Evening Express

TO-DAY'S WEATHER. The forecast of the weaiber throughout the West of England and South Wales for to-day (Saturday) is as follows:—S.W. winds, freshening gusty; very showery.

I TEMPERATURE. RAINFALL DATE. j— :Mai.i Min. Mean.:9 a.m '9p.m. Total. Saturday *23 55 40 47'5 "00 *00 *00 Sunday |24 57 i 39 48 0 i '00 "00 -00 Monday .j25! 58 40 49*0 "00 "GO -00 Tuesday \26' fcO 44 52*0 "00 "CO -00 Wednesday. 27 58 44 51*0 "00 -00 "00 Thursday. 128 57 47 52 0 "CO "00 *00 Frida.Y J.. :29 -17

))trtbg, iflarriages, &23eatf)S DEATH. GRAY.—April 25th, at 41. Stanwell-road, Pen- arth, Emily Elinor, the dearly loved v;fe of Captain F. W. Gray. sÆ Topaze, aged 41 years.

Telephone: .National. 502: Post-offlee. 95. Telegrams: Express," Cardiff.

WHAT WE THINK. With the summarised statement made in the Reichstag yesterday by Herr Von Bulow, the German Minister, we are in perfect accord, and that is, that we hope "the period of excitement and surprises for China has now been closed." The brilliant speech of Mr. Balfour in the ftouse of Commons last night will, doubtless, set at rest for a time the suspicions that have existed during the past few weeks, as the pent-up excitement of Englishmen of every grade was relieved by the statements simultaneously made in both Houses of Parliament by the Duke of Devonshire and Mr. Balfour and the subsequent publica- tion of the official correspondence. For five hours last night the chief defence of I the Government was made by Mr. Wynd- ham. Lord Charles Beresford was emphatic in his disapproval. His main objection was I that we h. trusted to Russia, in spite of past experiences as to the utter worthless- I ne"s of her pledges. We ought to put our foot down, and keep it there, in defence of British interests, and we are less likely to drift into war by this means than by always giving way. These continued grace- I ful concessions, this constant yielding to foreign pressure are irritating to the nation, and altogether opposed to the traditions of British statesmanship as represented under Palmerston or Beaconsfield. Sir Edward Grey, who, like Sir Charles Dilke, is a student of foreign affairs, epitomised the prevailing feeling in and out of the House when he said the country would only be content to give the Government a I free hand if there was any indication that they had a settled policy, look- ing well ahead, and not one which depended for its action on passing events, and ended by being too late everywhere. rlhe conclusion at which most people will arrive after reading the I I I pess.mistic debate last night is that an agreement with Russia is now the ultimate goal of British diplomacy, so fa.r. at least. as the Far East is concerned. We have to meet there, and let us not meet in cnger is now the prevailing feeling, and, if that be so-well, then, so be it.

It is rumoured that when a man has been killed in the "pacific war" now raging the European Powers will step in and stop further bloodshed. Mr. D. A. Thomas. M.P., was observed care- fully ensconced in the vestibule of the Theatre Royal on Thursday eagerly perusing the columns of the "Express." We hope he was t satisfied with what he' read. The war map published this morning in the "Western Mail" is far and away the clearest yet published in any newspaper showing the seat of war. Fix it in your mind. and you have the theatre of war constantly before you. Sir William Lewis and "Mabon" are two of the best-meaning. two of the best-abused, and two of the most misunderstood men in South Wales. The engine-men have exercised a wise dis- cretion in not being too precipitate in enforcing their demands upon the employers by leaving work without notice, and. whether their demands are complied with or not. they can] lose nothing in public opinion by the exercise 1 1 of that admirable virtue—patience. ( Had the colliers been well advised they would have pursued a similar course, and who can i say that had such been followed and respon- sible representation with nccessary powers] waited upon the employers the resu't would not have been no strike and a substantial and immediate advance in their wages? And who can say that such is either impossible j or improbable to-day. providing wisdom j returneth no ttoo late to the men and their advisers? A good deal of sympathy is engendered in an inudn-trial crisis like the present for those* 1 indirectly affe*te:l, but am in no way respon- sible, and to no class is that sympathy more directed than to the small tradesman and shop- s keeper in the mining districts. He :s on the horns of a dilemma; if he gives credit, as he is expected to do, he has to run the risk of I having his own affected thereby with the 11 wholesale houses he may hapren to deal with, j and of ruining himself in the effort to keep his ( connection together. If he refuses credit, which he probably cannot afford to give, he runs the risk of being practically boycotted as soon as the strike is terminated and work resumed.

