The Cambria Daily Leader

THE FRENCH IN OUR LINE. The last twenty-four hours have given us fluctuating news. The best is that the French are with us in the line; the most disappointing, that although we ionght our way into the remains of Wytschaete, and Meteren, we have been unable to maintain our positions there. And, looking back over the events ot 1917, and the price paid for Passchendaele, the information that we have withdrawn our line from the Ridge and from Zonnebeke, will be received with sorrow. We have fallen back from our positions in the Passchendaele area, where we have given the enemy most of the ground won in last year's Flanders fighting. If you look at the map," says one of the corre- spondent's to-day, you will se why this retirement was compelled by the changed situation in the area of the Messines Ridge and below there. It must in any circum- stances be unpleasant to give up ground which has been won in fight- ing at the cost of gallant lives, but it cannot be too often repeated, or too clearly grasped, that local typo- graphical gains have little signifi- cance in the gigantic struggle now in progress." The news that reached us on Wednesday afternoon, although it was unofficial, and its nature as such emphasised—for in thee grave times it is above all things necessary that high hopes should be warranted by facts presented with authority—gave us the first cheer of the day. Sir Douglas Haig, report- ing scon after eleven o'clock in the morning, had confined himself to a laconic reference to a successful counter-attack in the neighbour- hood off Wytschaete, but the Press Association correspondent, who has been a model of reliability and restraint, permitted 4imself to speak of our troops advancing there, and later in the day, a "hidi authority, returning from the battle-front, was responsible for the report that a part of the village was again in our hands. Unhap- pily, as Haig's evening report points out, we were unable to maintain our positions. Wytschaete and the ridge are the keys to the situation upon the Belgian frontier. Three miles south- east is Mount Kemmel, which rises above the Ravelsberg Ridge, and is the most commanding height in this part Of Flanders. Although the possession of the Ravelsberg Ridge lifts the Germans out of the plain, this is overlooked by Kem- mel, and it was regarded naturally as their next goal. Possession of it would radically affect (fur disposi- tions at Ypres, and the hopes raised by the afternoon's news were founded upon the supposition that We were improving our line on the northern part of the Messines Ridge. The news with regard to the village of Meteren was also of the highest importance, for the sector between Metoren and Vieux Berquin covers the town of Haze- brouck, where there are vital rail- way connections.. The retirement reported to-day was an outcome of the threat to Mount Kemmel. It should be unnecessary, but unhappily it is required that a pro- test should be offered against the indecent manner in which the Prime Minister and the Govern- ment, as well as the High Com- mand, are being attacked over the events of the last month. The position is far too serious for these bickerings and sharp-edged criti- cisms. Take one point—the break- through at St. Quentin. The diary of a German officer killed at Hebu- terne, which was published in the Press, is interesting in every way, but it is particularly important evi- dence of the way in which the Ger- mans attempted to secure a ".con- centration surprise." This officer's unit detrained as far back as a vil- lage near Mons, and marched the 80 odd miles to the battlefield al- ways by night. This is of direct bearing on* a question which is being discussed wherever men meet: "Why if we knew where the attack was coming, why, if we were numerically equal to the Germans, did that attack succeed ?" That question is ignorantly stated and its terms are insufficiently de fined. Certainly & remarkably ex act prophecy was made both as to tlie area and the forces to be e-fa. gaged, by a very distinguished authority. But in war no prophecy can be admitted as though it were certain knowledge. As an officer writes in some notes on the battle which we have received, we have learnt that Petain expected an at- tack in Champagne. French writers were warning their readers to be re- signed to the possible loss of ftheims. The German concentra- tions were roughly, known, but diteotly the attack started it was obvious. that tb,6 concentrations would be merged; say the Picaray into the Champagne, oar, as actu- ally happened the Champagne into the Picardy concentration.. Then you. have hundreds of thou- sands of men like this German ¡ officer marching West, who could I be deflected by a word of com- mand to a.ny point between Hen:n and Chalons. It would have been folly for us to have massed all cur reserves between St. Quentin and La Fere, since the attack might have come miles away. As it was, our 'reserves moved with precision -nice the attack was launched, but many things served to assist the Germans. The mist was a God- send, the weather was phenomenal, and the weight of the attack was tremendous. Had we managed to hold the line of the Somrae, we I should have emerged from the ordeal brilliantly. We did succeed in bringing the Germans to a halt, we did succeed in inflicting enor- mous losses on them, and our Army is still intact. After all, it is not possible to be assaulted by 110 Ger- man divisions, driven on by the most callous High Command in history, which has staked all its future on the issue, without having some pretty deep wounds to show for it. And, as this English commenta- tor whose battle notes we are avail- ing ourselves of says further, the German offensive hcbs also its own peculiar perils. Foch at the Battle of La Fare Champenoise deliber ately allowed his right wing to be bent right back and almost en- veloped. He had actually with- drawn a crack division from a barely holding line. But at the critical moment he hurled it at the German centre, and the Battle of the Marne was won by 10,000 men handled by & genius with a marvel- lous nerve. Foch's career has been founded on a sequence of momen- tous crises. He rides confidently upon the great storms of battle, the greatest military thinker of his age. So when nerves are tried by the monotonous chant of the special correspondents a-bout outnumbered heroism, remember that heroism :s serving a splendid purpose, and that outnumberiing is part of the Great Design. On the other hand do not talk about Haig, laving a. trap for the Huns. Do noTim- agine that we are re-joicing in this frightful stress. We do not want to lose ground; the loss of Bailleul is a loss, although the loss is not vital. Remember that every gree. battle is a great crisis, and there has never been a greater or more critical battle than this, save, of course, the Marne, which nothing can ever displace from its unique eminence, the most fateful moment in recorded history.

