The Cambria Daily Leader

DRAMA IN FOOTBALL. Those who follow the fortunes of football will have to search their memories severely to recall an interna- tional match in which there were so many thrilling events as in the Wales v. Ireland game played at St. Helen's on Saturday. We had anticipated an en- counter in which the Celtic victims of three countries would fall easily before the Welshmen; that anticipation indeed had the effect of subduing interest, and resulted in a smaller attendance. And, instead, Wales won because a couple of Irish forwards, worked up to a tremen- dous pitch of excitement, forgot the rules of football, and allowed their im- petuous natures to get the better of their judgment. Wales won by three points — three points secured by the intervention of a re- feree who interpreted the laws of the game with a strictness un- usual even in these days when referees are told to see that the very letter of the law is observed, Ireland were de- feated because of a wild, unrestrained spirit that possessed most of the players, that showed itself in the shouting they indulged in throughout the game, but most in the incident that led to the disastrous penalty kick and goal. The incident is worth dwelling upon. Somewhere abotit the quarter line of the Irishmen, in the second half, when the sides were level, a couple of for- wards were adjudicated offside. The referee inflicted the punishment of a penalty kick, and the ball was placed for Bancroft., It was not an easy chance, for the wind, which was gusty, was against him, and the angle was unpromising. In the dead silence that prevails during these, critical moments, the full-back ran to- wards the ball, and kicked. Thousands of anxious eyes followed the rising leather, saw it "sail" towards the up- rights—saw it fall outside the cross- bar! There is a disappointment felt! at such times that is hard to explain to the man who did not attend. For much depended upon this. kick—as it" | afterwards appeared, the whole for- tunes of the game. But it was not; the end of the incident. Few had noted that the referea's whistle had been blown before the kick; that some in the little band of Irish players, lined up on the scene of their off-side, transgressions, had been unable to hold themselves in. and had charged prematurely! A second kick was awarded Wales, and this time Ban- Croft, knowing a little more about the wind problem, was successful in secur- ing for his country a three-point lead. Both sides scored after this, and thus rashness meant for Ireland a defeat that, however, was not a disgrace. The critics will to-day have occasions for much fault-finding with the Welsh players. They will, quite justly, be able to direll upon many errors in judg- ment. and-many unaccountable lapses in that mysterious thing we call form." They will assuredly censure Clem Lewis, the Cardiff half-back, for a lamentable failure to accu- rately judge a scoring certainty, for an attempt at a dropped goal that did not succeed, wben, in football par- lance, he might have walked in. They will tell us of the lack of a leading motive in the play of the three-quarter line; of the interval when J. P. Jones, of Pontypool, the captain, seemed to lose control of his side, and they blun- dered and blundered; of the extra- ordinary try Ireland scored with their opponents simply acting as surprised spectators, But there were incidents ot so thrilling a character that we are all disposed to make light of the critics. Much will be forgiven J. P. Jones for the glorious run (wilen, head in the air, he flashed past a perplexed lush pack and an equally perplexed back line of defence), which gav e Bryn Lewis one of the most inagniheeut and spectacular tries ever scored upon the Swansea held. Much also will be forgiven the unfortunate Clem Lewis for the j,ait he played in the brilliant movement through which, in the closing minutes of the first hair, J. P. Jones scored the try which left the sides level. And n uch will also be forgiven many other players who did blundering things, and atoned for them later by splendid play. The Irishmen thought that the im- petuosity of Donnybrook would ccny them through. They thought that their chance lay in bustling tactics, in dare-devil rush, in wild at- tack. They found that impetu- osity may cost a side dearly; that it cost them the difference between the satisfaction of a drawn game and the sorrow of a defeat..They kept up tneir spirits with a wonde.iui power auiiost to the end; there was only one occasion the writer remembers waen they grew listless and apathetic. The Fght went out of fair Rcsaleen's eyes wiien Jones, the Welsh captain, beat all their men, and Lewis's try left them eight points behind. But be this said to their credit: they revived speedily, and in the last ten minutes of the match they pressed Wales so danger- ously that every home spectator grew terribly anxious, and longed for tiie moment when the referee's whistle wouid sound. That was not perhaps the sporting disposition; but it was human nature, and the best tribute we can pay to these Irish visitors of ours, who came to be triumphed over but nearly triumphed, and who kept us all fcMiiiiug at theÜ shouted, encouraiv- ment to one another in the hard-fought scrummages, is to say that they Kept the issue of the match in doubt to the very end. We shall all remem ber the 1913 match with our brother Celts at St. Helens; and some of its dramatic incidents will live in football history. ♦