THE CAPTURED ENGLISHMEN. A Reuter's telegram from Tangier on Fri- day say«:—The Moorish war vessel has arrived here with the Englishmen who were captured Ln the Tourmaline, and all the men are look- ing well. On landing they were placed under irrest, and conducted to the British Consulate, vhere, after a snort examination, they were tlaced in confinement.

PLAGUE RIOTING IN INDIA. A Reuter's telegram from Bombay on Friday ays:—Another plague riot has occurred at a ■liuse called Porahanker, in the Hoshiapur iistrict. The villagers advanced in a threaten- ing manner upon a search party, and the police •uaid fired a volley of buckshot, wounding cveral people, though nobody was killed, here was no attempt at further interference ith the search party. As the police fired with- out orders, Jt. is held that the attitude of the villagers must have been dangerously hostile.

( MAP SHOWING THE BEAT OF WAR. Pavannah to Key West (nearest American coalin? station) 91 miles 1 Havannah to Cadiz (nearest* port in Spain) 4,137 miles to Cape de Verges (nearest Spanish coaling station) 2,010 miles | „ to New York M75 miles

THE WAR. i l f STILL NO LOSS OF LIFE. SPANISH VERSION OF THE BOMBARDMENT. RESULT: ONE MULE KILLED s j REPORTED BOMBARDMENT OF CARDENAS. THE WHEREABOUTS OF j THE SPANISH FLEET. II I TREASON ON AN AMERICAN WARSHIP. i Telegrams from Madrid regarding the bombardment of Matanzas state that there was no loss of life among the Spanish troops. A mule on one of the gun bat- teries was, however, killed. It is reported that Cardenas has been bombarded by two warships. An impending invasion of Cuba by < American regular troops, to act in con- junction with the insurgents, is announced. The Spanish fleet left St. Vincent on Friday morning; the course at the outset being laid to the south. The destination, however, is unknown. During the -after, noon, however, five of the vessels returned. It appeared that two of the torpedo-boats had come into* collision, necessitating; repairs in port. THE BOMBARDMENT OF MATANZAS. SPANISH YERSIl r OF THE ENGAGEMENT. [SPECIAL CENTRAL NEW S TELEGRAM.] HAVANNAH, Thursday. Yesterday three American warships bom- barded Matanzas. The official report received here says that two of the shells from the war- ships fell in the city. A mule was killed The artillerymen at the Castle of St. Severino re- turned the fire, and the squadron then with- drew. Last night a 'United States cruiser stranded off Dimas. in the province of Pinar del Rio. She is supposed to have been the Montgomery. With the assistance of three of her consorts and the rising tide, the vessel was floated again. A Reuter's telegram from Madrid on Friday says:—Marshal Blanco has sent the following dispatch to General Correa, Minister of War:- "Three American cruisers opened fire on Wed- nesday on the batteries of Fort Morillo at Matanzas, without doing any damage. We' fired fourteen shots, to which the Americans replied by a heavy machine gun fire, which did no harm. The enemy's squadron also fired fourteen shots at Punta Sabanilla battery, but only a mule was killed. The Spanish battery fired four shots, after which the American ships were out of range. The squadron consisted alto- gether of five vessels. They fired some shells into the plaee, without doing any damage. The French and Austrian Consuls have protested against the bombardment, on the ground that no previous warning was given to foreign sub- jects. The troops garrisoning the attacked posts are animated by the best of spirits, and deserve praise for their brave conduct. The bombardment lasted an hour. We appear to have done some damage to the enemy's vessels, one funnel being seen to be hit. Simultaneously with the bombardment Colonel Alfan's column i advanced to Mogote, south of Matanzas, and engaged and defeated the insurgents, killing twenty men, including two leaders. The Spanish troops had two men killed and a lieu- tenant and two men wounded. The rebels abandoned their camp, with a quantity of arms and stores and a number of horses. Five mounted insurgents, including the leader Ajona, afterwards came into Matanzas and made their submission." [SPECIAL CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM.] NEW YORK, Friday. The Spanish official announcement that the bombardment of Matanzas caused the death of ) one poor mule only has cut the average Ame- rican to the quick, coming, as it does, after the ] official announcement at Washington last even- ing that the first reports of the affair had been grossly exaggerated. It is felt to be a fairly accurate, if slightly coloured, description of the results of the eighteen minutes' engagement, so far as loss of life is concerned. Admiral Samp- son's report to the Navy Department, however, states that very considerable damage was done to the Spanish works. It is considered probable that Matanzas will be bombarded in earnest by the entire strength of the blockading squadron in about a fortnight's time, when, in all pro- bability, an expeditionary force will be landed to operate against Havannah in co-operation with the insurgent army. The rebel forces will in the first instance hf- commanded by General Calixto Garcia, who is now making his way from his fastnesses in the eastern part nf the island towards Matanzas. The Navy Department has prepared transports to convey about 15,000 men to Cuba. They will all be Regular soldiers of the United States Army, and under the command of Major-general rafter. who will have General Fitzhugh Lee [ is one of his brigadiers. The necessity for nilitary, as well as naval, operations is jeginning* to be realised by those responsible or the conduct of the war. The effect of the 'ainy season climate on American troops will, t is admitted, be disastrous, but it is now jointed out that, as the country is at war. luch risks must be regarded and accepted ts part of the price to be paid for the freeing )f Cuba. REPORTED BOMBARDMENT OF CARDENAS. [SPECIAL CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM.] r KEY WEST, Friday Afternoon. Dispatch-boats which have just come in itate that the blockading squadron bom- sarded the forts and batteries at Cardenas yesterday. The bombardment was very severe, and it is claimed that the enemy's batteries were silenced in two hours. AMERICAN NAVAL MOVEMENTS. A Central News telegram from Key West on Friday, at one a.m., says: -Reports from the leet up to this hour show that there has been 10 further fighting, nor have any of the shore batteries in Cuba opened fire upon any of the American warships. There is a consensus of )pinion here now that Matanzas is the point :hat has been selected for the landing of the preliminary expedition of the Cubans, and volunteers are now organising at Tampa. A SLOOP CAPTURED. I A Renter's telegram from Key West on Friday ,ays: -.A small sloop has been captured by the American gunboat Newport off.Cabanas, and tvas brought in here this morning in charge of prize crew of two men. TO RUN THE BLOCKADE. A Reuter's telegram from Madrid on Friday ;ays: -The captains of the steamers belonging to the Spanish Transatlantic Company under- take to deliver mails between Spain and Cuba, raying that they are confident of being able- to run the blockade. The "Heraldo" to-day publishes an article setting forth the reciprocal advantages which would accrue from an alliance between Spain, France, and Russia. Spaniards living in Mexico have sent a tele- gram to the Spanish Government offering to send necessary supplies of provisions to the Cubans. IMPENDING INVASION OF CUBA. A Reuter's telegram from Washington on Friday says:—The War Department has char- MAP OF CUBA. I tered eight large steamers capable of carrying from 500 to 1,200 passengers each for use as I transports for the conveyance of a first mili- tary expedition to Cuba. The confreres of the two Houses of Congress have reached an agreement on the Naval Appropriation Bill. The in- crease proposed by the Senate, including the addition to the Navy of four monitors and six- teen, instead of twelve, torpedo-boat destroyers, was adopted. All the other important addi- tions made by the Senate were likewise re- I tained. It is stated that the War Department tias nearly completed its plans for the invasion tias nearly completed its plans for the invasion of Cuba. It is proposed to land 10,000 men at Matanzas, under cover of Admiral Sampson's guns, and the movement is expected within a week. Tampa will be the base. A Reuter's telegram from Tampa on Friday says:—Colonel Cochrane, commanding the 1st Provisional Brigade of the Tampa Division, has received instructions to hold his command in readiness for immediate departure, with rations for 30 days. CANARY ISLANDS TO BE SEIZED The American Naval Strategy Board has formally recommended that the Canary Islands should be seized, together with one of the Balearic Islands, if the Spanish FÍeet remains at St. Vincent, or shows no disposition to steam into American waters. CAPTURE OF A SUPPOSED SPY. A Reuter's telegram from New York on Fri- day says:—The New Orleans correspondent of the "Herald" telegraphs that a man, named John Waltz, has been captured at Port Eads, having on him diagrams of the fortifications there. He will be tried by military commission, and will, it is expected, be shot as a spy. SAILING OF THE SPANISH FLEET. A Reuter's telegram from St. Vincent on Friday says: gThe Spanish fleet has sailed hence in a southerly direction. Its destination is not knojvn.. The orders in that respect will be given when the squadron is at sea. A Central News telegram from St. Vincent on Friday, at 8.30 a.m., saysThe Spanish fleet, whieh had been getting UD states "tjnce at the outset was laid to the south. The desti- nation of the fleet is unknown. The admiral has sailed with sealed orders, fwd these will be opened and communicated to the captains after twelve hours' steaming at sea. SEVERAL WARSHIPS RETURN TO ST. VINCENT. [SPECIAL CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM.] ST. VINCENT (CAPE DE VERDES), Friday Afternoon. The Spanish squadron sailed this morning for an unknown destination. This afternoon two of the transports and three of the torpedo- boats have returned The officers report that about three hours after leaving this port two of the torpedo boats came into collision. For-. tunately, the damage done was slight, but, as the few repairs necessary could not well be performed at sea, it was decided to send the vessels mentioned back to St. Vincent. The repairs are now (five p.m.) being proceeded" with with all despatch, and there is no reason to doubt that the transports and torpedo boats will be able to sail to-morrow. As they are very speedy boats, they will have no difficulty in overtaking the other ves~?ls of the squadron. The fact that the damaged b::mts returned here for repairs is taken to indicate that the desti- nation of the squadron is the West Indies. TREASON ON AN AMERICAN WARSHIP. [SPECIAL REUTER'S TELEGRAM.] NEW YORK, Friday. A special dispatch from Key West, published liere, but so far unconfirmed, states that a sailor on board the United States monitor Puritan has been convicted of treason. The man in question is reported to be a Spaniard, with a family in Matanzas. He was caught in the act of firing the lock of the powder maga- zine, was at once tried by a drumhead court- martial, was found guilty, and was sentenced I to be shot. POSITION AT MANILA. A special telegram from Madrid says.