I SPRING FASHIONS. I I Mr. Richard Lewis' Sale of Novelties. I .t Ladies who cherish a taste for the beautiful in wearing apparel—and those who do not are few—should certainly pay a visit just now to Mr. Richard Lewis's emporium in High-street. Mr. Lewis has returned from London with all the very latest novelties in dainty dress and orna- ment for the summer season. They are now available—the newest things in millinery—Leghorn, Liscrie, feathers flowers and fancies. Very popular are the Egyptian beaded ornaments, and re- plicas from Paris of deities, sphinxes, winged and lying, and those outstretched wings which meant so much to the. did man of Egypt. The costume and mantle departments arc rich in Gaberdines, checks beavers, frock coat6 and ooat frocks, a well assor- ted stock of check coats, matrons' coats, home frocks, taffeta aeolinne, and Georgette. Sports coats aro a great feature, dress skirts; and of silk and marine under- skirts there is a large and varied selec- tion, white, embroidered. The blouse de-' partment again, is embarrassingly attrac- tive with Georgette, crepe-de-chine, floral voiles, and white voil, Irish hand em- broidered. There are Japanese silks and Luviscan blouses. The children's department is a very big feature, with its Japanese silk over- alls and matineer coats; in pink and pale blue, champagne costumes and children's millinery—everything that pleases the toddlers. But to attempt to enumerate tile whole of the coruscating delightb that sparkle in Richard Lewis is like trying to count the stars in the milky way. It cannot be done.

I THE SAILOR'S FRIEND. I I Good Wcrk of the B. and F.S.S. I at Swansea. A well-atte-ilded meeting of the ladiee committee of the Swansea, branch of the British and Foreign- Sailors' Society was held at Walter-road Chapel Sohooiroom, on Wednesday. The lion. Mrs. Odo Vivian presided, supported by the Hon. Mra. Campbell (sister of Col. the Hon. Odo Vivian, D.S.O.), Mr. R. J. Matthew& (chairman of the branch), Mrs. Morgan Williams (bon. secretary), the Rev. ft. O James, and T. Morgan. All the churches of the town were represented. Reference was made to the scheme for providing a new institute. and the ladies' oommitteo promised to give every pos- sible support to the movement, in raising funds, etc. The National Society, of which the King and Queen and Queen Alexandra are patrons, has led, clothed and suc- coured over 800 torpedoed and ship- wrecked crews during 1917, and has sent parcels of food and other necesaries every fortnight to more than 1,000 friend- less sailor prisoners of war in Germany. The Swansea Branch has done yeoman service, and the public will not need to be reminded of the great work they did in January in feeding, clothing, and succonr- iugf 400 survivors of the torpedoed hospital snip Rewa. The branch is holding Lag days on Friday and Saturday of this week, and they look with confidence to the public to assist them in their noble work by generously purchasing flags on thoee days.

