collect the previous article, added that when interviewed he discussed the fears widely entertained in Australia and New Zealand that Japan was attempting to modify the treaty in the direction of providing an ever widening door for immigration. It would be idle to object the treaty in its present form, under which Japanese immigrants are excluded from Australasia. He considered that Australians and New Zealanders did not realise the full extent of the menace from Japan, which, it is authoritatively estimated, would have a population of in half a century hence – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Feilding Star (Feilding, NZ), Friday 25th February 1921, page 3 RIVAL JAPANESE LEADERS DEFINE ATTITUDE ON U.S TOKIO, Japan, January 22nd – The only formal interviews I have had in Japan for publication were with Premier Hara, Count Uchida UCHIDA, Kosai, Viscount Uchida (1865 – 1936). Japanese statesman, diplomat and interim prime minister, active in Meiji, Taishō and Shōwa Japan. He served as ambassador to Qing dynasty China, then as ambassador to Austria-Hungary, and then to the United States. He served three times as foreign minister (1911 – 1912; 1918 – 1923; 1932 - 1933). He served as acting Prime Minister of Japan twice – once after the assassination of Prime Minister Hara, and again after the sudden death of Prime Minister Katō, immediately before the Great Kantō earthquake. Under his third term as Foreign Minister, from 1932 to 1933, during the Saitō Makoto administration, he called for the formal diplomatic recognition of Manchukuo, and later called for Japan's withdrawal from the League of Nations., the Foreign Minister and Viscount Kato TOMOSABURŌ, Kato, viscount Kato (1862 – 1923). Imperial Japanese Navy officer, cabinet minister, and Prime Minister of Japan from 1922 to 1923. He served as chief of staff to Admiral Tōgō Heihachirō on the battleship Mikasa, assisting in Japan's victory at the Battle of Tsushima (1905). He became Vice Minister of the Navy in 1906, and was promoted to vice admiral on 28 August 1908. In 1909, he was appointed commander of the Kure Naval District, and in 1913 became Commander in Chief of the Combined Fleet. He became Minister of the Navy in August 1915, days before his promotion to full admiral. He served in this post in the cabinets of Ōkuma Shigenobu, Terauchi Masatake, Hara Takashi, and Takahashi Korekiyo. Under Hara and Takahashi, Katō was Japan's chief commissioner plenipotentiary to the Washington Naval Conference, and worked with Ambassador Shidehara Kijurō in the negotiations that led to the Five-Power Treaty. Following his return to Japan, Katō was appointed 21st Prime Minister of Japan in recognition of his performance at the Washington Naval Conference., leader of the Kensei-Kai, the Opposition. I have seen, of course, many others, men like Marquis Okuma, Japan's “Grand Old Man”, and Viscount Makino, Japan's representative on the Council of Five at Versailles. But for quotation I went only to those who bear official responsibility and can make commitments. I went to them not to discuss generalities, but to discuss specific subjects affecting Japan and America on the one hand and the Far Eastern situation on the other. In the first category were the immigration question, the limitation of naval construction and the Anglo-Japanese alliance. In the second were the retrocession of Shantung to China, Japanese evacuation of Siberia and Japan's Far Eastern policy in general. Because these men are the official heads of Japan give their interviews together. It will be seen that on the immigration question all are agreed that discrimination is the root of the difficulty. On the naval holiday they do not commit themselves further than to say they favour it in principle, which I may moan much or little. On Siberia both the Premier and the Foreign! Minister say there can be no withdrawal under present circumstances. Viscount Kato, who has been of the Opposition since Japanese troops first entered Siberia, favours unconditional evacuation. They all say Japan must maintain its insistence on negotiations with China before the occupied territory in Shantung can be returned. American Problems Recognized “Japanese first went to the United States because of the long-standing friendship between the two countries”, said Premier Hara. “As soon as it was seen this immigration raised difficult problems for America we met the situation by restricting emigration to only a few excepted classes. This is what is known as the gentlemen's agreement. We have adhered to that and will continue to adhere to it”. As for the Japanese already in America, he continued, “it seemed to the Japanese people that they were being discriminated against. All reliazed that this was not true of the whole United States, or even of ail classes in California. For that reason the relations between the two countries would not be affected and the two governments would come to an amicable understanding”. “It is naturally our desire”, he said, “that the Japanese people already lawfully in America be treated without discrimination and on a basis of equality with other immigrants, although at the same time we shall restrict further entrance of Japanese into the United States. “We are naturally in favour of armament reduction in principle”, said the Premier concerning the naval holiday. “Such a proposal