—The'' American squadron is expected to arrive before Manila on Sunday, unless the Spanish war- ships bar its passage. The Spanish squadron* 13 divided into two parts—the cruiser Castilla, with some other vessels, being posted at the entrance to the harbour, while the remainder. under the command of Admiral Moritojo, is watchinq^the western coasts, awaiting the arrival of the enemy. The squadron'hJts been reinforced by the addition of the Monte Video, a large steamer last night, has just sailed away. The course fitted as a cruiser, with a f-.peed of twenty f knots. REPORTED FIGHTING. A .DISCREDITED STORY. A Central News telegram from Madrid on Thursday, at 11.35 p.m., says:—Up till eleven o'clock this evening the Government had received no confirmation of the report which has been freely circulated to the effect that the Spanish war vessels had sunk an American ship in Philippine waters, h-enor Sagasta calculates that the American Squadron will not arrive in the vicinity of Manila until to- morrow, and that, therefore, no encounter with the Spanish naval forces can yet have taken place. Senor Sagasta. interviewed with respect I j to the report that the late Philippines rebel leader Aquinaldo would accompany Admiral Dfeweys's squadron to Manila, says the state- ment is absolutely incorrect. Only one native of the Philippines will go with the American ships, and he will simply act as pilot. This I man is known to the Spanish authorities, and he never took any part in the rebellion. The news of the stranding of an American warship I on the coast of Pinar Del Rio has caused a great feeling$f elation here. THE REPORTED BOMBARD- MENT OF CARDENAS. A Reuter's telegram from New York on Fri- day says:—A telegram from Key West to the Evening Post states that the monitor Terror and gunboat Machia' have bombarded the port of Cardenas, near Matanzas, killing many Spaniards. After an hour's firing the batteries were silenced. A shot from the shore batteries, the telegram says, provoked the Terrcfr and Machias to fire back. The fort at first resolutely withstood the bombarument, but the ancient guns in the batteries inflicted no damage on the ships, and suddenly grew Silent. A later dispatch received from Key West throws considerable doubt on the accuracy of the "Evening Post" telegram. Captain Har- rington, of the Puritan, just arrived at Key West from Matanzas, states that he has heard nothing of the firing upon Cardenas, where two Spanish gunooats are lying hid in the inlet. J He declares it impossible for warships to icct nearer than six miles to the town, which is ) unfortified. THE REPORT DENIED. [SPECIAL CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM.] NEW YORK, Friday. A dispatch from Washington states that the Navy Department has received no confirmation of the reported bombardment of Cardenas by ships of the blockading squadron. SPANISH OPINION OF THE BLOCKADE. A MENACE TO THE COMMERCE OF THE WORLD. THE CORTES AND AUTONOMY. A Central News telegram from Madrid on Thursday, ten p.m., says -In the Senate to-day Senor Sonchez, a Conservative Deputy, spoke of the blockade of Cuba, affirming that, as it at present existed, it was contrary to inter- national rights, inasmuch as it was ineffective. The conduct of the United States, he declared, was a menace to the commeice of the world, and he proposed thae the Spanish Government should address a Note to the Powers in order that the latter might pronounce their opinion I upon the blockade. A project with regard to the augmentation of the land and natal forces was pas:cd by the Senate. To-morrow the j' question of the indemnity to the Cortes for the autonomy Bill will come before the Senate. Marshal Martinez Campos will speak on the subject, and will state that, although a certain scction of the Conservative party will not agree to the autonomy granted to Cuba, now that it is established they will recognise it, and will support the Indemnity Bill in order not to weaken the Government's voting power. A Reuter's telegram from Madrid on Friday says: -The "Imparcial" to-day says that all the world knows, now fhat America has tried -to bounce Spain with warlike threats which she cannot fulfil. Even now, Barnum-like, she is trying to astound us all by telegram!! which describe as a warship every old tub that can carry a flag, and shuffle one and the other ,about in changing combinations until the American Navy appears to be "the greatest show on ejrth. Its real strength is, however, known exactly, viz.Five ironclads, two belted cruisers, three unbelted (these being the fastest and most powerful), and twelve cruisers ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 tons. All the rest are theatrical supers. The "Imparcial" regrets that Daudet did npt live to write, "Tartarin, the Yankee Admiral," based on Admiral Sampson's glorious eighteen minutes' bombardment of Matanzas, resulting in the ) slaughter of a mule. It is declared that in spite of the 3QO shells thrown by the Ameri- cans that the Spaniards Lad neither killed nor wounded, nor did the fortifications suffer. COAL FOR THE SPANIARDS. A Central News telegram from St. John's Newfoundland) on Friday says:—Her Majesty's ships Majestic, Cordelia, and Pelican have been ordered to keep a, sharp look-out for Spanish vessels visiting Newfoundland in order to obtain coal. This step, it is believed, has been ;aken in response to representations from the \meric]an Government at Washington. NEUTRALITY OF PORTUGAL. A Reuter's telegram from Lisbon on Friday iays:— A decree proclaiming the neutrality of Portugal cojitairts.six- -rticles:-(I) Forbidding the equipment of privateers in Portuguese waters; (2) forbidding the entry of privateers into Portuguese waters; (3) permitting the entry of belligerent ships Into Portuguese ports, but only for a short stay; (4) setting forth the legitimate limits of trade as regards belli- gerents, and forbidding any commerce in goods which may be conside.-ed contraband of war; (5) warning the Portugese and foreigners resi- dent in Portugal against actions contrary to the security of the State: and (6) no protection to be extended to anyone infringing this decree. ARRIVAL OF CUBANS AT JAMAICA. A Renter's telegram from Kingston, Jamaica, on Friday says:—The German steamer Remua arrived to-day at Port Antonio with 451 Cuban? from Santiago de Cuba on board. Her Majesty's ships Pallas, Indefatigable, Pearl, and Alert are all here. ARRIVAL OF THE CAMPANIA. The Cunard steamer. Campania, from New York, arrived at Queenstown on Friday, landed the Irish mails and some .passengers, and then proceeded to Liverpool. The Campania saw nothing of the Paris. THE WAR REVENUE BILL. A Reuter's telegram from Washington on Friday says: -The War Revenue Bill has passed the House of Representatives by 181 to 149. GERMANY AND THE PHILIPPINES, A Reuter's telegram from Madrid on Friday says:—A great impression has been caused here by a rumour that Germany has issued an official Note declaring that the landing of troops in the Philippines will not be opposed, but that a bombardment will not be permitted, owing to important German mercantile inte- rests in all the towns. It is held here that colour is given to the rumour by Germany's non-declaration of neutrality. QUESTION IN PARLIAMENT. •n the House of Commons on Friday, Sir JOS. LEESE (R., Lancashire, Accrington) asked if the Government had any information as to the state of affairs in the Philippine Islands, and what steps had been taken to pro- tect British subjects engaged in trade at Manila and other places in the island. Mr. A. J BALFOUR: We received a report from our Consul at Manila on March 11 last stating that a rebellion against Spanish authority had broken out in the northern pro- vince of the island. Her MajMtx'a tsttipa havi been ordered to watch events. THE FLYING SQUADRON. [SPECIAL' CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM.] NEW YORK. Friday. The latest report as to the intentions of the Hying squadron, which is still m Hampton Roads, is to the effect that it will sail to-morrow morning, en route for Trinidad, with ill" object of surprising and capturing the Spanish war- ships which s're supposed to be 'n that pari, of the world waylaying the United States battle- ship Oregon. The report is considered doubtful, especially in view of 1he reported sailing of the Spanish squadron from Cape de Verdes to-day. MORE YANKEE BOUNCE. The special Correspondent of the "DaiJy Tele- graph" gives some interesting detaih of the bombaidment. Telegraphing frcm New Yors on Thursday, he saysr-- This morning the "Herald" achieved a jour- nalistic feat, which, in its way, was almost equal to the victory gained by the three Ameri- can warships in reducing the Matanzas batteries The dispatch boat, Somers N. Smith, on board of which was your special correspondent with the fleet, had been ordered to follow the flagship New York wherever she went. When the flagship slipped away from the squadron off Havannah yesterday morning, the Somers N. Smith followed in her wake, and was re- warded by being the only newspaper boat within twenty miles of the engagement, by taking off Admiral Sampson's dispatches, by arriving at Key West before anyone knew there had been a fight, and by enabling the "Herald" to publish a full and accurate account of the whole busi- ness before any other paper in New York knew that there had been anything in the nature of an engagement at all. It is alse a source of much gratification that an impartial British observer, a proficient artilleryman, on the spot, admits the wonderful accuracy of the American gunners. This good shooting is regarded in official circles as quite the most important outcome of the engagement, and gives the greatest satisfaction. j It was a beautiful isight to see the targa practice made by the New York's gunners. It was not very long before the New Tort reduecd her range from 7,000 to 3,000 yards, and was tossing shells into SebDiiilla at the rate oi about three per minute wrJi won-lerful pre- cision, and apparently great destructivenMS. The engagement lasted just eighteen minutes. It began at 57 minutes past«12 and ended at a quarter-past one. After the firing ceased the "Herald's" dispatch .boat ran zound the fleet, but not a single casualty was reported. The Puritan and the Cincinnati were left on guard at Matanzas and the New York returned to her old position. In all the United States ships fired 86 shots at the forts by actual count from the "Herald's" boat, and the forts fired probably 25 shots. One point revealed by the bombardment was that the calibre of the largest guns mounted by the Spaniards at Matanzas is Sin,. and the fCONTINUED ON PAGE U