MUMBLES PAGEANT. The Pavilion, Mumbles, was crowded on Wednesday, when the children, of thp Oystermouth Church Schools performed a pageant, Children of Imagination." The scenes were arranged by Mrs. H. Watkin*, More. Lbckley, and Mrs. Pobjoy. The children of Norton, Newton, dyne and the Pajdsh Churob. aiLso took part. The hon. secretary was Mr. J. L. Clough (schoolmaster), and the proceeds are fo-r the Skyufch Wales New Homes Endowment Fund of the Waife and Stravee Society, and the St. David's Diocesan Orphanage,

SCROll OF FAIL HOW SWANSEA SOLDIERS WON THE D.G.M. LOCAL FATHER OF FOUR KILLED A supplement to the "London Gazette" contains the otucial descriptions, of tiio iiwis for which the. D.C.M. was awarded on January 1st last. The list includes the following:- I Caiupauy-Sergeunt-Major W. Burri-dge, Royal YVekh- Ifusiliers (Sivan64ea).-Ilis powers of organisation and personal ex- ample have b"en invaluable, and hili eour- age and devotion to duty most marked. Company-Sergeant-Major M. Earl, Welsh Regiment (Swansea) .—lia? invar- iably displayed courage and skill in the performance of his duties, and has feoi a fine example to all ranks. Mentioned m dispatches for services in acuou with enemy submarine.s-Captain Gerald William Vivian, Royal Navy (nephew of the late Lord Swansea). FATHER OF FOUR DEAD. uiiicial intormation has been received by Mrs. Harris, who rosddes at 62, Byron- crescent, S'unsea, stating that her hus- band, Pioneer W. J. Harris, Royal En- gineers, has been killed in action by a shell. Pioneer Harris was 35 years of age, and served throughout the Boer War. He leaves a wife and four child- ren. Previous to the war hewas employed at Messrs. Ben Evans and Co., Swansea. In a letter his captain says:—"He was a brave man; never hesitated in face of danger, and I know you and the phildron will feel the blow very much, and also his fellow men and officers in his COlll- pany will miss him very much." FIFTEEN OPERATIONS. After having been in hospital suffering from the effects of wounds sustained in Prance, Pte. W. Cousins, of 3, Vincent- street, Swansea, returned home on Wed- nesday. The inhabitants gave him a rousing reception. Pte. Cousins was a stretcher-bearer in the R.A.M.C., and has Bpent over two years in hospital, where he has undergone no fewer than 15 opera- tions. Prior to the war he was employed by the Swansea Corporation. He is a bro- ther to Mr. Tom Cousins, haulage con- tractor, Swansea. I SWANSEA BOY WOUNDED. Pte. Ambrose Jones, youngest son of Mr. Alf. Jones, formerly stage carpenter at the Star Theatre, has been wounded in Flanders, and is now lying in Neath Hospital. MILITARY MEDALIST WOUNDED. Mrs. Brewer (formerly Miss Seldon), of Messrs. Dan Evans and Co., has received news from France that her husband, ry Q.M.S. V. Brewer, of the R.G.A., has been wounded in the head and left 1&8- Q.M.S. Brewer is 82 years of age, and is a native of Bath. He joined up at the outbreak of war, and has been gassed. He has been in almost all the big battles. He won the Military Medal at the battle of the Somme, and has also been recommended for the French Croix de Guerre. TWO BROTHERS. Mr. and Mrs. Williams, of Baptist Well-street, Swansea, has received infor- mation that their son, Pte.. Edgar Wil- liams, of the Welsh Regiment, has been gassed, and is now at a base hospital in France. They have also been notified that another son, Pte. D. Williams, has been wounded in the thigh in the recent fighting, and is now in an hospital at Birmingham. THE SUPREME SACRIFICE. "News' has been received by Mr. Ben Morgan, butcher, Welsh Smithfield, LIan- dovfery, that his eon, Pte. T. D. Morgan, has made the supreme sacrifice. Deceased was about 20 years of age. This is the second member of the family to give his life for his oountry. Lieut, Trevor E. Owen, Swansea. (Died of Woijtfids.) Pte. Vv m, YV I I I i ams, Morriston, (Killed.) Gunner F. I. Dance, Llar. samlet (D.S.M.) PRINTER'S SON KILLED. Mr. Savage, head machinist at Messrs. W&tkins, Ltd., printers, Swansea, has re ceived official intimation of the death from wounds received in Palestine, of his son, Pte. Fredk. H. Savage, of the Welsh. R.A.M.C. Twenty-four years of age, Pte. Savage, who had almost completed his apprenticeship to the firm, joined up at the outbreak of" war. He had been through much severe fighting at the Dardanelles and Suvla Bay, .and was subsequently drafted to Palestine, where he was mortally woun- ded. He was a single man, and resided with his parents at No. 6 Wellington- street, Swansea. SWANSEA BANK CLERK. Gunner Stanley West, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. West, 15, Promenade, Swansea, has been wounded. Prior to joining he .was in a London bank. SWANSEA SHOP ASSISTANT. Pte. D. O. John, son of Mr. and MrR. John, 3 Waun-y-Coed-road, Treboeth, is suffering from a severe gunshot