NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 4 March 1925

4 MARCH 1925

Replying to the Earl of Oxford and Asquith in the House of Lords, the Marquis Curzon said that no decision would be taken on the question of the retention of British troops in Cologne without making public the whole of the facts on which that decision was based.

The Merchant Shipping (International Labour Conventions) Bill passed Committee stage in the House of Lords, and the second reading of the War Charges Validity Bill was agreed to. Lord Curzon, replying to a question with regard to the Geneva Protocol, said he hoped it would be possible for the Government very shortly – perhaps in ten days or a fortnight – to announce its decision.

The China Indemnity (Application) Bill, the object of which is to enable the China indemnity payments accruing as a result of the Boxer Rebellion to be diverted to educational and other purposes in that country, was read a second time in the House of Commons. The Trade Facilities Bill was debated in Committee.

Speaking at the Reform Club, the Earl of Oxford and Asquith said that although for Liberals their real moral authority and influence in councils of the world seemed for the time being removed from actuality and realisation, yet they would fight on.

The German Presidential election will take place on Sunday, March 29.

The Turkish Government has resigned.

The Viceroy of India (the Earl of Reading) is coming home on short leave at the invitation of the Secretary of State for India in Council.