South Wales Daily News

POPULATION OF FRANCE. PAlUS. Monday.—The official report of the Minister of Commerce on the state of the popu- Ia,tiou of France for 1897 shows an increase in the population of 108,088, but this increase pro- ceeds from a decrease in the number of deaths, and not from an increase in the birth-rate as compared with 1896.-Reuter.

FIRE AT A HAIRDRESSER'S, TWO LIVES LOST. AMSTSBDAM, Monday.—A fire, attended with fatal results, broke out this morning in a haurdres ser's shop in the Heerengracht. Two persons lost their lives, and one of the inm.ates of the house is still missing.-Reuter.

LONDON LETTER. LONDON, Monday Night. LIBERAL LEADERSHIP. An attempt will be made at the forthcoming meeting of the National Liberal Federation to raise the question of the Liberal leadership. One of the federated associations has already given notice of its intention to move a resolution on the subject, and others will doubtless follow suit. It is extremely unlikely, however, that the | General Committee will consent to commit itself to a specific declaration. The only precedent in this country for the election of a party leader by the vote of a caucus is an Irish precedent. When the Irish Nationalists in Great Britain decided to make Mr Parnell their chairman instead of Mr Butt, the latter understood that he had received his dismissal from a more important position, and soon afterwards made v. ay for his rival. in the House of Commons. Apply the precedent tD the position of affairs in the Liberal party and it will be seen at once that it offers no solution of exist- ing difficulties. What the majority of Liberals, are demanding just now is not a change of men, but a change of tactics, a more active policy on the part particularly of Sir William Harcourt, and a heartier co-operation among the Front Benchmen generally. The question of the future leadership of the party is settling itself. Mean- while it cannot be questioned that many Liberals would welcome a resolution from the National Liberal Federation urging ex-Ministers to fight the battles of the party in the next Session with more determination than they have hitherto dis- played. SIR W. HARCOURT AND RITUALISM. Conjecture is busy as to the precise meaning which should be attached to the concluding pas- sages in Sir William Harcotfrt's latest pronounce- ment on Ritualism. The Leader of the Opposi- tion has lately been credited with designs by legislation on the liberties of offending clergymen. It has been said that he intended to introduce a Bill to put down Popery, and that the sole question was whether he should bring his proposals forward on a Wednesday afternoon or take advantage of his semi-official position and demand a special day for the purpose. Apparently Sir William has no intention of bringing in a Bill. He declines for the present to define the precise nature of the action which he thinks ought to be taken, but adds significantly that it does not involve what Mr Balfour calls the sharpening of the edge of the legal axe. The nyiatinpr law, in Sir William Harcourt's opinion, is sufficient if only the haft were in the hands of those who would honestly use it. An impression prevails that the right hon. gentleman's method would be to make things uncomfortable for the bishops unless they resorted to a more active use of their powers against illegal ritual. But even for this purpose further legislation might be necessary. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS. I Londoners are in the enviable position of 1 being enabled to rely on the Imperial purse for some of their finest public works. Occasionally & difference arises between the State and the municipality as to which should pay the piper. Mr Akers Douglas has just been inviting the County Council to hand him a sum of about 9100,000 in consideration of the improvement which the Board of Works are carrying out in widening Parliament-street. An ordinary man of business would probably have made the sugges- tion before the work was done. Government Departments pursue more guileless methods. One side of Parliament-street is now in ruins, and the builders are preparing to erect on the site a stately range of Departmental offices. When the street is re-constructed it will be one of the noblest in London, and will form a magnificent avenue from Trafalgar-square to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. For such an improvement London might well have been expected to pay something. The County Council, however, see that the work is already half done and realise that the Government must carry it through. Accordingly they have hurt Mr Abers Douglas's feelings by offering, as an act of grace, to pay the paving account—a trifle of £ 12,000. THE LONDON LIBRARY. Established nearly half a centnry ago as a protest against the methods which then prevailed at the British Museum, the London Library, which was reopened this afternoon by Mr Leslie Stephen, has always held first rank among the literary libraries of the capital. Its members are men who write books themselves or who write about books. One of its great advantages is that no reasonable limit is placed on the number volromtw which a nfbscriber rbay take out at one time. I believe the average number usually in circulation is seven for each member, and as the membership numbers between 2,000 and 3,000 it will be seen that the library must be one of the largest in the country. Of its own class indeed it is said to be the largest in the world. The new premises are on the site of the old, in one of the quietest corners of St. James's- aquare, the somewhat dingy if select territory in which the Duke of Norfolk and other magnates have their town mansions. SUNDAY CONCERTS. By applying the club principle to the Sunday concert question Mr Robert Newman believes lie has discovered a, method by which the recent decree of the London County Council may be circumvented. Beginning next Sunday he in- tends to give a series of concerts at the Queen's Hall on Sunday afternoons and evenings, at which the best seats are to be reserved for subscribers. Single tickets will also be sold to the public at the doors, the profits derived from the latter source being sent to the Prince of Wales's Hospital Fund. Mr Newman has some idea of combining a new propaganda with his entertainments. His oroposal is that a Queen's Hall Sunday Concert Society should be formed with the double object of promoting legislation for legalising Sunday concerts and of giving concerts on Sun- days, Whatever may be the fate of the polemical side of his programme there can be no doubt as to the prospects of the other part. There is a great demand for music in London on Sundays, and even the most indolent people will probably go the length of joining a society to get what they want. PRESIDENT McKINLEY'S MESSAGE. I Long extracts from President McKinley s Message to Congress appeared in to-night's evening papers, and gave food for discussion in political circles. The cordial tone of Mr McKinley's references to Great Britain was, noted with general satisfaction. Expressions of brotherly love towards this country have rarely if ever before found so conspicuous a. place in a Presidential Message. Expectation is fulfilled by the definition of America's future policy in relation to the development of the maritime provinces of China. On this question President McKinley's language might ha.ve been borrowed from the vocabulary of Lord Salisbury. He emphasises with a gratifying absence of reserve the identity of American and British aims in the Far East, and places himself in line with the Prime Minister in demanding that the door of commerce shall remain open. Students of political history will probably find an ironical satisfaction in the parallel suggested by the references of the President of the future Govern- ment of Cuba with the declarations renewed from time to time by English Ministers in relation to our own occupation of Egypt Here again Mr McKinley seem almost to have found mspira tion from a study of the P^cedents of Down- er street. Unless the shrewdest observers ot nig street y country are much international events in this country e much mistaken, it seems likely that the future WIll carry the parallel further.

GALES IN THE ATLANTIC. LUCANIA ARRIVES A DAY LATE. Early on Sunday morning the cunard Roya.l mail steamer Lucama arrived in the Mersey from New York, being practically a day late. she should have left New York on Saturday week. A terrible blizzard however broke out and rendered it absolutely impossible for the liner to put to BAH. During the storm several vessels were wrecked off the American coast, and many rtestitote people axe said to have died in New York City from exposure during the night. On board the Lueania. the passengers had to remain below for several hours, as it was practically impossible to keep the deck m the face of the howling gale and the blinding accompaniment of snow Although the blizzard had abated con- siderably on the Sunday a heavy gale was blowing when the Lucania sailedI from New York harbour, and this stress of weather continued for three days, the seas running mountains high. During the rest of the voyage strong breezes were encountered, bu which prevailed on the Saturday while the L^SuaPhadTo lie in New York ^bour was con- sidered the foulest that has been experienced m connection with the Atlantic passage < y years.

FATAL COLLISION AT SEA. P,ATOUM, Mouday'-IMA u*bt a collision occurred five miles off Otchentchiry between the steamer Peter, from Batoum, and the steamer Elizabeth. The Elizabeth sprang a leak and Mtnb- Thecs were several killed and injured on both vessels. The Peter took the passengers and crew of the Elizabeth on bOWw and returned to BptQum.-Bautgr.

