Evening Express

Tragic Accident on the Alps. DR. HOPKINSON, HIS SON, AND TWO DAUGHTERS KILLED. A Beuter's telegram from Berne on Monday Bays:—News has been received here that an Englishman, named Dr. Hopkinson, who, in company with his con and two daughters, had undertaken, without guides, the ascent of the Dent of Veisivi, in the Evolcna. Valley, have fallen down a precipice. Details are wanting. A Beuter's telegram from Berne on Monday (later) says:—It has now been ascertained that Dr. Hopkinson, together with his three children, perished in the fall. The authorities have caused the bodies to be recovered. SENSATIION IN SCIENTIFIC CIRCLES. THE DOCTOR'S CAREER. The Central News says:—A great sensation has been caused in scientific and electrical circles by the news of the tragic death in Switzerland of Dr. John Hopkinson, the well- known electrical and mechanical engineer. Dr. Hopkinson was educated at Owen's College, Manchester, and in 1870 graduated as doctor of science at London University. In the following year he graduated at Cambridge as Senior Wrangler, and First Smith's Prizeman, that gaining a unique distinction for it is very rare that both honours are carried off by the same man in the same year. After leaving his university he practised as an electrical engi- neer, and was soon recognised as one of the foremast men in the profession. He carried out an extensive scheme of electric tramways in Leeds and other Northern towns, and has for many years acted as consulting engineer to the Birmingham Corporation. He was recognised as an authority on dynamo machinery, and received the medal of the Royal Society for his researches in this respect. Besides being the author of numerous technical and scientific works, he was a manager of the Royal Institution, a member of the council of the British Association, and a member of the Physical Society. His death is rendered the more tragic by the fact that he intended returning to London the day after he was killed. He had long been an expert moun- taineer, and had been in Switzerland since early in July. His brother, who resides in Lon- don, has received no information concerning the statement that Mrs. Hopkinson and her two children were also killed.

AMERICAN IIILITARY TRAIN WRECKED. THREE SOLDIERS KILLED, A Central News telegram from York on Mon- day says:—A serious accident occurred yester- day to the jnilitary train conveying the 69th New York Regiment. Near Birmingham (Alabama) the train was derailed and very ba,dly wrecked. Three of the soldiers were killed and 30 more or less seriously injured.

To-Day's Cricket. THE SCARBOROUGH FESTIVAL. GENTLEMEN V. PLAYERS. If not fully recpresentative—as, of course, they could scarcely be with several first-class comity matches in progress, the amateur and professional teams in the second match at Scar- borough on Monday morning were ver" strong. Unfortunately, the wet weather, which pre- vented a ball from being bowled in Saturday ? match, continued throughout. Sunday, and the game had to be commenced on a terribly sott ground and under a still threatening sky. Giuin won the toss for the Players, and. on the terribly soft wicket sent in Brown anu Tunnicliffe to open the batting against the bowling of Jack- son and Jessop. Only eight runs were scored before Jackson bowled Brown and Tykiesley with consecutive balls. Albert Ward joined Tunnicliffe, and. in the face of the ea.ny disasters, both batsmen played in the most cautious fashion, the only big hit being a smack for four by Ward. At the end of forty minutes' cricket the total was only up to 27. Score: ,s. PLA YERS.-First innings. I Brown, b Jackson 2 Tyldesley. b Jackson v 0 Tunnicliffe, not out 34 Albert Ward, b Jackson 23 W. Crtmii, run out a Storer, not out 7 Extras 5 W. Crtmii, run out a Storer, not out 7 Extras 5 Total (for four wickets). 79 I KENT V. MIDDLESEX. This return match was commenced on Monday at Catfcrd in dull, threatening weather. Patter- son took Bannon's placs in the Kent eleven, while Lewis. and Hayman played for Middlesex instead of Macgregor and Foley. Winning the toss, Middlesex batted first, and lost J. Douglas at 27. Ford gave little trouble, being caught and bowled at 54. With Hayman and R. Douglas together the 50 was reached in forty- five minutos. and runs came steadily. Hay- man was twiced missed, and Uouglas was in some difficulty. Tile 100 was reached in an hoar and a half, and then R Douglas and Rawlin soon left. The third wicket added 57 in ilfty-five, minutes. 'Hie score at luncheon was 122 lor five wicketa. Score: MIDDLESEX.—First innings. J. Douffla*. c Muish. fc Hearne 14 Hayman, not out 50 Ford <■ and b Hearne 9 tUwliii. b Wright 6 E. Douglas, b Bradley 6 W«lls c Martin, b Mason I 11 Extras a Tot?.! (for five wickets). 122 ESSEX V. SUSSEX. Fine, though rather dull, weather prevailed at Brighton on Monday morning when the final fixture of these counties was commenced, and a fair company was present. Both sides were strong. George Brann re-appearing for Sussex, Humphreys being left out. this being the only change in the team which lost to Yorkshire last weak. Winning the toss. Sussex began batting !Lt ten minutes past, twelve. Pry and Brann being opposed by Ball and Mead. Each batsin-.n hit a four in the first over bowled. to him, but following these strokes tie bowling was so uncommonly good that only four runs came in twenty minutes. Then Brann began to force the game, and drove Bull to the off boundary. In hitting to leg B)-;uin was bowled at 26. and at 44 Murdoch was easily caught and bowled by Bull. With Latham in Kortright relieved Mead. Th'' so went up in fifty-five minutes. Fry playing splendidly, and he scored freely off Kurtrieiit. Score: — SUSSEX.—First innings. Fry. not out 51 Brann. b Bull 15 Murdoch, c and b Bull 10 Latham, b Reeves 7 L. A. Smith, not out 1 Extras 4 Total (far three picket88

The Coalowners' Offer. — 0. WILL THE OFFER BE ACCEPTED? MEETING OF THE COLLIERS. THE DOWLAIS, CYFARTHFA, AND I PLYMOUTH MEN DECIDE. A mass meeting of the men of the Dowlais, Cyfarthfa, and Plymouth Collieries was held on Monday morning on Mountain Hare, Merthyr. when thera was a large and representative attendance. Mr. Thomas Thomas, who pre- sided, said the meeting was the most important and momentous that they had held since the strike begun. He urged all to be reasonable and considerate whatever diversity of opinion there existed among them. Although their feel- ings might be as strong now as they were five lllC nths ago, yet the position had vastly changed, for, whereas then they had better cir- cumstances and more friends, to-day they were sriicunded by difficulties and enemies, and every door by which they might obtain assis- tance was shut upon them. In his opinion what the masters had offered was equivalent to a minimum, and if they were well organised they could in the future press it to their advan- tage It was no use to go back to work sec- tienally, for, if they did, their aim to obtain better organisation in South Wales and Mon- mouthshire would be defeated, and jealousies and animosities would be created at a time, when it was most important that they should a'l be brought together. Hence, if they went back at all all should go back. He advised them to accept the terms offered, for if they refused them the masters would only submit others less favourable. Several others spoke, including Mr. David Thomas, of the provisional committee, and all urged a spirit of conciliation. Subsequently, it was almost unanimously decided to accept the new clause which it is proposed to insert in the next agreement. A resolution was also carried insisting upon the retention of the monthly day's holiday.