wound in the head. He was formerly an assistant with Mr. P. G. lies, Swansea. GARNANT PRIVATE WOUNDED. Pte. Lloyd Evans, Machine-gun Corps, eon of Mar. and Mrs. John Evans, 8; Pros- pect-place. Garnant, has been wounded on thie Western front, and is. now in hos- pital in France. He joined the Army at the beginning of the war. Prior to join. big up Pte. Lloyd Evans, who is 20 years of age, was employed at the Raven Tin and Sheet Works. BULLET IN THE HIP. News has reached Mr. and Mrs. Tobias Da vies, GroH-roa?d. Godr?rgraig. Swan- .gea VaUey. tUt theit son. Pte. Da^id — A < S t --——- M M t Joseph, Davies, was wounded in the &ip by a bullet in the recent retirement from Merville. This ie" the second time for Pte. Da vies to be wounded. He was also severe!}' gassed on the previous occasion. PONTARDULAIS LIST. Corpl. Jack Davics, R.E., M.M., has been gassed. » Pte. Harold Jones,. S.W.B., one of, the two rolclit-,t sons cf Mr. and Mrs. Eva,n Jon<v?, Cardiff House, Pontardulais, is wounded and in hospital. Corpl. Cled. Walters, of the County Stores. Pontardulais, is suffering from trench fever. A.B. D. J. Llewelyn. Forest, Pontardu- lais, has had a miraculous escape from a torpedoed boat. Grave fears are entertained as to the fate of D. D. Williams, the Graig Favr M.M., of Pontardulais, though nothing o&icm.l has been received by the family yet. PONTARDULAIS PROMOTION. Pte. Sidney J. Phillips, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Phillips, Owenfa, Pontardu- la.w. who has been serving for the last iwo years with the Egyptian Expedi- tionary Force, has been offered a commis- sion in an infantry regiment. He was formerly on the staff of the Graig Mer- thyr Colliery Co., and was well-known in musical and eisteddfodic 1 circles. GUNNER GASSED. Gunner T. H. Watkins. whose home is ir. Floreace-road, Ammanford, has been gaased in the present fighting in France. LEG AMPUTATED. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Evans, Ystrad- i-nud,,Fforpstfa-ch; have received an offi- cial communication to the effect that their eon, Petty Officer Sidney Evans (Military Medallist), has been admitted to hospital, havinin been wounded in action. The letter statue that Petty Offi- cer Evans is suffering from gunshot wounds of the right arm and left leg, censing fracture and 4Lmputatioia of the bitter LOUGHOR HERO. Pte. Edward John Parry, Royal Irish Rifles, BOn of Mr. Edward Parry, Bwlch Farm, Bynea, has been wounded five times, and is now in hospital at Christ Church, Hants. Before the war broke out he was employed at the St. David's Tinplate Works, Spitty. His brother, Idrk Parry, has won the D.C.M. and Military Medal. I FATAL GUNSHOT WOUKtiS. T te. Be ij. Evans, South Wales Bo. cfiers, so i of Mr. Benj. Lvans, BjfBdilo. N f. ntgvaredig, died from gunshot -wounds in hospital in France on the 13th inst. He had been over three years ifl. France. I DIED IN A CLEARING STATION. News has been received by Mrs. Jones, Ralph-terrace, Llanelly, that her hus- band, Sapper Evan Jones, of the R.E.'s, died in a clearing station on the 11th inst. from wounds to both thighs, which h<» sustained on the previous day. Spr. Jones was 32 years of age. I u DANGEROUSLY ILL. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Bowser, 13, Hall- eta-eet, Llanelly, were offioially. notified on Tuesday that their eon. Lce.-cpl. R. Bowser, who belongs to the Welsh Regi- ment., is dangerously ill in France. I SWANSEA TAILOR WOUNDEO. Pte. D. Coffman, East Yorkshire Regi- ment, has been wounded ift France, and is now in hospital in Edinburgh. Prior to joining up Mr. Coffman was engaged in \the tailoring business at 88, Mansel- street, Swansea. SERIOUSLY WOUNDED. Mr. and Mrs. John May, of 6, Sketty- avonue, Sketty, has received information that their son, Pto. Reuben John May, has been seriously wounded, -and is lying in a fcaee hospital in France. Prior to joining 99, three years ago, Pte. May was employed in the Co-operative Stores Bakery, Uplands. OFFICER BROTHERS. Lieut. Leonard Harrison, Oakwood- road, Swansea., who has recently been re- called from France, and accepted for the Indian Army, has sailed for India., Join- ing the Bristol University O.T.C. early in the war, he was gazetted to the Welsh Regiment, and subsequently transferred to the Army Cyclist Corps, with which he served nearly two years in France. Hie brother, Lieut. Wilfred Harrison, is about to be invalided out of the service. He was severely wounded while serving, in Sept- ember, 1916, t,nd has never fully re- covered. DIED OF WOUNDS. Gunner J. Thomas, High-street, Tnmble, who won the Military Medal in lPlf, was wounded oa the second day of the German offensive, and died on the SPth March. A LLANELLY MAN. Pte. Steve Srvans, shoemaker, Marine- street, Llanelly, is officially repoi-ted to have been wounded in the recent fight- ing in France.

