Weekly Mail

Wtthlt fgail. SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 1904. The WEEKLY MAIL" is published on Fridays and Saturdays, and can be obtained frum your local newsagent• If you find, any difficulty in obtaining the paper, please communicate with the Manager, Western Mail Offices, Cardiff, The Weekly Mail" will be sent by I post on payment of a subscription in advance on the following terms;- 8. d. One Quarter 1 8 Half Year 3 3 One Year A. 6 6 I I l-

Foremost among the events of the week comes the report of the Royal Commis- sion on the Militia and Volunteers. The Commission appears to think that the! Volunteers and Militia are practically useless, and that it would be far better for the nation to accept a modified form of conscription at once. We are glad the matter has thus been stated so frankly I and so concisely. It places the matter in a nutshell, and gives the nation food for serious reflection. Of course, a howl against conscription has gone forth; but, if we do not want it and will not have it, what then? For the last generation or two we have leaned on the Volunteers for home defence, and the Volunteers have responded in a very creditable way. Why, then, are they not reckoned equal to the task? Is it because they are lacking in energy or devotion? No! Where, then, lies the rift within the lute? Well, just here—that the nation at large is far too ready to put everything on the back of the willing horse, and that the Government, voicing the nation's apathy, treats the Volunteers with comparative indifference. Thus it comes about that we welcome this report of the Royal Commission. It is an electric shock. It should rouse everybody up, from the War I Office down to the humblest subject of the King. It is either one thing or the other. Either we must submit to con- scription or we must place our Volunteers on such a footing that our home defence will be absolutely out of danger. Which is the more feasible alternative? We are all in a vague, general way proud of our Volunteers; but how does the nation encourage its citizen-soldiers? It is all very well for certain Radical journals to extract from the report of the Commis- sion a bullet wherewith to aim at the Government. We do not believe that the nation at large approves such paltry tactics. Whatever the party in office when it comes to matters of defence, we should be all one, to a man. Let us, then, thrust aside all secondary considera- tions, and if we are not able to accept the conclusions of the Com- mission let us, at any rate, see to it that our Volunteers receive the encourage- ment which is their due, so that they may become a force of which we may be proud in the face of the world-a force capable of responding to any call that may reasonably be made upon it.

THE LICENSING BILL. A LONDON PROTEST: LORD PEEL I AND MR. MORLEY. The Albert-hall, London, was crowded on Saturday evening at a meeting held to protect against the Government's Licensing Bill. Viscount Peel presided, and among the speakers weie Mr J(,hn Morley and Mr. Arthur Chamberlain. A resolution was passed strongly condemning the Bill upon various grounds, and it was agreed that Parliament should be petitioned against it. A letter was read from the Bishop of London, who wrote that he was opposed to tampering in any way with the discretion of magistrates. He considered a time-limit essential if the Bill was not to do more harm than good. The Chairman, in his introductory speech, strongly condemned the Bill, and reviewed its objectionable features. Mr. Morley said they were protesting against a grave mistake into which Parliament was being bullied and coerced. He repudiated any suggestion that the opponents of the Bill were wild-cat fanatics. The proclamation by the licensed viot lallers, "Our trade, our politics," was a formula of political demorali- sation. That demonstration was a sign of the strength and intensity of the feeling and sentiment in the country upon the 'subject of temperance reform. It was contended that the trade was badly used, but he said there never was a trade that had been treated with such profuse and reckless generosity. He described the change made by the Bill in the licensing laws in regard to compensa- tion as fatal and disastrous, and as a change which custom did not warrant and equity did not demand. The compensation did not go to the working publican, as far as four- fifths or nine-tenths were concerned, but it would go to swell the profits of the brewing interests (Applause.) New lioences, he under- stood, would also be similarly treated. He was not going to use any bitter language, but when he'reflected on what had been the result in the great country across the Atlantic of the influence of bar and saloon in its politics, he thought the more meetings they had of that kind the better. The Bishop of Kensington, Mr. Arthur Chamberlain, and many other speakers after- wards addressed the meeting.

CARDIFF PASTOR LEAVING. FAREWELL MEETING TO THE REV. T. T. JONES. A crowded congregation assembled on Wed- nesday evening at Salem Chapel, Splott, to bid farewell to the Rev. T. T. Jones, who has been minister of the Church for 23 years. On account of the delicate health of his only son, and hoping that the breezes of the mountains of the Rhondda would agree better with his constitution, Mr. Jones has accepted a call from the Baptist Church at Blaen- clydach and resigned the pastorate of Salem Church. In the afternoon tea was provided, of which hundreds partook. The public meet- ing was presided over by Mr. Croesgochiad Griffiths, who gave a history of the Church and Mr. Jones's ministry for the last 23 years. -The financial secretary (Mr. B. Morris) having read the address from the Church to the pastor, Professor J. M. Davies, M.A., the Rev. T. W. Medhurst, and Mr. T. Harries (on behalf of the Church) addressed the meeting. -Miss Maggie James presented Mr. Jones with a handsome bookcase, and Mr. W. Edwards (the senior deacon) handed Mrs. Jones photographs of the thirteen deacons and that of the pastor of the Church-all in a handsome carved frame. She was also pre- sented by Mr. Thomas George (another deacon) with a costly pair of vases.—Mr. Jones returned thanks, and, as a memento, he presented the Church with his portrait- a steel-engraving in a gilt frame.-The meeting was addressed by the Revs. J. Morris (Star-street), J. P. Davies (Caerphilly), Dr. Edwards, W. E. Winks, Caradog Griffiths, R. Lloyd, Morris Isaac (Cadoxton), T. J. Jones, W. Harries, Cornelius Griffiths, and Mr. Evan Griffith.—There were visible signs of regret on all sides at the departure of the rev. gentleman and Mrs. Jones, and Cardiff will feel the loss of an eloquent preacher.