would find sentiment in this country greatly in its favour. The actual procedure and the basis of reduction necessarily raise difficult questions to deal with, and these would have to be examined with great care. There seems to be great misunderstanding as to Japan's so-called naval expansion. There is no naval expansion contemplated by us. We are now constructing on a naval programme laid down years ago and delayed by financial difficulties and other questions arising out of the late war. It is not a new programme. Certainly we should favour a plan to limit any future expansion”. Declares United State Not Concerned I brought up the Anglo-Japanese alliance and asked the Premier how that would affect the United States. “The Anglo-Japanese alliance does not concern the United States in any way”, he said emphatically. “Discussions are now proceeding with regard to the modification of certain clauses necessitated by the formation of the League of Nations, but these will not affect America and are not intended to”. I took up then problems affecting the Far East and specified Shantung and Siberia. “As for Siberia”, said the Premier, “we have already withdrawn. We have our troops now only in Vladivostok and west of Vladivostok. That territory is adjacent to Korea and we have to guard against the spread of disorder into Korea. As soon as there is a government capable of guarantying the preservation of order and security for our territory we shall withdraw. We demand no other conditions, but we cannot withdraw until then”. On Shantung Premier Hara repeated the government's past declarations that it had offered to negotiate with China over the retrocession of the leased territory and the withdrawal of the troops from the Shantung Railway, which is outside the leased territory. As for the latter, Japan was willing to withdraw them as soon as negotiations began and China was able to provide sufficient guards to take their place. “By refusing to negotiate China has placed us in an embarrassing predicament”, Mr. Hara said. “We desire to abide by our obligations but cannot because of China's attitude. We cannot even withdraw our troops. We wish to end the deadlock as soon as it is at all possible”. The Premier made it clear, however, that negotiation must precede, any action by Japan, and the deadlock must continue until there is negotiation. I pointed out to the Premier that Far Eastern questions, more particularly Japan's policy in China, had occasioned greater discussion in America than any other issue, and I asked him for a statement of Japan's policy in the Far East as he sees it. Near East Policy Defined “I myself and the Seiyukai, my party, have always been for a policy of friendliness to China”, he said. “I championed such a policy before I was Premier and I have championed it as the head of my Cabinet. And I believe we have put it into practice. We believed that unification was for the best interests of China. We have, therefore, done nothing that would obstruct the unification of north and south China. “We were told that furnishing arms to China served to create disorder. We stopped that. We were told that loans to the government or to political factions were not to China's interest. We have stopped that. There is talk sometimes that Japan's policy is to conquer China. Such talk is nonsense. My program and the programme of my government for China is one of friendliness and help, with equal rights to all nations”. I saw Count Uchida, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in his office in the ministry. I asked him first what Japan would regard as a satisfactory settlement of the immigration question. “While the negotiations are under way between Baron Shidehara and Mr. Morris in Washington”, he said. “It is difficult to make any definite statement Japan is not disposed to press at this time the question of naturalisation rights for Japanese, as that would complicate the situation. We ask now only for the same civil right, including land ownership, for Japanese subject in America as for other aliens. As for immigration, the Japanese government will enforce the gentlemen's agreement as far as it is possible to enforce it. “There is, of course, nothing-in loose war talk, and there is no ground for such talk, but the treatment of Japanese in America must be settled before our relations can resume the pleasant course. I am confident and hopeful that will come”. Shantung Position Unchanged I asked Count Uchida what the government proposed to do about the Shantung question. “Our position is unchanged”, he said. “We are still willing to negotiate with China for the return of the leased territory, just as we offered ago when Germany turned over its rights in the leased territory to us in accordance with the Treaty of Versailles. We have been and are waiting for China to accept our offer, in order to redeem our promise”. I suggested to Count Uchida that it was the point of view of the Chinese that there was nothing to negotiate, that Japan had agreed to evacuate Kiaochau, and that the only procedure necessary was to withdraw the troops. The Chinese could give assurances to send in a force sufficient to protect the territory and maintain order immediately upon Japanese evacuation. To this Count Uchida replied that Japan could not withdraw without any assurances whatever as to the future of the territory. There