I NEWMARKET MEETING. I Favourites Do Well on Concluding Day. 12.0-BEAFFORT 1, FERRY 2 OLD GOLD 3. Also ran: Dossini. Rocksa.vq.se, Herself, Treasury Bill. Irish Elegance* CJhryeolaus, Alligo.n. Brusiloff, Sheraton, Sweetness. Elfin, Crown Again. Brisque, Arion. Betting: 2 to 1 Ferry 11 to 2 Irish Ele- gance. 6 to 1 Sherston, 8 to 1 Ohrysolaus and Crown A grain. 100 to 8 Kocksavage Beaufort, Arion, and Old Golcl. 100 to 7 Herself. 20 to 1 others. Short head; length and a half. 12.30-EV AJ."f' 1. SENESCHAL 2.. RIENZI 3. Also ran: Stoney Jacket Linonyx. Nant Cooh Royal Kay\ Betting*: 7 to 4 Evan. 3 to 1 Ttoyal Bay. 4 to 1 Seneschal, 7 to 1 Linonyx. 100 to 8 others. Length and a half: head. 1.0-POLYORAMA 1, NEW GUINEA 2. STAR OF LIGHT S. Also ran: Jutland Menn Sunnymead, An. tic-. Grieff, Attalus Brigrend, Chicken Pie Blue Grass. Pyramid Jocasta, Vermicelli, Nubian, Gamelyn, Athenian Prince. Buck. staff e. Betting: 3 to 1 Polyorama 7 to 2 Pyramid 6 to 1 Jutland, 8 to 1 Chicken Pie 100 t, 8 Nubian and Athenian Prinoe, 100 to 6 others. Length; five. 1.30—DOMINION 1. VICEREINE TEN- SION?INION 1. VT<)EREINE 9. TEN- SION *3,. Fortuna. c. Hellene c. My Bom. bardier. Ncwnham. Valkyrie, Tete Montee, b,%rd White" Rue Time c Luscious. Bettingr: 5 to 4 on Dominion 3 to 1 Valky- rie, 100 to 8 Tension and Vicereine. 20 to 1 others 2.0—BENEVENTE 1. THERMOGENE 2 POILU 3. Also ran: Arrowsmith. Treolare. Tunworth Parsifal. Jack Point. Betting: 2 to 1 Thermogene 6 to ? Bene- vente. 7 to 2 Treclare. 8 to ] Parsifal, 100 to 7 Poilu, 20 to 1 others. Two lenirtha: head. 2.30—PRO PAG ATI ON 1. COMTESSINE F 2. PEEP 0' DAY 3. Also ran: Roi ellro. Doubtful c. Orbito, Splutter. Pezende. Touraine Monaleen f. Jacana Elpheta f. Garaway, Burma. Var o. Beaung f. Be,tting: 6 to 5 Propagation, 5 to 1 Roi Htro. 100 to 8 Monalean Touraine. and Burma 100 to 7 others. Four lengths; head 3.D-GRFENROOM 1. THE SPEAKER 2, STARSHEEN 3. Also ran- Trir.ity Souare. Amphitryon. Bayodee. Giroflee, British Born Ta,grag Cresset Bell Bridjre. Roeo Day, Lamb Mint Bet,ting-. 7 to 4 Amhhntryon 6 to 1 Bayo- dee R,nd Trinity Square, 100 to IS -The Speaker. 100 to 8 Tagragr, 100 to 7 others. Short head: two lengths. I WORCESTER MEETING. The clerk of the course telegrapnmtr from Worcester, states that there is nO founda- tion for the report current at Newmarket yesterday that the track was under water. Racing is certain from that point on Satur- day next.