CAMBRIAN MINERS ASSOCIA- TION. IMPORTANT SPEECH BY "MABON," M.P. ADVISES THE WORKMEN TO ACCEPT THE MASTERS' TERMS. A meeting of the Cambrian Miners' Associa- tion was held on Monday morning at the Park Hotel, Pontypridd. "Mabon," M.P.. and Mr. William- Evans, the agents, were present. The delegates present invited Mr. Abraham to make a few remarks with reference to the strike. Mr. Abraham replied that he was not desirous to of expressing an opinion on the present position of affairs before the meeting of dele- gates at Cardiff on Wednesday next. as it might be said that he gave expression to his own views simply to guide the workmen instead of allowing them to exercise their own judgment as to what- should be done with the terms offered by the masters on Saturday. However, if the association desired him or their leader to say samething, he was prepared to take the re: ponsibility of doing so. The meeting then passed a resolution desiring "Mabon" to speak upon the subject, and that the meeting should decide afterwards whether his remarks should be published. "Mabon" then referred to the morning papers reports of the meeting and the criticisms con- tained in them, and said that whilst one paper was not quite correct in saying that a tentative agreement had been arrived at, it was broad- minded enough to allow the workmen to exer- cise their own discretion to decide the matter. Another paper, however, had come down upon the provisional committee like a million of bricks—(laughter)—because, it is alleged, they had not sufficient backbone to accept the responsibility of settling the dispute on the terms offered toy the masters. The hon. mem- ber gave a detailed account of their negotia- tions with the employers on Saturday, and said that the basis of the discussion was the question of a minimum. Last Saturday wees the provisional committee, in consequence of a number of resolutions received from the col- lieries desiring them to take immediate steps with a view of effecting a settlement, the feel- ing of the committee was that they should get the employers to concede a reasonable mini- mum. Several of the members of the com- mittee were appointed to wait upon the em- ployers and interview them on the matter, and it fell to his (the speaker's) lot to wait upon Sir W T. Lewis, whom he met last Wednesday. Sir William at once told him that the emer- gency committee was divided, but that. per- sonally. he was against recognising the prin- ciple of a minimum. He wanted to know whether the workmen were fighting merely for a name, or for some protection against the power of allowing wages to fall to a low point and its continuation there. He replied that the workmen wanted such a protection, after which Sir William said. "Well, I think there is a possibility of giving you that protection without giving it in the name of a minimum. "All right." he (the speaker) replied, we are not fighting for a phantom, but for something real. Saturday's meeting was then agreed upon The employers asked for the workmen a proposals, and they wanted the longest mode- rate and not the longest "possible minimum without the least irritation to the employers. They (the provisional committee) then formally asked for an immediate minimum of 17* per cent. above the standard of 1879 being the amount of wages the employers were prepared to give but that when ths prices warranted a 20 per cent, that should be made an immoveable mini- mum. An animated di £ <"ussion followed and the employers gave an emphatic "No! to the proposal. Sir William then asked whether they were fighting for a name or for some kind of protection, and they were informed that what the workmen wanted was a protection th~y did not mind under what guise. They then returned, and the employers subsequently offered them 9s. He would not characterise it contemptible, but the expression that it was an insult to the men was used. The pro- nos'tion was a ridiculous one, and could not be accepted, and it was pointed out to the em- ployers that year after year the vvorkmenv.e compelled to accept then; stat omen s tbat the price of production had increased by at least is since the time when wag-rs were down at the 9s. point. The workmen then offered to accept the present wage of 174 per cent. as a minimum, but this was also injected. Ill.'|iee ,> proposal after proposal was rejected, unt.l the emr'oyers offered them ultimatum. He wished to call their attention to two matters m con- nection to two matters m connection with it, The first was—Had they any hope of gaining better terms from the employers ? 1 he second —D'd the terms offered provia-e a protection. Unsatisfactorily as was the amount, was the 12i per cent. a protection? These were points upon which the workmen should satisfy them- selves before they either accepted or reacted tliB terms. (Hear, hear.) The qucstion of the monthly holiday was not considered at the joint meeting, as they had no tun3 to do so and, therefore, he could not say that th re was no hope yet of retaining the holiday. (He?r hear.) Personally, he had not tha 'lightest doubt but that with a view to ob- taining a peaceable settlement, the terms of the employers were offered as an ultimatum, Hie feared that. if the struggle was t) be con- tinued, those would not be the lowest terms which would come from the employers. Tten, again, did those terms provide a protection, seeing that it was not given in the name of a minimum? He had no hesitation in saying "Yes." It was a real protection for various reasons. It would have been more satisfac- torily if the wording had been different, but they would see that it was not the ordinary wording of the sliding-scale, which stated that when the audit showed point so and so the wages must be reduced. The employers had made it an open matter, and he had given tho right to the workmen. if the employers re- duced the wages below the 124 per csnt., to ter- ruinate the agreement with a six months' notice on the 1st of aJnuary or July after- wards. He, however, did not think th'a wages would be reduced below that point. (Hear, hear.) The only object of the employers was to ;ret a sliding-scale above all things; that, indeed, had been the soul of the battle. The pits had been idle for over five months, and the employers had lost thousa.ads upon thousands of pounds for the sake of tho scale. They wished to extend its life for four years, and its existence would depend upon themselves, for he moment they took the pro- tection away the workmen could terminate the scale. The question was, Would they do so? He distinctly replied, "No." (Hear, hear.) Of course, the time would come again to discuss the continuation of the scale, but for the next four years, and also. he strongly believed, as long as a scale would be in existence as regu- lator of wage, wages would not go below 12i per cent. above the standard? (Applause.) Of course, the amount was not high enough, but it recognised the principle, and he did not think the employers would ever be foolish enough to reduce wages below that point. (App ause.) After some discussiop between the delegates present, "Mabon" suggested that it would be well for the collieries to give the delegates full power to confer with the provisional committee at the conference on Wednesday, and to em- power them to say, "Yes" or "No" to the terms as submitted, and then explained to them. He would say no more, but what ho had said was his honest and conscientious opinion. Sup- posing he hed asked the delegates for their opinion before he had spoken, they would pro- bably have he.d different opinions for what they did now, and the same remark would apply to the delegates a.t the Cardiff conference, where tho provisional committee -would place the whole facts before them. The provisional committee had honestly refused to accept the responsibility of a settlement because the terms were not so satisfactory as they thought they had a right to expect. The delegates at the conference might be of the same opinion, and, instead of accepting the responsibility might refer the question to tha workmen to be settled by baLot. (Hear, hear.) THhis, however, would have t obe decided at the conference, but let there be no mistake as to the ultimate result, that by far the best thing to do for the inte- rest of the workmen and the community at large would be to accept the terms offered. The delegates present then decided to ask the rporters present to publish the address made by "Mabon."

ENGLISH PRESS COMMENTS. WAGES, NOT WORDS, WANTED. What are the latest terms, and what pros- pect of a settlement do they afford (asks the "Daily Chronicle")? The coalowners agree, as a concession to tha men's views, to go some way in the direction of a minimum wage. They adumbrate 'he principle for which the men have contended. They say that if prices fall to such a point as to drive wages below a stated level the sliding-scaie may be suspended on notice given. At the first blus" this marks a considerable advance on the position hitherto taken up by the employers. The men get the principle of the minimum wage for which they have struggled, and Sir W. T. Lewis abandons his old position. So far so good. But how is the minimum to be enforced? The new clause says that if wages fail below 12i U per cent. above the standard of 1879 the men are to have power to give a six months' notice to determine the sliding-scale, such notice to be given on the 1st of January or the 1st of July. We ask our readers to consider what this means. The colliers are invited to return to work under the old sliding-scale. which is to continue to regulate wages automatically. But if wages drop below a certain level on account of prices going down, then what is to happen? ThQ. common- working arrangement cr a basis of peace. That should be clearly understood. The colliers have had this power for the last twenty-five years, and the deadlock now devastating. South Wales dated from a six months' notice to ter- minate the scale. What the proposal comes to, then, is that if the men want the minimum in fact as well as in name they must be pre- pared to strike for it not oftener than twice a year. We cannot conceive how business men can have brought themselves to draw up such a clause, or on what grounds of reason or justice they tell the col- liers and the country that this is their ultimatum. We can understand the refusal of the minimum. But to dangle it i' this fashion at the end of a red. before 100.000 men who want wages, and not words, is discreditable. If the minimum is to be conceded it should be accompanied by proper guarantees, and, above all, the new scheme of wages should be so safeguarded as to prevent the repetition of these disastrous strikes. A minimum to be won by a succession of strike represents a compromise made in Bsdlam. IS THE OFFER ADEQUATE? After discussing the masters' terms, the "Standard" goes on to say:—This may not appear a very considerable concession at the present moment. The immediate advantage to the men, as will have been observed, is the addition of 5 per cent. above the wages in force on March 31 last; and, probably, under the old scale, that, and more than that. rise would have been secured before now, if the pits had gone on working. The men, of course, may say that it is an inadequate rise. In April they made a definite application for a rise of 10 per cent., while many of them claimed that a much more substantial increase ought to be given. But the fact is that they are not in a position to carry on the contest any further, and we trust that the result of the reference now to be made to the body of workmen will be to secure their acceptance of the masters' terms' by Thursday next, up to which day alone the employers' offer remains open. It would be very cruel kindness to the colliers to encou- rage them. by expressions of regret at the rigidity of the masters' attitude, to expect that support will be forthcoming for the continuance of the struggle. The public have no means of satisfying themselves that the masters could afford to run their pits at a higher scale of pay for the labour employed than the old scale, and. in the absence of convincing evi- dence to that effect, there is not the least like- lihood of their making sacrifices to enable the miners to stand out for an improved scale. The question of a minimum wage. again, is one on which the most hearty sympathisers with the men may differ. Therefore, having no prospect of substantial aid from outside, the men will do well to return to work as soon as possible.