were many questions to negotiate, he said: “The future status of the city of Tsingtau, the question of a settlement, the maintenance of order, the status of public works, the Shantung Railway, for which a joint company would have to be formed. That could be only by negotiation. China was only being asked to abide by its legal agreement, the agreement of 1915”. By that the minister referred to the twenty-one demands, by which China agreed to accept whatever arrangements were made concerning the German rights in Shantung between Germany and Japan after the World War. In this connection it should be pointed out that Chinese public sentiment has interpreted the agreement made on these demands, as one wrested by force and demanded its abrogation. To this Japan has never given consideration. When I remarked that under the circumstances the Shantung question would have to remain in deadlock which meant the continuance of this prevailing strained relations between Japan and China, Count Uchida assented, adding that until the responsible authorities could summon sufficient strength to meet their legal obligations there was no remedy. Will remain in Siberia We turned then to the other great outstanding issue in the Far East Siberia. I asked whether there was any prospect of an early Japanese evacuation there. Count Uchida shook his head. “Our troops are occupying now on a very limited area”, he said, “the maritime province and along the Chinese Eastern Railway. But so long as there is danger of renewed disorder in Siberia, which can spread to Korea and Manchuria, we must maintain our forces there”. Count Uchida spoke definitely with inflections of certainty indicating an established and clearly determined policy. The bluntest speaking was done by Viscount Kato, former Foreign Minister and now opposition leader, possibly the next Premier, which adds weight to his views. Soft-spoken but crisp of word, with a face of rugged modelling in which heavy eyebrows overhang narrowed and straight-looking eyes, he as he is, one of Japan's strong personalities. In the differences which the Japanese immigration question has steadily sharpened between Japan and America Viscount Kato has been much concerned, since, it was under his foreign ministry that the negotiations with Washington over the California legislation of 1914 were conducted. He has never concealed the positiveness of his views on that subject. He does so even less now. “The question is naturally irritating to every Japanese”, he said, “and this piling it on that we see in the newspapers every day, not only in California but in one state after another does not make it any better. There is nothing to go to war about, of course, there is no need to fight it out and that would do no good, but it must remain a source of deep irritation. Question of inferiority raised “In my view of the question I differ from my countrymen in considering not only the question of land ownership and similar rights, but the whole subject of immigration. I do not believe we have any need of sending over surplus population to the American continent. We have the Asiatic continent just back of us on which to settle it. The number of Japanese emigrants to the United States would not be large in any case. But America, while letting in the hordes from the nations of Southern and Eastern Europe, some of which certainly are no more advanced than Japanese, closes its doors against Japanese. It is this discrimination against Japanese as an inferior people that is irritating. “We had hoped that the passing of time would bring about a change of feeling and softening of the issue. It was at the instance of the Japanese government that the correspondence between the two governments on the subject was made public six years ago, in the hope that plain statement of the facts would be effective. But now we see what has just transpired. We still hear that time will settle the problem. As I say, it is no cause for war, but it is irritating to all Japanese. It seems agreed on both sides that immigration is no cause for rupture, but what of the other subjects of dispute between us problems lying in the Far East”. Viscount Kato's reply was emphatic. “Let me speak quite frankly. America locks the whole American continent against us, but it considers itself privileged to interfere in foreign questions in all parts of the world, especially in the Far East. If it reserves the American continent to itself, while American missionaries stir up trouble in Korea and the American government interferes in China”. Here I may interpelate that Viscount Kato is only saying what most Japanese think. It is the root difference between the two countries. Criticizes Missionaries On the whole question of American missionary activity in Korea Viscount Kato spoke with considerable feeling. “I was among those who were opposed to annexation of Korea”, he said. “I advocated its remaining a protectorate. But now, for better or worse, Korea is Japanese, and must remain Japanese. The Koreans cannot secure their independence. The missionaries would do better if they dissuaded the Koreans from trying”. I interposed that that would also be interfering in politics, although on the other side, and it was to the principle of political interference that Japanese objected. “Then let them confine themselves to making Christians, and we shall