RUSSIAN HATRED Op ENGLAND. INEVITABLE BATTLE FOR INDIA. SIGNIFICANT PfilSSS ARTICLE. ST. X^XJIIISBUBG, December Znd.-The di-ash- danin publishes to-day an article in which it asks whether Russia would not be acting wisely* in renouncing the possession of Port Arlhur and TaJienwan, for this renunciation would have the following effeets:-First to give her a free hand; secondly, to rid her of harbours where m the event of war with Great Britain, her s ip would be caught like rats in a trap and thirdly, to spare her the cost of enormous defences. The journal is of opinion that Russia ought to occupy herself chiefly with affairs in Northern China, especially that part of China which borders on Russia's own possessions and with the railway in Manchuria. By keeping strong in that quarter Russia,, continues 'he article, will-be a warning stgna-It to the British even in the South of China., bat; in order to effect this she must free herself from; the two posts just mentioned, the possession of which weakens her "heel of Achilles "so to speak. It ia true that the relinquishing of these: possessions would seem to be a confession of, blundering, but to repair it would Ibe ,but a. courageous and praiseworthy act. Russia, could then proceed to develop her territory in the direction of Afghanistan and prepare herself for the supreme combat which she must inevitably have sooner or later with Great Britain, profiting at the same time by the latter having scattered her forces inall directions, an error by which she will have weakened herself m India. It is absolutely essential that Russia should fight this supreme battle-on eland a.nd not on sea, encountering her adversary simultaneously in the North of China and at thegates of India. The Grashdanin rejects all notion of an eventual rapprochement with Great Britain, the inveterate enemy of Russia, from whom the latter can look for no advantage, and it advocates on the contrary an alliance with Germany, in which I France might be induced to join.-ReWer.

LOSS OF A STEAMER AND ELEVEN LIVES. ALGIERS, Monday.THE French steamer Algeiois has foundered near Bona, Eleven parsons were drowned .-Reuter- ,J!¡¡

-p: CRETAN SETTLEMENT. APPOINTMENT OF PRINCE GEORGE. POWERS NO ALTERNATIVE. ROME, Monday Afternoon.—In the^hamber to-day the proposal of thc Governme^to advance the new Administration of Crete 1,000,000 tones wasaJproSL General Canevaro Mnuster for Foreign Affairs, in introducing the Bill autboris-" ing the necessary loan, declared that the appoint* ment of Prince George of Greece to the postof High Commissioner in Crete was the only alter- native left to the European Powers. been made Europe would probably ^ve hiri to wage war against the Cretan insurgents.-—O ^PARIS, Monday.—The Court of Cassation to-day heard the evidence of Colonel Picquart, and subsequently examined General De in view of the application made by Colonel Picquart to the Court of Cassation regarding the question of jurisdiction in his case. M. Fourniere has withdrawn the interpellation which he had intended addressing to the Govern- ment in the Chamber of Deputies. He await the decision of the Couxt. M. Fabre has also withdrawn his interpellation the Senate. Several Socialist Deputies will submit a proposal in the Chamber to the effect that appeals against the judgments of courts martial may be lodged with the Court of Cassation in time of peace. Renter.

FIRE IN NEW YORK. NEW YORK, Monday.—A disastrous fire took place last night in Lower Broadway, over a million dollars worth of .property being destroyed in three hours. The upper half of the Home Life Insurance, one of the latest fireproof struc- tures, was destroyed. The fire was preceded by three explosions, probably due to gas. The iira originated in the basement of Rogers, Peet, and Co.'s clothing house at the comer of Broadway and Warren-street, and this building was destroyed. The Home Life Insurance building 15 storeys high, which was contiguous to the southern side of the clothing house, had its eight upper storeys gutted. The three upper storeys of the Postal and Telegraph Office building, next to the Insurance Office, were damaged.—Rafter.

-= I THE FAR EAST. MORE ATTACKS ON MISSIONS. The Central News says :—Monday's mail from China brings farther news of disturbances some of the remote districts. The Church mis- sionary Society received from one of theix reP^e" sent&tives a letter dated Miencheo, SepoemDer 24th, from which the Central News is ena.bied to quote the following extract :—" Since writing to you on Monday we have had further n^wa ox troubles. A telegram came to Chentu, which was sent on to meet Mr Lewis (of Chungking) here, saying their place at Hocheo has been destroyed and rioting reported at Sui Ling and rebelliQnin several districts. The two places mentioned are between here and Chungking. News received here to-day from Chentu says the Governor- < General. has appointed guards of soldiers to 9,11 the mission places in the city (Chentu). Laraest y trust all may remain quiat amongst us here. —

TO DAY'S FORECAST [Ion KMZLANV, S.W., AW SOUTH WJLliKS. Issued e.t 8 •'dock last night. Southerly winds, moderate or fresh; cloudy; local showers. GENEBAX..—Cooler and drier weather is lilcely to prevail in east- ern and southern districts, wbile in west and north mild unsettled weather is likely to continue. WAUNTNGS.—The south come is up in districts 6,7, and 9. GENERAL FORECASTS. DISTRICTS G OTRTH-WESTER 1 y Winds, £ 0. Scotland, N.. < r 0I strong anil; some rain. Southerly and south-westerly 1. Scotland, E- • I winds, moderate fair 2. England, N.E. j generally rather cooler. 3. England, M.) gootherly winds, light or 4. Mid. Counties.. moderate; fair generally ^cooler. 6. Scotland, W.A Southerly winds, strong, m 7.England,N.W., J places m2d, changeable; & North Wales, j some showers. -Pn-iana qw 1 Southerly winds, moderate •*»*" 9. Ireland. N.. } 9. Ireland, Same an 6 &ad IL

APPALLING FIRE IN A FACTORY. FIFTEEN WOMEN KILLED. FIFTY OTHERS INJURED. yyo. BBBLIN, Monday.—A telegram irom viina to he Post says that a. fire broke out in the Block hosiery Factory at that town, and caused a. Wblfi disaster. The women and girls at work, V the establishment bad to jump for their lives \a the windows of the second storey. Fifteen ?Ve by the fall and fifty were giicvously .—Renter-

VHF, INDIAN FRONTIER. MOVEMENT OF TROOPS COUNTERMANDED. W Monday.—The officers of tko Mala- force on detachment who had already st&rt^^ the front a,re being sent back to their re^eVe stations. The only troops which started were the 1st Battalion Royal Regiment from Rawal Pindi. r f\ was reported yesterday between the; Pauda ] gecti £ )n and the Nawab of DiVs subject#^ details have arrived.—Reuter.

^ATES AND SPAIN. peace Negotiations NBARING A u CLOSE. „ P^'T1^tdav —The Hispano-American Peace Copferei*t y-^ ^,3 Vclock till.a quarter ,| paS jnnnie Commissioners, who had .already agreed -_dinfy 0f the first six articles, ^uSTto^the textof the articles forming a W sUfrn, such as those dealing with the h p6rMvti fn6of Spaniards who shall continue to reside m G Philippines, commercial question, « v, negoti»tions to-day aceord- mgiymaoe ra,pid progress, and.it is now possible < £ wnai 1 £ coacllIaed about the end of the^they ^may onfemice meet again at WOJF ow.—Reuter. attention lS?^Jb +jje Government at Washing- ton to th^aiarw roDOrts which have been pub- bshed with reg«^ feeling in the Philippines. United States Government bave decided up^e ^cuation of the Philjp- pmes by the &P the African dele- gates of the ommission will press the Spanish deleg matter, which, as before* v/e £ 3*^ M** GENEBAL^^kEjj's ABSURD MADBTD, Spanish ReJ Book r bf F^ trS of fliately after the signa- ture of the trea^ si £ q_ genor gagastawill at the same& the qnesiion of confi- dence to the<4 £ ee If her Majesty, as seems probable, ^0 toerltruet the direc- tion of Cabiaet the Cortes wUl be convened ?ifa next. According to th .t^ -yGeneral Weylerfaas declared timo to the Conservative party, at lhat he ditters *°r £ 3 L The Sainton the one question of Cnba. ^jg *aer £ v,i is further repre- sented as Soe|iori that the internal ^ns.s through wMcof pa,lf;ing is seriouS, especiallv m of ^0iri^e 0f Qxeat Britain, la. ot-ates have ithe peninsula what the United btates_ Colonie3 by fomenting j. wi^bese circumstances L,r '"h^Sticn of (» »i.e contrntions fof^c Cortes.-Beater- jaad war was one