Saturday's Conference. Masters Make an Offer. TO BE REFERRED TO THE MEN'S DELEGATES. JOINT COMMITTEE TO MEET AGAIN ON THUKSBAY. [BY OUR MINING CORRESPONDENT.] No joint conference held in South Wales has ever attracted so much attention as that which occupied nearly ten hours on Saturday last. The great anxiety to see a settlement of the coal dispute effected was, doubtless, account- able for the presence of large numbers of people in Cardiff on Saturday, for it was felt certain that, if a serious attempt was to be made to bring the strike to a close, the joint meeting would certainly last all day and a considerable way into the night. And those who thought so were right. The proceedings were of a very protracted character, a really serious attempt at an amicable settlement was made, and at last, when an adjournment took place, it was to give the men's represen- tatives an opportunity to lay before the work- men's delegates the ultimatum of the em- ployers in the shape of what I have during the past week suggested it would be—a pecuniary equivalent to a fixed minimum. Before entering into details as to the aetual financial value of the offer, it will be well. perhaps, in connection with what will be a historic gathering in the annals of the South Wales coal trade, to glance at the extraordinary character of the meeting, and follow the pro- ceedings. step by step. in order to see how stern a battle can be fought almost within earshot of hundreds, if not thousands, of people, while many of those in the vicinity at the time have little, if any, notion of the realities of the situation. First of all. then, to pass over the continual reminders which were given to the men's repre- sentatives. when on the way to the joint meet- ing. that they ought now to make a huge effort to settle. let us follow the employers' emer- gency committee and the workmen's provi- sional committee into the Engineers' Institute, Park-place. Cardiff. To get into the building we have to pass through lines of spectators— mostly unemployed workers—who during the day, although occasionally driven away by the rain, only went away for a time. to return a little later on, reinforced in numbers, until towards night the thoroughfare was fairly blocked by them. To the right, on entering the corridor, is the smoke-room, occupied by a small army of reporters, representing, not only the Cardiff newspapers, but several of the leading London, Manchester, and other papers. Along the corridor and to the right, masters' and men's representa- tives turned up a flight of stairs to the first floor, where the discussions which held in the balances the fate of an industrial and commercial community are carried on. The workmen have allotted to them. for retiring to hold private consultations, a room at one end of the corridor, and opposite the office of • 7,1 r. W. G. Dalziel. At the other end of the corridor (or division lobby, for the two sides frequently divide, although they do not neces- sarily vote when doing so) is the joint con- ference-room, in which the employers always sit, for they never retire. The marching across the corridor lias to be done by the men's representatives only. They have to retire when the employers want a private and confidential chat among themselves, and it is they who have to retire when the employers have given them a choice morsel which requires consideration before venturing upon a reply. Hence the reason why they were under "marching orders" over a dozen times during Saturday's proceedings. As I have said, the reporters are accommodated in the smokeroom downstairs, and it is gene- rally understood that this arrangement serves the dual purpose of keeping them within call when anything is to be officially communicated to them, and, at the same time, preventing them from button-holing members of the joint conference too frequently "up aloft." Strange to say. other people, mostly without business, are often ai-owed to stand around the precincts of the secret doors. In crossing and re-crossing the corridor and mounting the small night of steps .eading to their own room, the work- men's representatives on Saturday had to pass through quite a small crowd of curious people who were allowed to congregate on the land- ing. They were said to be clerks, messengers, minor officials, and what not. But when the excursions of the provisional committee were becoming frequent these idle spectators could not refrain from passing sneering remarks and giggling. Noticing this, "Mabon" prom»tJy put down his weighty foot, and the crowd was c.eared in less time than it takes to utter the proverbial and mystifying phrase "Jack Robin- son." The lesson will. doubtless, be a useful one. Now, having given an outline of the position and surroundings of the opposing forces, let us deal with the record of the day's work. Although the meeting was called for mid-day, and there was a strong muster on both sides in good time. the joint conference did not begin punctually. The employers had a lengthy con- sultation among themselves before the members of the provisional committee were admitted. What transpired in that consultation alto- gether I am not in a position to say. but this I do know. there was a tussle between the con- ciliatory section of the employers and those who were still bent upon the "impossible" atti- tude. It would certainly be news to most m the workmen to learn that the man whom thousands of them unjustly regard as their arch-enemy, viz.. Sir William Thomas Lewis, was the principal advocate of conciliation, and vet such is undoubtedly the fact. I am not prepared to say he was defeated, but something took place inside that room which, for a time, rendered the prospect of a settlement practi- callv hopeless. But there were determined, keen, cool men on both sides, and the seque. proves the value of patience. The difficulties were increased by the fact that. whatever disagree- ments may take place, and whatever votmg is carried on inside those separate private rooms, no sign of those disagreements is given to the opposing party when the two sides meet. Well, when the policy for the day had been under consideration, and seemingly been decided upon, the door of the employers' room was thrown open, and the members of the pro- visional committee were sent for. The work- men's representatives thereupon entered and carried out the mandate of the collieries. At the invitation of the chairman (Sir W. T. Lewis) "Mabon" proceeded to lay the workmen s demand before the employers. They were, he said. prepared to accept a sliding-scale pro- vided it contained a clause for a minimum below which wages should not go. The amount of the minimum which the provisional com- mittee had decided to ask for was—an imme- diate minimum of 1n per cent. upon the stan- dard of 1879. to operate until the audit of the coalowners' books shewed the men entitled to 20 per cent., and when that had been attained that the 20 per cent. should be the minimum from that time forward. Now came the turn of the "impossible" section of the em- ployers. They declined to discuss a minimum at all. They scornfully laughed at the idea. and. although they talked about a sliding- scale. it was such a bottomless one that there seemed no hope of a single step being taken to bring about a settlement based upon the slightest compromise on their part. When the adjournment for luncheon took place it was understood that alternative proposals would be put forward by the employers. The adjournment of the joint meeting was from one o'clock until half-past two, but the em- ployers were to meet half an hour earlier to consider the next step. When negotiations were resumed, shortly after half-past two. the only offer which the employers had to make was that of the "pit- head terms." but the workmen's representatives felt, like Goldsmith's Village Schoolmaster." that. "even though vanquished." they "could argue still." The result was that, although the minimum had been definitely refused in the morning, they tried it on again as a. clause to be added to the pit-head terms—17J per cent, immediate minimum. to be foLowed by the raising of the minimum to 20 per cent. when once the audit showed that they had reached it. That meant the 12i per cent. given by the old scale wnen the strike began and the 5 per cent. advance offered by the employers, but that those I amounts added together should be accepted, not as merely a current wage. but as a fixed minimum. Instead of rejecting this demand, the employers now asked what the men really wanted—were they fighting for the name of a minimum or were they seeking real protection? The obvious answer was, "We want the real thing. You call it what you like, but we want protection." This was followed up from the employers' side by another question—Were the men trying to prevent wages going down at all, or were they endeavouring to prevent wages remaining down audit after audit? And, equally obvious, from the work- men's point of view, was "Mabon's" reply: "We want to prevent wages going down, and certainly to prevent them remaining down at a low figure." In giving this dialogue I do not pretend for a moment to be giving the exact words used, but I am giving the effect of the words. Then followed a lengthy discus- sion upon the possibility of arranging that wages should not be affected by low prices if two or three audits in succession showed prices below a certain limit. This seemed to be shaping for a minimum, after all. and the men's representatives found their hopes revi- ving. Timo was flying, but the fight was getting interesting, and here were signs of a definite move forward on the part of the em- ployers since their blank refusal of the men's demand in the morning. Now came the first real offer from tte employers. They were prepared to concede a minimum of 9s. per ton as the basis upon which wages should be calculated in the scale! It was a surprise. because the employers had so emphatically declined to discuss a minimum in the morning: but the members of the provisional committee promptly replied that such an offer was no concession on the part of the employers, and no protection to the workmen, because 9s. was lower than what was known by the term a "natural minimum." The lowest point which the scale—the old, defunct scale—reached during the past nine or ten years was 9s. Id. It will be remembered that for, I think, three audits in 1396 the wages payable according to the scale were 10 per cent. upon the standard. Well, 10 per cent. meant about 9s. Id. The men had been complaining that they did not earn enough under the old scale, and here was an offer which, if accepted, might lead to the men earning a trifle less if coal should go down to an average selling price of Ss. per ton! To this offer the men's representatives, therefore. replied in some such words as I have used in describing the effect of the offer. They retorted with an offer to accept a 10s. mini- mum, which brought them back to the 17; per cent. of their own demand. "Nine shil- lings as a minimum," they said, "is giving us nothing; if you wish to give us something to meet our demand give us 10s." The employers refused, and then came another lengthy and, for a while, a seemingly hopeless discussion, in the course of which one of the men's representatives declared that they were moving about aimlessly in the mist. and going over old ground again and again." Thus were verified the predictions made in the "Western Mail," that if a minimum at all were offered by the em- ployers it would be a low one, but that the settlement, if it came about, would be upon the basis of a pecuniary equivalent to a mini-I mum. After a while, the employers made another move, and that in the direction I have just indicated. They offered to add a clause to the pit-head terms, admitting the principle of a minimum, and yet concealing the admission, to some extent, in the phrasing of that clause. The agreement must be for a four years' term. and yet if after the first day of September, 1899 —twelve months from now—wages should be brought down by the scale to a figure below 12i per cent. above the standard, the workmen should have the right to give six months' notice to terminate the agreement. It does not fix the minimum definitely at 9s. 6d., or. rather, 9s. 5.14d., per ton, and yet it gives the men the option of breaking up a four years' sca.e in 21 months if prices go below that figure. But. while that liberty is given to the workmen, the employers