no object”, he said. With an apology for venturing what seemed a contradiction, I replied that, from my own, was all the American missionaries were doing. But this is a subject for which all Japanese and Americans in the Far East differ always. I turned then to the proposed naval holiday. “A naval holiday would be to Japan's advantage, certainly”, he said. “Japan has not the resources to maintain a naval competition with the United States or Great Britain”. Viscount Kato's position on the Siberian expedition is as it has been vigorously expressed by him in the Diet many times. He favours immediate withdrawal. But he added that the government was in a difficult position to do so, as that would justify the criticism against the expedition made by the opposition all the time. As for Shantung, Viscount Kato said that as Foreign Minister he had advocated the withdrawal of Japanese troops from along the Shantung Railway immediately after the capture of Kiaochau, restricting the occupation to the former German-leased territory and using Chinese guards for the railway, as the -Germans had done. But the military authorities did not fall in with his views. He did not know the relations between the military authorities and the Cabinet now, but he still thought it possible at least to take the troops off the railway line without negotiations between China and Japan over the whole territory – Nathaniel Pfefer – The New York Tribune (New York, USA), Friday 25th February 1921, pages 1 & 9 ADMIRAL HUSE'S BIG NAVY TALK SHOCKS BRITONS London, February 24th – The speech of Rear Admiral H. McL. P. Huse HUSE, Harry (1858 – 1942). United States Navy Vice-Admiral. He had extensive service at sea and ashore, notably at the Naval Academy, where he would have several staff tours in the course of his career. He reached the rank of Rear Admiral in mid-1916, while at the War College. He held Navy Department positions through the World War I years, followed in 1919 by command of the Atlantic Training Fleet. From late 1919 to early 1921 he served abroad, initially as senior U.S. Navy representative on the Inter-Allied Naval Armistice Commission and the Naval Inter-Allied Commission of Control, then as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces in European Waters, with the temporary rank of Vice Admiral. After returning to the United States he was Commandant of the Third Naval District, headquartered at New York City, and as a member of the Navy's General Board., commandant of the New York Navy Yard, in New York on Tuesday, in which he talked of an American Navy to match England's came as a considerable those persons who are -worried about the Anglo – American relations. The remark which they found particularly distress was the statement: “England today is openly discussing just what should be needed in the way of a navy in case of trouble with the United States”. The columns of the London newspapers and the leading representatives of political thought in this country do not support Admiral Huse's assertion. Compared with the amount of Anglophobe talk current in America, Great Britain’s is almost dumb. Virtually every newspaper here and every important Briton go out of their way to desire for the closest friendship with America. In their eyes it is utterly ridiculous for anyone to expect Great Britain to permit her alliance with Japan to precipitate a contact with the United States. These statements are made regarded as of the fact that there are many Britons who hate America and Americans, and who hate the very thought of the United States having a navy equal in size and power to his majesty's. But there are a lot of Frenchmen, Italians and Germans who have no more love for America than these Britons have, and yet they are not seeking to fight. The national policy of the United States since the armistice, its withdrawal from Europe after having played the part almost of dictator, and the continual criticism of the Allies by the Washington government, without any operation, are responsible for the present regrettable situation. Even the French now laugh when the Wilson policy is mentioned. The United States retains a tremendous inherit in European affairs because of its enormous material strength, not because it wields any great moral power. Europeans have been completely puzzled, not to say irritated, by America's policy in recent months. They don't know what to expect next of all Europeans, the British probably understand the United States best, but they fail to understand where Admiral Huse got the information upon which his speech was based. The Evening Standard says: “We suggest that Admiral Huse and those who think with him make a calm perusal of Viscount Grey's excellent speech this week. It embodies the thoughts of the sober-minded British citizen”. The Times in an editorial article applauds Grey's speech, as do several other newspapers – Arthur S. Draper - The New York Tribune (New York, USA), Friday 25th February 1921, pages 9 ITALY PLANS ONLY SMALL SUBMARINES FOR DEFENCE Rome, February 24th – “As long as there are nations which insist on building big warships, other nations must follow if they wish to be in a position to fight them”, said Minister of the Navy Sechi SECHI, Giovanni (1871 – 1948). Italian admiral and politician. He was Navy minister during the Giolitti government (1919 – 1921). He was a promoter