ABKKGAYEXNY WIDOWS ACTION. 1 The case of Williams v. Williams was opened on Friday in the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court, before Mr. Justice Lawrance ] and a special jury. Mr. Carson. Q.C., and Mr. B. Lailey appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Jelf, Q.C., and Mr. David for the defendant. Mr. Carson said the plaintiff was Mrs. Florence A. Williams, the widow of Mr. C. B. Wil- 5 liams, of Abergavenny, and she brought the t present action for damages for slander against Major Williams, of Brynglas. Cantref. Aber- 1 gavenny. for having stated that plaintiff was ( not the lawful wife of Mr. C. B. Williams. The ( plaintiff had brought the action under a some- t what recent Act of Parliament, which enabled women to bring actions for slander in cases < where unchastity was imputed. The plaintiff lived with her father at Abergavenny, and some] years ago married the brother of the defendant, but some coolness arose between them, as the] plaintiff was not the equal in social position ] of the defendant. Mr. Williams died in Sep- ( tember, 18%, and he left his property to his 1 daughter, the defendant. Major Williams, being the executor. The plaintiff, of course, had to ] see the defendant on business matters, and it ] was on one of those occasions that she alleged slander was uttered. They were discussing the payment of certain taxes which had been < called for. and in the course of some conversa- 1 tion the defendant said that plaintiff never was 1 the wife of his brother, but only his woman. That was the matter complained of. and. of 1 course, matters of that sort talked about in a 1 place like Abergavenny soon spread, and it j became necessary for plaintiff to take some action to vindicate her character. The defen- dant never withdrew the slander, but said he never spoke the words, in regard to which it would be proved there was not a particle of truth. ] Mrs. F. A. E Williams, the plaintiff, said she was married to the defendant's brother in March. 1384, and had one daughter. Her hus- ( band was in business, and became the pfoprietor of the Swan Hotel. Alresford. Hampshire, and witness managed it when her husband died. Defendant became executor, and he came to the hotel from time to time. In December, 1896. she spoke to him about some taxes, and he ordered her out of the room. She refused to go. and said. "You are speaking to your dead brother's wife." He replied that she never was his wife, but only his woman. That statement was heard by her sister, Mrs. Pugh, the barmaid, and some others. Cross-examined by Mr. David: The relation- ship between witness and the defendant had been strained because of the will. She might have shown that the will was distasteful to her • when it was read. but she never said anything about tearing it up. She denied that she and her mother had abused her late husband for making the will. By Mr. Carson: She had been provided for under the marrÜlge settlement. The Judge: What was your maiden name? —Jones. Then you are Welsh, too? (Laughter.)—No.. my lord. Mrs. Pugh, the married sister of the nlaintiff, and Miss Mayberry, the barmaid, and others deposed to the use by defendant of the words alleged as the slander. Mr. Jelf, Q.C.. for the defendant, said he should have to lav before them an absolute denial of the plaintiff's story. The defendant was a gentleman well known in Wales, and had occupied many public positions, but he had nsver thrown thø slightest doubt on his brother's marriage to the plaintiff. The alle- gation was (I. malicious fabrication. Major Williams, the defendant, said that when the will was read the plaintiff abused her late husband for not leaving her money. At the interview in December, 1896, when there were words between them. witness said that he did not recognise plaintiff as his brother's widow there, because he was only treating her as the manageress of the hotel. He never said that she was "not his brother's wife. but only his woman," and rever had it in his mind. Cross-examined by Mr. Carson: There was not the slightest ground for imneaching the mora- I lity of the plaintiff, nor did he ever do so. After some fnrther evid ceo theinrv returned a verdict for the plaintifflwith £250 damages.