KAISER-SN^W< AN OPERATION ONJl throat_ WaldSi, K>n° of PitoM^-Th» Prtaee lving ifl at Kiel, suffering frooli of Prussia, is tion of the throat. The caae|re infiamma- serious that the well-known. ^considered so Bergamann and Esmarch, Professors Berlin yesterday. They decided femoned from was necessary, and it was succ operation later in the day. ^performed The Emperor had intendeu^to » day to see the sufferer, but at Kiel to- postponed his departure on receipttaoment he from Kiel stating that the Yolt telegram taken a turn for the better. fince had The Princess of Battenberg to-d%y.-Central News. m at Kiel

GORDON MEMORY., THE SIRDAR'S FUNt FRENCH HOSTILITY, Professor H, Macaulay J osnett, L\ wrote to Lord Kitchener e^resbin^who opinion against religious wouldkii? ing whether the proposed ve.nlv secular, has received the foil °^ The college I have P aQd ha^ ducted on purely secular lm A traiAn lutely nothing to do with reli0 religious propagandism- drawt "Our students bLj I aa, Mahommedans of the Soudan, f that any idea of using the college tor instruction would ruin its utility- FRENCH OPINION. PABIS, Monday.—In an ^icle upon^ iected Gordon Memorial College f ea the Figaro says :-Before a; the Egyptians educated in this coileg d f tig3 feet officials. They will be the and treasured agents, of Bi^tish P eg regions of Africa. >vVe can thus withoa conceive the idea of tne jsritisu m vif,e-royaltv. Kitchener with a kind of A^f^xpre93ion t^, in making hun according to tneir i8 gimptk grand potentate of Central -&^rlca.'llll„votime t% a question of knowing whether be wuj" n0t"nina realise his plans. At present unaottDteu J seems able to oppose the progress ^jance of in Africa, but the conditions .Lping of power in Europe may change. be alliances may be modified. liie?4 ^percent a period during which the expansive n,|jjber •of British policy will be checked. n0t be of Deputies of France should, the» niggardly in the subsidy which i1"prions French schools in the East. The ~js$ian instructors and the brothers of the +able schools are for the moment ij>e only red0 adversaries of Lord Kitchener.—Renter. MAYOR OF CARDIFF OPENS A His Worship the Mayor of Cardiff T. Morel) on Monday opened a Gordon Alem College Fund. He heads the list hinaf2u_ 100 guineas, and an anonymous contribute .j 100 guineas has also been promised by a "» In response to a wish expressed at the vo listwifi be opened on Cardiff Exchange t0*» J- (Tuesday).

ALLEGED BURGLARY AT LLANELLY. PECULIAR CASE. John Davies, of Craddock-Btreet, Llanelly» was brought before Messrs T. Jones and J- A- Williams on Monday morning on a charge oi burglary. P.C. Reynolds noticed prisoner loiter- ing abcrat, and saw him rasin g the parlour -window of the Cornish Arms IUD, Kings'-square, and enter. He arrested him in the act. When he was charged Davies answered, Mrs Johns un- fastened the window for me." Prisoner was taken to the station, and about 4 o'clock Sergeant Evans and witness had angiuterview with Mrs Johns, after which they examined the window>and found that the lower sash near the catch had marks upon'it as if a knife had been there. Prior to this the constable had searched the priaoner and found in his possetsion a pocketknife and 4s 81d. Davies, stated that he did not use the knife, and repeated that the window had been left open for him, as about 10 o'clock on the "Saturday evening Afts Johns-told him to go there after ihe lodgers had gone to bed. That was not the first time the window had been left open for him. T9J& land- V, lady, Elizabeth Johns, denied harvinggiven-snoh. permission to the prisoner. He asked her about 8.30 on Saturday night foi-lodgings, but she told him there was no room, and she aid not1,promise to leave the window unfastened after the lodgers had gone to bed. In answer to the prisoner the witness stated that they had a few words respect- ing a pawn ticket for a gold wedding ring. He had previously given her a ring, but she having re- turned it, he had pawned it in her name. She had him put out of the house. Prisoner was remanded till "Wednesday, bail being allowed.

THREAT TO MURDER. SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A LOCAL POLICEMAN. At Swansea Police Court on Monday T. Lewis, collier, Pontlliw, applied for a summons against P.O. Hawkins, stationed at Penllergaer. Appli- cant said he was sitting in a railway carriage at Victoria Station, London and North-Western Railway, on Saturday, when Hawkins came to the door and said he would put a bullet through him. Lewis further alleged that the constable had recently brought several unsuccessful charges against him. A summons for a. surety of the peace was granted.

MR GLADSTONE'S THREE GREATEST MEN. Mr Gladstone's opinion as to the three greatest men is given to the Spectator by a correspondent. Ignotus," who writes Some years since I had the great pleasure of meeting Mr Gladstone at dinner. One of the other guests asked him whether it was true that he had pronounced Shakesoeare to be the greatest man who ever lived. Mr Gladstone at once replied, and I can almost repeat his words verbatim No, I do not think fever made such a statement. Undoubtedly the three greatest men who ever lived were Homer, Dante, and Shakespeare. Homer created a people, a language, and a religion. Dante created a, people and a language, but not a re- ligion. Shakespeare did not create any of the three, but I am inclined to think that his reputa- tion will increase, and that in another century he may be universally acknowledged to bo the greatest m%n who ever Uved,"

FIRE IN AMSTERDAM. LOSS OF THREE LIVES. AMSTERDAM, Monda,y.-A distressing fire broke out during the night in a baker's shop in Amsterdam. The shop was gutted, and three of the inmates burned to death.—Central Ns.

LATE SHIPPING NEWS, [LLOYD'S TSLEGHAMS-] The British steamer Heighington, from Naples for Charleston, has heen towed to Bermuda with shaft broken. The British steamer Penaith, from Genoa for Galveston, has arrived at Bermuda wit. machi- nery damaged. The British steamer Beneroy, from Algiers for Charleston, has arrived at Bermuda with some plates loose. A. Charleston telegram states that the British steamer Lobelin, previously reported ashore, remains, but h. position is not dangerous. ]Arrangements have been made to place the vessel in safety. AMambles laead telegram states that a ketch with four hands ia reported ashore between Briton Ferry and Port, Talbot. The lifeboat has tbeen telegraphed for.