are bound by the scale for the full term of four years, without the option of giving notice. Prices may, and pro- bably will, go up, but no maxi- mum is suggested, and no matter how high the selling price may go, wages will follow. Even if 30 or 40 per cent. should thus become payable to the men. the employers will not be entitled to relief by a maximum, nor to release from the conditions of the agreement. This. then, is certainly ths equivalent" to which allusion has so frequently been made during the past few days. and the workmen will do well to accept it now that they have it However, to proceed with the meeting, it may as well be stated that the provisional committee, having made such a determined fight so far, were not inclined to accept even this offer at first. They had argued all through the day, and had argued until the "impos- sible" section of the employers had been got to agree to offer this clause, containing the indirect fixing of what is termed the "natural minimum." Seeing that they could do no better, and that there was some danger of doing worse, the men's representatives, at 9.30 at night, asked the employers to leave this offer open until Thursday, so that in the meantime they might call a delegate meeting to consider it. This was agreed to, and if the men are wise they will accept the offer made to them—an offer which. I am firmly convinced, will be recommended to them by every member of the provisional committee, and an offer which contains the admission by the employers of a principle for which the men have long unsuc- cessfully contended. The principle of the minimum admitted without the accompani- ment of even the principle of a maximum, in face of what is generally regarded as a pro- mising period of rising markets and good wages, is a concession well worth securing. The provisional committee will meet in the Park Hote.. Pontypridd, on Tuesday to pre- pare their report of the joint meeting for submission to the delegates, and the miners' conference will take place in the Cory-hall, Cardiff on Wednesday at 10.30 a.m., when the fiat will go forth as to whether the strike is to be ended or not. OFFICIAL REPORT. After the meeting an official report was given to the pressmen present, who were called into the large room at the institute, where Mr. Gascoyne Dalziel and "Mabon" dictated the report. Several members of the provisional committee, includlnp Mr. Lewis Miles, the secre- tary, were also present. Mr. Dalziel actually dictated the report, making alterations here and there in the turns of the phrases as sug- gested from time to time by "Mabon." The official report was as follows;- "A joint meeting of the emergency committee of the Monmouthshire and South Wales Coal- owners' Association and the workmen's provisional committee was held at the Engineers' Institute, Cardiff, on Saturday. S'r William Thomas Lewis, Bart.. presided, and the vice-chair was occupied by Mr. W. Abraham ("Mabon"). "There were present on the employers' side Messrs. Archibald Hood. Edward Jones, William Thomas. T. Forster Brown, Fred L. Davis. Charles H. Eden. William Jenkins, Joseph Shaw. G. W. Wilkinson, Clifford Cory, T. E. Watson, Henry Lewis, M. Wostenholme, Philip Williams, W. H. Routledge, and W. Gascoyne Dalziel (secretary). "And on the workmen's side Messrs. T. Daronwy Isaac. Alfred Onions, D. Bey tun, Thomas Richards, John Thomas, Fvan Thomas. John Davies, D. Morgan, John Williams, John Eynon, J. Woodward, D. Thomas, and Lewis Miles (secretary). "The discussion which was adjourned from Ju!y 16 was resumed in response to a I communication which Mr. Gascoyne Dalzie. (secretary of the Coalowners' Association) had received from Mr. Lewis MLes (secre- tary of the workmen's provisional com- mittee) requesting the meeting. For the whole of the day, from twelve o'c.ock until nine p.m" the joint .committee was engaged in discussing the terms of settlement, both parties being unanimous in their desire to try to put an end to the unfortunate dispute. "The discussion commenced with the proposal put forward by the workmen's representatives for the recognition of the principle of the minimum wage. Mr. Abraham, in response to the chairman's request, gave an explanation of the object of the workmen in desiring the recognition of this principle. The employers again repeated the emphatic statement that they had previously made, namely, that they were absolutely unable to entertain the sugges- tion for a minimum wage, nor could they re- command it for adoption by the associated owners. "Having received this reply, the workmen's representatives invited the employers to state what other proposals they had to suggest for a settlement of the dispute. Thereupon the Chairman, on behalf of the employers, replied that the employers were unable to recognise any other terms than those which had been posted at the pit-heads of the associated col- lieries on July 18. and which were as follow: — THE MONMOUTHSHIRE AND SOUTH WALES COALOWNERS' ASSOCIATION. Colliery. Inasmuch as the workmen's representatives insist upon the appointment of an umpire to settle the terms of a new scale, as weL as to settle. all differences that may arise hereafter in the working of such a scale, before they will consider the terms of any new scale for the working of the Monmouthshire and South Wales associated collieries in the future, and inasmuch as the workmen's representatives have also positively declined to discuss either the terms embraced in Mr. Miles's letter of the 13th of July, 1898, or the terms set up at the whole of the pits of the associated owners since the 11th of April last, and which the employers have oyer and over again urg-2d them to discuss, the employers, after again giving the whole matter most serious conside- ration with the View of arriving at a general settlement, are prepared to make a final effort to put. an end to the strike, and to agree to substitute the following toerms for those put up at the associated collieries on the 11th of April last. i.e.. This is to give notice that from the 18th day of July, 1898, this colliery will be open for work upon the following terms and conditions, viz.: — 1. The terms and condition of tin sliding- scale agreement (known as the "Old Scale"), which terminated upon the 31st of March last to be embodied in an agreement which shall continue in force until the 1st of January, 1902, and be determined by six months' notice on either side. to be given on the 1st of July, 1901, the 1st of January, 1902, or any other following 1st of July or 1st of January. 2. The monthly holiday known as "Mabon's Day" shall be abolished and no other holiday of a like nature will be permitted. 3. That an immediate advance be given of 5 per cent. above the wages in force on the 31st March last, which shall merge into or form part of such advance as shall be found to be due under the scale. Manager. Dated this 18th day of July, 1898. "The workmen's representatives again urged the employers to make seme further concession, and ultimately, after a lengthy discussion of various proposals, the employers, in order to prove their desire for an amicable settlement of the dispute, and so as to meet the wishes of the workmen, said they were prepared to agree to the following additional clause:- 'If after the first day of September, 1899, the employers by virtue of this agreement reduce the wages of the workmen below 12J per cent. above the standard of Decem- ber, 1879, the workmen shall have the right of giving six months' notice to terminate this agreement on the first day of any January or July next ensuing, notwithstanding Clause 1 of the pit-head terms, dated 18th July, 1898.' "The employers further stated that the term of the agreement would have to be for four years from the first day of January, 1899, instead of three years, and that Clause 1 of the pit-head terms would have to be altered accordingly. "A very lengthy discussion having takell place, and the respective representatives having frequently held separate meetings during the day, it was unanimously decided that the employers, in response to the urgent appeal of the workmen's representatives, will consent to give them until Thursday next in order to enable them to place before the whole body of the workmen the terms of the employers. which are absolutely final and are only open until that day. and it was arranged that the joint committee will meet again on Thursday next in order to receive the final decision of the workmen in regard to these terms." A CONFERENCE OF THE DELEGATES. Mr. Lewis Miles afterwards asked the press representatives to make the following announcement:—"The workmen's representa- tives on the provisional committee decided to convene a general conference at the Cory-hall, Cardiff, on Wednesday next, at 10.30 a.m., specially for the purpose of receiving a report from the provisional committee as to the proceedings with the employers, and to consider what action shall be taken with regard thereto." FEELING ON 'CHANGE. A hopeful feeling that the strike will Ira at an end cn Thursday next prevailed at the Car- diff Exchange on Monday, and, in consequence, local rails and colliery shares are firmer. It was generally considered that the masters had acted in a fairly generous spirit, and that the men would listen to wiser counsels, and return to work upon the terms offered. A statement to the effect that in some mines men had gone down to mate preparations for a, re-start of work tended to encourage this feeling. FUTURE PRICES IN THE COAL TRADE. A BRILLIANT PROSPECT. A leading colliery agent, in conversation with one of our representatives on Saturday, said he thought the outlook in the South Wale3 coal trade was a very brilliant one. and he antici- pated that prices for some time after the general resumption of work would rule higher than during any period since 1873. Of course, he did not for a moment suppose that the exceptional rates current during the past, five months would be maintained for long, though after the strike terminated it would be many weeks before anything approaching a normal output was attained. The underground work- ings. tops. roadways, and coal faces would be found, after the long cessation of work. to have in many cases got very much out of repair, and it would involve a great deal of time, labour, and expense to put them straight. Then the men had beoome scattered all over the country, and it would be a little while before many of them returned to work, and when they did they would be out of training at first, He believed the statements in the press that con-1 tracts had been made for delivery after the strike at 16s. or thereabouts were substan- tially correct, and he saw no reason why best Welsh steam coal shou,d be sold much below that figure for some time to come, in the absence of underselling; but underselling was their great danger. The strike had had one good effect, if no other. It had shown that the world could not do without Welsh coal, and that foreign consumers were prepared to pay a very much higher price for it than for any other rather than go with- out, and that they had for years past been giving a way their produce far too cheaply. But even at the mere suggestion of a settlement the spectre of underselling had immediately shown its grim visage once more. Some of the middlemen, who had not covered their forward rates made at low prices before the strike commenced, would naturally like to see low prices again for a time. An instance of underselling had come to his knowledge only that day on authority which he did not doubt: that a firm represented on the emergency com- mittee had tendered for a foreign c.i.f. con- tract, involving all the risks of freight and I fines, at a price 4s. below what the non-asso- ciated collieries had quoted, though the coal had to be delivered within the next couple of months. Such associated collieries as were very heavily contracted, and whose contracts for 1898 would have now to be extended into next June, would naturally prefer seeing low prices, and. consequently, low wages and cost of production, until their contracts were ful- filled. But. notwithstanding these adverse tendencies, he looked forward to a better year in 1899 than they had experienced in South Wales since 1890. There was every prospect that freights would be low next year. A record amount of shipbuilding was now going on. But it was possible that there mip-ht be a temporary scarcity of tonnage —" lately the strike ended.

