The Brecon Radnor Express Carmarthen and Swansea Valley Gazette and Brynmawr District Advertiser

The Politics of 1914. I Just as, for generations to come, 1914 will be I remembered as the year in which the great Euro- pean War bioke out, so any revww of the year's e\ ents divides itself into two most sharply defined periods-before and after the declaration of hos- tilities. If there had been no international crisis, 1914 would have been still a very notable year. The fact that in it the term had been completed which was necessary, under the Parliament Act, fci the measures of Home Rule and Welsh Dises- tablishment to be placed automatically on the Statute Book, would alone have given to the past year no slight political significance. If it had net been for the suspension of normal Parliamen- tary work, the foundation might have been laid in a Revenue Bill-technical reasons prevented this from being done in the proposed Part IV. of the Finance Bill-for a most important reform in local finance. A measure of educational reform, outlined in the previous year by Mr J. A. Pease, could not even be introduced, but there would not have been time available for this, even if no war had intervened. Ulster Incidents." Right up to the very eve of the war the Irish question occupied the public mind in this coun- try. with keen controversies and exciting inci- dents. In March, General Paget, commanding the forces in Ireland, informed the War Office, by telegram, that Brigadier-General Gough and 57 officers of the Third Calvary Brigade "pre- ferred to accept dismissal if ordered North." In- formation had been received that four military de- pots in Ulster were insufficiently guarded, and it was deemed advisable to take special precautions for safeguarding them. General Paget had call- ed a meeting of divisional generals and brigadier- generals, because for certain reasons "he felt that the time had come when he must ascertain upon what general officers and others he might rely." General Paget's remarks were misunderstood, and General Gough sought assurances from the War Office that those under his command would not be used "in the event of the Home Rule Bill becoming law to enforr" it on Ul- ster." In giving such assurances, ( uel Seely failed to realise that their effect, tailti in con- junction with the questions in General Gough's letter, would be a bargain between the State and an officer as to the officer's duty in certain cir- cumstances. Consequently, Colonel Seely retired fiom the War Office. The crisis was closed by Mr Asquith's assumption of the office of Secretary of State for War, and the issue of a "Special Order" which laid down (1) that no officer or soldier should be questioned in future by his commander as to his attitude under hypothetical circumstan- ces (2) that an officer or soldier should not be allowed to ask for assurances as to orders which he might be required to obey; (3) that it is the duty of every officer and soldier to obey all law- ful commands given through the proper channels. Shortly after the trouble at the Curragh, the Ulster Volunteers effected a gun-running coup at Larne, in County Antrim, and at two points on the coast of County Down. The coup was car- ried out by means whZ&li involved the coercion of Government servants and "a grave and unpre- cedented outrage" on the authority of the law. Mr Bonar Law confessed in the House of Com- mons that "it was, of course, illegal." Sir Ed- ward Carson declared that he took full respon- sibility. Dublin Gun-Running. I As a reply to the embodiment of Sir Edward Carson's Volunteers, a large force of National Volunteers was enrolled. The Ulster gun-run- ning corps were reproduced by a body of Nation- alist Volunteers. They were stopped by a force of police and two companies of Regulars; an at- tempt to take the rifles led to a scuffle, and the soldiers, on their return to Dublin, after being pelted with bottles by an angry crowd, fired with fatal effect. A Royal Commission reported that the employment of the police and military was not in accordance with law: that the responsibility rested with the Assistant Commissioner, though General Cuthbert's compliance was wrong, and that there was no case for military intervention. It is not improbable that incidents such as those briefly recorded above,'together with much of the linguage employed in the Ulster agitation, per- suaded the German Government that Great Brit- ain was too gravely embarrassed "by internal dis- sensions to be able to offer any check to German aggression on the Continent. But the German Government was soon to learn that, however Britons may quarrel among themselves, they are immediately of one mind in repelling the threats of a foreign foe. Seeking a Basis of Agreement. I Though the Government have always regarded the Home Rule Bill "as an attempt," at once sincere and considerate, to base on a solid foun- dation the fabric of Irish self-government," they were anxious, if it were possible without any sac- rifice of principle, to conciliate Ulster prejudices. They proposed to make this endeavour by the of- fer of provisional exclusion, for those counties of Ulster which might elect for it by a process of local option, for a period of six years. The Lords amended the Government Amendment in so dras- tic a fashion that the House of Commons could only refuse to consider the mutilations and ex- crescences which they had inflicted on the Bill. His Majesty then attempted to provide a way out of the deadlock by calling a Conference in which representatives of the Government, Opposition, Nationalists, and Ulstermen might seek for a basis of agreement. The failure of the Confer- ence was announced in laconic terms by the Speaker, who presided over its four meetings "The possibility of defining an area to be excluded from the operation of the Government of Ireland was considered. "The Conference being* unable to agree, either in principle or in detail, upon such an area, brought its meetings to a conclusion." We are One Nation." I After the European War had brought about a truce in domestic controversies, the Government placed a short Act on the Statute Book to sus- pend the operation of the Government of Ireland and the Welsh Church Acts for a period of twelve months from their passing, or. if at the end- of twelve months the War has not ended, until such later date (not later than the end of the War) as may be fixed by Order in Council. The Parlia- mentary correspondent of the Observer," a pro- minent Unionist organ, had previously suggested that such a measure would be a fair and proper so- lution. The- Suspensory Act became law on the same day (September 19th) on which the Royal Assent was given to the two "Parliament Act" Bills which it suspends-the Home Rule and Welsh Disestablishment Bills. A remarkable scene closed this remarkable Session. As the Of- ficial Report records, "all the Members present joined in singing the National Anthem." When a Member exclaimed, "God save Ireland!" Mr John Redmond, the leader of the Irish