CONGRESS OPENED. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. LATE WAR WITH SPAIN. THE NICARAGUAN CANAL. STATES AND CHINA. FRIENDLY REFERENCES TO ENGLAND. WASii-UviiTON, Monday. —The Pici>iuvUi'B Mes- sage was read in Congress to-day. The-document —which is one of unusual length—opens with a reference to the increased prosperity of the country, despite the recent war with Spain, and the excellent credit of the Government. The President reviews at length the incidents leading to the outbreak of hostilities, including the visit of the foreign representatives, the defensive steps taken against a possible attack on the coast by a Spanish fleet, and the results of the different engagements of the campaign. Proceeding to the subject of Cuba, the President says it is necessary to undertake at the earliest possible moment that may be consistent with safety and with assured success the task of aiding the Cubans to form a ■Government for themselves. The military occu- pation must be continued until a staple Govern- ment was inaugurated. The President expresses a hope that aninternational agreement may be ar- rived at whereby the interchange-of messages over connecting cable lines may be regulated on a fair basis of uniformity of rates, thereby removing the almost prohibitory discrimination on cable traffic between the States and the cities of South America. He alluded to the sympathy aroused iII, America by the assassination of the late Empress of Austria, and also to the claim of Austria for compensation for the death of Hungarian subjects in the mining riots at Latimer in September, 1897. The President ,treats lengthily of Central American affairs. Referring to the subject of the Nicaraguan Canal, he says, All the circumstances suggest the urgency of some definite action by Congress. If the labours of the past are to be utilised the national policy more imperatively than ever calls for control of the canal by this Government." Referring to the Far Bast the speaker said: The United States have not been an indifferent spectator of the extraordinary events transpiring in China, whereby portions of China's maritime provinces are passing under control of various European Powers but the prospect of vast commerce, the energy of our citizens, and the necessity for our staple productions for Chinese uses built up in these regions may not be prejudiced through any ex- clusive treatment by the new occupants. This has obviated the need of the country becoming an actor in the scene. Our position among the nations having a large, Pacific coast, and constantly expanding their direct trade with the farther Orient, gives us equitable claim to consideration and friendly treatment in this I regard. It will be my aim to subserve our large interests in th&t quarter by all means appro- priate to the constant policy of the Government. The territories of Kiao Chau, Wei-hai-Wei, Port Arthur, and Tali en wan leased to Germany, Great Britain, and Russia respectively for terms of years will, it is announced, be open to inter national commerce during such alien occupa- tion, and if no disciminating treatment of American citizens and their trade be found to exist, or be thereafter developed, the desire of this^Government would appear to be realised." The Message asks Congress for authority to appoint a Committee to study the commercial and industrial conditions in China, and to report regarding the opportunities for or obstacles to the enlargement of the markets in China for the raw products and manufactures of the United States. In the meantime," says the President, there may be just ground for disquietude in view of the unrest and the revival of the old I opposition and prejudice to alien people which pervades certain Chinese provinces. The United States Minister has been instructed to secure the fullest protection, local and Imperial, for any menaced American interest, and to demand, in case of lawless injury to persons or pro- perty, instant reparation appropriate to the case. Warships have been stationed at Tientsin case of lawless injury to persons or pro- perty, instant reparation appropriate to the case. Warships have been stationed at Tientsin for the more ready observation of the disorders which have invaded even the Chinese capital, so we may be in a position to act should the need arise, while a guard of Murines has been sent to Pekin to afford our Minister the same measure of protection as the representatives of other nations have been constrained to employ." The -President ■ refers to the commercial negotiations with France and Germany, and afterwards alludes apprecia- tively to the tact and zeal with which the British representatives fulfilled their arduous task of,pro- tecting American subjects during the war. In particular he praised the work of Mr Ramsden, the British Consul at Santiago de Cuba. The President makes brief refer- ence to the negotiations with Canada, the annexation of Hawaii, the Czar's disarmament conference (in which the United States will take part), to the claims of the United States against Turkey for outrages on American subjects, and various other matters. The President authorises the Executive to correspond with the Govern- ments of the Powers with a view to securing the exemption of private property from liability to seizure in time of war. The President refers to the currency question, but makes no new recom- mendation. INCIDENTS OF THE OPENING DAY. WASHINGTON, Monday.-The scenes at the opening of Congress to-day were of the usual character. The galleries of both Houses were lcrOWded, and there was a good attendance both gf senators and representatives. Sir Julian Tauncefote, the British Ambassador, was the Diplomatic Gallery in the Senate, lie Lord llerschelI, Sir Wilfred Laurier, a -Canadian Premier), Sir Richa.rd Caxt-wright •Radian Minister of Commerce), Sir Louis vies (Canadian Minister of Fisheries), and Mr Triton (Canadian House of Commons), the Msh representatives on the Anglo-American issíon for the settlement of differences Jl'een the United States and Canada, were on Poor of the Sen-its jnst before it was formally rned. the course of tbe opening prayer the pin said—" We pray Thee that Thy blessing H with the Queen Regent of Spain And her Bon and on her nation. May Thy grace come to secure and uplift and ■nthe stricken people," House Mr Salzer, who ranks as a 5?Kt, and is a member of the Military Com- ?**iatrodnced a resolution authorising and that Committee to make an investiga- me^ the proceedings of the War Depart- conduct of the Spanish-American tLOijjWg referre(j to the Committee in qnes- ■C)\ -——

^ESTABLISHMENT. ME. WELL WILLIAMS ON THE MrNBIT CRUSADE. chief Williams, M.P., was the me* • W; a largely-attended Disestablish- jjeferrii Sheffield on Monday night. Ken ait, he said he did not attach his ^'te%tance either to his movements or coar. ki g-e Sir William Har- v?as earnestness, and sincerity, but foJ £ al"er*&d in finding that he got no betbe Was curious to know what would jaept* T outcome of Sir William's move- for the *9$^c disestablishment and wait the Church would be to way. If they disestab- jt affcexwa^ ^ey coui(j reform Pr0P° u weak, miserable specifics with the syA> va^ue> They were dealing there be 110 rather than the disease. Let a0 £ ^%tr°nage, no State support, freedom, and they believed establish6 ^Jfcie for members of the dis- good ordej, a^ preven £ confusion,-to secure °a,jt ^iniain Protestant principles ff C. Fmm%rmist Churches. The$ev. _p/.ettt encounw Hextojj referred to his w^^andS%th the Bi8hops of peter. of Chick SL ^.&nd said their Lordships %:ld would bear from bim' f^^ot like.

Tiff — m FiT.LiTJLV- CMGHTS AT ^EEF. AppXjIpISTkY MERTHYR ana Vangh^11 and Justices Chatty,; nn Monday Wl opened before them the case ol1, form of a motion in tried by f SSaMfSiK «Sa o f fhp last dW"' MKx special juxy h»vf tlw* 'Oomoilsooshtto Mr Evane Q.O., and £ T0O ^SLNS^D Sh the queS^T^-res was £ 320 wereto nay tbat the Council they ought t0 Commissioneis ^jd not miru e Lord Justice Chi^ th«. commoners annealed for in Mr wXthe Council wHmd nav for i' ^Xto & io ^kethe having to pay over against had not Completed counsel when the ennrt rose- case s's

HAVB YOU «ieoding k „ T.. a Triumph o1 the Tea „ finest .IS uperior to he so is distinctly GEOBQE Jjjch is A Braddotfs latest story. fox v0* ^MISB high places has been i Cardiff Times and ^ry by n in~ih8 ■'AT LAB0E," a NEW (J is being pahlisbed Sonth Wates Weekly ,aud J co nmns. Oae penny lon8 II