Aberdare Intimidation Case. RELEASE OF CHARLES B. JONES Mr. Charles B. Jones, who at the last assizes at Swansea was sent to Cardiff Gaol for cue month in connection with the Aberdare intimi- dation case, was released this morning. Mr. Jones was met by a few friends, and speaks highly of his treatment by the gaol officials. ACTION OF THE TRADES' UNION CONGRESS. At the meeting of the Trades' Union Congress on Monday at Bristol a resolution was unani- mously passed calling for the immediate release of Alderman Morgan.

Trades Unionism. OPENING OF THE ANNUAL CONGRESS AT BRISTOL. REPORT OF THE PARLIA- MENTARY COMMITTEE. The thirty-first annual Trades Union Congress opened on Monday at Bristol, when about 420 delegates, representing 1,200,000 members, were present. This is the second time that the Congress has met at Bristol, the last occasion being just twenty years ago, the number of delegates present then being 113, representing 624,000 mems. Mr. Wilkie, of Newcastle, chair- man of the Parliamentary committee, presided, and there was a good attendance of the general public. Mr. Wilkie, in welcoming the delegates, spoke of the advance which Trades Unionism had made in the last twenty years. Trades Unionism was bound to extend and prosper, and the very struggles it had to make tended to strengthen a hold on the nation. The mayor of Bristol also cordially welcomed the dele- gates. Mr. J. O'Grady, of Bristol, was unanimously elected president of the Congress. Mr. Woods, M.P. (secretary), then read the report of the Parliamentary committee, which stated that many matters of great importance had occurred during the year which were signi. ficant and of deep interest to the industrial classes. While they could not boast of th§ successful passing of any prominent measure directly promoted by the congress, yet they had had interpretations of law given in the courts of justice which were of especial import to Trades Unions. It must be obvious to everyone who had watched the proceedings of Parliament during the past three years that it was useless to expect any more industrial reform from the Commons, composed as it was at present, ince the last Congress the angel of death had been busy in taking from their midst a number of stalwart friends of labour. First of these was Mr. Harford, whose services were so well known as to require no recapitulation. A few months later Mr. Gladstone passed away, and they must all admit the cause of labour and humanity had lost a friend that it would be very difficult, if at all possible, to re-place. Shortly afterwards Mr. Plimsoll died at Folke- stone, and the very mention of his name must create feelings of the deepest respect and vene- ration. The report then referred in detail to th-3 work performed by the Parliamentary com- mittee during the last twelve months, among other matters mentioned being the late engi- neers' dispute, the dismissal of Trades Unionists from Portsmouth Dockyard, and the Work- men's Compensation Act. With regard to the last-named, the committee state it is too early to express a definite opinion as to the practical applicability of the measure. A draft Bill had been prepared dealing with some of its defects, and the statement would be laid before the congress. On the subject of federation, the committee appointed by the last congress had considered various schemes submitted to them. and afterwards drafted their own scheme, which had been printed and circulated among the tiades. In conclusion, the committee trusted the present congress would be the most success- t..1' oi any yet held, and be instrumental in cementing all industries of which it was com- posed into deeper sympathy and more general usefulness, and also in bringing the trade movement of the country into colser touch with those many and varied social and indus- trial reforms, which it was their object to achieve.

!■ Sporting Intelligence. NOTES AND ANTICIPATIONS. Raeing during last week can hardly be. said to have been of a particularly interesting character, excepting, perhaps, in the case of the three-year-olds at York, whose performances have worked out rather contrary to the book. The defeat of Batt and The Virginian in the Great Yorkshire Stakes and Lowood in the Yorkshire Oaks may be quoted as an example. The outcome of it all was that the St. Leger presents even a more one-sided appearance so far as Jeddah is concerned, but in the case of the second and third matters are in a very mixed state. After Batt's running in the Derby it was considered a certainty for him to finish in the first three on the "Town Moor." After its defeat at Greenan, however, one hardly knows what to say. One thing seems pretty certain, and that is that Batt is an in-and-out horse, for at York in the finish with Greenan he dis- played nothing like the fire and dash that cha- racterised his effort in the Eclipse Stakes. We have often seen the York running reversed at Doncaster. I am afraid I can't hold out any hopes of such being the case in the Sellinger, however, and, with Cap Martin not doing par- ticularly strong work. the chance of Mr. Larnach's massive chestnut appears more of a certainty every day. There is some talk of Cap Martin not seeing the post, whilst Disraeli and Royal Footstep cannot be looked upon with any degree of favour. Ninus, although belonging to a family more noted for speed and endurance, may eventually prove the chief danger to Jeddah. Still, it appears at the present moment difficult to try and find any- thing to beat the son of Janissary. The weights for the Cesarewitch and Cam- bridgeshire will appear in the Calendar on Thursday next, and the acceptances will be published for the Great Yorkshire Handicap. The two back end handicaps are awaited somewhat eagerly, for speculation on the events, so far. has been practically nil. In the Great Yorkshire Handicop the fact that Invincible II. should be only placed 6!b. above the bottom weight suggests that 1. claes" in the Ebor Handicap was not of a particularly meritorious character. Dan- cing Wave and Locarno, both of whom were behind Incible IT. at York. are in the bottom lot, wJulst Villiers is a so in the same company. King Crow, who was in receipt of 271b. from Jaquemart in the Great Northern Handicap at the York Spring Meeting, is now on 221b. worse terms, and, with on-y 51b. between them, it seems pretty certain that Mr. Vyner's horse, despite his wonderful improvement, can hardly hope to hold a winning chance. Blackwe.l has a trio in this race, including Chaleureux and Pin- fold. so, with the Great Ebor winner, he should hold a strong hand. Merman is expected to do something this back end. and* will pro- bably prove the best of Mr. Jersey's pair, whilst I fancy Galatia will prove better than Dinna Forget at the weights. Until the accep- tances have been published, however, I shad do no more than express a strong leaning towards the chances of Jaquemart. There will be plenty of racing during the next few days, Derby occupying Tuesday, Wednes- day, and Thursday, whilst on Friday and Saturday Sandown and Hamilton Park have their turn. Derby, as usual, is a bad meeting for backers, for fields at this time of the year are generally large. It may be, however, that the drought which has been experienced will curtai. them somewhat. On Tuesday the Champion Breeders' Foal Stakes, in the probable absence of Calix, who may be reserved for the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, may fall to Musa, whilst of the doen acceptors for Peveril of the Peak Stakes I like best the chances of Chinook and Sabine Queen. On Wednesday there should be a strong field for the Champion Breeders' Foal Stakes, in which, with Cyllene in reserve for the Jockey Club Stakes, I shaJ expect Dieudonne to defeat Champ de Mat's, Nun Nicer, &c. The other events, aiso those at Sandown and Hamilton, can be better dwelt with in my overnight wires. VENATOR.