Party, re- plied, "And God save England, too!" The com- ir. ent which Mr F. E. Smith made upon this in Tory Liverpool, three days later, ought not to be forgotten. He said "We are one nation, and I care nothing for the ripple on the waters. A week ago we re- legated it, if it should ever be raised again, to a time when the War is over. When the cry was raised in the House, 'God save Ire- land,' Mr Redmond shouted, 'God save Eng- I land.' It will take a great deal to make some I of us forget that." 1 The Compact and the Price. I In an historic statement made by Sir Edward Grey, on August 3rd, the country was first appris- ed of the forces and events which had brought us to the brink of a European war. The violation of Belgian neutrality by Germany left us no choice but to take up arms against the aggressor or for- feit all ".df-respect. The German Chancellor ex- pressed i-is astonishment that we should go to war just for a word—'neutrality,' a word which in war-time had so often been disregarded—just for a scrap of paper." When our Ambassador de- clared that our solemn compact simply had to be kept, or what confidence could any one have in engagements given by Great Britain in the fnture?—th^ threatening reply was "But at what price will that compact .have been kept? Has the British Government thought of that?" In the Reichstag the Imperial Chancellor made co attempt to deny the moral wrong which Ger- many was committing. He used nothing but the tyrant's plea of necessity. Germany must "hack her way through." The utter unscrupulousness witfi which Germany addressed herself to this task-the ruthless war waged upon non-combat- ants, with no regard to age or sex; the wanton de- struction of seats of learning and shrines of relig- ion; the atrocities deliberately organised to create terror-soon revolted the moral consciousness of I the whole world. Deliberately Planned. I Time has brought to light more ample proofs of the fixed and deliberate purposefulness with which Germany planned, prepared, and brought about the welter of bloodshed into which Europe has been cast. In a manifesto by which she hop- ed to enlist the sympathy of neutral nations, she actually proclaimed that she knew that the fateful step upon which Austria-Hungary ventured with her encouragement was calculated to provoke a European war, and that she joyfully associated herself in it with her ally. In the French Yel- low Book there is recorded a remarkable conver- sation between the Kaiser and Count von Moltke, Chief of the Imperial Staff., on the one side, and the King of the Belgians on the other. In this conversation, a year before war broke out, the Kaiser announced that war with France was in- evitable. "Your Majesty," Wount von Moltke said to King Albert, "has no idea of the irresis- tible enthusiasm which will sweep over Germany on that day." We know, too, now, that Aus- tria contemplated a year ago firing the train of international conflagration, and was warned by her ally, Italy, that she would have no part or lot in the matter. At Cardiff, Mr Asquith disclosed the extraordinary proposals which Germany had made to this country in 1912, presuming upon our earnest desire for good relations. Mr Asquith told us t "They asked us to pledge ourselves absolute- ly to neutrality in the event of Germany being engaged in war-and this, mind you, at a time when Germany was enormously increasing both her aggressive and defensive resources, and es- pecially upon the sea. They asked us for a free hand, so far as we were concerned, if and when they selected the opportunity to over- bear, to dominate the European world. To such a demand but one answer was possible, and that was the answer we gave." Progress Step by Step." I No attempt can be made here to sketch the progress of the Great War, or describe the un- paralleled feats of our soldiers in the field. Step b/ step the German armies are being forced back upon their own frontiers. Her plan of flinging enormous masses against the advancing enemy— now on the Western, now on the Eastern side— has never achieved any decisive success, and is only hastening the inevitable moment of exhaust- ion and collapse. The German mercantile fleet, of which she was so inordinately proud, is shut out from the seas. In the Bight of Heligoland and off the Falkland Isles she has had an earnest of the crushing blow which her main Fleet must suffer if, and when, it ventures out of the Kiel Canal. In the air our air-fleet has proved itself superior :n both daring and skill, though we do not aim our attacks at undefended towns and women and children. The Internal Effects of the War. I To a civilised nation at war, the organisation of finance, industry, and commerce is not less a condition of success than armaments on land and sea. It would be too long even barely to enumer- ate the steps which the Government have taken fo. minimising the disturbance caused by the war to the normal life of the communi ty. It will be sufficient to mention the provisions made for grappling with the difficulties of currency and cre- dit, the enormous War Loan which was over- subscribed, the assumption of eighty per cent on war-risks upon ships and cargo, and the huge pur- chase of sugar, which allows of its sale at moder- ate prices for purposes both of food and industry. Some hardships to the community are inevitable, and a dislocation and shrinkage of trade were bound to be caused by a war which affects direct- ly the larger part of the civilised world. But no one could have anticipated, in the wildest moods of optimism, that after five months of such a war, Great Britain would be showing such slight traces of the strain. When the Sword will be Sheathed. I As we look into the future, we can read with in uncertainty the spirit and purpose which will lead the Allies to the only possible goal. Retro- spect and prospect cannot better be summed up than in two notable utterances, one by the French Premier in the Chamber of Deputies, on Decem- ber 23rd, the other by our own Prime Minister at the Guildhall, on November 9th. M. Viviani said "France will not lay down her arms until she has avenged outraged right, regained for ever the provinces torn from her by force, restored to outraged Belgium the fulness of her material prosperity and her political independence, and broken Prussian militarism, so that on the basis of justice she may rebuild a regenerated Europe." M:' Asquith said "Great Britain will never sheathe the sword until Belgium receives in full measure all, and more than all, that she has sacrificed, until France is adequately secured against the men- ace of aggression, until the rights of the smaller nationalities of Europe are placed upon an un- assailable foundation, and until the militar domination of Prussia is wholly and finally dc etroyed. It may be a longer or a shorter time before this consummation is attained, but we can admit no doubt of the final attainment of that for which uie British Empire is prepared to spend its utmost re- sources to the last man and the last penny.