of naval aviation 1928 – 1935. in an interview with The Tribune correspondent today, in which emphasized Italy's intention to build only small submarines for defence. “A nation like ours, with modest aspirations inclined to a defensive policy, may exist, even though its navy is not equal to those of its adversaries”, he said. “We feel we can defend ourselves, even though our tonnage is less than that projected by England, who, with Germany, thinks that large submarines are indispensable in future warfare”. Pointing out that the submarines of each nation must be built to suit its coastline and sea bed as well as other conditions, Minister Sechi said that the committee of admirals had decided to build large ships only if necessary in the future. “Next to small submarine, our aeronautic service, which is now being reorganised along modern lines, is our best means of national defence”, he concluded – Special Cable – The New York Tribune (New York, USA), Friday 25th February 1921, page 9 JAPANESE GOVERNOR DECLARES KOREA IS NOT READY FOR BALLOT Tokyo, February 24th – Extension of the Japanese electoral law to Korea must await the time when the people of that country are capable of exercising their duties of citizenship, declared Baron Saito, Governor of Korea, upon his arrival here yesterday. He said the authorities were guarding against intrigues – The New York Tribune (New York, USA), Friday 25th February 1921, page 9 AIRCRAFT AND THE SEA WAR In a lecture delivered before the Scottish branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Colonel L. 11. Strain, who was in charge of the Aeroplane versus Submarine Department of the Admiralty, revealed some of the secrets of the war. The Air Ministry granted him permission to lecture, but disclaimed responsibility for the views he set forth. He was able to describe with many examples the functions of aircraft in attacking submarine bases, patrolling large areas of the son, and escorting and protecting shipping. Towards the end of the war, although submarines were still doing a considerable amount of damage to shipping, the Navy was rapidly getting their measure, and the enemy submarines were being sunk more rapidly than they could be replaced. British submarines limiting their enemies, mystery ships, hunting flotillas and destroyers, all played their part; but aircraft, although their development for this purpose was retarded, came to have increasing importance, and, according to the views of Colonel Strain, are likely to have an almost decisive importance in the future. At the beginning of the war, senior naval officers in charge of anti-submarine operations were inclined to overrate the value of aircraft. Not realising the engine deficiencies of the early types and the frequent, absence of transparence in the water, they thought that aeroplanes, patrolling fifteen times as much wider as a fast trawler and “spotting” submarines firm above, would sink or drive away the latter. In actual fact there were at first only about twenty seaplanes round the British coasts, and the engines of these were so unreliable that destroyers had constantly to be, detached for salving them. The, shallow waters of the North .Sea were seldom transparent, and as a final difficulty there were no aerial observers trained for marine, work. After the inevitable early disappointments senior naval officers ceased to ask for the, services of the R.N.A.S., and the latter accordingly had their efforts diverted to the western front. Early in 1915 kite balloons were adapted for work at sea, and the “Blimps,” which consisted of an old-fashioned aeroplane fuselage with pilot and observer, suspended from a bag of hydrogen, wore introduced with small success. But when Lord Jellicoe reorganised the war staff at the Admiralty a special department under Admiral Buff was devoted exclusively to antisubmarine measures, and rapid developments followed. What was practically a new service came into being. This, however, had not reached its full possibilities when the armistice came, because the War Cabinet attached immense importance to the bombing of Berlin, and ordered that the provision of anti-submarine aircraft should be subordinated to the equipment of a large independent air force for bombing the inferior of Germany. Nevertheless the effect on the submarine operations of the- enemy was considerable. The U-boat hunters For operations in the southern part of the North Sea, the chief Gorman bases for submarines were at Ostende, Bruges, and Zeebrugge. The naval air station at Dunkirk was the centre of operations against these. Between April and September, 1918, 10,432 bombs weighing 847,9041 lb, or just over 334 tons, were dropped on those German submarine bases, an average of fifty-seven bombs every day of . The bombs varied in size from 1,600 lb to incendiaries of 16 lb to 40 lb. The Germans had to build immense concrete shelters_ to protect their submarines, thus anticipating Admiral Sir Percy Scott's statement that the naval harbours of the future will have to be roofed over. But even these shelters were insufficient to protect the submarines, which would be caught while entering or leaving. Direct hits moreover, caused the collapse of mere than one of the shelters. The old cookery-book recipe for hare soup, “first catch your hare”, applies very specially to submarine hunting by aircraft. Specially