OLD SAM'S FINALS. TUESDAY-DERBY MEETING. MUSA, HER RING, CHON KINA, ROSEY O'MORE (good).

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MARGAM MURDER. f Final Decision of the Home Secretary. "THE LAW MUST TAKE ITS COURSE." PENITENT DEMEANOUR OF PRISONER. All hope of a commutation of the death sen- tence passed on Joseph Lewis, the Margam murderer, is now at an end, and Lewis will be hanged at Swansea Gaol to-morrow (Tuesday) morning. Mr. William Howell, solicitor, Llanelly, who defended Lewis at his trial, on Saturday morning received the final reply from the Home Secretary, stating that the law must take its course. Lewis will accordingly be hanged to- morrow (Tuesday) morning. It is generally believed that the letter which Lewis sent to his parents proved fatal to any hope for a reprieve. His friends and his legal advocate have worked hard on his behalf, and a copy of "Morien's" first article in the "Wes- tern Mail" was forwarded to the Home Secre- tary. Mr. William Howell, on behalf of the convict, wishes to thank "Morien" very warmly for his efforts on behalf of the condemned man. The following is a copy of the letter received by Mr. Howell: — "Whitehall, 26th August, 1898. "Sir,—In reply to your application on behalf of Joseph Lewis, now lying under sentence of death in Swansea Prison. I am directed by the Secretary of State to express his regret that he has failed to discover any sufficient ground to justify him in advising her Majesty to inter- fere with the due course of the law.—I am. sir, your obedient servant, "CHAS. S. MURDOCK. "W. Howell, Esq., Llanelly." MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF LEWIS. Dr. Lynn, representing the Home Office, has been down to Swansea Gaol to make an exami- nation of the condemned man Joseph Lewis, in response to the request to determine his mental condition. The Home Secretary has acted on his report. CHANGED DEMEANOUR OF PRISONER. We learn that Lewis has become more serious and depressed during the past day or two. He has eaten and slept remarkably well. On Saturday afternoon Lewis was allowed to see one or two friends. He takes exercise daily in the prison yard, and is described as being allowed to smoke and as conducting himself with great calmness. It is understood that his parents have decided that they cannot bear the ordeal of seeing him before his fate. Lewis, it is satisfactory to know, is attentive to the ministrations of the chaplain, who is constantly in attendance, and says that if he could only have his life over again he would spend it very differently. On Saturday morning he certainly appeared to be suffering from a fit of depres- sion. There are those who fancy that his com- posure will give way when the last scene approaches, and that he has up to now hardly realised what is in store for him. He is allowed four eggs per diem, in addition to meat, vege- tables, &c., whilst the bread he gets is not of the ordinary prison kind, but white meai bread. THE INSANITY THEORY. With regard to the theory of insanity, we learn that the Home Office have taken every step to ascertain that Lewis's mental condi- tion was such as to make him responsible for I his actions. We learn that a medical expert. at the orders of the Office, visited Swan- sea Gaol as far back as Wednesday last, and has reported to the Home Office. As the I Home Secretary's decision was not arrived at tiil Friday, it seems pretty clear that the report has been taken into consideration m the final reply. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE EXECUTION. the final reply. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE EXECUTION. It has been stated that Messrs. Thomas, Watkins, tnd Jenkins are erecting the scaf- fold. That is, of course, incorrect, as the I last renaity is not carried out on a scaffold at all in Swansea Gaol. The trap-door is fixed in the floor of the treadwheel-house, which' is on the north side of the prison. It con- sists of a bricked pit, covered by two folding- j doors, like an ordinary cellar-flap. It is a permanent piece of machinery. The cross- haam' over it is, of course, movable. It has now been fixed up and thoroughly tested by the gaol oflieials. AN OLD EMPLOYER'S VAIN ATTEMPT TO SEE LEWIS. The condemned man, as reported in Satur- day's "Western Mail," has been employed four times at intervals during the last twelve or thirteen years, by Mr. Richard Walters, hay and corn merchant, of Ferndale. Mr. Walters has not seen Lewis since he last left his service, tv.elve months back. He describes him as a honest, manly fellow, of splendid physique and fine carriage, and can hardly realise that Lewis, as he knew him, would commit such a terrible crime as that of which he has been found guilty. So great is Mr. Walters' interest in the case, and the sympathy he feels for his former employe, that he made an effort-un- fortunately, a futile effort—to visit the prisoner in his cell. there to take a last look at him, and, if permitted, speak a few words to him, and convey the condolences of the many who knew him at Ferndale. On Friday night Mr. Walters wired to Captain Smail, governor of Swansea Gaol, asking to be allowed to take the journey with this very painful object On Saturday morning Mr. Walters received from Captain Smail the following telegram-— "You must apply Morgan Williams, Killav House, for permission." On arriving at Swan- sea Mr. Walters ascertained that Mr. Morgan Williams was chairman of the visiting justices, and that he alone could give a permit which Captain Smail would accept as his open sesame to the prison. Mr. Morgan Williams lives at Killay, some miles out of Swansea, and Mr. Walters started off, undertaking another rail- way journey to find him. Mr. Williams was at home, and kindly received his visitor, as the latter afterwards confidea to a pressman, but he demurred on being asked for the favour that was wanted. "Upon what grounds?" "He told me that the day before he himself saw the governor of the gaol. and told him he would like to see the condemned man, but the governor said it would be better for him not to do so. as he was not in a fit frame of mind to receive visitors. The gaol chaplain, the Rev. J. Watkin Jones, said the same. Lewis, he also said was very quiet and penitent, and it would only disturb him to reoeive visitors. Mr Morgan Williams remarked that for these reasons he had not gone to see the convict, and ,-mild not allow me to see him. I showed him the telegram I had had from the governor, and pressed him again and ^e-ain saying that. as an old em- clover of the mail, I should be extremely «hlieed to have the opportunity, but he still "'f' tpd He said he was very sorry I had come far and appreciated my motives, but it would unnerve the poor fellow to see me, and that I had better not, for his own sake. I that a 1.1" then came away. IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY THE CULPRIT. "I FIRED THE SECOND SHOT TO PUT HIM OUT OF HIS MISERY." Tbe assistant chaplain from Swansea Gaol (Jvs the Swansea "Daily Post") made a special Ssit to see Mrs. Scott, the widow of the mur- dered man, at ber residence at Margam on Thursday evening. The chaplain informed Thnr" art that Lewis had made a statement to vS™ to the effect that her husband came upon S unawares, only a few yards separating iwn They were the same side of the wall, on the hill side. Lewis told Scott to stand and he would give him his name if he wanted it Scott rose up his hands and said, 'T>on'* fire Then Lewis said, "If you come forward I will fire." Scott had a big stick in his hand, and Lewis, having no other weapon than the gun, put it up to his shoulder, and fired. Lewis then went forward to him and did to him as he would like others to do to him under similar circumstances. He placed Scott in a sitting position aganst the wall and fired another shot at him to put him out of his misery. Mrs. Scott said she thought that Lewis might have only maimed her husband, and not shot blank at him. It will be seen from this that the theory that Scott moved about himself is wrong, and that the handkerchief supposed to be used by Scott was really used by Lewis. A CURIOUS DISCREPANCY. A curious discrepancy, says a correspondent. arises in the account Henry Jones gave so un- expectedly at the Assizes, of what- prisoner told him in the train and that given by him to "Morien." His evidence was interpreted at the assizes, and was to the effect that he had ex- hausted his powder and shot before he saw the keepers. To "Morien" he said he fired the charges at the keepers. The two versions are as follows: — "Upon my word," said Jones to Morien. "Joe made me believe on the way in the train from Aberafon that he was not the guilty party. He told me either that he had fired twice at one of the gamekeepers or that he had fired at T ø.ot.nre which, and that he had seen people about before he fired, and thai he thought they were after him." At the assizes Jones's evidence was a.s follows: — "He had a conversation with prisoner, and asked him if he couldn't escape without Killing the keeper, and he said he had not killed him, and that he was as innocent as a baby. Prisoner added: I am not certain how he told me, whether he killed two creatures or one with the two charges." INTERVIEW WITH THE PARENTS. A SAD COUPLE AT DREFACH. WHY DIDN'T LEWIS WRITE THE LETTER TO HIS PARENTS? There were ugly rumours in circulation at Llanelly on Saturday night, viz., that Joseph Lewis never made a confession. With a view of gleaning a few facts concerning this serious allegation, our Llanelly representative drove to Drefach—about ten miles from out of town —on Sunday morning, and interviewed the parents of the convict Lewis. "The family was breakfasting when I knocked at the door." writes our correspon- dent. "which was opened by Mrs. Lewis, who on learning the object of my visit, good- naturedly invited me into the kitchen. The house was scrupulously clean and well fur- nished. and the homeliness of the old couple was characteristic of country hearths. They looked happy and comforta.ble, but both bore depressed countenances. I was obliged to join the family at breakfast, and a hearty good meal I made, but the aged couple ate very little. I don't think either of them, since their son received the terrible sentence at the assizes. have had any appetite for eating. Both looked wan and ill, and the last few days have wrought a great change in two who until re- cently were the picture of health. I saw Mr. and Mrs. Lewis only a week ago, and then they were not so depressed, but on Sunday their anguish was almost unbearable. "As soon as breakfast was over I conveyed to the family the sad and painful intelligence that there was now no hope of a reprieve. This I was obliged to explain more than once, and it was some minutes before Mrs. Lewis fully realised the terrible news. I shall never for- get her look when I broke the news in as gentle a manner as possible. Both husband and wife burst into tears. "I think the evening newspapers have done a great deal of harm in the matter." Mr. Lewis said, after a slight pause. "The papers have said much that is not true, and many things are entire fabrications." "Do you refer to anything in particular?" I asked. "Oh, Y6$," replied Mr. and Mrs. Lewis simul- taneously.. "I never heard of such an atrocious statement," said Mr. Lewis, "as that which appeared some time ago. that Joseph had said he would 'wash his hands in my blood.' I challenge and defy anyone to prove that." "That is not true. then?" I ventured to ask. "I defy anyone to prove that my son ever said such a thing." "And the gun, oJ ohn," exclaimed Mrs. Lewis. "Yes; there's the gun incident. It was said that my son stole the gun from Mr. Morgan, Carmarthen. This, again, is untrue." "My son bought the gun." broke in the sob- bing mother, "and meant to pay honestly for it by instalments; but I sent it back, know- ing that he could not afford to keep it." "That is the truth," said Mr. Lewi?. "There is yet another false statement," he went on. "Two watches are mentioned as having been stolen; but there was only one watch, and it pains me to refer even to this single instance. Joseph is guilty of a serious offence, I admit. but it is a great pity people accuse him wrong- fully." "A rumour is in circulation that your son did not confess to the crime?" "I don't believe he himself has written a con- fession, although his signature is attached to the letter we received on Monday. The letter has not yet been out of my possession, and what has appeared in the newspapers is not exactly correct. Here it is," he went on, as he handed me the important statement. "I have my doubts about the genuineness of the hand- writing," he added. The following is a copy of the letter:- "Her Majesty's Prison, Swansea. August 17. 1898. "Dear Father and Mother, Sisters, and all,—I send my love to you all. 1 want to thank you for all you have done for me. and to say how sorry I am for the trouble I have given you. 1 don't feel as if I was in prison at all. I am treated well by everyone—more like a gentle- man than a prisoner. The Rev. D. Prosser and the Rev. Spencer Jones are doing their best; come in once a day both of them. About coming to see me, do as you think best. I am willing to see you if you wish. What I did was done in self-defence—he had a very big stick lifted up. I asked him to stop—he was quite near me when I saw him first. If he had stopped I would have given him my name, but he came straight on. I said, Stop!' with my gun raised. He said, Don't fire.' I said, I will if you don't stop.' I had nothing else to defend myself with, only my gun. It did not hinder him a bit—all that was said passed in less than a minute. I am asking pardon of God. and am in quite a different state from what I was when I came in. I am sending to the Scotts to speak of my sorrow for what I have done. My love once again to you all. I leave you in God's hands—Your affectionate son, JOSEPH LEWIS. "I wish this letter, brought by the Rev. Spencer Jones, to be given to Mr. F. T. Evans, Cwmmawr, for him to translate in Welsh to my father and mother." "But it is not in your son's handwriting. The signature, date, and postscript are certainly written by Joseph Lewis," I observed, after examining the prison notepaper. "But my son is an excellent writer, and I don't understand what reason any official of the prison had to write a confession and then a.sk my son to sign it. Besides, the letter is dated August 17, while the postmark on the envelope is the 20th. There appears to be some reason for this delay. If it was my son's letter to us, what right had the prison officials to keep it for three days?" emphasised Mr. Lewis. "It seems a strange affair altogether," I answered. "Do you." continued Mr. Lewis, "believe Joseph would have called in any assistance to write a letter home?" "I firmly believe the confession was prepared by someone, and my son was per- suaded to sign it. That is our view of the con- fession." "According to the newspapers your son seems to enjoy his pipe and walk in the prison yard, so the plea of illness or weakness is immediately disposed of?" I suggested. "He was always strong before he enlisted. I don't know what came over him in the Army. It is there he ruined himself." "Are you going to see him to-morrow?" I asked. "I dare not go, much as I should like to see my poor boy. To meet in such a dreadful place would be an awful thing. I fear the result of a visit under such terrible circum. stances," said Mrs. Lewis, wiping away the tears which were running from her dim eyes. "I much prefer thinking of him as he was when I last saw him." "No; I don't think it would be wise for either of us to see him at our advanced age. We have done all a father and mother could do, and we still believe in his innocence. I feel sure that none of the family care to see him." "Then not even his brother has visited him since the assizes?" "No; none of us have seen him in the prison since the night of the murder." MARGAM MURDER AND THE LAND LAWS. At the Socialist meeting on the Hayes. Cardiff, on Sunday, Comrade Dunbar in the chair, an address was given by Comrade Colton. He observed that the existing land laws tended to create crime, and instanced the Margam murder as a case in point. s