Marriage at Llyswen. I The marriage took place at the Parish Church, Llyswen, on Boxing Day, of Mr J. T. Reed, eon of Mr G. Reed, Birmingham, and Miss Lilian Eastmond, eldest daughter of Mrs Eastmond, Llangoed, Llyswen. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. W. Ll. Crichton. The bride was given away by her brother, Mr G. Eastmond, and was attired in silver grey with hat to match, and orange blossom. She was attended by two brides- maids, Miss Edith Eastmond (sister to bride), and Miss Budgen, London icousin), who wore dresses of light grey trimmed with scotch plaid. The bridegroom was accompanied by Mr Eastmond, who performed the duties of best man. After the ceremony a reception was held at the bride's home. Later Mr and Mrs J. T. Reed left for Talgarth, their future residence. A number of useful presents were given to both bride and bridegroom. Through the kindness of Mr D. Evans, Liverpool Stores, Talgarth, the wedding party were driven to church by motor-car.

_,a iw lior AIr jr <????? FOOD FFOOD fo r ??s? ? ?*?y Delicate Infants. /?T\???k When infants ? are weakly from birth or through illness the digestive strength is naturally sub-normal, and as there is failure to extract full nourish- ment from ordinary food, malnutrition results. Benger's Food is especially recommended for developing delicate infants into strong robust children. iTtFUCt it told by Chemists, tie., tvtrywhtrt. BenWs bwklet-A little work of authority on 41 feeding f I.faiits. Invalids. =d the Aged, will be sent post free on application to: BENGERSFOOD,Ltd.,M&nchMter.Baz. Brmmch OA-NLRW YORK (U.S.A.) pt. William Street, SYDNEY (N.S.W.) 117. Pitt Street. CnuAn^nicr-jitfnttl Drat < obo=f=l 0&, UL, M, H, 8tMd Ikwt, UwJ. -d Bcaacbes ttxaot?oatCttn?d*. ? ???.??.?M??

BUILTH TERRITORIALS I TO RECEIVE GIFTS. I SUCCESSFUL CONVERSAZIONE. I Builth's young people are to be congratulated on arranging a patriotic conversazione, which took place in the Drill Hall, Builth Wells, on Wednes- day. The object of the event was to secure funds for the purchase of gifts for Builth men now serv- ing with the Breconshire Territorial Force at Aden. Over 250 people attended, and the effort culmin- ated in a great success Mr R. T. Roberts presided at the entertain- ment, when a excellent programme was provided by the Builth Amateur Pierrot Troupe, and other local artistes. The troupe appeared on the stage in character, and delighted the company with their songs. Mrs J. M. Smiles, who was attired in the dress of an Irishman, fairly brought the "house down" with her song, "It's a long way to Tipperary." Miss Eva Handley took the r61e of the "Girl he left behind him. Piano-accom- paniments were played by Mrs J. Stephens. Appended is the programme :—Overture, "The Belgian National Anthem," Mrs J. Stephens; chorus, "Be proud that you are fighting for dear old England," the troupe; solo, "There's an easy, breezy way about a sailor," Mr J. M. Smi)es; breezy "When I lost you," Miss M. Vest; ?ig, son g "Where did you get that girl?" Miss E. Da .cs; song, "God bless our England," Miss F. biraf- fen; song, "Under the British Flag," Master G. Bradley; song, "I was a good little girl," Miss M. Da vies; song, "Songs and operas in Rag- time," Miss A. Clarke; song, "Moon Light Bay," Mr G. Caviel; song, "For home and glory," Mr Jas. Prothero; song, "A soldier and a man," Mr J. D. Harper; song, "It's a long way to Tipper- ary," Mrs J. M. Smiles; song, "P.C. 49," Mr F. S. Sparkes; and anthem, "Rule Britannia," Mas- G. Bradley and troupe. Later, a whist-drive was held, and resulted as follows Ladies 1 (given by Mr Evan Vaughan), Miss L. Evans (92); 2 (given by Mr Wallace Jones), Miss M. Jones, Builth Road (91); and consolation (given by Mr Howard H. Lewis), Miss Wolfe. Gentlemen 1 (given by Mr J. Evans, Bridge street), Mr W. Davies (VO); 2 (given by Mr J. H. Probert), Mr E. L. Jones U:i9): and consolation (given by Mr C. Pritchard), Mr C. Williams. The duties of M.C. were dis- charged by Mr Evan Vaughan. Refreshments were, at an interval, handed round by members of the ladies' and gentlemen's committees. Ladies, who attended to tea-mak- ing, cutting up, &c., were Misses F. Bradley, M. James (Lansdowne), E. Handley, L. Hughes, Alice and Annie Davies, and M. Davies and Mrs J. M. Smiles. Dancing was indulged in, and kept up with spirit till 3 a.m. Mr Evan Vaughan, Mr W. W. Lennard, and Mr W. R. Whislay acted as M.C. s, an the accompanists weie Misses Gertie and Eva Jones, F. Stone and J. Cheyne, Mr Michael Van- nitsen and Mr E. T. Jones (Builth Road). The following were members of the committees, viz., Ladies' Mrs J. M. Smiles, Miss E. H4nd- ley, Misses Annie and Alice Davies, Mnf J. Stephens, Miss M. James (Lansdowne), Miss L. Hughes, Miss M. Davies, Miss E. Jones, and Misses M. and G. Cheyne; gentlemen's Mr R. T. Roberts (chairman), Mr J. T. Catley (vice- chairman), and Messrs. R. Jones, F. Turner, P. Jones, C. James, S. Stanton, W. R. Whislay, E. T. Probert, G. Horsey, J. D. Harper and C. Prit- chard (hon.-secretaries), and E. Jones, Oaklands (treasurer). The pierrot troupe comprised Messrs. E. Dav- ies, G. Caviel. J. M. Smiles, G. Bradley, and F. Sparkes, and Misses E. Handley, L. Hughes, M. Davies, A- Clarke, M. Vest and F. Straffen. Mr W. R. Whislay carried out the duties of stage- manager, and Mr J. D. Harper was conductor. Subscriptions, amounting to 21/6, were contri- buted by the gentry of the surrounding neigh- bourhood, and some of the inhabitants of the town, instead of giving in kind, sent subscrip- tions to the value of X3 15s. A quantity of pro- visions was also generously supplied by residents of Builth Wells. The committee anticipate forwarding a packet to the value of 3s to each Territorial. Belgian refugees were provided with complimen- tary tickets. The hall was appropriately adorned with the flags of the Allies. Members of the committee wish to thank all who contributed to the success of the event, whether by gifts or otherwise.