LICENSED VICTUALLERS DEFENCE LEAGUE. PROGRAMME OF THE CARDIFF CONFERENCE. The mayor of Cardiff (Alderman Joseph Ram3- dale) wi1l be busy again next week. on the occa- sion of the annual conference of the Licensed Victuallers' National Defence League. The hon. secretary (Mr. T. S. Lloyd), principal trmeller to Messrs. Hancock and Co.. on Friday mt:ht informed a "Western ,j\rail" representative that up to the present 400 delegates have notified their intention t>f being present. The proceed- ings open with a luncheon at the Royal Hotel to the members of the local committee, given by the president iMr. J. M. Gerhold), and two of the principal subjects of discussion will be "Clubs" and "Sunday Closing." The following is the programme as arranged by the local cem- mittee — Tuesday—7.30 p.m.: Reception and concert at Royal Hotel. Wednesday—Ten a.m.: Opening of conference. 12.30 p.m.: Luncheon. 6.30 p.m.: Banquet at Park-hall; president. Mr. G. L. Blackhall (of Messrs. Ind Coope and Co., Limited); vice- nresident, Mr. C. Howard Tripp (of Messrs. Ind Coope and Co., Limited!. Thursday—Ten a.m.: Opening of conference. 12.30p.ru.: Luncheon. Three p.m.: Channel trip hy steamship Waverley. Nine p.m.: Ball at the Park-hall.