COUNTY COUNCIL SURPRISES1 ihe present position of the Glamor- gan County Council is calculated to be: Liberals and Labour, 40. Conservatives, 14. Independents, 12. The Aldermanic vacancies will aga':n affect the position. Saturday's elec- tion results gave some surprises. Thus in Pontardulais. Mr. Thomas Williams, the old member and an Independent, was defeated by Mr. Clason Dahne, a Conservative, and a most popular figure in the locality. The Labour candidate made no impression upon Mr. G las brook's hold of the Loughor scat; Air. Gordon comfortably retained re- presentation of Gower; and the Rev. John Davies almost doubled, the poll 01 his Labour antagonist. The startling surprises are the displacement at Cwin- avon of Mr. Henry Davies, the Socialist nominee, by Mr. Percy Jacobs, stand- ing as an Independent; and the defeat of Mr. Johnston at Llansamlefc by Jlr. A. T. Williams. In the latter case, ivLr. Williams's majority is decisive, and forbids the assumption that he secured a political victory. What, however, ts the signific- ance of the election? It show's, in any event, that a large number of Llansamlet people were iniluenoed by recent criticisms of the Glamorgan County Council as a whole, and that Mr. Johnston unjustly siiitered in the desire for a change. There are also other considerations into which we are not competent here to go. It is un- doubtedly a fact that many of the voters whose political faith is not to be questioned, pinned their faith to Mr. A. T. Williams, and that tney prevented the contest being a party trial of strength. In witness of which, the complafcit of one of our correspon- dents last week may be cited. The Carmarthenshire elections leave the Progressives with a majority of 27, but in Radnorshire the Conserva- tives now have a lead of four. On the old Council the Councillors were evenly divided, but the Liberals, through the Aldermen, had a majority of 4.

ELECTRICITY DIVIDENDS I The ratepayers of Swansea will be heartily thankful to those members of the Electric Lighting Committee who pressed for, and secured, the apportion- ment of £ 1,200 out of £3,600 profit as a dividend to the "shareholders"—in other words, for the relief of the rates. We note that Councillor Colwill, whose interest is as keenly exercised in elec- trical as in educational problems, says that we "haven't got the Li.200 yet," and that the recommendation has to be passed by the Council. We do not fancy, however, that the Council, after listen- ing to the vigorous pleading of Mr. Ash- I mole, will be inclined to reverse the de- cision. That £1,200 is as good as ap- plied to our rates; and very welcome it will be! ft is good news to hear that the com- mittee contemplate a rpduc-tipu in prices. We have not yet sounded the possibili- ties of cheaper rates, and electric light is still the monopoly of tradesmen who must have it, and of private individuals who are able to afford it. Apparently it has not yet ccme within the reach of the ordinary workkig-ciass customer. But the shareholder is as entitled to con-, sideration as the customer, and if a financial authority of the standing and experience of Mr. Eden is satisfied that: one-third of the proiits may saiely be allocated for the relief of the ratepayers, why, we may be very well assured that the thing can be done. Last year the committee contributed a thousand pounds, of their profits to the rates, and this year, we think the public will agree, after reading the strong views expressed by Mr. Eden and Mr. i Ashmoie, we are reasonably entitled to the same help. After contemplating! the losses on water and cemeteries-for we do not even bury our dead at a profit I-it is something to look with pleasure- able feelings towards a section of our municipal trading that does manage to turn the corner and put a bit into the communal stocking. Only we must l. have some tangible evidence of that success the evidence of a diminished rate call.

Foreign Affairs. By J, C. SQUIRE. Both in France and in Germany there is a lusty outcry against tne new and swollen provision lor armaments, 1 incueateu last week the likelihood 01 a protest from the South German miuaie classes. That protest has been voiced very forcibly by the principal organ ot the tSoum German Catholics, who in Bavaria are a majority. That journal has caused a sensation by com- ing out with a violent attack on illlll- tarism as bemg equally looiisii ana ruinous. the iiayrusche Curier do not hap- pen to be the counsellors oi tne Li iL- peror; protects or no protests, the extra fifty million will be raised and spent. ;(. In France the new War Minister (M. Etienne, the 'bus magnate) has SKetched to the Chamber, as antitu- j paLed, a proposal to return to a three years' service system for the Army. The Socialists for some twenty minutes made a great din oucii as in tiiio country is usually associate with tne Tory Party, but elm or no din, the en- largement uÏ tild i4 rencu talt, place. As a matter oi laCi., France, add especially Paris, is at present in a paroxism oi nationalist ana militarist tervour, and, save among the poorer j classes, to whom it is a serious thing that a young man shouid stay away with the colours for an extra six months, most people are delighted ZA, a prospect of increasing the size ot the Army. Feeling about Alsace-Lorraine is reviving