POACHING IN ROATH PARK. \V EOLE SALE ANNEXATION OF DUCKS. A RARE SWAN KILLED. It might have been supposed that the water fowl that disport themselves upo n the lake of the Roath Park, Cardiff, would be free from the depredations of poachers. This, however, is not the case, for during Tuesday night of last week poachers scaled the Park railings, and so smartly were their-plans laid and carried out that before daylight next morning they had decamped with 40 ducks -and a swan, and left no cine by which their whereabouts could be traced. When the keepers went round the late on Wednesday morning, the very agitated condition of the water fowl attracted their attention, and they discovered several dead ducks lying on the bank of the lake. A further search showed the place at which the birds, after having been destroyed, had evidently been handed by the poachers through she railings to an accomplice or accomplices outside the Park. Later in the same day the carcase of one of the rare Australian male swans was found hidden under a hedge near the lake. The Park authori- ties have up to the present kept the matter very quiet, though Mr Pettigrew, the head gardener, of course informed the police of the affair at the time. The police immediately caused inquiries to be made at all the poulterers' shops in the town as to whether any teal or widgeon had been offered for sale; but it is evident that the poachers were wary enough to dispose of their commodities in some distant place. Though there is no actual proof, it is thought highly probable that the poachers are not unconnected with some of the very large number of navvies now employed upon the Cardiff Railway Company's extension line be* tween the Corporation filter beds and Llaoisben. CHAT WITH MR PETTIGREW. On learning of the affair a representative of this journal called upon. Mr Pettigrew, hea.d gardener to the Cardiff Corporation. As a rule," said that genial official, we have about 80 teal and widgeon on the Roath Lake, though I ought to say that about this season of the year large quan- tities of wild duck come and settle down on the lake and some of them stop a good part of the winter. On Tuesday night there were the usual quantity of teal and widgeon there, but on Wednesday morning when we found some dead ones lying on the banks we had them counted and found that just half were missing. I should tell you that very often a .number of our du&ks take it into their heads to go off for a day or so, but they never stop away long and always come back. I waited a few days therefore, and Had them counted again and there are still only 40, so that it is clear that the poachers got away with the rest. The beautiful black Australian swan is one of six that we prize greatly. The act of the poachers was one of the most daring char-, acter, because it must have been a long and diffi- cult operation shooting all those ducks. The < night on which the affair happened was bright 'moonlight A KEEPER'S STORY. Subsequently our representative had a con- versation with one of the Park-keepers, who told the following story:—I live in the neighbourhood of the Cemetery, and as I was going down the hill above the Rhymney Railway Bridge to my -work about half-past 6 on Wednesday morning I heard two shots fired, but did not think much about it as there is frequently a good deal of shooting going on in the v/oods on the side of the valley above the lake. It was not till later in the day, when we found the dead ducks lying about, that it struck me that the firingl had heard must have been that of poachers. These men, to have taken all that number of birds, must have been about in the Park for hours. I suppose as the night was light they must have stalked the ducks as they lay asleep and shot them on the bank or near the edge of the lake. Very possibly they did most of their work with air guns, because if 40 or 50 shots with an ordinary rifle bad been fired off in the dead of the night someone's atten- tion must have been attracted, and none of the people in the three houses nearest the lake appear to have heard any shooting. A PREVIOUS ALARM. It is stated that a few weeks ago poachers were seen in the Park. Late one evening a cyclist coming along the road to the west of the park saw figures with lanterns close to the lake, and thinking it carious went to advise Mr Pettigrew of the fact. He, in company with the other keeper, at once proceeded jto the vicinity of the lake, but though the hunt was kept up until the early hours of the morning no trace of the poachers could be found, though it was evident from the disturbed condition of the water fowl on the lake that the cyclist's story was true.

RHONDDA AND SWANSEA BAY RAILWAY. DIVERSION OF TRAFFIC FROM THE GREAT WESTERN. There has been unusual activity in Rhondda. and, Swansea Bay Railway shares during the past week or ao, and both Ordinaries and Preferences have advanced in prices. The buying has been due to a steady improvement in the weekly traffic returns, brought about partly by a diversion of some thousands of tons of coal from the Ocean Collieries, which used to be carried over the Great Western Railway. The news has been received with the liveliest satisfaction in Swansea, as it is thought the company will pay a dividend on the Ordinary shares at its next half-yearly meeting.

SWANSEA DIVORCE SUIT. LONDON, Menday.—In the Divorce Division of the High Court of Justice to-day, application was made in reference to the hearing of the Swansea divorce suit, Jones v. Jones and Guy, which has been set down for trial by a common jury. It was stated that no further common jury cases were likely to be taken during the present term, and on the application of Mr Le Bas the case was ordered to stand over until the next sittings. SIR W. MARRIOTT AND IR HOOLEY. LEGAL PEOCEEDINGS STAYED. THE DEBTOR'S DISCHARGE. The Preas Association understands that Mr Justice Wright has stayed the action pending between Sir William Marripit and Mr E. T, Hooley upon the commission note for and is prepared to deal with any appeal which might be lodged either against its admifisionor reception hereafter should a proof be put in by fSir William Marriott. It will be remembered that the-commission note was stated by debtor to I have been in connection with the obtaining of applications for shares for £200,000 in the United Ordnance Company. The mutter came before Registrar Hope last week/^vho reported that the action should be stayed, having regard to the fact that it was aclaim capable of being proved for upon the estate: and that upon proof being put in the whole question could be dealt with, as to whether it was a probable debt or not. It is understood to be very probable that Sir William Mamott. will put in a proof looking to the fact that he is anxious to proceed with the action, MR HOOLEY'S DISCHARGE. Messrs Bayfus and Beyfus have duly lodged with Mr Brougham, official receiver, the fees, £ 20 14s, necessary to apply for a day for hearing an: application for- the order of discharge. It appears that the creditors to whom notice of application has been given number 414. In connection with: this application a document, known as O;R H-C. 205, has to be filled in. This sets out theipresent address of the bankrupt as Papworth Hall, Papworth Everaid, Cambridgeshire. It contains the heading "Estate Balance"" and then cer- tain questions to be answered by »he.debtor, the. first being What ate your present means, of livelihood?" answered by" Have nomr." The other two questions have reference to any pro- perty in possession, reversion, or remainder, or any propoot of becoming entitled to any suah :property which might be lawfully claimed by the atmstee on behaJf of the creditors, to both of which the debtor answers huthe negative. Inas- much as 28 days' notice must be given to the trustee on appointment to deal with, the dis- charge cannot be given before Christmas.

LOGAL FOOTBALLER INJURED. Whilst playing at Penygraig :intthe matah -be- tween the team-and Llwynypia on Monday afternoon, James E. Jones (21), of 91. Casfle- road, Cardiff, was accidentally kicked by an opponent and had a leg'broken. He wasta&ento the Cardiff Infirmary, and was treated by-Th-. Forbes and detained. Jones, is the full back of the.m. It seems that about a quarter of an hour .after the commencement of the game, hafnng-pot in a good luck in the homesters' territory, and Guffiths (Penygraig) having taken it, Jones attempted to chazge the latter and was kicked aMtdemtauv. He fell, and was carried off the field, but the serious- ness of his injuries was not made known to the players or the spectators until the match was over. He was immediately attended to by Dr. Llewellyn, and Dr. Morgan, who were on the field at the time, and had him removed to the Peny- graig surgery. They found that he had fractured his leg just below the knee. Jones is employed at one of the offices at the Cardiff Docks.

MUSEUM SUNDAY. Sunday was the anniversary of Museum Sunday, which was instituted by the Sunday Society in 1892. Upwards of a hundred museums, galleries, libraries, &c., supported by uaaonal or municipal funds, were open during the aror- noon, and it is, says a correspondent, estimated that upwards of40,000 viators wexe present. The following are some of the returns to British Museum, 642 Natural History Mraeum, 641: South Kensington Museum, L275; gieal Museum, 184 Hampton Court Galtenes, 569; National Museum, Dobta. LOW National Gallery, Dublin, 215.