WELSH POMP RULE. Mr. E. T. John, M P., has handed in a notice of motion to ths effect that Welsh domestic business should be relegated to a single chamber legislature simultaneously with the creation of The contemplated Irish Parliament.

lOUR CHEERY BOYS I THE LIFE OF TO-DAY IN I MACEDONIA I By I vor Owen Morgan. (Formerly Assistant Scoutmaster.) A mule standing on a mountain peak. On the mule's back a British Tommy holding his sun helm-et at arm's length above his head as if in the act of shouting < Hurrah 1 That was the Chrictmas card sold on the British Balkan front during November-December last. It was a most eloquent symbol of the British Army in Macedonia; mountain peaks, mules, and the cheery Tommy. All Tommies are not cheery, however, for some are always grousing at this, that, or something else. I often hear the transport drivers sing some popular song, or whistling, as their team of hali-a-dozen "hairie6, with their long ears flopping to and fro, draw the Army limber along the roads we have made out here. As you pass them, just shout Cheer 0, Chummy! Or give them a smile. You receive an im- mediate response. I cannot bring myself to believe, those chaps to be sincere grousers of the deepest dye! And the same applies to the man of the heavy pack, whose transport is Shanks's pony. I FINISH JOHNNY." I When we first came out to the Salonika front, the Greek took advantage of Tommy's presence and forthwith com- menced amassing a fortune by opening canteens, at which biscuits, tinned fruit, cigarettes, condensed milk, etc., could le purchased. Tommy was supposed to have plenty of money, and my comrades on this front will confirm me when I say that Johnny Greek easily eclipsed the Jew in commercial enterprise whilst he had the chance. When one made inquiry for mi article which had bn sold out, the reply was always Finish Johnny 1 And Finish Johnny" has become a very elastic phrase indeed. It is used by Tommy himself when a pal asks for a match or cigarette and he has none. He uses it as an exclamation when dead beat, or on completing some task. Finish Johnny is the catchword out here. But why Johnny," when applied to the British Tommy? Well, I suppose that Tommy addressed the Greek as Johnny in the beginning, and the Greek thought le would be safe in his English if he also addressed his customers as Johnny! And thus it is that Johnny Greek knows Tommy as Johnny. Then the Bulgar is also referred to. by Tommy as Johnny Bulgar." So every- body is Johnny. But Tommy is not a Johnny, as Johnny Greek in his dealings with him has found out, and also as Johnny Bulgar in his dealings with him ) has found out! I A PICNICJ There is a feeling of great indignation amongst us out here at the way the Tommy in Macedonia is being" treated by those at home. People in Blighty and our comrades in France and else- where tell us point blank that we are on a picnic, thoroughly enjoying ourselves with all modern comforts, etc., and so en, ad lib! We do not want to be petted or soft-soaped, but we feel that 1, e aredeepised and rejected, the outcasts of the British Army. Fair-play is all we ask.. I THE GREEK NEWSBOY. I Twelve months ago I had to go down the line to .undergo an operation in hos- pital near Salonika. After recovery 1 was on my way back up the line to rejoin my battalion, and whilst staying at one of the rest camps the Greek newsboy came with our great little paper, The Balkan News." Like his prototype of Swansea, he simply must shout his wares as attrac- tively as possible, and this young Greek hopped about the camp shouting Plenty good news to-morrow morning! It was English, and that would do for him! Those who heard the boy shout Gocfci News; Kitchener Drown! must have given him a look fit to kill! That boy must be a very near' relative to the one who eagerly shouted Good News; Seven Zeppelins over Lohdon! They do their best to let all and sundry know that tiley have big news, but such items ean hardly be brought into the category of good news as far as we are concerned! I MUSIC OF THE BAND. I Our battalion has a magnificent mili- tary band. In October, 1916, it played to the Crown Prince of Serbia, and last February it provided a special programme of music for the King of Greece during his visit to this front. Our band has also given many musical treats to the Division at Headquarters. Bandmaster Ralph Livesey id from Merthyr Tydfil, and our Commanding Officer, Lieut .