in intensity. Ln this con- nection one may add that in those pro- vinces themselves the strength or anti- German feeling is certainly not dimi- nishing. Vvith careful management, they could have been placated. But Prussia has treated them in the most bungling way; and the la-st thing, the ivaia-er's short-sighted suspension of the new Alsace-Lorraine Constitution, on account of certain demonstrations, has made things ten times worse. The Turks are crumpling up; they are now indicating to the lowers that they will take peace at almost any price, and the fall oi Janina deepens the hope- lessness of their position, lake Scutari (on which the Aiontenegrins seem to be, making little- impression at great ex- pense), and Adriaaopie, Janina has held! out most gaiiantiy. but the exhausted i defence was unable to sustain the last tremendous Greek bombardment. A single day saw thirty thousand shells (so the re^o»ts say but the iigtu e is scarcely credible) poured in upon the Turkish positions; and the Turkish commander with his small army surrendered, That there is still some solidarity of feeling, amongst the Allied peoples is shown by the 1 act that tne fall ol Janina has been the signal for great rejoicings in Sofia, Belgrade, and Lettinje. The Bulgarians have been so quiet lately that it looks as though they were planning some coup. Their demands, incidentally, have lll- creased since the peace negotiations broke down. They now declare that, from their point of view, an indemnitv of several millions is essential. How on earth the Turks, who are up to their necks in debt, and are about to be stripped of a large portion of their teiritoii.es, will be able toO pay an in- demnity, heaven only knows! The Turkish Government after the war is over will m any case have a terrib;e job to put things straight, especially as it will probably deem it its first duty to reorganise the Army and Navy. The Bulgarian-Roumanian squabble seems in a fair way to being settled. The points at issue are to be submitted to an ambassadorial conference w inch will refer them to arbitration on the Hague model. The Bulgarians are naturally annoyed that after such desperate efforts in the field they should be despoiled of towns and territories in tiie council chamber. But it is not worth their while to get involved in another war. lliey w ant a long period of peace for recuperation; and in any ca&e dare not r'A- a war on their northern frontier which might be the indirect cau&e of a Turkish revival. in-c lit-t,ct cause of Turkish i?+2viva. l Colour is lent to the rumour that Italy and Spain are negotiating an agreement with respect to the balance of naval strength in the Mediter- ranean by the news that the Spanish Government intends to ask the Cortes this year for a very considerable in- crease of expenditure on the JSavy. This, one may remark, is the first im- portant action of the new Spanish Government which came into office with such terrific promises about social reform and agricultural regeneration. In fairness to it, one must recall that the intention of strengthening the Navy was made clear in the Premier's pronouncement at the beginning of the Session. In St. Petersburg they are cele- brating the tercentenary of the House of Romanoff. Except in point of dura- tion, that dynasty has nothing in par- ticular about wlv.ch to flatter itself; although of course whatever the faults of the Romanoffs have been they have, to do them bare justice, rarely lapsed into the commonplace. The Czar has had the experience, infrequently of late years, of driving through the streets of his capital between large cheering crowds. The <)cf,as.on has been cdc- bratcd, in the Oriental method faniiKarised to us by the proceedings at the JJelhi Durbar, by the promulga- tion of number of reforms. Several millions are to be spent upon agricul- tllrd instruction and dl'vd)pncnt, wni ?t several new hospitals and ll1nety institutions for the training of teachers are to be est ablished. Thus does the circle run. For the teachers' colleger will produce a proportion of revolu- tionary intellectuals, and th ese will produce more agitation! It was noticed that the Czarevitch, lt was noticed that the Czarev i tc h when attending divine service during the Tercentenary celebrations, was carried into church by Cossacks, and was unable to kneel during the service. He is still far from well, and he is always likely to be in delicate health. I mentioned some months ago the possibility of an altera- tion in the succession. It is now be- lieved that the Imperial Council will be asked to sanction, failing the nude issue of the Sovereign, one of tiu Czar's daughters, who exist in numbers. At present no woman can succeed to Russian throne. A usually reliable source provides the report that M. Delcasse's visit to Russia as Ambassador is not meant to be of long duration; that in fact he is only going on a temporary mission. It is even suggested that within a year he will be nominated President of the Chamber of Deputies in succession to the exquisite M. Deschanel. If this, be so, it is to be assumed that speoimc discussions about the military position of France and Russia as towards Ger- many and Austria are going to take place between him a,nd the Czar's Foreign Ministers, France will make desperate en"rts to get Russia to in- I' crea se her army. and her efforts may 1 aot be entirely confined to Russia.