SECRET SOCIETIES IN THE CHURCH. 1 [BY A SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR.] v.—THE ROMEWARD MOVE MENT. In Auglican Churcli apuovwoy is the order of the day. The Ritualists, breaking from the faith that has been the mainstay of England's greatness, have girded their loins and are jour- neying Romewarda to place their very heads in pitiable humility beneath the Papal foot. They who should lead are being led. Prelacy, power- less to stem the tide, if not, in fact, rejoicing greatly in its flow, is hastening Tiberwards to kiss the brazen toe of Peter. Sacerdotalism is tam- pering with the clock of progress, that has ticked half a hundred decades of civil and religious liberty. Manning and Pusey initiated the prin- ciple of CORPORATE APOSTACY; Lord Halifax and present-day Ritualists are ca.rrying on the subtle work. From the 1869 volume of the Union Review we take the follow- ing pregnant words: We have grown wiser than some of our forefathers; on questions of doctrine, of ritual, and of religious practice, such for in- stance, as the confessional, we are separated but a hairs-breadth from Rome; we no longer con- sider ourselves involved in the guilt and peril of idolatry, if, when we are abroad, we frequent the service of the Mass we prefer Notre Dame to the Little Bethels of French Pr. otestaatizm, and claim affinity with Rome or the Orientals rather than with Luther or Calvin." In 1857 an Associa- tion for the Promotion of the Unity of Christen- dom was founded. Praising the work accom- plished by this traitorous association, Cardinal Manning said, A change has visibly passed over England. Thirty years ago its attitude towards the Catholic Chureh was either intense hostility or stagnant ignorance. It is not so now." The Rev. N. Y. Birkmyre, vicar of St. Simonia, Br-istol, and a member of the Romanising Society of the Holy Cross, made the following confession We must never be content to settle down till the Church of England can say boldly, not by the mouth of two or three individuals, but by the months of the archbishops and bishops of the Church, to the sister churches: See, here we have cast out from ourselves Protestantism. People say that the Church of Greece and the Church of Rome teach one thing and the Church of Eng- land something else but if the Church of Eng- land teaches anything about the Blesaad Sacra- ment different from the others, she teaches a- lie." THE ..GILSH CHURCH UNION is working hard to bring England under Papal* dominion. The Rev. V, S. S. Coles, head of Pusey House, Oxford, and a prominent member of. the Union, in a sermon preached in 1891, said We must pray that the unspeakable mystery of the altar way be recognised as a Divine Com- mnnion, a true sacrifice, a Real Presence, i demanding a special adoration, that Holy Communion may rightly be prepared for, and to this end that there may be wider opportunities and more freqnent use of private confession; that the ancient Catholic rule of fasting Comrmmion may be better observed that the anointing of the sick may be rightly and dutifully restored; that all rites and ceremonies which witness to our Union with the rest of the Catholic Church, and the doctrines which we hold in common, may be protected and restored. These are the objects with which our society is chiefly concerned and Lord Halifax, president of the, Union, asks Is there any single instructed Christian who would not prefer Leo XIII. to the Privy Council ?" Neither the one nor the other, we would answer him, but we would disestablish and disendow the Chnrch, and make her free." On March 21.st, 1895, Lord Halifax received audience of the Pope concerning the union of the English and Roman Churches. On the: following Sunday Lord Halifax dined with Dr. Vaughan and assisted at a Mass. Despite all this traitorous dealing and |' degrading humility the Ritualists were repulsed, for the Pope issued his famous Bull declaring ANGLICAN ORDERS TO BE INVALID. The Roman Church can never change; to change is to confess fallibility. Union between the English and Roman Churches can only be accomplished by the acceptance by the Angli- cans of each and every dogma Romaniam teaches. Union means the complete undoing of the Reformation and the retrocession of England into the intellectual sloughs of Spain, Italy, and Ireland. Still would the sacerdotalists lick the hand that spurned them and work for England's subjugation. For fifteen centuries the Bible was practically indexed by the Roman priesthood, and none save priestly eyes would panr over its truths; those eyes looked, and of the truths made falsities. To-day the Bible is the bed-rock of the Christian faith, the revelation of Deity. But would the Ritualists have that continue ? Wit- ness the Rev. S. Barmg Gould The recollec- tion of these events should suffice to prove the mistake of supposing that the sacred Scriptures, without note or comment, in the hands of all are a sufficient guide to truth. The Bible thus used is not useless only, but dangerous to morality and truth." The severance of the English Church from the doctrines of debased Rome was, in the eyes of these zealots, the snapping of the ties 'twixt God and His creature, man. The opinions of these sacerdotal priests on such doctrines as Transub- stantiation, Mass, Purgatory, confession, and in- vocation of saints we ha.ve set down at length. The claim of these EXTREMIST PRIESTS to be vicegerents of God is no longer uobulous, but presumptuous, as the demands of Rome her- self. The Cowley Fathers have edited an Exposition of the Beatitudes," and in it they state That they (the priests) are peaoemakers under Him, applying the precious Blood to the .1 souls by the Sacraments for the remission of sins," and that The priest is permitted to share certain sorrows of Christ in which the layman has no part." To such an extent would ths Rev. J. L. Lyne (Father Ignatius) have the priest worshipped as the earthly manifestation of God, that he says in his Little Manual of Devotions It is a pious custom of devout Christians on seeing a monk to kneel and kiss the hem of the Sacred Habit; if done from love to Jesus and reverence to the Habit of the consecrated life a great blessing will be received." Father Ignatius was until quite recently a member of the Church of England. Tne Rev. H. D. Nihill, vicar of St. Mialiaal's, Shoreditch, affirms that We (the Ritualists) long to hear'the Divine Office ever going up to God from thousands of religious hou§ps, ana to see Fountains and Tintern and Kirkstall and other noble foundations blossoming up again all over the land," which, we opine, would suit '-degenerate Spain or accord with the deaires of the apostates of the Anglican Church. But the laity has a vox clamans that would be heard, and with effect. We have said that the Homeward Move- ment has the support oi the bishops. They have'consecrated churchcontaining Popish trappings. They have taken part in illegal cere- monies, and have yielded ready permission to use manuals containing Romish doctrines. They allow Requiem Masses and prayers for the dead to be offered in churches of the Establish- ment. They have themselves worn the in- signia of Roman bishops, and have introduced illegal ornaments into their private chapel?. Presumably, the chief defender of the Rs- formed Church in England is his Grace the ABCHBISHOP OF CANTEBBUEY. Such, forsooth, he should be, but is he ? While Bishop of London, he consecrated the Church of the Holy Redeemer, Clerkenwell, with a crucifix over the altar, Stations of the Cross hung on the walls, six vesper lights burning, and a space set apart in the body of the church as a confessional. On October 5tb, 1896, he preached at St. Colnmba'e, Haggei-ston. took part in a pro- cession headed by a cross and two lighted candles, and was censed by the Rev. D. Cameron. In 1897 complaint was made of an image of the Virgin, with candles before it, at St. Michael's, Shoreditch. Dr. Temple ignored the complaint. Peradventure he was too busily engaged in execrating the Board schools. In 1893 he gave permission to the rectorf Old St. Pancras to have a special annual celebration of the Holy Eachaost to commemorate the dead, and has ..since, while Archbishop of Canterbury, held it ito be no ecclesiastical offence to exhibit holy cbones, alleged to be those of St. Eansywyfhe, a.t Folkestone. Dr. Maclagan, Archbishop of Yoxs, has taken part in illegal services, has sanctioned payers for the dead, has defended extreme Ritualism, and affirmed that the clergy e "sacrificing priests." The Romish practices of hiding the manual act3during the prayer of consecration, making the sign of the cross, mixing the enp during the service, light service, lighting candles, and rinsing vessels and' dririkingihewineand water usedfor their-ablutions toring the service, have one and all been declared illegal by Pavy Council judgments, yet they aro cottstauy being performed in Anglican churches. The-clergy mock the bishops. The bishops scorn the law. Ihey resent interference with the_privi- legesof the Establishment, yet refuse obedience '"B68^1! laws. Such being the case, the Establishment is a mockery, for the only thjnS8 established axe lawlessness and chaos. The following STATISTICS OF RITUALISM are taken from a valuable pamphlet issued by the Church Association, entitled An Indict- ment of the Bishops." There are 461 11 episco- pally appointed incumbents, who to a greater or lesser extent are avowed Romanisers. They re- ceive in stipends YUS,356, and attend to the spiritual requirements of 1,879,787 sonls. There are 28 archdeacons, 27 canons residentiary, 44 ex- amining chaplains, and 319 honorary canons and prebendaries, all directly appointed by bishops, and distinctly Ritualistic in practice. In. the Aurfjpan Church there are no less than 8^818 Ritualistic clergymen officiating in 5,608 churches or morion churches; in 2,193 5,608 churches or mission churches; in 2,193 of these churches Romish vestments are il- legally worn in 357 incense is illegally used ¡ and in 3,120 altar lights are illegally burnt. Enormous strides Romewards have been made i during the last two decades, to witness which we quote a statistical abstract showing the j growth of Romish practices in the Church of England at home and abroad, taken from the Tourists' Church Guide Particulars. 1882.. 1898. Number of Churches 2,581 8,813 Daily Holy Eucharist '123 613 Eucharistic Vestmeuts. 335 2,026 Incense. 9 'jgi Altar lights at Holy Eucharist 581 4,334 Mixed chalice — 4 030 Eastward position 1,662 7,044 Free 1,098 3J67 Open for private prayer 1,221 4.282 In its July, 1891, number, the Irish Ecclesiastical Record has a remarkable article that makes evi- dent the rejoicing in Romanist quarters over the growth of Ritualism in England. At this hoar," it says, 5,000 Church of England clergymen are preaching from as many Pro- testant pulpits the Catholic faith, with less sus- picion and more acceptance than we can ever hope to do. We could desire no better prepara- tion for joining the Catholic Church than the Ritualists' Preparatory School, and the fact that from them we have secured the majority of our converts strengthens us m our view of it." In the keeping of an enlightened and free laity is the future. Theirs are the privilege an3 duty of reforming the Church and re-establishing Protestantism. The Ritualists, the traitors who pour water in the magazine with the enemy in face, must be compelled to conform to Anglican principles or openly pervert to Rome. The pre- lacy cannot do it, and the ia ity, aided by Dises- tablishment and Disendowment, must.