LLANDAFF RREWSTER SESSIONS. The annual brewster sessions for the petty sessional division of Kibbon were held at Llan- daff Police-court on Monday. The bench con- sisted of Mr. C. H. Williams (chairman), Sir John Gunn, Colonel Fisher, Messrs. E. U. David, Evan Lewis, and Charles C. Williams. An application was made by Mr. Leonard Ivens, builder, for the provisional grant of a fall licence for the Trewnyan Hotel, proposed to be erected in Pontcanna, at the corner of Glamorgan-street and Pontcanna-road. Mr. J. Sankey. B.L., appeared for the applicant, and for the opposition Mr. Belcher appeared for the Halfway Hotel. Mr. Lloyd Meyriek for the Conway Hotel, and the Rev. J. R. Buckley on behalf of the Church Temperance Society. This was the third application.—In support of the application, Mr. Telford Evans, architect, stated that the hotel would cost £4,000. There were two licensed houses a.nd a population of 4,000 within a radius of a mile. There was one hotel in Cardiff to about every 300 or 4DO people. One hundred and thirty houses were nearer to the proposed house than to either of the other two. representing a population of about 800. Nearly 50 houses had been built in the district since last year. an increase in the number of inhabi- tants of about 300. Replying to Mr. Belcher, witness denied that the site of the hotel was wretchedly small.—Evidence in support of the application was stated by Mr. Leon, owner of a shop in the neighbourhood; the applicant, who stated that the hotel would be the joint property of a business partner and himself, and vould be conducted by himself with no inten- tion of future disposal; Alfred Jukes, Chester- street; and Charles Driscoll, of Glamorgan- street.—Mr. Belcher urged that whatever neces- sity for additional accommodation had arisen since last year had been fully met by the extension of the Halfway HTotel.—Mr. Lloyd Meyriek also stated that no public need had been shown, and handed in a petition signed by over 100 householders and owners against the proposed hotel.—Without calling any wit- nesses for the opposition, the Bench stated that they were unanimously agreed that the appli- cation was premature, and must, consequently, be refused. t