CANADIAN IMMIGRATION. APPEAL FOR AID FOR DESTITUTE ITALIANS. I The presence of fully a thousand destitute Italian immigrants in Montreal, and the prospect of the near arrival of several thou- sands more, has resulted in an appeal to the Mayor of Montreal for funds to assist in relief work. The Italians' Aid Society Is also appealing to the public for funds to enable it to continue the distribution of 50 loaves of bread daily. The Italian Consul has pro- mised to try and stop the influx, and the railways have been appealed to for employ- ment to help the needy. Canadians hope the unfortunate .condition affecting these foreigners will not interfere with the trend of the desirable settler class to farm lands. The recent labour outcry against present local conditions is, apparently, being used as capital against a general immigration move- ment Rewter. o.

LONDON LETTER.. A COLUMN OF INTEREST TO ALL OUR READERS. LONDON, Thursday. The Alake of Abeokuta, gorgeous in gold and crimson, and heavily jewelled on arms and fingers, made formal obeisance to the King at Buckingham Palace on Monday. No such spectacle of barbaric splendour has been seen at the Palace for years. His long, flowing robe was com- posed entirely of cloth of gold. On his head he wore a golden crown, and in his hand he carried a sceptre of ivory with a golden emblem. The crowd which had gathered outside the Palace were amazed at his appearance, and not less so at the almost equally magnificent aspect of his attendants—tall, massive blacks, more dignified than the King himself. The Alake was all smiles, and seemed delighted at the impression he produced in the Throne Room, where King Edward received him. He showed no signs of nervousness, but was evidently impressed, with the magnificence of the surround- ings. The King welcomed him smilingly and with extended hand. The Alake, however, for; some reason did not accept it, but continued to make obeisance until he was formally presented by th3 Colonial Secretary. Afterwards the King had a few words of conversation, during which he trusted that the Alake had enjoyed his stay in England. The Alake was delighted with his reception. ROYALTY AND SOCIETY AT THE DERBY. Owing to the wretched weather the Queen did not accompany the King to Epsom. Her Majesty was just as dis- appointed at being unable to be present as were the public at not seeing her there. But the Queen was not the only one whom the thunderstorm kept away from the course. Still, society was well repre- sented, and in the paddock and in the grand-stand I noticed the Duke and Duchess of Portland, Lord and Lady Londonderry, Lord and Lady Ludlow, Lord and Lady Cadogan, Lord Berkeley Paget, his Highness Rajah Kana of Thalawar, Sir Frederick Milner, Lord Stanley, and Lord Henry Nevill. His Majesty, looking remarkably well, was accompanied by the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Connaught, and Prince Christian, whilst the Royal train also included the Duke of Portland and the Duchess of Devonshire. The Royal Standard was hoisted when his Majesty reached the course. Derby Day in the past has been well favoured by the elements indeed, on few occasions have we had a really wet Derby. CONSCRIPTION. Both in military and political circles the feeling is prevalent that the Govern- ment will not accept the recommenda- tions of the Royal Commission in so far as any system of compulsion or modified conscription is concerned, but that it will give clfect in forthcoming legislation to most of fciie changes proposed by the majority. Certain members of the Cabinet are, no doubt, in favour of some sort of compulsion, but the majority of Ministers are against it, and rather favour the adoption of more sympathetic efforts. to increase the voluntary forces. The publication of the report has, undoubtedly, brought the whole question before the public in a manner in which it has never been raised before, and in the course of the next few months it is hoped that an expression of opinion may have been obtained which will be .exceedingly valuable to the Government in any legislation which it may attempt. Sir Alfred Turner, one of the greatest authorities on the auxiliary forces, is of opinion that a strictly volun- tary system is the only one which is applicable to or possible for this country, and that the public would unhesitatingly reject any measure of compulsion. This opinion generally finds favour. A BRILLIANT JOURNALIST. The death of William Thomas Arnold removes from the world of letters a very beautiful and interesting character. He was the grandson of the great head- master of Rugby, and it was said of his father that he had a mind still finer than that of his more famous brother Matthew. Like the rest of the family, William Arnold harl a very brillinnt school and college career, and the promise of his youth he more than fulfilled in later years. His more serious work was done on the staff of the "Manchester Guardian," which paper he joined in 1879. As a leader-writer he had few equals. He brought to bear upon his task a fund of information, a breadth of view, as well as a terse, trenchant style, which made his writings stand out both in journal and magazine. In later years he led the life of a recluse. His only relaxation was an occasional visit to the Alpine regions and a bicvcle ride round Manchester. His historical writings were voluminous. Few had a more profound knowledge of Roman history, and his friends hope that a collec- tion of his writings may be issued. CLUB "SWEEPS." The story is again in circulation that a patriotic old English colonel on draw- ing the French horse Gladiateur in a Derby sweep took the first opportunity to exchange it for another animal in the race. He had no difficulty whatever in doing so, and, as he was fortunate enough to exchange with the holder of the second horse, he did not lose as much as he might have done. Derby "sweeps" are regular institutions of club life. In several West End clubs the first prize exceeds £1,000, and holders of second and third come into respective sums. The owner of the first receives, as a rule, five-eighths of the total sum subscribed, the hoTcter of the second two-eighths, and the owner of the third one-eighth. The usual subscription is a guinea, but in some cases as much as five guinea "sweeps" are arranged. It is one of the curious tricks of fortune that in the majority of cases the first prize goes to the richest member in the club. NEW WESLEYAN HYMN-BOOK. The new Wesleyan Hymn-book is now on sale. More than a quarter of k million copies have already been purchased, and these have been despatched to their respective purchasers, a large army of packers being engaged for the purpose. These men were also occupied in despatching large numbers to South Africa and other parts of the world. Put, as the hymnal will come into use on Sunday, chief attention was paid to the home market. The hymn-book will be adopted by the Methodist New Con- nexion and the Methodist Reformers, and members of both these bodies were employed in sending out supplies. ARE THERE TOO MANY CABS? The fact that, although the cab strike has now been in operation for three days, there has been no real lack of supply suggests that the number of licences issued each year is far too many, and that in the interests of the men a reduction would be advantageous. Before the strike there were over 17,000 cabs plying for hire, and even though a few thousand men refuse to take out cabs, it is manifest that there will always be a large number for the general public. On Wednesday (Derby Day) cabs were in great demand, and, with the rain falling heavily all day, the cab- man's lot should have been a happy one. It. no doubt, was to those who had their cabs on the streets. So far as the public is concerned there is no outcry against the strike, and no serious inconvenience has as yet, so far as I can discover, been occasioned by the action of the men. COST OF WAR NEWS. Some idea of the cost of war hews was given by Admiral Sir JJohn O. Hay, who presided over the meeting of Reuter's Telegram Company. Correspondents are engaged in the Somaliland expedition, the Balkan crisis, the Tibet expedition, and the Far East, and in many cases interpre- ters have had to be engaged to assist the specials." So far as some of these expe- ditions are concerned the correspondents have had little or nothing to chronicle for months at a time, and the company have had no chance to recoup tLeir^lves. Again, the rigorous censorship 1.1 the Russian as well as on the Japanese side does not give the public any real idea of the excellent work done by the correspon- dents abroad or indicate the great expense which they were incurring Although Sir John did not say so, he was evidently of opinion that these costly wars do not briIlg that harvest to the news- paper or t*> the newsagent which they ought. The usual dividend was declsaaa.