DEAN YAUGHAN MEMORIAL, There is now every prospect of the memorial to the late Dean Vaughan being worthy of that lamented man. Upwards of 1700 has been sub- scribed-the most recent donors being Mr John Cory, JE25 Dr. W. T. Edwards, £ 20 and Mr Alfred Thomas, MJP., £20, Instructions have been given to Mr, Goscombe John to prepare a model of a recumbent statue with a suitable base at a cost of iE700, and from the great interest which Mr John takes in this memorial there is every expectation that it will prove one of the most successful efforts which that rising sculptor has yet accomplished. The Daan and Chapter of Llandaff at their last meeting selected a site 'for the memorial on the north wall of the cathedral, immediately in line with the pulpit. This site is one of the best of the few remaining places, and the sculptor has expressed himself highly satisfied with it. There will be a nicbe over the memorial, for which at present no pro- vision has been made, but it is hoped that a farther contribution of JE50 will be made,in which case the niche can be very appropriately decorated, soas to make the recumbent statue look still more effective.

THE SEAMEN'S STRIKE. A QUIET DAY AT CARDIFF. LIVERPOOL MEN OUT. The seamen and firemen's agitation took a vciy quiet turn at Cardiff on Monday. The Oakfield, a local boat, signed on eight men at 30s per week. These formed part of the old crew, and they were desirous of going with the same captain again. The Trefusis, another local boat, offered £3 15s and L4 per month without attracting men. Other boats are holding over as they are not in a great hurry to go to sea. The owners of the Racine, after keeping the Board of Trade officer on board about seven hours on Saturday evening, paid the four men required 32s 8d, the full Union rate. On Monday afternoon the Trefusis signed on on board, the seamen being paid C3 15s and the firemen JE4. The Clieveden signed or. nI::o :ian vs at 30s in the Shipping Office. The signing on of the Bramnpm has psst- pon<>d until to-day (Tuesday). POSITION AT NEWPORT. The s.s. John Adanason, of Sunderland, obtained a crew readily on Monday at Newport, giving the maximum of 32s on a weekly hiring. The s.s. Excelsior also promptly obtained a crew at E4 10s all round on the monthly hiring. The officials of the Seamen's Union are gratified at the success of-their efforts so far to increase the wages of seamen. SWANSEA. A meeting of seamen wgs held at Swansea on Monday, when it was agreed that the men should stand loyal to the demand of X5 a month for firemen, 14 15s for sailors for Western ports, and for Mediterranean ports JE4 10s to JM 15s. Mr Battye, the seamen's secretary, explained the reasons for convening the meeting. He said that the outlook, as far as the Union was concerned, was most hopeful. It was stated that on the 22lld November men were engaged at Swansea for the s.s. Sinclair. They went to Pembrey, end there met the captain, wno, it was said: expressed his satisfaction at meeting the men, and gave money for them to get some refreshment. Whilst they were about 15 minnteil at a public-bouse spend- ing the money the vessel went out, taking the men's clothes, etc., and the men had to get back to Swansea aa best they could. This matter has been referred to the Union solicitor. LIVERPOOL MEN CALLED OUT The Union brought out their men on Monday at the Northern Docks, Liverpool, in conse- quence of their demand not being conceded. The firemen, who are in a good financial position apparently, are most determined. They demand X5 per month for North Atlantic steamen, and ..£4 in other steamship trades. Channel steamer firemen demand 30s per week exclusive of rations. The men allege all their demands have been ignored, except by the Allan and Dominion Companies, whilst the firemen ;ia. other ports of the United Kingdom have had the concessions granted. MR J. H. WILSON'S DEMANDS. Addressing a mass meeting of seamen at South Shields on Monday Mr J. H. Wilson, M.P., said they wanted a Conciliation Board, and if the ship- owners did not agree to the same by the 16tb inst. they would go in for £6 a month, and 35s on weekly boats. A resolution to this effect was put to the meeting and carried unanimously.

->. SOUTH WALES COAL TR MT>E. MABON'S DAY. ASSOCIATED COLLIERIES AT WORK. All the associated collieries in the Aberdare Valley worked on Monday as usual, but of the non- associated collieries only one-the Werfa, owned by Messrs Evens and Co.—worked, the whole of the others being idle. All the collieries in the Rhondda Valley worked with the exception of Fernhill. Aber- gorky, Bodxingallt, one of the Llwynypia pits, Clydach Vale, and Blaenclydach, but these six collieries were at a standstill owing to want of wagons. The holiday has been therefore totally abolished. A general holiday was observed by the colliery workmen of the Caerphilly district and the men of the surrounding neighbourhood. The workmen of the mid and upper part of the Rhymney Valley have abandoned the monthly holiday, and operations were carried on as usyai, with the exception of those collieries that were idle in consequence of stop wagons. Mabon's Day was widely observed by the men engaged at the collieries in the upper part of the 'Swansea Valley. Among those may be named the Primrose, PwllBach, Wern Ddu, and Wauny- coed. These are non-associated "collieries. The men held their usual Mabon's Day meeting at the Rock Inn, Alltwen, over which Mr T. W. Lewis presided. It was decided to nominate Mr John Williams, miners' agent, as candidate for the position of president to the general organisa- tion. A matter under the Compensation Act received attention, a contractor contending non- liability. It was decided to have the matter fully investigated, and if need be take legal proceed- ings. Satisfaction was expressed at the termina- tion of Cae Due strike, and it was determined to pay the levy of 6d per man, notwithstanding that work was to be resumed:to-day at the colliery. The colliery workmen in Merthyr, Dowlais, [.and neighbourhood went to work as usual. PROPOSED HOUSE COAL DISTRICT FOR THE RHONDDA. At a general meeting at the Central Coffee Tavern, Porth, on Monday of delegates repre- senting Coedcae, Aber Rhondda, Penygraig. Glyn, and other house coal collieries, it was decided that the present was a very favourable oppor- tunity to resuscitate the old Rhondda House Coal District Union, and to form it into a district of the South Wales Miners' Association. It was therefore resolved to issue a manifesto, and, call for a general conference of all house coal colliers interested in the matter throughout the Rhondda and surrounding districts.