News & Views The Second Time. The HOllie Rule Bill, the Established Church (V\ a.es) Bill, and the Temper- aace (Scotland) Bill will be put through again with a miniumum of debate. An Expianalion. Air. Garvin has read "The Swiss Family Robinson" ten times. That ex- plains a deal. The imports never exceeded the exports on Swiss Family Robinson Island.—"Star." Europe's Debt. Seven hundred and seventy-three millions of debt has been incurred in Europe by the six Great Powers in 12 to 1-i years—this, despite the enormous re- payments by Great Britain of the SoutJa africa War Debt. Plural Voting. One of the earliest measures to be introduced into Parliament is a Bill to end the injustice of plural voting. This will be carried through all its stages while the Session is still young, and will be pressed on the House of Lords under the Parliament Act Degree from the Archbishop. It is not generally known that the Archbishop 01 Canterbury has authority to couier degrees in any faculty, "pro- vided always that these presents do not avail j on anything unless duly confirmed by the King's Letters Parent." Dearth of Lemons. As a result of prospective short lemon crops in Sicily, and the heavy damage done to the lemon crops in Cali- fornia. and Florida by the frost early in the year, the price of lemons is some- thing like 50 per cent. higher than the normal at this season of the year. Costliness of War. A well-known German economist, Professor itiesser, reckons that if war broke out between France and Germany 0 each country during the first six weeks of hostilities would nave to lay hands on £ G0,OGO,GOU to cover the cost of mobilisa- tion and to support their armies in the field. John Bunyan and the Cinema. Apparently, ere long, instead of reading the classics, we shall see them. Following Victor Hugo's "Les Miser- ables," we have Bunvan's "Pilgrim's Progress" adapted lor the cinemato- graph, along with scenes from the author's life. Johnny's Prayer. Johnny's little sister was away from home for the night (writes a "Manches- ter Guardian'' correspondent), and when he lay ill nis bed Johnny felt lonely, sad, and neglected. He covered his face witfh his hands. He wasn't crying, he told his mother. He was asking God to take care of Margaret. "I often talk with God, you know, mother," he added, "only yesterday 1 told Him I should so like to win at marbles." The Artist's Eye. There is, I suppose (says the Art Critic of "The Yorkshire Post"), hardlv any town so hideous that an artist's keen eye may not discover in it something sug- gestive, even if he have to take refugo in a Nocturne, in which darkness screens nine-tenths of his subject, and leaves littie but a tine contour of chimnev- staoks and the gleam of a gas lamp to serve as his theme. Sympathy for the Reciter. The recitation was on the long side —perhaps most recitations are-yet the reel tel. had evidently done his best (says the "Manchester Guardian"), and mild applause followed as he sat down. Then came one oi the painful moments of lile. The chairman of the smoking concert had fallen asleep and had to be. aroused to announce tne next item. For once even a reciter enjoyed a full measure of public sympathy. Uniforms in Parliament. It has long been the custom at the opening of a new Session for the mover and seconder of the Address to don uni- form for the occasion. The uniform is generally either a military or semi- military one. Disraeli once referred to the "unaccustomed and magnificent array" of a Deputv-Lieutenant of a county but since the institution of the Territorial Army thia uniform has been much more frequently seen on cere- monial occasions. Theatre "Raggers." A hint to I niversity men who "give vent to their 'after-dinner' sensations by rolling into the theatre and misbehav- ing themselves in public," is contained in "The Granta," which gives thia specimen of a scene and the interrup- tions :— The Actor: "I love you." Audience: "Swish." Act-or: "I must kiss-" Audience: Cork noise. Actor: "Oh, I can't bear to leavl you." Audience: "You're a sportsman, sir. Actress: "I can't let you go, I love you too." Audience: "Wow-wow." The quest! ;n put to the unbiassed ob- server is, "Are these remarks really clever. Senseless Competition. We, thank God, are out of the mili- tary maelstrom, or rather we hover on the brink, and are mercifully preserved from tumbling in. But (says Mr. Massingham, in the "Daily News and Leader") our trade will inevitably share in the great cur- tailment of capital for productive pur- poses which Germany and France and Russia and Italy and the Balkan States are about to experience. Nor will tin* United States, seif-sufficing as they are, escape the effects of the general shortage. It is not possible, therefore, for the two more peaceful Powers to help Con- tinental Europe out of the senseless tangle of this new competition-at the end of which each competitor will be in precisely the same position of relative strength as before? For a reduction of armaments is no longer a pacifist fad. It is a remedy against proceedings which apply to a state of peace devices hitherto only applicable—as the precedent of 181.'? shows—to a desperate state of war. It is a means—perhaps the only means-- for the preservation of anything like the existing order in Europe.

THE TIN PLATE TRADE. To the Editor. Sir.—I see that Doubler" wishes to so back to the 40 box a shift sys- tem. 1 would like to know if he is agree- able to the doing away with the Satur- day morning shut, to bring all shifts equal, and aliuw the day men (i.e., fitters, smiths, millwrights, etc.) a chance to get a Sunday out of thp works. We never get a chance now. There are many instances where mechanical department of a tinph. works do not get a Sunday all throu^u the year-but do the millmen, or any other department, c-, No; the& ot l ic,r I- get their week-ends off regular, arf all holidays, and we have to work 1t", get the plant ready for them, to ma their records, and glut the market. We like our Sundays off just as much as other men.—Yours, etc. niter.