SIR JOSEPH LAWRENCE'S RETlREMENT- A meeting of the executive council of the Newport and Monmouth Boroughs Conserva- tive and Unionist Association was held on Friday at the offices of the association, New- port, to receive an improtant communication from Sir Joseph Lawrence, the borough member. Mr. Thomas Parry,) J.P., the chair- man, presided. The proceedings were private The Chairman having read a letter from the borough member, in which it was stated that it was not his intention to seek re-eiection at the dissolution of the present Parliament, the following resolution was unanimously passed: This meeting of the executive council deeply regrets that, owing to ill-health, Sir Joseph Lawrence find's that it will be im- possible for him to seek re-election at the dissolution of the present Parliament. It remembers with sincere gratitude how at short notice he successfully fought the battle of the party at the bye-election in 1901, and records its high appreciation of the many valuable services he has rendered the constituency, both in and out of the House of Commons. It fervently hopes he may soon be restored to good health, and that after the next election it may not be long before he again has a seat in the Im- perial Parliament. The resolution was telegraphed to Sir Joseph Lawrence, M.P., who expressed by wire his gratitude for the warm terms in which it was couched. The chairman and vice-chairmen were authorised to take preliminary steps towards the selection of a candidate for the party, and the meeting was adjourned till Wednes- day. ADDRESS BY A PROBABLE CANDI- DATE. An adjourned meeting of the executive council of the Monmouth Boroughs Conserva- tive and Unionist Association was held on Wednesday afternoon at the offices of the association, Stow Hill, Newport, to consider the question of the Parliamentary representa- tion of the boroughs, in view of the retirement at the close of the present Parliament of Sir Joseph Lawrence. Mr. Thomas Parry, J.P., the chairman of the association, presided. There was a good representative attendance from the three constituent towns of Newport, Monmouth, and Usk. Mr. E. E. Micholls, of 39, Prince's-gate, Lon- don, Who had been notified to hold himself in readiness to attend, was asked to meet the council and express his views on political ques- tions. In the course of a brief, but thoroughly well-delivered and thoughtful speech, Mr. Micholls touched upon a few of the leading political issues now before the country. Answering questions re Chinese labour, Mr. MR. E. E. MICHOLLS. (Probable Unionist Candidate for Monmouth Boroughs). Micholls said he regarded it as a great evil, but one which, under the circumsta-nc-ee of the case as they existed in South Africa, could not be avoided. If it was found that the employment of the Chinese deprived one Englishman of work he would vote against ft. At the close of the short address Mr. Mioholls retired, and free expressions of the members of the council were asked for. There was general agreement that, there being no local gentleman available, Mr. Micholls had shown that he was a most desir- able prospective candidate, and after repre- sentatives from Newport, Monmouth, and Usk had spoken in his favour a resolution was unanimously passed recommending Mr. Micholls to the consideration of the full executive committee of the association as suitable for adoption at the proper time as candidate for the boroughs. A further meeting of the executive council was held on Wednesday evening at the same rooms, for the convenience of working men members of the council resident at Newport. At this meeting Mr. Micholls again laid his views on the chief political questions before the council, and again a resolution was unani- mously passed recommending him to the approval of the full executive to-night. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF MR. MICHOLLS. Mr. Edward E. Micholls (the name is pro- nounced with a sharp accent on the "i" as though it were written "y") has many of the qualifications and few, if any, of the dis- qualifications of an ideal candidate for the representation Of a large industrial com- munity in the Legislature. He has had a long and an honourable commercial career, and now he has the leisure to devote to the ser- vice of the State all his powers and all his experience. Mr. Micholls was born at Ply- mouth Grove, Manchester, on November 18, 1844, and is, therefore, now in his fifty-ninth year. He was educated at Edinburgh High School at the time when the celebrated historian. Dr. Schmitz, was its rector, and young Micholls lived in his house. On leaving Edinburgh the student went to Germany, and there con- tinued his education. He returned to England and started his commercial career at the age of nineteen. Two years later, on attaining his majority, he was admitted into partnership of his father's firm of Micholls, Lucas, and Co., of the Manchester and Kingston Mill, Stockport, and of the firm of Lucas, Micholls, and Co., of London. Ten years ago the merchant part of the business of Micholls, Lucas, and Co. was relinquished, and Mr. Micholls removed to London. Since his removal to London I- has taken up much larger and more comprehen- sive work. He is on the executive of the National Union of Conservative Asso- ciations and on the Municipal Societv. He has been keenly interested in education for a. great many years. During his residence in Manchester he was president of the Man- chester Jews' School, in which there were about 2,200 children, and after going to London he became manager of a number of board schools in the East End, where there are 5,000 children in attendance. He is also on the committee of management of King's College Hospital a.nd of the Froebel Educa- tional Institute, London.