The Czar's Proposal. FRANCE FAVOURABLE TO THE IDEA. BUT ALSACE AND LORRAINE MUST COKE BACK FIRST. I A Renter's telegram from Paris on Monday soys:—Writing in the "Figaro" with reference to the conference suggested by the Caor, "Whist" observes that the principle of dis- I armament is easily acceptable to the peoples favoured by the chances of war for thirty years, but raises among other nations diffi- culties of the most delicate and complicated nature. In another article in the same paper, M. Cornelis characterises th» Czar's suggestion as a generous chimera. The "Gaulois" remarks that the armaments which Russian is compelled to maintain are the principal obstacle to her development, and it is natural that she should seek to overoome that obstacle, but France would not gain by disarmament what Russia and the other Powers would, for she would still be wanting one thing. However, the "Journal" con- tinues:—All the Powers would benefit, as we should, from relief to finances. We must dis- cuss the advantages that France would derive from a disarmament apart from the advan- tages common to all the Powers which dis- armed. This general peace has been proposed often, but never realised. The "Journal" wonders whether the benefits desired by the Czar would result from a con- ference, or whether the effect of the Imperial proposal would not be to reveal the disagree- ments and antagonisms which divide certain peoples, and to open the door for the claims and the exigencies of the sinister omen for pacification which the Czar has made his object. At the same time, the "Journal" regards the proposition as of a happy augury for the future, and appreciates its far-reaching signi- ficance. The "Radical" hopes that the task in which the Czar has taken tire initiative will meet with the most complete success. The settlement of a certain patriotic question which France cannot, and will never, overlook, is the neces- sary preliminary to a definitive establishment of general peace. M. Rappel also thinks that if the Czar's pro- posal is to be carried out a beginning should be made by repairing what now remains of the wrongs done in the past to right and jus- tice. A similar view is expressed by th* "Sbcle." The "Petit Journal" considers the appeal made by the Emperor of Russia may have an incalculable effect, and hopes the Powers will respond to it without hesitation, and that the I conference will solve the questions which con- stitute the obstacles to peace of the world, in acordance with right" and justice. All the papers, in short, reoeive the Czar's All the papers, in short, receive the Czar's proposal on the sole condition that the ques- tion of Alsace and Lorraine is first of all settled. The "Petite Republique" says that the action is as loftily conceived as it was unexpected, a fact which must add weight to its significance, but Socialism, adds the journal, is the only force which can realise the Imperial dream. The Soleil and the "Matin" express hopes that France has obtained a guarantee that her legitimate aspirations as regards her position in the Far East will not be abandoned. A Central News telegram from Rome on Sunday night says:—The remarkable proposal of the Czar has been very well received in this capital by politicians of all parties. The pre- vai.ing opinion is. however, that great diffi- culties will be encountered by the scheme, the greatest of which will probably get the doubtful adherence of France to any scheme of disarma- ment.

In the Courts. 00000 NOTES AND NEWS OF THE SEAMY SIDE YSTRAD. INDECENT DRAWING. At Ystrad Police-court on Monda; (before the stipendiary and othe magistrates) Charles Evans, an assis- tant rent-collector, of Pentre, was charged with "un.awfully and to the annoyance of passengers exhibiting to the public view a certain indecent drawing" on the 16th inst.—Police-constable Histon said that on Monday last he saw an indecent drawing scratched upon the window of an unoccupied shop in Llewellyn-street, Pentre. When charged with the offence, the defendant denied all know.edge of it.—Fined 25s. THEFT OF LEAD. Two Gelli colliers, named Thomas James Collins and Herbert Poole. were charged with stealing about 3cwt. of -ead. value 28s., the property of the Taff Vale Railway. The lead was alleged to have been sto.en on two diffe- rent occasions, vi., the 17th and the 22nd ult., from the Maindy Railway Bridge, which waa being repaired by the company. The lead was placed under some stones in the river. Collins pleaded guilty, and as there were several pre- vious convictions agaipst him he was sent to prison for two months, with hard labour. Poole p-eaded not guilty, and was fined ZI with the alternative of a fortnight's imprison- ment, with hard labour. ALLEGED STABBING AT PENYGRAIG. At Ystrad Police-court on Monday Ivan Lewis, a Penygraig collier, was brought up in custody charged with stabbing Richard Hart at Penygraig on Sunday, the 21st inst. The particulars of the case have been reported.— Prisoner now called two witnesses, who saw the fight, and who said Lewis was on top of Hart, but had no knife in his hand. Prisoner was committed to the quarter sessions, bail being allowed in two sureties of JE10 each. FOWL STEALING. James Jenkins, a labourer, of Ystrad, and who has made several appearances before the local magistrates, was charged with stealing 25 fowls, value £10. the property of Mr. G. H. Smith, solicitor, and agent on the Bailey's Estate, Ton, on the 25th inst. Mr. J. Phillips, solicitor, prosecuted. The evidence showed that Mr. Smith kept a large number of fancy prize fowls. On Thursday evening last all were safe, but when the servant (George White) visited the fowl-house on Friday morning the wire-netting had been broken and 25 fowls stolen. A knife was found on the premises, which was identified as the prisoner's pro- perty.—John William Mears, a lodger with the prisoner, said that on Friday morning he saw prisoner with two brown paper parcels in his possession. Prisoner went out to the back and returned without the parcels. Inspector Men- henick arrested prisoner, who, when charged. pleaded not guilty. A white "feather was found in between the blade and handle of the knife.- Prisoner was sent to prison for six weeks with hard labour. On leaving the court prisoner said to Mears, "I will make you suffer when I come out." Their worships called prisoner back, and he apologised.

All Mr. Charles Morbey's and Mr. C. A. Mills's horses trained by Morton at Wantage have been despatched to Tattersall's for sale to-day. The veteran trainer James Waugh has not been any too well of late, the intense heat having affected him considerably. Some years hack he had a sunstroke, and, consequently, feels the effect when hot weather sets in.

<LOO FOR CLASSIFICATION WANTED, steady Groom and Plain Gar- dener, accustomed to Young Horses.—Stata wages (indoors) and references to B., Ogmora Club, Bridgend. j 1318w30 GENTLEMAN Wishes to Recommend hia Groom-Coachman; 5 £ years' good charac- ter; married; abstainer; drive single or pair; trustworthy, reliable servant.—J. Rees, Furnace Pembrey. 1319a5 CA R DIFF.—J ohn-street (off Bute-street); c centre of town; good Stables to Let; rent4 moderate.—Apply Sesssions, Penarth-roa-d, Car- diff. 1316a5 TTCTANTED, capable, reliable General Servant, VV not under 25, for small Family; family washing out; good home.—7, Westbourne-road, Penarth. 13l7a5 WANTED, Situation as Timekeeper, Rent Collector, or Any Position of Trust by Married Man; aged 40; premium for suitable position; excellent references.-Apply M 23, Wes- tern Mail. Cardiff 1315a12 TtyAXTED. Young Man to Deliver and Make W Himself Useful.—Apply to J. Davis, Grocer. Pontypridd. 1322a1 Gardener: single-handed; good ail-round J\. man; aged 49; married; good references.— Address 2a. Treharris-stroet, Roath, Cardiff. a5 TTrANTED, good General, not under 20.—State VV experience, age, and wag-es, also reference, Mrs. Geo. Harris. Claremont House, Bridgend 1320a5 LADIES Requiring Servants, Servants Seeking Situations, apply Queen-street Registry Office. Vacancies for Cooks. Generals, Nurse- maids immediately.-2, Frederick-street- Car. ditT 1324a5 \\TANTED at once, good Cook-Genera! three V V in family; nurse kept.—Apply Mrs. Howell, jun.. 1. Richmond-crescent. Cardiff. 1323a5 LADY (not under 30) Required at onoe to Represent First-class West End House; salary and commission.—M 21. Western Mail, Cardiff l&jal^ WANTED, for Penarth, small family. Young Person for Housework. Also Mother's Help: two children: good needlewoman.—M 22. Western Mail, Cardiff. 1326al "VSTANTED, an experienced Barmaid; used to V T quick counter trade; good references.— Apnly M, 24. Western Mail, rctiff. 132Ral TXT"ANTED, a ?ood General Servant, Able to V V Cook; three in family: good references required.-Ty Trelii, Ely. Cardiff. 1329al AS Nursed middle-aged; experienced with infants; lady's first baby preferred; dis- engaged.—A. G., 51, Tynant-street, Upper Gramm ,1"8'- .aar.