CONSOLIDATION OF RATES. DISCUSSION BY LLANELLY COUNCIL. At,the County Gouncil meeting, on Monday, a motion standing in the name of Mr Maybery' was, in that gentleman's absence, moved by Mr J. A. Williams, as follows —" That this Council is of opinion that in view of preventing unneces- sary complication, trouble and expense, it 19 expedient that all local rates should be consoli- dated for purposes of assessment and collection, and respectfully urges upon the Local Govern- ment Board the necessity of introducing in the next Session of Parliament a Bill to affect this object so far as England and Wales are concerned." Mr Williams stated that it followed upon the recent decision of the Council to apply to the Local Government Board for power of appointing overseers and resolving the appointment of assistant overseers, a course wmch had been adopted by many towns in Eng- land and Wales. The new Act for the Local Government of Ireland embodied and brought about, so far as Ireland was concerned, consolida- tion of the local rates. Mr Thomas seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

i MISS JENNER IN THE LAW COURTS. LONDON, Monday.—In the Probate Division to- day (before Air. Justice Barnes) Miss Gertrude Jenner, who described herself as being interested in the Wenvoe Castle estate, Glamorganshire, asked tho Court ex parte to enable her to take means for the revocation of the will of her eldest brother, Captain Robert Francis Lascelles Jenner. Mr Justice Barnes informed the appli- cant that she must give proper notice for the motion, aud on this the application will be ad- joumed until next Monday. j

COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR CASTLE, Monday. The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon, attended by Lady Elphinstone and the Hon. Mrs Grant. The Very Rev. Dean of Windsor and Hon. Mrs Eliot, Lady Elphinstone, and Rev. H. J. I Ellison, M.A., vicar of Windsor, had the honoar of dining with their Majesties the Queen and Empress Frederick. The Queen a.nd Empress Frederick went out this morning, and were joined at Frogmore by the Countess of Lytton. Lady Elphinstone has left the Castle. The Lord Lieutenant arrived at Chelssa Houisa on Monday from Dublin. Mr Chamberlain arrived at Euston from Bir- mingham on Monday morning and returned in the evening. Lord Rosebery left King's Cross cn Monday morning for Dalmeny. The Pall Mall Gazette, understands that there is considerable probability that Mr Conyingham Green, her Majesty's agent at Pretoria, will. for purely family reasons, request to be relieved from his appointment in South Africa. This resolve is mainly due to the fact that the climate of Pre- toria is not suited to Lady Lily Greene's health, and she has had to leave there in consequence. We are officially informed the Queen has approved the appointment of Major-General M. Protheroe, Indian Staff Corns, to command the first-class district in India. The Prince of Wales came to London on Mon- day for the cattle show, and will return to Sandringham on Wednesday in company with the Empress Frederick.

CABINET COUNCIL. Another stage in the preparation of the Govern- ment's legislative programme for the approaching Parliamentary Session was completed on Monday when the Cabinet met at the Foreign Office under the presidency of Lord Salisbury. Practically all the Ministers were out of town when the meet- ing was called, but every one managed to be present with the exception of the Secretary of State for India, who had an engagement At Glasgow. The Council lasted for two hours.

NEWS IN BRIEF. Mr Fred Ma.cca.be, ventriloquist and society enteataine r, is now an inmate of Ormskirk Work- house. The number of British vessels wrecked during November was 62, causing the loss of 77 lives. Dr. J. J. Plowman, lessee of the Prince of Wales's Theatre, Southampton, died at his resid- ence there on Friday. He was well-known m the profession, and was about 60 years of age. Professor Marshall Hall has withdrawn his resignation of the Chair of Music at Melbourne University, and the council has decided to allow him to continue to occupy the post till the end of next year, when his term expires. The body of a man, apparently about40 years of age, was washed ashore at Hythe, it having pro- bably been in the water about 10 days. A silver watch in one of the pockets bad the name of Rills" scratched on the cover. At Clerkenwell Police Court Algernon Croombe, publisher, of Upper-street, Islington, was com- mitted for trial charged with having obtained books and binding on credit within four months of the presentation of a bankruptcy petition against him. The High Sheriff of Derbyshire has fixed Wednesday, December 21, as the date of the exe- cntion of John Cation, bargeman, now lying under sentence of death in Derby Gaol for the murder of his wife at Bugsworth by fracturing her skull with a poker. The Board of Trade has intimated to the London Trades Council and Reform Union that they will hold this week public inquiries into the need and demand for workmen's trains in the districts of Bromiey, Dulwich, Croydcn, Wood Green, and North London. At Sevenoaks on Monday Geo. Henry Boakes was charged with murdermg Bessie Elizabeth Lawrence at Riverhead, near Sevenoaks, on November 12th. Boakes afterwaris attempted to take his own life, and for some time was in a precarious condition. He was remanded. At noon on Saturday a little girl named Ida Brownhill, who lived with her parents at 145, Greengate, Salford, was run over by a butcher's cart in Chapel-street, Salford. She was taken to the Royal Hospital, but died before arrival there, The 3rd of October was appointed by the New South Wales Government as a day of humilia- tion and prayer for rain. But two or three daya before there were splendid rainfalls in the colony and in many of the churches the day of humilia- tion was turned into one of thanksgiving. At Liverpool Assizes on Saturday Justice Phillimore sentenced Robert Kewley to 12 months' hard labour for robbery with violence. Prisoner gave evidence on his own behalf, which his Lordship characterised as perjury, and was in doubt whether he should not be tried and punished for it. Mr J. J. Stockhall, Parliamentary agent to the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, has stated, in the course of an interview with a Press repre- sentative, that be and a majority of the Odd- fellows are opposed to the State half-crown which Mr Chamberlain would advance for every half- crown a man has saved. A fearful accident happened at the London and North-Western Railway Works at Crewe on Saturday morning. Joseph Cross, a foreman, of West-street, employed in the steel making department, was passing between two waggons when they were set in motion, and he WM caught between the buffers and crashed to death. At the instance of the London County Council five summonses were granted by the magistrate at West London Police Court against Mr E. G. Saunders for keeping open the Coronet Theatre on specified dates without a licence, and without obtaining a certificate that the means of escape from fire were those which were required. A mutilated body found outside St. Helen's Station has been identified as that of Alfred Flaherty, labourer, an intimate companion of the man whose body was found a week ago. Since then he had been low-spirited. He took tc drinking, and was discharged from work a. few days ago. He was last seen alive on Friday night. At Livelpoot Assizes on Monday (before Justice Phillimore) Alexander White McLean, formerly a corporal in the Gordon Highlanders, was sen- tenced to 12 months' impriso nment for bigamy, The prisoner said he believed he could legally marry a second time by the Scotch law, as he had been separated from his wife for over seven years. His Lordship said this was an entirely incorrect notion, and if the prisoner had not firmly believed it he would have punished him more severely. An interesting case was heard at Stockton on Monday. Last week a fanner named Bell was sum- moned for alleged adulteration of milk by 11 per cent. of added water, and upon expert evidence being given the hearing was adjourned. A sample was taken from Mr Bell's herd in the pre- sence of both parties, and now this was pre- sented, It showed an apparent adulteration 01 eight per cent., whereupon the Bench dismissed the case. The Corporation gave notice of appeal.

— NAVAL ITEMS. Captain Henry D. Barry paid off her Majesty's cruiser Astrosa at Devonport cn Monday after three years' service on the Mediterranean station. The crew have been granted the usual foreign service leave. Her Majesty's cruiser Blake, recently detached from the Channel squadron owing to machinerv defects, was paid off at Devonport on Monday morning by Captain Winsloe, who will to-day (Tuesday) commission the new first-class cruiser Niobe with the same officers and errw to repl"e the Blake.

It is not generally known tha.t the reason hair curls when wound on a hot iron is that the moisture on the side next the iron being evapo- rated by the heat, the cells in that part approach each other more closely, and the shrinking of one mide causes a bend or curve. Truth is stranger than fiction to most people, probably because they don.t care for an introduc- tion. FOR ATHLETES AND ALL OTHERS interested in athletics, cycling, golf, tennis, riding, sparring, or any other sport, a bath with Cuncniu SoAP is one of the luxuries of modern civilisation. It cleanses, purifies, and beautifies the skin, scalp, and hair, soothes aad graventa 'chafing, itching, irritation, and inflammation, and when followed by a gentle anointing with CUTICDEA, purest and sweetest of emollients proves most grateful in relieving and strengthen, ing tired, lamed, strained, and painful muscles.