CARDIFF REPRESENTATION. SPEECHES BY MR. LLOYD-GEORGE AND MR. GUEST. Much of the strength of Cardiff Liberalism was gathered in the Park-hall on Friday night to hear addresses on current politics from Mr. D. Lloyd-George, M.P., the Hon. Ivor Guest, M.P., and Sir Alfred Thomas, M.P. The hall was filled to its utmost capacity, and many made their way to the Gory-hall, where an overflow meeting was held. At the Park-hall Mr. Sidney Robinson pre- sided. After the chairman's opening speech Sir Alfred Thomas was called upon to speak, and said the chairman, in the name of the Liberals' of Cardiff and of Wales, had given a welcome to the Hon. Ivor Guest, and he (Sir Alfred) gave him a welcome in the nameiof the Welsh party. (Hear, hear.) They would allow no outside interference, and would see that his position was safe when the time came. Mr. Lloyd-George was received very cor- dially. He said they would be delighted to welcome Mr. Guest to their ranks as a com- rade. He was capable, he believed him to be sincere, and in a few years he felt that the whole of Wales would regard him as an acqui- sition to Liberalism. As he was coming to the hall he had handed to him a broad- sheet containing garbled extracts from the speeches of the Hon. Ivor Guest. "Mr. Ivor Guest," said the speaker, "has declared that he will not support the re-introduction of the Home Rule Bill of 1886. Neither will I- (cheers)-and I am quite as good a Liberal as the man who paid for circulating this broadsheet, and was probably a, Liberal before him. The Bill of 1886 is not a. Bill that will be re-introduced, and if you aak any Liberal leader-and I am not excepting Mr. John Morley, whose fidelity to Home Rule is beyond question-there is not one of them would say that he intended at any time to re-introduce the Biil of 1886. If you asked me whether I was in favour of re-introduc- ing the Bill of 1893, I would be perfectly frank, and say tbat I am not." Touch- ing the fiscal question, Mr. Lloyd-George said that in every country in Europe which was prospering the imports exceeded the exports. Germany was, undoubtedly, prosper- ing greatly. Take the United Kingdom. There was one part of the United Kingdom where the exports exceeded the imports. What was it? It was the poorest land, pro- bafcty, in JBaropo Ireland. Why dad its poverty of the people ("Hear, bear," and cheers.) One shuddered to think what would happen in this country amongst the very poor if corn were taxed. Poverty would become famine. He went on to speak of the building trade as illustrative of prosperity, and pointed out that new buildings erected all over a country was a sure sign that that country was prospering. In a passing reference to an article written by Mr. D. A. Thomas on Free Trade, Mr. Lloyd-George said, if Mr. Thomas would allow him to say it, he wished he would devote his very great ability to really assist- ing the cause of Liberalism, instead of per- verting it into sheer political wrecking. He was sure if he (Mr. Thomas) took that really kindly hint he would achieve much greater good for the cause, and he was sure he would add considerably more renown to his own career. (Cheers.) The Hon. Ivor Guest, after denouncing the fiwal policy of the Government, went on to describe the Licensing Bill as a brewers' Bill. If at the next election the Liberal party obtained such a majority as would ensure them five or six years' continuous adminis- tration. then they must not under-eatimate the task which was before them. He would have been very much surprised if Cardiff had not exhibited a critical attitude towards his candidature. It would have spoken ilUof the vigilance of Liberalism in Cardiff had it been ot'ierwise. However, there had been some persona not directly connected with the interest of the borough who had exerted a great deal of ingenuity and had devoted a great deal of research to proving what he should have thought was perfectly obvious to the meanest understanding, to proving what had never been questioned, namely, that when he was a Tory he spoke as a Tory, and now that he was a Liberal he had put away Tory things. (Loud cheers.) Addressing himself to the position of the Liberal party, he said their first task was to get a majority, and after that they must set their hands to establish religious equality, both as regarded the Church and the schools. After speaking in favour of public oontrol in respect of licensing, Mr. Guest observed that the Liberal party should, when the oppor- tunity came, grant the moderate demands of the Trades Unions. A vote of thanks to the speakers concluded the proceedings. OVERFLOW MEETING. An overflow meeting, presided over by Mr. G. A. Seccombe, was held in the Cory-hall. There was a large attendance. Sir Alfred Thomas, M.P., said Sir Edward Reed had been a figure in the public life of Cardiff for many years past, and they were all sorry to part with him, but, having parted with Sir Edward, they were glad to have such a splendid candidate in the Hon. Ivor Guest. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Lloyd-George said it was pleasant to him to find that the Liberals of Cardiff hfld not been poisoned by the visit to Cardiff of Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, who came like a simoon from the Tory desert—(laughter)—and swept over this fair Liberal land, but the sirocco was over and the fine old tree of Liberalism was as green as ever it was before he visited it. (Applause.) Referring to the Licensing Bill, Mr. Lloyd-George said it was a Bill which blocked the way to temperance reform. Tem- perance reform had not bEen permanently blocked, but the way would be barred for a good many years if this Bill was carried, and when eventually it was carried the difficulties would be enormously increased. It meant the conversion of an annual licence into freehold. What had the drink done for the country? Farmers, who were hard-working, industrious, thrifty people, had given much better to the country than the publicans. (Applause.) Yet they were turned out without compensation. What about the liquor traffic? The cry of the orphan had risen against drink, and it was doomed, after all. The wild pleading of the poor maniac rent the heavens, the moans of the people to whom it had brought sorrow, shame, and poverty would surely make it fall, and woe be to the party, to the states- man, and to the Government that inter- vened between the recreant and its doom. (Cheers.)

