likely to receive the approval of the en- tire ministry. On the other hand there are still persistent rumours that the Cab- inet is not altogether harmonious, ai- though definite expressions to this effect are not obtainable. Staunch Unionists are reported to be increasingly nervous respecting the progress of Irish affaivs anditis known that about 40 of them met privately yesterday to discuss their posi- tion. As they lacked inside knowledge respecting the negotiations however, they refrained from reaching any decision as io the action they would take. London, July 20th.—Mr. and yrs Licyd George gave their first garden party at Downing Street yesterday, to which the whole House of Commons and the wives of the members were in- vited. Partly as a consequence of this hospitality the Government suffered a defeat in the House of Commons yester- day on the proposal to exempt coopera- five societies from paying a coopera tion tax, which was carried against the, Government 137 to 135. Many of the Government supporters had not returned from the garden party, while the oppo- sition mustered a strong forece and rais- ed cries of ‘‘resign’’ when the figures were announced. Mr Austen Chamber- lain however announced that business would proceed. Paris, July 20th.—The reparations com- mission today issued an official state- ment announcing that the German Govt. has just paid to it thirtyone million marks in European currency on account of the three months notes given in the latter part of May, in settlement of the one billion gold marks due before June Ist. London, July 20th.—Japan’s invita- tion to the Prince of Wales to visit Japan at the conclusion of his Indian tour has not yet been officiallyaccepted. It is und>rstood, however, t"~t the King approves of the visit and that the Prince will go to Japan in Mareh, or April, 1922 Tokio, July 20th.—A semi-official state- ment, issued today, says Japan is pre- pared to give all prominence in the con- terence tc the questions of the open door and equal opportunity in China so as to place China in a fairway to the *attainment of an independent National status. The statement emphasizes the necessity of cooperation by the powers in aiding China in the recovery of her rights and interests. The Chinese Foreign Minister had an exchange of views with Viscount Uchida, the Japanese Foreign Minister, regarding the situation as concerns China. London, July 20th.--Baron Hayashi, the Japanese Ambassador, denies that there 1s any question of opposition on the part of Japan to Mr. Harding’s pro- posal for a conference at Washington, which, on the contrary, he said was welcomed. Japan was quite ready to discuss with other Powers the question of 8 1. RO LR & NVED mutual interest, including the limitation of armaments, on which the Japanese Govt, had already expressed willingness to negotiate. Japan however desired to krow beforehand what subjects were to be discussed. ‘'Otherwise’’, the Am- bassador, ‘‘we may embark upon a never ending discussion. The suggestion that naturally arises is whether we are again to bring up matters whicb the Treaty of Versailles has alrew..; dealt with. [t is clear that such matiers as Shantung, Yap and New Guinea, if caised, would result in a gencral conference on points that are already accomplished facts. Expressing my personal views, | believe that a practical solution of all the ques- tions invclved is possinle without inter- fering with matters of principle that have already been decided upon.” New York, July 20th.—The raw sugar market was steady and unchanged early today, The market for refined was un- changed ar 5.20 to 5.90 for fine granu- lated. London, July 20th.—It was stated in authoritative quarters today that sugges- tions have been made tor United States intervention in the Upper Silesian trou- ble. which it is feared will threaten opzn hostilities. Mexico City, July 20th.—T'he Amat- lan oil fields are on fire with drilling towers falling like chaff and the work- men fleeing, according to reports re- ceived here, describing ‘‘the greatest catastroph: in the history ofoilfields. The cause of the fire is not known The financial loss cannot be estimated, .ay the advices, wh'ech add that the con- flagration dw rfs into insignificance the Pordo Dei idano disaster Columns of fire hundreds ot feet higl are covering the entire field, it is declared, and efforts to suppress the blaze are sald to be con- sidered hoveless. It is also feared that there will be some loss of life, as the fire spread so quickly fron lot number 162 where it started, other wells in the vicin- ity exploding. The Amatlan oilfieids is one of t?e richest in the state of Vera Cruz. matlan, in the state of Vera Cruz, is in the West central part of that state about 55 miies Southwest of the city of Vera Cruz. London, July 20th.—The Cabinet sat for two hours and a haif this evening, considering the Irish plans, after which Mr. Lloyd George went to Buckingham Palace and laid before the King, whose interest in an lrish seftlement is the keenest, the proposals for submission to Mr. Eamon De Valera, at tomorrow’s conference. The Prime Minister presid- ed at the Cabinet Council, which was held in the same House of Commons, and outlined for the benefit of those ministers who haa not been closely con- cerned in the Irish negotiations the his- tory of recent events and new offer to Ireland, and which is described as being drawn on generous lines. It is under stood that the financial arrangements in the new offer have given considerable trouble to the Ministers, eventually, af- ter consultation with Sir Robert Horne and the treasury officials the various provisions were agreed to. It is also understood thai the general lines of the Premier’s offer have the approval of Mr. Austen Chamberlain, the Govt. lea: der in the House of Commons, Sir Robert Horne, Sir Laming Worthington-Evans and other Ministers., and that probably with some mcdifications the entire cabi- net will assent to the proposals, which will be reduced tov ‘writing for presen- taticn to Mr. De Valera. Whether Mr. Lioyd Geoige has