Washington, Dec. 17.
The Australian Commissioner ito London, Mr. Stanley Bruce, arrived here today and arranged for a conference with Mr. Sumner Welles, Is acting Secretary of State, and Mr. Francis B. Sayre, assistant Secretary of State, on Monday.
Diplomatic circles anticipated that Mr. Bruce would appeal to President r a prompt opening of negotiations for a trade treaty be tween the United States and Australia.
Although Mr. Bruce can point out that Australia has made sacrifices in allowing the United States to improve its position in the British market, his chances of early success were regarded as slender by political quarters because of the absence of Mr. Cordell Hull, the Secretary of State, and the opposition of agricultural leaders to a pact with Australia on the grounds that it might further alienate the "farm belt."
Others favour the starting of negotiations as they would help the general ce-operation between peoples of ihe Pacific, but believed that the Government officials should most carefully consider the domestic effects such a treaty would have before acting.—United Press.
Musica.
The Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Treasury, the Post-office, the Department of Agriculture and the New York District Attorney's Office were each pursuing independent investigations of the huge scandal which has already developed international ramifications and appeared to involve crimes ranging from the adulteration of drugs to gun-running and the fraudulent listing of assets.
From Washington it was reported that the chief of the Department of Justice's Criminal Division, the Assistant U.S. Attorney-General, Mr. Brien McMahon was coming to New York on Monday to co-ordinate the work of the half-dozen or more agencies involved in the investigations.
Trustee Starts Re-ergal tion From San Francisco came the disclosure that Mr. Charles F. Michaels, of San Francisco, had assumed direction of the affairs of the stricken firm of McKesson and Robbins. He was reported to be already in New York, directing the work of complete reorganization of the company in the capacity of a trustee.
From Montreal it was reported that the authorities there had arrested one John Cantor, who was alleged to be connected with the gun-rùmning phases of Musica's activities. He was charged with receiving money under false pretences.
From Washington came word that the Department of Commerce had also entered the case and was investigating the registry of Musica's yacht, due to thus far unverified reports that he had ordered the craft to be prepared for an ocean voyage a few days ago.
All Commitments Will Be Met Armistice Scheme for
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