BRECONSHIRE. The Hon. R. C. Devereux. the prospective Unionist candidate for Breconshire, is at present enga.ged in addressing a series of meetings in the county. At each of his meet- ings Mr. Devereux has dealt exclusively with the question of tariff reform, avowing him- self a follower of the policy of Mr. Chamber- lain. Conclusive instances were brought for- ward to prove that the price of food would not be increased by th!s scheme, and that the Colonies were willing to meet us more than half-way should we adopt it; nor was the sentimental view overlooked as based on the timely help rendered to us by our Colonies at the time of the Boer War, which had taught the world that whatever power engages in warfare with Great Britain will have to fight the whole British Empire. At! each meeting both Mr. Devereux and Mr. David Watkins, of Lampeter (who spoke in Welsh), were cordially received and listened to with great attention. A further series of meetings will be hold during this week. BYE-ELECTIONS IMPENDING. Mr. J. W. Logan, M.P. for the Harborough Division of Leicestershire, has intimated his intention to apply for the Chiltern Hundreds during the next few days. The bye-election will take place immediately. The Hon. Philip Stanhope has been adopted as Liberal can- didate. At the general election Mr. Logan had a majority of 1,323 votes. Mr. J, Williams Benn, chairman of the London County Council, was on Monday adopted as Liberal candidate for Devonport, in expectation of a probable bye-election in August. Sir John Jackson is the Unionist candidate. MR. W. CHURCHILL CROSSES THE FLOOR. I In the House of Commons on Tuesday some attention was attracted by the fact that Mr. Winston Churchill, forsaking his former place among the Unionist rank and file, took a seat on the front bench helow the gangway on the Opposition side, but the hon. member does not himself authorise any statement as to the degree of significance to be attached to that circumstance. Mr. Churchill has not this session received any of the circulars or notices issued by the Government Whips to Minisiteiraliftts. RIVALRY WITHIN THE UNIONIST i Mr. J. T. Jefferson has declined the invita- PARTY. tion of the Liberal Unionists to contest the Handsworth Division of Staffordshire at the next election in place of Sir Henry Meysey Thompson, who will retire. The Conservatives have now requested that the representation shall be handed over to them.