trained officers in suitable aircraft working in close cooperation with the surface and supplied with the latest intelligence were required. Such an ideal was only slowly being readied. Latterly a submarine limiting school was started, where officers had the opportunity of practising with our own submarines. Silence, moreover, was ignored until towards the close of the war. Another necessity of which full advantage had not been taken, was the fitting of hydrophones to aircraft capable of aligning and rising from rough water. We lost many valuable machines and men because the German seaplanes were far superior to ours in some, important I respects. On July 18, for example, two Short seaplanes with two Camel aeroplanes as escort left Westgate on antisubmarine patrol. They were attacked by seven enemy seaplanes, six of which were small lighters capable of outflying the Camels. One of the enemy seaplanes I was shot down. The large enemy seaplane engaged in a duel with one of the Shorts. Each winged the other and they both came down on to the water. They “taxied” toward one another, firing as they drew near. The last seen of them was that they were both in flames, but still firing their machine guns. The other Short seaplane was also lost. The enemy submarine commanders got to know the capacities of our Shorts and learned how to evade them. Then the so called “Large America” flying-boat, designed by Wing Commander Porte, of the British Naval Air Service, suddenly made its appearance, and was meet effective from its greater seaworthiness, its larger carrying capacity, and better arrangements for giving the observer an unobstructed view. When the flying boats came into operation submarine periscopes could not see more than 30 degrees from the horizontal. Before the enemy realised their disadvantage the flying-boats bad sunk six enemy submarines and had damaged others. But they soon met the new danger by use of the altiscope, which could examine the sky before the submarine came to the surface. Escort work The obvious success in escorting surface craft with aircraft caused aircraft to be much more devoted to this duty towards the end of the war, and the coastal convoys were brought more inshore to allow aeroplanes to take part in the work of protecting them. In 1918 4,859 escort flights were undertaken by- seaplanes and aeroplanes. Only two vessels were at lacked while under escort, and on one of those occasions the aerial observer saw the track of the torpedo starling, and was able to signal and warn the ship aimed at in time for her to alter course and avoid the torpedo. In the same year 2.141 escort flights were made by airships, and only one vessel was attacked when thus escorted. The success of aerial escort is not so much duo to aircraft being able to prevent attack as to the fact that the track of a torpedo is very visible from the air. A submarine commander knows that he reveals his position by launching a torpedo, and that he will at once be bombed by aircraft and subjected to depth charges by surface craft. For this work an airship is better than an aeroplane, because she has longer endurance and can cruise round a convoy at a slower speed. On the other hand, she is not so quick in getting over the torpedo track and bombing it. The only instance in which an airship is known to have sunk a submarine was that of the Scottish-built R29, which found and bombed U.B 115 on September 29, 1918, and thus directed two torpedo-boat destroyers and three trawlers to the spot, which finished the work with depth charges. Prior to 1917 only one submarine was known to have been seriously damaged by aircraft, and that was in 1915. In 1917 aircraft sank seven submarines and only damaged fifteen. In 1918 four submarines were sunk, six seriously injured and twenty damaged by aircraft. But the influence of aircraft on the campaign was increasing. In October, 1918, the tracking department of the intelligence division traced a hiving homeward of enemy submarines and their concentration off the Firth of Forth. The coming of the armistice prevented the final testing of the long contest between aircraft and submarines – Evening Star (Dunedin, NZ), Saturday 26th February 1921, page 3 KAISERIN REPORTED DYING Potsdam, February 26th – Former Empress Augusta Victoria of Germany is reported to be unconscious at Doorn, Holland, in private telegrams received here last night. It is said there is no hope of her recovery and her early demise is indicated. Visitors at the new palace here report that preparations for the internment of the former Empress are going on, and that a burial plot for her and the former Emperor is being made ready. It is in close proximity to the palace, which was the former monarch’s domicile in this city – The New York Tribune (New York, USA), Saturday 26th February 1921, page 1 KRUPP GETS CHILEAN CONCESSION Berlin, February 25th – The Vossische Zeitung reports that the Chilean government has given a concession to the Krupp with the right to acquire land to build factories. A large number of German workmen will take advantage of the concession, the newspaper says, to immigrate to Chile – The New York Tribune (New York, USA), Saturday 26th February 1921, page 2 ALL EUROPE WILL DITCH DEBTS, SAYS SIR GEORGE PAISH London, February 27th – Advocating a capital levy to enable Great Britain to meet her