ABEREDW'S OLD YEAR EVENT. I TEA AND ENTERTAINMENT. I Under the auspices of the Aberedw Congrega- tional Church, the annual tea and entertainment were held on Wednesday. Tea was provided in the chapel, when a large number sat down at the tables, which were presided over by Mrs Price (White House) and Miss Jones (Trevaughan), as- sisted by Mrs T. Handley, Miss Hammond, Miss Havard, Miss M. Powell and others. Mrs Roderick, Mrs Powell (Blaenmilo), and Mrs Stephens also helped in various ways. Mr T. Davies, J.P., C.C. (Vronolau) took the chair at the subsequent entertainment, when the chapel was well filled. Contributors, to a lengthy programme, were :—Recitations, Master Vaughan Hope, Misses J. Handley, E. Stephens and C. Jones, and Mr L. Davies (Builth); dialogues, Misses J. Handley and L. Morris, and Mrs T. Handley and party; songs, Miss P. Thomas, Miss Webb, Mr W. J. Williams (Builth Wells), and Mr S. Davies (Builth Wells); duets, Messrs. S. Davies and W. J. Williams, and Miss Webb and Miss Powell. Hymn-tunes were sung by the chil- dren's choir, and an anthem, part-song, and' glee by the choir. Mr F. Davies (Builth Wells) conducted both choirs. All the items were appreciated, and several artistes were requested to appear a second time. Mies G. Jones and Mr J. Lloyd discharged the duties of accompanist. On the proposition of Rev. W. Roderick (pastor), seconded by Mr W. Jones (Hendre), a hearty vote of thanks was ac- corded all who rendered any service towards the event's success. The proceeds, amounting to a substantial sum, were on behalf of the church funds.

Christmas at Sennybridge. SUCCESSFUL CONCERT. Under the auspices of Brychgoe Church, a very successful concert was held in 11 the schoolroom on Christmas night. The weather proved to be fav- ourable and the place was packed. The chair was ably taken by the pastor (Rev. R. Williams), who gave a very appropriate address. The pro giamme was a long one, and evcrv item was well done. Miss Williams and Mr Gwilym Williams (P^nybryn) acted as accompanists. Miss Ceinwen Price (Cefngof), the well-known soprano, was en- gaged for the event, and her singing was of a very high order. Mr David Thomas (Tynewydd) tcok the lead in the singing of the Welsh Natioial Anthem at the close. The following took part Pianoforte solos, Miss Williams (Penbrvn) and Miss Williams (Blaenbrvnich); solos, Miss Wil- liams (Penbryn), Miss Ceinwen Price, Miss Mor- gan (Blaensenny), Miss Spacey, Mr Howell Stephens and Mr John Brown; duet, Miss Mor- gan and Mr H. Stephens: quartette, Miss Mor- gan, Mrs Jones (Cellie), Mr H. Stephens, and Mr N. Stephens; and recitations, Miss Williams, (Garnlwyd), Misses Hary Gwen, Margaret, and Jennet Evans (Liwynon), Miss Gwladys Thomas Masters Ivor and Dd. John Evans (Llwynon), Morgan Walters and Tomas Evans.

Queen's Work for Women Fund. I SHILLING APPEAL TOTAL. I Mrs C. Arthur Pearson, hon. treasurer, and Lady Roxburgh, hon. secretary, of the Queen's "Work for Women" Fund, announce that their special Christmas time appeal for shillings, to provide women with work, has produced the splendid total of one hundred and sixty seven thousand, four hundred and forty six shillings, equivalent to R8372 6s. Mrs Pearson and Lady Roxburgh desire to thank all those who have so generously responded to the appeal. They regard the total realised as exceedingly gratifying, not only as evidence of the confidence of the public in the practical nature of the measures of help which are being carried out. but also as a guarantee of the popularity and prosperity of the fund in the future." b611

WALTER GWILLIM, M.P.S., (LATE CHAELES), STORE PHARMACIST, Medical Hall, Brecon. TEL. No. 50. MY MESSAGE. Cold Feet mean Sleepless Hours, Chilblains, Rheuma- tism, and so on. Get a nice Hot Water Bottle and protect your health-reduced prices now range from 1/3 to 7/6. An excellent New Year's Gift for the Invalid from your Pharmacist,    iJJ. MO