—N WOMEN LIBERALS IN CONFERENCE The annual council meeting of the Women's Liberal Federation opened on Tuesday in West- bourne Park Chapel, London, Lady Aberdeen presiding. The morning session was occupied by a somewhat heated discussion of a pro- posal for the amalgamation of the Women's Liberal Federation and the Women's National Liberal Association. An amendment was carried by an overwhelming majority wel- coming reunion, provided that the present policy of the Federation with regard to women's suffrage and the State regulation of vice be upheld Resolutions were adopted calling upon the Liberal Leader to place Women's suffrage among the reforms which the party pledges itself to promote. The council also declared its adhesion to the principles of Free Trade, urged that civil rights and self-government should be established in the Transvaal, and condemned Chinese labour and the Tibet Mission.

"TROOPER HUNT'S WIDOW." NEW COMEDY AT THE THEATRE ROYAL, CARDIFF. Mr. Frank Nelson's Company will produce next week at the Theatre Royal, Cardiff, a new farcical comedy by Fred. Jarman, the well-known author of "The 'Varsity Belle," "The Little Widow," and other; London successes. "Trooper Hunt's Widow" was originally written for production in the West End, but owing to unforeseen circumstances Mr. Nelson has decided to make a short provincial tour previous to the London pro- duction. The company selected for this tour is of exceptional merit, and includes Mr. Wilfrid E. Shine, who has just concluded a successful tour as "Mickey O'Dowd" in "My Lady Molly," and whose vast experience at home, in the Colonies, and in India leads us to expect a brilliant rendering of the title role; Mr. Cecil Fowler, who undertakes the role of "Nathaniel Sapp," was for a consider- able period associated with Sir Henry Irving,1 playing principal parts; Mr. Alec Flood, who has been especially engaged from the Duke j of York's Theatre, London; Mr. Joe Hudson,, the clever comedian, who has played with great success in most of the recent Gaiety productions; and Mr. Howard Cridland, who has, by special arrangements, been engaged direct from the Criterion Theatre. Among I the ladies may be mentioned Miss Zoe Gil- fillan, whose clever performance in the) "Dandy Fifth" was the subject of much favourable comment. She was last seen here in "My Lady Molly." Miss Amy Edmonds, a clever and versatile artist who has won her way to the hearts of the playgoing public by the dainty rendering of the parts she has 'I undertaken in so many musical comedies, and Miss Susie Oak, who iø undoubtedly one of the smartest and most charming/little ladies on the London stage, are also in the cast. No expense has been spared to make "Trooper Hunt's Widow" a huge success, and no fewer than Bix of the original "My Lady Molly" Company have been gacured for this production.

WELSHMEN ABROAD. NEWS OF OUR COUNTRYMEN FROM HOME. UNITED STATES. CARMARTHENSHIRE MAN WHO WAS A PASTOR IN THE STATES. The Rev. Jonathan Davies, Congregational minister, of Forest City, Pa., who was a native of Trelech, Carmarthenshire, has died in the United States at the age of 47 years. When a young man he removed from Trelech to Pontypridd, and afterwards to Blaenllechau, in the Rhondda, where he married. It is now eighteen years since he left this country for America. He has two brothers and a sistsr at present in the Rhondda, and cousins of his, among them the Revs. William Davies (Llandilo), John Davies (Cadle, near Swansea), and D. Phillips (Treharris), are well-known pastors in South Wales. AN OCTOGENARIAN MINISTER. At the age of 82 years the Rev. John Davies is now the pastor of the Tabernacle Church, Waukesba, Wisconsin. He is a Cardiganshire man, having spent his early years near New- quay. He afterwards removed to Rhymney, where he began preaching. He emigrated in 1850. A VISIT TO THE OLD COUNTRY. Among those to be present at the forth- coming induction services of the Rev. T. T. Jones (Cardiff) at Blaenclydach, Rhondda, will be the Rev. E. Mona Jones, Pittsburg, who has "decided to pay Wales a visit. He is expected to preach at his former Church, Raven Hill, Swansea, and will, no doubt, be present at the Welsh Baptist Union meetings at Maesteg in July. The Rev. T. T. Jones and the Rev. E. Mona Jones are brothers. KIDWELLY LADY'S SAD DEATH IN MICHIGAN. News is just to hand of the sad death in Morley, County Necosta, Michigan, of Mrs. Anne Hugh, wife of Mr. William Hugh, by burning. Mrs. Hugh was, it seems, taking up dead leaves on the lawn in front of her house and burning them when she got too near the fire and her clothing caught. She was terribly burnt, and died in agony five hours later Mr. and Mrs. Hugh are well-known natives of Kidwelly, who emigrated to Canada. in 1856. Mr. Hugh is proprietor of a. large lumber manufacturing mill, a Ir.rge flour mill (roller), and he also is director of a banking concern in the district. Mrs. Hugh was the mother of twelve children, four of whom are now a.live. The eldest, Miss Anne Hugh, is at present in South Wales, and up to a. few weeks ago was for a considerable time staying at Kidwelly. One of Mrs. Hugh's daughters, Mrs. D. W. Stewart, of Big Rapids, was very ill when her mother passed away, and this lady also died three days after. LONDON. CLOSE OF THE WINTER SESSION OF THE PEMBROKE SOOIETY. The members of the Pepihroke Society in London brought their winter session to a close on Saturday evening by holding a smoking concert at the Hotel Provence. The chair was taken by Mr. T. H. Venables, and those present included Dr. Sydenham Jones, M.A.. and Mr. A. Y. Mayell, C.E. During the evening the Secretary (Mr. T. W. Ormiston) read letters from Sir Charles Philipps, who referred especially to the forthcoming sale held by the Welsh Industries Association, and from Brigadier-general G. H. Harris, of the United States Army, who is a native of Haver- fordwest.—Addresses were given by Dr. Sydenham Jones and the Chairman. The latter spoke of the superstitions that existed in Pembrokeshire. He thought that many of these superstitions had their origin in actual fa"Í8 of history. There were several monu- ments and castles in Wales that represented traditions of the past, and some of the tradi- tions had come down from the religious rites of bygone days. The practice of carrying a sprig of box and a cup of water into the houses of friends on New Year's Day was, he thought, connected vith a religious ceremony.