indebtedness, Sir George Paish PAISH, George sir (1867 – 1957). British liberal economist. He advocated the free market prior to the First World War and was at one point advisor to the head of the British Treasury. He also served for a time as co-president of the Anglo-Ethiopian Society. He was the assistant editor of The Statist magazine from 1894 to 1900 and later became the editor. He was active for the Liberal Party and stood three times for them as a parliamentary candidate, in 1922 and 1935. In June 1936 he was elected to serve on the Liberal Party Council., addressing the National Liberal Federation declared: “The war created a European debt amounting to nearly $250,000,000,000. I have examined conditions in various continental countries and I have reluctantly concluded that practically the whole of Europe will repudiate its debts” – The Washington Times (Washington D.C, USA), Sunday 27th February 1921, page 1 JAPANESE WARSHIPS MAKING SURVEY OF PACIFIC San Francisco, February 27th – Japanese warships are continually visiting all islands in the Pacific on mysterious missions, and it is believed that secret surveys of various harbours are being made by the Japanese naval forces. This information was revealed here today with the arrival of Governor Jocelyn Robert, the French Governor of Tahiti, who came in on the liner Tahiti from the South Seas. He is on route to France, having been ordered home for consultation. His successor, M.Guedes, had not arrived at Tahiti when he departed – The Washington Times (Washington DC, USA), Sunday 27th February 1921, page 1 SENTENCE GUILTY MARINES Washington, February 26th – The United States marines who recently raided a newspaper office at Managua, Nicaragua, have been found guilty by court martial and have been given sentence of two years and dishonourable discharge, the Navy Department was informed tonight in a message from Rear Admiral Henry F. Bryan BRYAN, Henry Francis (1865 – 1944). United States Navy Rear Admiral and the 17th Governor of American Samoa. During World War I, he commanded USS Leviathan, for which he was later awarded the Navy Cross. He was frocked as a rear admiral on September 21, 1918. After the war, he was given command of the Special Service Squadron, which patrolled the Caribbean Sea. In 1921, he and his squadron were commanded to protect United States interests during contention in Costa Rica and Panama. He was credited with additional active duty time for his service as naval governor of American Samoa from 1925 to 1927.. The men all pleaded guilty, the message said – South Bend News Times (South Bend, Indiana, USA), Sunday 27th February 1921, page 1 BLAMES WAR AND AUTO FOR HIGH SCHOOL IMMORALITY Atlantic City, New Jersey, February 26th – The war and automobiles are responsible for the appalling immorality among high school students, Miss Lillian E. Dimmit, dean of women at Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa, declared today in an address before the National Council of Deans of Women. A corrective she suggested is that women’s colleges adhere closely to the old standard of chaperonage for students entrusted to their care – Associated Press – South Bend News Times (South Bend, Indiana, USA), Sunday 27th February 1921, page 1 BABY MOBS IN COLORADO For the second time within recent months, Colorado furnishes an instance of mob action by public school students. Not long ago a group of boys beat a fellow pupil to death, and the story comes now from another small Colorado town, of a 10-year-boy being the victim of a lynching party composed of school associates. A policeman cut his body down and saved his life. The first impulse upon hearing of such crimes as these is to demand drastic punishment for the offenders. That they are in need of severe chastisement in certain. It ought to be mad a memorable occasion for the youthful lynchers, as it has been for the 10-year-old victim. But let's not lay all the blame on the young students. A little reflection will show that they are merely responding to the environment of the day. Lawlessness is epidemic. Not only are bank, and postal robbers, holdup men and murderers the principal characters before the public today, but every few days a mob in some part of the country wreaks vengeance upon a victim, who may or may not be guilty of some offence, which arouses the ire of the community. While such widespread disrespect for law and order prevails, is it not too much to expect that such conditions will not react upon the minds of the children? But when small school children begin to ape their elders in barbarous practices, isn't it about time for the people of this country to begin to take the question of lawlessness and social disintegration seriously and go about repairing the breakdown in moral responsibility in earnest? An attempted lynching by children ought to be a solemn warning of the perilous days ahead, if this form of lawlessness and anarchy is not put down. It is a challenge to the constructive forces of the country the home, the church, the school, the courts to cooperate in inculcating a high sense of individual responsibility and in mobilizing a healthy public sentiment, which will make life and property safer – South Bend News Times (South Bend, Indiana, USA), Sunday 27th February 1921, page 11 PARIS HOUSING PROBLEM A house harbouring 300 tenants at La Villette, one of the