George Jones. 40, of Walford-on-Wye, was summoned at Ross on Friday for cruelly ill- treating and torturing two rams and seven- teen ewe sheep it Walford on various days in April. The defendant pleaded guilty to a cer- tain extent. Inspector Bromage, of the Here- fordshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Mr. F. W. Barling, of Ross, veterinary surgeon, gave evidence as tg the sheep being in a very poor state—skin and bone. The defendant was fined £1 and jEl 10s. costs, or, in default, one month. Jacob Studt, of Cardiff, caterer of amuse- ments, was summoned at Ross Police-court on I Friday for using a locomotive on the highway at Ross on the 20th of April without having a licence for the county of Herefordshire. Th- defendant said he had never been summone before. He had a licence for the county cf Monmouthshire and also for Glamorganshire, and he thought Ross was in Monmouthshire The defendaut was fine-d 5s. and 9s. costs.- Clifton Hill (32). of Dursley, Gloucestershire roundabout proprietor, was also summoned at the same court for a similar offence at Ross or. April 14. and was fined 6s., and 9s. costs. Mr. F. Cooper, the newly-elected chairman o! the Ross Urban District Council, who is now Qualified- to sit as a magistrate, took his seat for the first time upon the bench at Ross Police court on Friday, and was congratulated by the chairman (the Rev. K B. Hawkshaw) and Mr. E. R. Davies, solicitor.