1- SOLDIERS' CHRISTMAS. I 1st HEREFORDSHIRE'S ENJOY FIRST CLASS DINNER. I ABERYSTWYTH CHRISTMAS PARCELS. Thanks to three generous and energetic ladies, and to those generous people who have responded to their joint appeal, the men of the 1st Here- fordshire Regiment, now in training near Bury St. Edmunds, in Suffolk, were able to enjoy a first rate Christmas dinner. The full total re- ceived was over X250, which was amply sufficient for a good two-course dinner with extras. The following arc the additional subscriptions received towards the fund Received by Mr Drage, The Rhodd, Pres- teign.-Dr. Dryland, 10/6; Mr Nicholls, 10/ Mr Hastings, 5/ Knill household, 15(-; Mr J. Mere- dith, 2/6; Mr George Thomas (Kington), 2/6; Mr Chaiiner, ztl; -Air H. C. Channer, £1; Mr H. C. Moffatt, t2; Mr Isaac Marshall, je3; Lieut.-Colonel Clowes, £ 2; Mrs Clowes, X2; Mrs J. Arams, 2/6; collected by Mrs Sale, £19s 6d; Miss A. A. Wood, k2 2s; Mr Montgomery Campbell, tl; -%Ir S. H. Romilly, 10/ Mr J. Luther Greenway, t2; Miss Barker, £ L 10s; Mrs Barker, £ 1 10s; Miss Kerr, 10/ Mrs Gwyer, C2; Mr Ivussell, 10/6; Mr Jackson, 10/ Mr Alfred Jones, 2/6; Mr John Davies (Pontrilas), 2/6; total, X26 5s; Already acknow- ledged, X-55 2B; total, R81 7s. Collected by Lady Croft.—Mrs Benn, £ 5; Mrs Yeo, £ 5; Mrs Clive, £ 5; Major-General Sir El- liott Wood, K.C.B., £ 2 2s; Mrs Burney, X2 2s; Household Brockhampton Court, £ 1 6s; Miss F. Boughton Knight, £ 1 Mr iNewnham Smith, Xi Is; Mrs Hill, £ 1; Mr George Hollowav, zEl Is; Mrs Evans, zel; Mrs Collett Mason, Cl; Mrs Jones, £ 1; Mrs Glinn, ztl; Major Cliantbers, ;C].; Mr Eckroyd, 10/ Mrs H. Helme, 10/ M. G., 10/ Mr R. L. Heygate, 10/ Mr Kerry, 5/ Mr Clayton, 5/ Rev. G. L. Spencer, 5/ Anony- mous, 5/ Mr Wilmot, 2/6; Miss J. Skyrme, 3/ Miss E. Jordan, 2/ Miss C. Izzard, 2/6; Mr Collett, Withington, 2/ Sir F. Cawlev, X5; Mr and Mrs Molosworth, £ 1; Miss Peacfi, Xl; Sir Geoffrey Cornewall, £1 Is; Mr Burlton, 42 2s; Mr W. A. W. Gaddesden, £1 Is; Mr Nicholson, 10/6; Colonel and Mrs Middleton, £1; per Mrs Green—Mrs Wilton 10/ Miss Wilton 2/6, Mrs Moffatt, -63 3s, and Mrs Ashmore £ 2; total, £ 52 4s; already acknowledged, £ 60; total, £112 4s.

Crickhowell Man's I CHRISTMAS IN THE TRENCHES. I Rifleman P. J. Treloar, Queen's Westminsters, in a letter to his parents, Mr and Mrs Joseph Treloar, School House, Crickhowell, states that about 6 o'clock in the evening of the 24th ult., the Germans started singing all sorts of patriotic songs and put lights all along their trenches. Our fellows replied by giving them some of their choice tunes, and the Germans cheered vocifer- ously. One or two of the latter seemed to speak English fairly well, and yelled across greetings. By about 9.30 'hings became fairly quiet, again and not a single shot was fired during the remain- der of the night. When the morning broke on Christmas Day, the Germans were running about the top of their trenches, and they also took a stroll around. There seemed to be a Most Remarkable Truce. I During the morning 3 fellows and the writer of the letter went halfway between the trenches and had a yarn with two Germans, who were burying a dead comrade. He (the writer) managed to make himself understood. They exchanged cigar- ettes, shook hands, and he returned with a little German ammunition and a button as a souvenir. Not a shot was fired up to the time they left on the morning of the 26th. Lieutenant F. W. Treloar, a brother of Rifle- man P. J. Treloar, expects to leave for Egypt shortly with the Ceylon Light Infantry. Private W. A. Davies, captain of Crickhowell R.F.C., and son of Mr R. H. A. Davies, solicitor, Crickhowell, who is serving with the Hon. Artil- lery Company at the front, in a letter home gives an instance of the individual daring of the Ger- mans. One dark night a flash suddenly appeared 5 yards away from the trench where he and his comrades were on guard. A German yelled out "Don't shoot," and fortunately one of them un- derstood the language. It transpired that the man had crawled on his stomach from the German trenches with a hand grenade to throw into the British trenches, but it burst in the act of throw- ing and damaged the man's face.

t OPERATION t AVOIDED. t Onr portrait is ot Mr C. E. JV"» „ OBGAN, who writes as I *> folo-;M |  You will remem- v ber I wrote some v -<< time ago asking advice, as I was suffering from ? ? =?y Glandular Swel- > .?-?? lin in the neck. v x?.?.?? and you told m? j f V to give CLARKK'B J• P, < JBW BLOOD MIXTURE a trial. I got one of your 118., and I am pleased to tell you it entirely cured me in less than a fortnight. I was advised by my doctor to have the glands operated on, but I am thankful to think I did not go under the operation. Thanking you for your advice. I (Signed) C. E. ORGAN, 76 Hyde Road, Lady- wood, Birmingham. CURED BY If you suffer from any such disease as ECZEMA. SCIIOFULA,BADLEIJS AB.'3CE8,'ir,S ULCM,3, GLANDULAR SWELLINGS, BOILS, PIMPLES SORES OF ANY KIND, PILES, BLOOD POISON' RHEUMATISM, )UT, &c., don't waste your time and money on useless lotions and messy oint- ments which eannot ?et below the surface of the skin. What you want and what you must have to be permanently cured is a medicine that will thoroughly free the blood of the poisonous matter which alone is the true cause of all your suffering. Clarke's Blood Mixture is just such a medicine It is composed of ingredients which quickly expel from the Wood all impunties from whatever cause arising, and by rendering it clean and r ure never fails to effect,a complete and lasting cure. 60 TBARE StroOKse. prxm f NT  N  N ) ?——=== I tHHiABTS. ?t JClarke^l '*? <a Blobd  L^SZE^IISLS I Chemi8tö and 8tore, 2M 9d per bottle. 9 Refuse ■ Substitute? THE WORLD'S BERT BLOOD PURIFIER." G BLOOD PURIFIER."