-Colonel C. V. R. Wright, has presented him with a beautiful* baton. During a chat with one of the bands- men, I learned that. there was a great freed of a jbetter Arrangement of Welsh '1 airs for military brass bands. The selec- tiona now as (be market are, compared with those << England, Scotland, and Ireland, very papr ones indeed. If I could obtain a book of the melodies of Wales, I have absolute confidence that one of the bandsmen here would make a first- class arrangement. I LOCAL MEN OUT THERE, Swanseaites in my battalion are: Capt. Nash, of D Coinpatty; Lierut. Harries, our signals officer; Sergt. Fordhom, of the transport; Corpl. Hicks, of the trans- port; LanffccCorpl. Jenkins, Headquar- ters; Corpl. W. G. Charles, bombing in- structor; Corpl. Charles Morgan, D Com- pany; Lanoe-Corpl. Tom Labbet, who looks well; Lance-Corpl. Bert Allen; Lance-Corpl. Albert Wesiwgod; Signaller H. Owen Bevan (King Arthur's Hotel, Reynoldston, who will not be able to walk into the house unless the doorway is widened); Bert More ton, from the eame neighbourhood, but who will require a much larger doorway to tho house he enters on his return to Blighty "—he's like an elephant; Privates Phil Morgan, George Davies, David Da vies, Jack Bil- lington, Ray Crayford (ofifcer's servant), R. A. Rickard, Tom Smith, isid Williams (line exponent of the art of quoit pitch- ing), Ronny Turner (of the band), Stan Ace, N. L. Parker, Tom Minty. William Bell, Bert Wooles, George Oliver (of the band), and Jim Harris, are those I can I think of just at the moment. They are all in good health. I ST. DAVID'S DAY. I We had a good day's sport on St. David's Day, football, quoiting, four- legged races, sack races, tugs-of-war, and a Marathon race being the chief events. B Company provided a very enjoyable concert in the canteen in the evening. We have done well as a battalion in the purchasing of War Bonds and War Savings Certificates, having already gone well beyond the £7.000 mark. I THE SCOUT BROTHERHOOD. I It may be that Swansea Sea Scouts and Boy Scouts expect to see a note on the Boy Scouts of this country. I am sorry that I am unable to satisfy them, for I have been in such absolutely out-of-the- way places ever since I came out here that I have not come across any members of the great Brotherhood. There are one or two ex-Scouts in my battalion. It was only hp accident that I saw one of the Christmas cards I 4vva referred to. I hsve not even seeit a woman for twelve months, let alone a Boy Scout! Cheer 0! And begt wiahee and happieet remembrans to everybody; and, in the words of Tiny Tim, God bees us every one.* ?—, ??. ,?. -?. 

TOWN TALK The query at the bwansea Council ye terday: Who lives in Devon-terrace?, -:0:- The police, it has been decided, are ej | titled h th" ration for heav walkers.—" Punch/' — :0 r— Some samples of water taken last wee in South Wales were found, eaj Punch, to contain 45 per cent. c milk. Sw,insea Council was over on Wedne< day in sQinethiog under two hours. An. all without a fuss, too. These are diays 0 strange happenings! — :0 The Mayor of Aberavon referred to on, of the councillors as Brother ———. Wa he thinking that he vras in the seiat J or in a Friendly Society meeting? — .0:— So the queues aTe not quite dead. II some parts of Wales, it is said, lovers o the weed are standing in long rows to bui their favourite brands of tobacco. -Z cs: A local school cricket team are in fieet of fast bowlers, and are searching for couple of human catapults." If the find them there are going to be fireworks — .0 There are hundreds of Swansea poopl, who have seen manifested more religiout fervour and hwyl this week than thej have since the days of the Revival. Soxm have witnessed it for the first time! —:o: — A registration form canvasser at Nfaft 'states that 90 rrr cent. of the forms col. leeted had to be filled in by himself. Ho is suffering from writer's cramp and a bac t3mpor! — -o .— Gorsedd stones and barbed wim hurdle fonce.s in Victoria Gardens, Neath, do no* blend with, nature's charm. But irhcn people heed not the polite request to teep off the grass nature has to suffer. It's a pity! -:0:- A Port Talbot gentleman, r^SMing within 100 yards of the Post Office, re. ceived a telegram at five o'clock one days th.s week. It only arrived at the Post Office about 1.30. Things do hum at Porfc Talbot! o: It may be some consolation to thos^S who have a sweet tooth, and find somil difficulty in satisfying it, now that lolli- pops are so scarce, to know that dates are on sale at the Swansea Market-at 28. 