Last Night's Parliament HOUSE OF LORDS.—Friday. The Lord Chancellor took his seat at a quarter past four o'clock. Several private Bills were read a. second time, and The House adjourned at 4.35. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—Friday. The Speaker took the chair at three o'clock. WEST INDIAN COLONIES. Mr. CHAMBERLAIN (Secretary of State for he Colonies), replying to Mr. Engledew (N., Kildare, N.), said he was considering the best means of encouraging the settlement of the labouring population of the West Indian Colonies 011 small plots of land as peasant proprietors. THE TOBACCO DUTIES. Sir M. HICKS-BEACH (Chancellor of the Exche- quer), replying to Sir W. Wills (R.. Bristol. E.), said he had decided to allow a rebate of 6d. per pound for the whole period from April 22 to May 15 inclusive on tobacco cleared for the manufacture of snuff. in addition to that cleared for the manufacture of cigars and rolls, and to extend this concession to all leaf tobacco cleared between May 6 and 15 in- clusive. He could not place foreign cigarettes on the same footing as foreign cigars. THE YANGTSE VALLEY. Mr. A. J. BALFOUR. in reply to Lord Charles 3eresford (U., York), said the Government lad received assurances from China that they tfould not alienate any part of the Yangtse iistrict, and they attached the greatest value :0 those assurances. Lord CHAS. BERESFORD: Have the Govern- nent rCt:eive1 similar assurances from Russia? Mr. A. J. BALFOUR:'Russia possesses no par of the territory, and could give no such Assurance. HONG KONG. Lord CHARLES BERESFORD asked if atten- tion had been called to the report of a speech lel-vered by Lord Cross in Yorkshire, in which tie was reported to have said that the Govern- ment were determined, if necessary, to secure the territory behind Hong Kong in order that the base should be adequately defended from the land side. Did the statement embody the iefinite policy of the Government? Mr. A. J. BALFOUR said he did not think :he noble lord ever seriously contemplated that it was part of the policy of the Government :hat the defences of Hong Kong should be ieriously jeopardised. THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN. Mr. BRODRICK (Under Secretary of State for war). in reply to General Russell (U., Chelten- ia,m). said the boots supplied to the English roops on the Nile were of a higher quality .ban those issued to the Egyptian troops, but he latter was better calculated to resist the lestructive action of the peculiar sand of the ^ile region than the English sole. The House went into Committee of Supply m the Civil Service Estimates. A report of kfr. Balfour's statement on the Government's lolicy in the Far East will be found elsewhere. The House adjourned at twelve o'clock.