DIARY QF THE WAR. I GENERAL EVENTS. I I July 28.—Y, ar declared by Austria-Hungary upon Serbia. July 30.—Partial moblization of Russian Army. Bombardment of Belgrade. I July 31.—State of war declared in Germany. Aug. 1.—War declared upon Russia by Germany. Germany invades Luxemburg. Aug. 2.—German ultimatum to Belgium. British Naval Reserves called up. Aug. 3.—Germany declares war on France. Aug. 4.—War declared by Great Britain on Ger- many. Aug. 5.—Lord Kitchener appointed Secretary of State for War. Aug. 6.-H.M.S. Ampliion mined and sunk. Aug. 7.—Prince of Wales issues appeal for a National Relief Fund. Aug. 9.—German submarine U 15 sunk by Brit- ish cruiser Birmingham. Aug. 10.—France declares war on Austria-Hun- gary. Aug. 12.—Great Britain declares war on Aus- tria-Hungary. Aug. 14.—The National Relief Fund reaches xi,ooo,ooo. Aug. 15.—Japanese ultimatum to Germany de- manding evacuation oi Riaocliau. Aug. 16.—Landing of the British Expeditionary Force in France satisfactorily completed. Aug. 17.—Belgian Government transferred from Brussels to Antwerp. Aug. 18.—Serbian victory over Austrians at Shabatz. Aug. 20.—Brussels occupied by the Germans. Aug. 23.—British Army engaged at Mons. Japan declares war on Germany. Aug. 24.—Fall of Namur announced. Aug. 25.—Louvain destroyed by the Germans. Aug. 27.—Kaiser Wilhclm dcr Grosse sunk by H.M. S. Highflyer. Aug. 28.—German cruisers and destroyers sunk in North Sea. Sept. a.-French Government withdraw from Paris to Bordeaux. Sept. 5.—H.M.S. Pathfinder blown up by a sub- marine. Sept. 7.—Tide of German invasion begins to turn. Sept. 9.—Dispatch of 70.000 Indian troops. Sept. 11.—Australian expedition captures the German Headquarters in New Guinea. Sept. 12.—Russian victory over General Ten Auffenberg's army in Galicia. Sept. 13.—German invasion of British East Af- rica. German cruiser Hela sunk. Sept. 14.—Crown Prince's Army in retreat. Sept. 17.—Rout of Austrian Army in Galicia. Sept. 20.—Bombardment of Rheims Cathedral. I Sept. 22.—British cruisers Aboukir, Hogue, and Cressv sunk by a German submarine. Sept. 23.—Raid on the Zeppelin airship sheds at I Dusseldorf. Sept. 25,—Australian occupation of Kaiser Wil- Lelm's Land in German New Guinea. Sept. 26.-Indian Expeditionary Force lands in France. Oct. I.-Kaiser's message about "General French's contemptible little Army." Oct. 3.—Legations of neutral Powers leaving Antwerp and British troops arriving. Oct. G.-Belgian Government, with the Legations of Allied Powers, withdraw from Antwerp. Oct. 7.—Antwerp evacuated by the Allies. Oct. 9.—Antwerp occupied by the Germans. Oct. 11.—Fighting on the East Prussian fron- tier. Germans driven back. Oct. 12.—News that 2,000 British and many Bel- gian troops, on leaving Antwerp, went into Holland, and were interned. Oct. 13.-Belgian Government withdraws to Le Havre. Oct. 14.—Allies occupy Ypres. Oct. 15.—H.M.S. Hawke sunk in North Sea. Oct. 17.—H.M.S. Undaunted and destroyers sink four German destroyers off the Dutch coast. Oct. 17.—British ships take part in the coast battle. Oct. 21.—The Tsar decides upon the perpetual prohibition of the State sale of alcohol. Oct. 22.-Germans in flight from Warsaw. Oct. 27.—The rebel Maritz is totally defeated. French liner Admiral Ganteaume, with 2,500 refugees, torpedoed. Oct. 30.—Admiral H.S.H. Prince Louis of Bat- tenburg resigns his position as First Sea Lord. Lord Fisher appointed to succeed him. Tur- key commits acts of hostility against Russia. Nov. 2.—The Admiralty give notice that the whole of the North Sea is a military area. Nov. 3.—German cruisers attack the Halcyon, a coastguard gunboat patrolling off Yarmouth, and scatter mines, one of which destroys H.M.S. Submarine D 5. Nov. 5.-Great Britain declares war on Turkey. Sinking of H.M.S. Monmouth and H.M.S. Good Hope reported. Nov. 7.-Fall of Tsingtau. Nov. 8.—Rapid Russian advance in Prussian Poland. Nov. 10.—The German cruiser sank and destroyed by H.M.S. Sydney at Cocos Island. Konigs- berg is found hiding in a creek in German East Africa, and the navigable channel is blocked to keep her imprisoned. Nov. 11.—The 100th day of the war. The King opens Parliament. H.M.S. Niger torpedoed by submarine in the Downs. Nov. 14.—Death of Lord Roberts while visiting France to inspect the Indian troops. Nov. 16.-Britisli war expenditure stated to be between X900,000 and £ 1,000,000 a day. Nov. 17.—Chancellor of the Exchequer an- nounces that a War Loan of X350,000,000 is to be raised, issued at ,£95. Nov. 18.—Russian Black Sea Fleet engages Goe- ben and Breslau, both of which disappeared. Nov'. 19.—Funeral of Lord Roberts at St. Paul's. Nov. 2I.-Brasra, at the head of the Persian Gulf, occupied by British forces from India. Nov. 23.—Bombardment of Zeebrugge by a Brit- ish Squadron. Nov. 25.-Allieg gain ground north-east of Ypres. Nov. 26.-H.M.S. Bulwark blown up in the Med- vi ay. I t..t t F t Nov. 29.—King leaves to visit troops at tiie Front. Dec. 1.—Capture of De Wet. Dec. 2.-Bombs dropped on Krupp's works at Esselk. Australian contingent arrives in Egypt. Dec. 5.-King returns to England. Dec. 6.-Allies still pushing forward. Dec. 7.-Germans occupy Lodz. Dec. 8.—Four German warships sunk off the Falkland Islands. Dec. 11.—French Government returns to Paris. Dec. 14.—B 11 sinks Turkish warship in the Dardenelles. Dec. 15.—Austrians driven out of Serbia. Dec. 16.—East Coast raid, Hartlepool, Scar- borough, and Whitby being shelled. Dec. If-Gen. Joffre ordered a general advance.