more populous quarters of Paris, had been declared unsafe by the municipal architects, and the police accordingly ordered the occupants to leave. They declined to do so until other accommodation had been found for them, and when the police arrived they found that the premises had been strongly barricaded, and that the tenants were prepared to make a determined defence. A parley ensued, and, peace terms having been arranged, the police retired amid lusty cheering by the tenants, who will be allowed to remain in the condemned building for the present – Evening Star (Dunedin, NZ), Monday 28th February 1921, page 2 YAP CABLE CONTROVERSY Washington, February 26th – It is understood that Sir A. Geddes GEDDES, Auckland (1879 – 1954). British politician who served in British wartime recruitment positions during World War One. He was appointed Britain's Director of Recruiting in 1916 and then, the following year, as Minister of National Service, replacing Neville Chamberlain. In the latter position Geddes oversaw an extension of the ministry's powers to include military recruitment; he also worked well with the newly-established Ministry of Labour in determining the two department's division of responsibilities in wartime manpower management. Measures such as these, intended to provide fresh resources for the various Fronts, often served only to antagonise the trade unions, with its consequent threat of strikes and industrial action. Geddes was forced however to cancel planned conscription in Ireland given the volatile state of affairs in that country. After the war Geddes served as President of the Board of Trade and subsequently as British ambassador to the U.S. has been instructed to attempt to mediate in the controversy between the United States and Japan regarding the Pacific cable communications. State Department officials say Britain cannot act as mediator in a matter affecting Yap. The controversy is not only between America and Japan but involves the United States and all Allies – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Nelson Evening Mail (Nelson, NZ), Monday 28th February 1921, page 5 WOMEN POLICE London, February 25th – Women's success as policewomen was paid remarkable tribute by Sir Neville Macready MACREADY, Cecil Frederick Nevil, sir 1st Baronet (1862 – 1946). British Army officer. He served in senior staff appointments in the First World War and was the last British military commander in Ireland, and also served for two years as Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis in London. In 1924, he published his two-volume memoirs, Annals of an Active Life. in his evidence before a Special Committee. The successful women included domestics, nurses, and 'bus conductresses, who took up jujitsu and other forms of physical training, the same as the men. They also undertook night duty, guarding powder magazines. Sir Neville Macready urged the employment of an increasing proportion of women, and he only desired to secure them power of arrest. Then he intended to entrust women with the whole work of looking after women of easy virtue. The conditions would be similar to the men's, including pension The class of woman was immaterial so long as she had the human element largely developed and was not a faddist – Australian and New Zealand Cable Association – Nelson Evening Mail (Nelson, NZ), Monday 28th February 1921, page 5 JAPS TO INSIST UPON RETAINING MANDATE OF YAP Tokyo, February 26th – Japan will insist upon its mandatory to the Island of Yap, according to authoritative Japanese advices. The request of the United States government to the council of the League of Nations has aroused great interest in Japan as a new move on a matter which has already been lengthily, but thus far unsuccessfully, discussed directly by the governments of Japan and the United States. It is explained here that Japan bases her mandatory on the final decision of the supreme council in May, 1919, which handed over the German islands north of the equator to Japan without mention of reservation. If President Wilson made oral reservations regarding Yap at previous deliberations of the council. It is declared that Japan was not represented and has no official cognizance of the reservations. Pre – war status Japan will take the stand that the mandatory control of the cables is on the same status as Germany prior to the war. During the war Japan diverted the Yap end of the cable from Shanghai to the LooChoo (Lieu-Klu) islands, between Japan and Formosa, for administration communication from America to Shanghai by way of Guam and Yap does not exist. It is understood that Japan has suggested to the United States to lay a cable direct to Shanghai from Guam as a substitute for the Yap route. Should Consider Claim Among the newspapers, the Nichi Nichi takes the view that the United States is in no position to interfere because it has nor ratified the peace treaty and has not entered the League. But, it adds, considering America’s share in winning the war, it would be immoral not to consider the contentions of America. The Hochi Shimbun expresses the opinion that America’s absence from the League does not imply that she renounces the right to question the League decisions affecting important world matters – Associated Press – South Bend News Times (South Bend, USA), Monday 28th February 1921, page 1 & 14 EBRUARY 1921 65