THE WORK OF THE SESSION BACKWARD STATE OF PUBLIC BUSINESS. Although the House of Commons has resumed its work without either strenuous effort or crowded benches, members recognise that a long period of stress must be faced if even a modest proportion of their legislative programme is to be overtaken. It is still too early to expect any authoritative announce- ment as to which of the Government measures will eventually be dropped, but Par- liamentarians of experience do not conceal from themselves that sooner or later the sac- rifice of some of the Ministerial Bills is inevi- table. Not one of the leading measures promised in the King's Speech has yet reached the Committee stage, and nearly two dozen other Bills not then announced are for the most part in an even more backward state. The Parliamentary session must be unusually prolonged if half of these Bills are to be passed, especially in view of the exigencies of Supply and the prospect of occasional debates upon topics of political urgency. iNot more than half-a-doaen private members' Bills are at all likely to become law this year. The Prime Minister has accepted the presi- dency of the British Association, which meets on August 17 at Cambridge. This engage- ment is regarded as confirming a current belief that the session will close about the middle of August. In the interim, two or three weeks are expected to be occupied in committee on the Licensing Bill, with shorter intervals for the Aliens Bill, the Shon Hours Bill, the Education (Local Authority Default) Bill, the Finance Bill, and other more or less contentious measures. This enumeration leaves out of account the Valuation Bill, the Sea Fisheries Bill, the Irish Land Bill, a.nd other measures, the fate of which is at pre- sent somewhat uncertain.

THE CRUSHING OF FINLAND. NATIONAL FUNDS SEIZED BY RUSSIA. The latest enoroachment on the rights of Finland has been the transference, without any ceremony, from the Finnish revenue of £320,000 to what is oalled the Finnish contri- bution to the military expenses of the empire." The greatest mystery surrounded the transaction, and on the same day that it was carried out Russian functionaries arrived in Helsingfors, and demanded that the whole amount should be paid over. Finlanders point out that the so-called transfer is in defiance of the laws of the country, as a. Finnish contribution to Russia's wax-cheet haa no precedent. The Diet in 1900 voted money for the national army of Finland, but this army has been dis- solved. By the dissolution of the army a sum of £(iOO,OOO was saved. In 1902 from this saving the Russian Govern- ment seized £80,000, just as it has now taken £321),000, making £400,000 in all. Proba.bly the remaining £200,000 will not be long in its present hands, but will follow the previous contributions" into Russia's pockets.

STORY OF CANNIBALISM- WHITE SETTLERS KILLED AND EATEN. Mail dispatches received at Queenatown on Wednesday per tha White Star mail steamer Majestic, from New York. contain intelligence of a terrible story of cannibalism on one of the Admiralty Islands, belonging to the German protectorate. It appears that five settlers while working in the bush were attacked by a tribe of ielanders, armed with spears and clubs, and. being overpowered, were massacred on the spot. The bodies were stripped of their clothing, washed, and then out up and eaten, While the "feast" was being prepared the savages danced around, chanting a war song. Subsequently the Ger- man warship Condor visited the scene of the massacre, and, having arrested the heads of the tribe, bombarded their village. The arrested natives weie taken to the nearest German station to be tried.