A Cwmrhos Wedding. JONES—POWELL. I On the 30th ult., Mr D. W. Jones, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Jones, Rhydfawr, and Miss Gwenllian Powell, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Powell, Wern, were married. The offi- ciating minister was Rev. David Lloyd. Mr John Jones, brother to 'bridegroom, acted as best man. Miss M. J. Powell, sister to bride, was bridesmaid. After the happy event Mr and Mrs Jones were entertained at the Wern, where they and the members of both families, together with Rev. D. Lloyd and Mrs Lloyd, partook of the wedding breakfast. Mr and Mrs Jones, and their people, are very well-known, and highly respected in the district. Since childhood and youth, their attachment to Cwmrhos had been without a break. They were both members of the Sunday school, and took an active part in the work. Mr Jones had, for years, been the Sunday school secretary. On their re- turn from Newport, where they spend their honey- moon, Mr and Mrs Jones will carry into their new home at Llwyn-on, the hearty good wishes of a wide circle of friends.

Welsh Army Colonel's Son. I The infant son of Lieutenant-Colonel Hamar Gicenwood (of the Welsh Army) and Mrs Hamar Greenwood was christened in the crypt of the House of Commons last week. The ceremony was performed by Archdeacon Wilberforce, Chap- lain of the House of Commons. The sponsors were the Solicitor-General, Sir Stanley Buck- master, Sir Gilbert Parker, M.P., Mr Kenneth Mackenzie, and Miss Gladys Greenwood. The child received the name David Henry Hhmar.

— ——— Rub Out Your l RHEUMATISM with 7am B uk N"M-Bulk !j7 AM-BUK is of the greast value to sufferers  from rheumatism. The ?est way to treat stiffening and painful joints and muscles is to rub Zam-Buk over the affected parts vigorously for several minutes each night and mornha This will reduce swelling, soothe the pain, and finally so stimulate the muscles that in future they wÍ1 be better capable of resisting cold and damp. Zam-Buk is more economical to use and far more efLctive than old-fashioned liquid embrocations and linimeus. Zam-Buk is a pare herbal preparation containing uniqut. Soothing & Pain-Killing j agents in a very highly concentrated form. This is an I advantage which makes Zam-Buk especially valuable for 1 I our soldiers in the firing line. After exposure in the I rain-sodden trenches a vigorous rubbing over with Zam-Buk | will keep crippling rheumatism at bay. Rubbing Zam-Buk I into the skin means rubbing pain out. ;a ijlk or is the I GREA T HERBAL EMBROCATION. I I Sold only in itnlrd par.kitacx bn Chemist* and Druo Stores at lilt or 219. Can also be obtained direct at fame /iricrs from The. Zam-Buk Laboratories. Lerdn. Send your Soldier friend to->,n Zam-Buk for his Cuts, Bruises, Sore l-'eet, and Frost-Bite.

LLWYN-MADOC WILL. I MISS CLARA TROMAii.fi> BEQUESTS. I PHILANTHROPIST'S ESTATE. I Further particulars are now available on the f will of the late Miss Clara Thomas, of Llwyn Madoc, Breconshire, and of Pencerrig, Radnor, J the donor of large sums to numerous charitable I and religious institutions in South Wales and elsewhere. Miss Thomas, who died on the 12th June last, left unsettled estate of the gross value of zC133,640, of which £ 121,684 is net personalty, and probate of her will, dated 4th August, 1913, with four codicils, has been granted to Mr Charles Henry Evan Thomas, of Builth, and Miss Rosal- ine Phillimore, of Coldharbour Vicarage, near Dorg Tes7atrix left the Pencerrig House estate and lands in Radnor to such child of her cousin, Mrs Lindsay, as she and her hsband may ap- point, and, failing appointment, then to her first and other sons successi vely; C400 for the benefit of the Rev. William Lloyd Owen and his family; X2,500 upon trust for the children of her late cou- sin, Algernon Evan Thomas; tl,000 to her cou- sin, Charles Henry Evan Thomas, desiring him to make the small allowances and gifts she had been in the habit of making to various persons re- sident on the Llwyn-Madoc estate, who have not been otherwise provided for; X205 to the sajd Charles H. Evan Thomas, £ 105 to Rosalind PhTI- limore, £1,000 to Herbert Coke Fowler, X500 to her cousin Llewellyn Evan Thonfas, X300 to Rev. Herbert Bromley Mallii, RIOO each to her cou- sin Edmund Lyons Evan Thomas and her god- child Clara Gwyneth Evan Thomas, X50 each to Oliver Valpy, Lilian Myfanwy Evan Thomas, Clara Phyllis Evan Thomas, Kathleen Mary Evan Thomas, Chas. Marmaduke Evan Thomas, Thos. I Evan Thomas, 'Owen Grant Evan Thomas, her godson George Thomas Lindsay, and her cousin 1 Beatrice Valpy; X52 per annum and her lease- hold premises Crydymor, West Cross, Glamorgan, t3 Emma Durrant; an annuity of £ 100 to Cecilia Turner, of Dolffin, near Builth; C200 per annum to) her cousin Edith Alicia Valpy. Annuities. She left an annuity of X30 to Mr Allen, organ. ist at the church at Eglwys Oen Duw, Brecon; an annuity of X52 to her former butler, John Pearce, and, on his death, X13 per annum to his present wife; an annuity of RI.3 to her former footman, William Pearce, for life, with remainder to his present wife should she survive him; an an- nuity of X26 to Mary Evans, widow of John Evans an annuity of zC20 to Frank Lamina- craft, gamekeeper to the Llwyn-Madoc estate, if in her service at her death an annuity of X20 to Thomas Smith, gardener at Llwyn-Madoc, if in her service at her death; an annuity of X13 to her foreman, Thomas Rickards, if in her service at her death; an annuity of X13 to her foreman, Evan Rickards, similarly; one year's wages to each domestic servant to whom a legacy or an- nuity is not given if of five years' service, and zelo to every other domestic servant in her em- ploy at her death. She left .£50 for the erection of a stone monu- ment in the church at Llanfabon, Glamorgan (if she shall not have erected such monument in her lifetime), to the memory of her great-grandfather, Thomas Thomas, and his wife and family, and X100 for the erection of a lychgate in the church- yard at Llanlleonfel, Breconshire, in memory of her great grandfather and mother, Mr and Mra Gwynne, of Garth, Brecon. The Residue. I The residue of her estate she left upon trusts for Henry Algernon Evan Thomas, his wife and children, during the life of the said Henry Alger- non Evan Thomas, with remainder on his death to follow the trusts of the Llwyn-Madoc settled es- tates.