6d* a pound I ~*> A: con-wientlous objector, before that West Glamorgan Appeal Tribunal, de* clared that he had read of all the German;; atrocities, but he still loved the Germans^ He was ordered to join the Colours. Tot make their acquaintance, we presume, s o: The pretty little scene between AId"; Tuttou and the Town Clerk, wherein the; veteran said, Don't bandy words with? me, Mr. Town Clerk," was one of the1 only joyous events of a brief and tafSHlf Council. 1 In one &f the distract schools C littIe1 boy approached the head teacher to exi plain the absence of his brother, who waaf suffering from catarrh: Please, sir," re- marked the lad. "my brother can't ootoWK to school because he fot cold tar." 1 -0:- J In the first quarter of t'he year therof were 1.613 caees of measles reported ati Swan.sea. And how many cases off mumps? It would have been profitable if the Council had spent a few minutes diaw ci.ssing the means adopted for checkiD. these diseasm Diners-out may be expffcted to in,.row4 when the meat cards tome into use ini next week. There will be a spare coupon, after using all possible foff butcher's jurat and one for be con, and paterfamilias will no doubt diepoee of this at the restaurant, ensuring at 1. one extra meat dinner. — :0>— Walking across the Hafbd bridge the other evening, a resident thought he hai come across a run-away menagerie. Ho counted no fewer than eight cats in th-a middle of the road appearing to be hid- ing a sort of conclave. Where they gofy to after a stone was thrown, he says.. beats him I —: o:- Ten years ago the Swansea education, rate was 2s. lid. This year it will be 2k. 7. And to add insult to injury. some of the schools appear to be so poorly stocked that parents are being constantly a*>ked to supply their children with pen- eils and rubhers! This is rubbing it in wth a vengeance. > A Swansea boy, home on leave from thei: North Sea, and who now and again u to indulge in a flntter," noticing a horsq. in the programme at the Newmarket meet-* ing called Cattegat, invested a few ehi&- ings on It-lumt for luck, as he put it, The how. won at long odds, so he ool brated Ae "Rouble event" on sea and, land. Captain Guthrie Morgan, M.C., the.well known Aberavon rugby player, son of Dr. Vymwy Morgan, had a cordial welcome when he came to the ancieet, borough. the other day. He has been out in Salo- nica, and, like the true gentleman that he is. he had brought with him a list of the Aberavon boys out there, and he paid a personal visit to the home of each' one to tell their relatives how they faned. That'#, the spirit. —JO ?"™ There is nothing longsfaced about the religion of the Rev. F. W. Ainley, one of the Convent ion speakers. Humour, and the noting of humourous situations, are essential parts of it. His merry, racy reading and remarks about the miracu- lous draught of fishes was a delightfully realistic effort, even as oratory. At the same time, their pergonal application wa. ever direct and pointed. 1 —OS— like an advertisement for 9-wan. eeA," remarked a Barry man at the Pen- sions Joint Committee, when the letter of Dr. Varley pointing out that Swansea is not only tro. industrial centre, but also a popular seaside resort and very healthy, wait read. The chairman, however. at once mikflv rebuked that Easterner with the observation, I think Swansea haS done very creditably in technical instruc- tion. -0- What comment is it possible to offer upon the sixpenny rate increase in the rates but that we must be thankful for email mercies? The only line of criticism to take is to suggest that in various small ways the Corporation should take care of the pence that mount into pounds. For instance do we want the flowers in the parks looked aftpr with meticulous attention at a time when most men have abandoned roses to grow radishes? And ) cannot another effort be made to reduce f the numbers of deputations? j — ro! Reni-Drag" writes:—What is this > concoction they call butter? Soino that I tasted this week is certainly not churned," but made like an oint- ment. It first tasted like a tallow candle, then switched to a butter-milk or cream cheese taste, finishing in a grand finale palate tickler of the fiat iron and cold ■ dish cloth ordpr. I have experienced the sumptuous felicity of having my breakfast, dinner, tea and supper all at once .from the dew on the tops of grasses and leaves, before the fierce orb arose in the heavens, for three days at a rfmte.h. so I am not a particular eort of chap, but I ] rit;v the line at b