POWERS AND THE FAR EAST. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT IN THE REICHSTAG. A Reuter's telegram from Berlin on Friday iay3:^Herr Von Buelow to-day communicated :0 the Budget Committee the text of the treaty 'eceived yesterday between Germany and Dhina, explaining that the part regarding the iconomic concessions in Shantung must be reated as quite confidential, inasmuch as 3reat Britain, Russia, and France had alike withheld from publication their latest com- nercial agreements .with China. Herr Von Buelow went on to say that, just as Hong Hong was a neighbour to the French sphere )f action, England had in going to Wei-Hai- iVei moved into the neighbourhood of the Russian sphere of power. Wei-Hai-Wei was Sngland's window into the Gulf of Pechili, as Port Arthur was Russia's. Germany had no abjection to make if those two Powers watched Ae play of the waves in the gulf from those windows. No one could foretell whether Friction might not thereby arise one day oetween England and Russia, but Germany loped sincerely not. Germany felt herself in 110 way pressed upon by the Russian domain )f action in North China, which, indeed, she always recognised. It was to be hoped the period of surprises and excitement for China was closed, and it might be anticipated that ill the Powers would now address themselves :0 cultivating and developing, peacefully, what they had acquired. Germany had no diffe- rences with Japan, who had not complained of any hurt from the German acquisition of Kiao-Chau. The Chinese Government had not reverted to the fixing of the amount payable for the lease of Kiao-Chau, and he had not thought it lay within the interests of Germany to raise the question on his side. Admiral forpitz informed the Committee that the Maval Department would charge itself with the erection of moles, quays, and storehouses, but the establishment of wharfs and coal depots would be left to private enterprise. The pre- sent fortifications would be improved, but no new ones would be built. A Reuter's telegram from Berlin on Friday says :-Herr Yon Buelow, .Eecretary of State, declared in the Budget Committee of the Reich- stag to-day thn.t he had no knowledge of a Russo-Japanese Convention regarding Korea, or of an Anglo-American Alliance, either of a general or special nature. A Reuter's telegram-from St. Petersburg on Friday says:—Naval engineers will be sent to Pert Arthur by the next steamer, in order to erect docks and naval works there. A Reuter's telegram from Yokohama on Fri- day says —The Government organ emphati- cally denies the report that Japan is seeking to lease Amoy.

DELAGOA BAY RAILWAY ARBITRATION. A Central News telegram from Berne on Friday says:—The report of the three engineers appointed by the Delagoa Bay Arbitration Court as experts has now been printed, and is being distributed to the parties. It is a volu- minous document, giving a detailed comparison of the varions railway systems in South Africa. As the result of their investigation, the experts are of opinion that the value of the work done by the company up to the time of the seizure of the railway, in June, 1889. was £255,000. They estimate the cost of the eight kilometres' sub- sequently completed by the Portuguese Govern- ment at £6d,OíJO, and they consider that the Portuguese Government subsequently expended about £66.000 in repairs and improvements on the whole line of railway. In reply to ques- tions put to them as to the value of the con- cession, they state that if the Portuguese were to exercise the right of expropriation given them by the concession they would have to pay the sum of £2.435.000, and they put the value of the concession on the 31st of December, 1896, at £1,820,000.

DISORDER IN ITALY. A SERIOUS RISING. A Central News telegram from Rome on Friday says: -Serious riots have occurred in the province of Bari, in the South of Italy, and at Foggia and Faenza. Official telegrams have declared that the disturbances were of slight importance, but, according to the local news- papers, the riots have practically assumed the proportions of an insurrection. Barricades have been erected in Foggia and Faenza by the mob, and many persons have been killed and wounded. It is stated that the Government has ordered twelve battalions to be concentrated in the district, and has also ordered two gun- boats to proceed to the spot.