WITH A GAFF. I PROSECUTION AT DEVYNOCK. I Before Messrs. Owen Price (in the chair), W. S. Miller and Morgan Morgan at Devynock petty sessions, on Thursday, Cyril Jones, a lad, was charged by Superintendent Water-Bailiff John Brace (employed under the Usk Board of Conser- vators) with having in his possession a gaff on Sunday, November 29th. John Jones and John Brown were also charged with aiding and abetting him. Only John Jones appeared, and, on behalf of John Brown and himself, pleaded "guilty." Mr H. F. W. Harries (Brecon) appeared to pro- secute, and asked for the charge against the lad to be with-drawn, that was, as he was under 14 years of age—a course that was granted. Evidence was given to the effect that defendants were seen about 12.30 p.m., on the date in ques- tion-the lad carrying a gaff. On seeing the river-keeper they all ran away. The keeper, however, chased them up to a farm, overtook them, and satisfied himself as to their identity. John Jones and John Brown were fined 15/ inclusive, each.

THE GREAT SKIN CURE. BUDDEN'S S.R. SKIN OINTMENT will cure Itching after one application, destroys every form of Eczema; heals old Wounds and Sores like a charm on Bad Legs is infallible for lues Prevents Cuts from Festering will cure Ringworm in a few days removes the most obsti- nate Eruptions and Scurvy. Boxes 7id and l/ljd. ■j^gents for Brecon, Mr Stanton and Mr Morris, Ingh Street, Chemists; Builth Wells, W. Price & Co.: Llandovery, J. Nicholas, Chemist; Hay, J. L. Navies and Son; Talgarth, J. Parry, Chemist; Crickhowell, Mr Harris, Chemist; Brynmawr, Mr Evans, Chemist; Knighton, Mr Perkins, Chemist; Pontardulais. Mr Jones, Chem/at. b987

I TOO MANY CHAPELS IN WALES. A well-known writer is very severe on the money spent in Wales on chapel buildings. In the popu- lar national magazine, "Y Genineu," he states :— "Does Wales spend religiously on religion? Take the annual report of a typical chapel. The church spends, say. X200 a year on its home work —its pulpit services, and its local organisation— and only X,30 a year, or less, on everything out- side. Does not this go to show that our churches are degenerating into mere clubs. zC200 a year is spent on exalted amusement and pure enjoyment. Much of the evil springs from our nar- row sectarianism, and, what is still worse, our cliapelism. In many a village four chapels are built where one would be far better; and thus the cost is quadrupled, while the moral and national energy of the village is reduced. "The same evil spirit prevails between chapel and chapel in the same denomination. In some towns in Wales cliapelism kills true religion. There is hardly a district in Wales where some one denomination has too many chapels. The re- sult is that when a family comes to reside in the district tricks, unworthy of Christians, are employ- ed to secure their attendance at 'our chapel.' The Congregational denominations (i.e., the Indepen- dents and Baptists) have no central authority to prevent stiff-neeked cranks starting new 'causes'; but the organised denominations (i.e., Calvinists and Wesleyan Methodists) build far too many chapels-to the great injury of true religion. Why is the Free Church Council such a power in England, and so feeble in Wales? The dividing walls of sect in England are not too high to pre- vent the churches looking over and beyond them in their search for pastors, but if two ministers of.dif- ferent denominations in Wales exchanged pulpits, the fact would be recorded in every newspaper in the land."

DEAKINS I WONDERFUL FEVER AND INFLAMMATION I HEMS Act and deal INSTANTLY with the Causeand Effect. They strike swiftly and deeply and instantly at the root and source of danger-inflamed tissue—ensuring Immediate relief, and at the same time arresting and exterminating all inflamed conditions, unhealthy poisonous tissues and secretions. DEAKIN'S HAVE PROVED Powerfully diuretic Curative and Tonic In Rheumatism, Gout, Lumbago, Kidney Trouble, Sciatica, Bladder Trouble, Gravel, Indigestion, Constipation, Sick Headache, Backaehe, &c. III! post free. Six Boxes, 6/- of all Chemists and Stores. Sole Proprietors: G. Deakln & HH;ughheess The Inflamt mation Remedies Co. BLAENAVON, Mon.