CARDIFF COLLEGE. An orinary meeting of the council of the University College, Cardiff, was held at the college on Wednesday, Dr. W. T. Edwards (vice-president) in the chair.—The Registrar reported that the Worshipful the Drapers' Company had forwarded their subscription to the engineering department for the cur- rent year, and that Dr. Alfred Sheen had renewed his gift of a prize to the Medical School.—It was resolved to establish a course of 1-ictures in applied anatomy, and to appoint Mr. E. J. Evatt, M.B., B.S., the present demonstrator and assistant-lecturer in anatomy, lecturer in applied anatomy.— The council made the following appoint- ments Mr. T. Raymont, at present lecturer in education, was elected professor of eduv cation, and the following lecturers, who are also heads of departments, were appo nted associated professors—M. Barbier in French. Mr. Boulton in geology. Dr. Trow in botany, and Mrs. Millicent Mackenzie in education. Dr. Perman was appointed assistant-professor m the department of chemistry, and Mr. R. H. Pinlrerton was appointed assistant-pro- fessor in the department of mathematics. We understand that the departments above mentioned have not hitherto been repre- sented on the senate. The effect of the change is that in future they will have repre- sentation on that body, and the representa. tives will take office as from September next. The change necessarily raises the status of the professors and lecturers in the depart- ments gtren.

WEEK BY WEEK. LIGHTER SIDE OF CURRENf EVENTS. The first section of the Weston New as far as the pavilion—will be opened Saturday week. Rabbits are becoming as destructive to crops in some parts of Mid-Glamorgan as they are in Australasia. Dr. J. Mullin, J.P., of Cardiff, will re?r^[ sent Wales on the executive of the Irish League this year. Miss Maggie Davies has teen engaged sing in Mr. Emlyn Evans and Mr. Jenkins's new work at the Rhyl Na.tional Eisteddfod. Close on JE60 was taken in one court •J Ystrad Police-court on Monday in the way fines imposed for drunkenness. One of magistrates remarked, We have all beauties with us to-day." A record collection was made at the Din" Powis Wesleyan Methodist Chapel on in aid of the debt and the organ fund. _ó.r total amount collected during the mornu- and evening was JE902. Caerphilly has been most unfortunate its public events of late. A loss of £ 40 sustained over the East Glamorgan tural Show, £6 over a walking about £50 over the eisteddfod held on Wb1 Monday last. In regard to the rapid development of tbe Rhymney Valley, it is interesting to that the estimated population of the gaer Rural District is 21,500. There- are 3>_ inhabited houses, but of these 1,571 houses of less than five rooms. Lieutenant Norman Biggs was one of officers present at the court-martial held tDJ* week at the Cardiff Barracks. He has a good deal since his football days. His ness suggests that one of the little things left behind in South Africa was most of hair. From "A List of the Members of the able House of Commons of Great Brit* summoned to meet at Westminster on Stecond Day of May, 1722," we gather that member for Glamorgan in that year Charles Keymis, Bart., and for the TO** of Cardiffe Edward Stradling, Esq. rJ Punch" thinks the motoring asoent Snowdon bad news for the people who ø3!' in the habit of retreating to the top of mountain to avoid being run over by cars. And what about taking a constltOO tional on the top of Constitution-hill, now? One of the recruits going "through mill" at the Cardiff Barracks just now is son of a colonel in the British Army. object is to train the youth, who is ingly popular with his comrades, in the tical as well as the theoretical part of profession of soldiering. Last week's issue of the "British Medic81 Journal" contains the annual oration to tb: Medical Society of London, delivered this by Sir Ieambard Owen. It is not general known that the senior deputy-chancellor the University of Wales is also vice-dean the Faculty of Medicine in the University London. In "Mabon's" philosophy the relative portance of the country appears to,_ dwarfed in the presence of the Miners' ration. He sees nothing wrong in comp«N1I,.t a man to join the latter body; but when, comes to compelling a man to train for the defence of his country he rises to height of indignation worthy of Tolstoy- On a long freestone slab in Caerau Ckurcjjj near Cardiff, is the following inscription letters cut deep and filled with black ceIJIen of —" Here lieth the body of Wm. Edmunds, tJJ the Caircv, who departed this life the day of February, 1668, whose age was 168- is well that we should remember occasioia what ages people lived to before the moto car and telephone age. A Risca man who was summoned to at Newport Police-court on Saturday 1 riotous behaviour was said by the have thrown the summons on the fire- AsB by the magistrates' clerk why he did to the defendant replied, Because I ^houg it was no good." The Clerk: What was t matter with it?" Defendant: "I thought^ was no good because I didn't think I done any ha.rm." There used to be a curious sign at the Inn. which is between Haverfordwest a Letterston. It read as follows:- The hermits of old Drank water that was cold, And so lived out their day; But the moderns found out That good ale and stout Were the best things to moisten their c'ay" In the Rev. C. S. Htorne's "Popular of the Free Churches" is a capital P°rVr^, of Oefnbrith, near Llangammarch, the hi'. place of John Penry. It was on May 29, 311 years ago yesterday—that Penry was P to death at St. Thomas Watering, Southwa 1" London. It is said of "Kilsby" that in tray., ling by train past Cefnbrith he invarta" took off his hat out of reverence to memory of the Welsh martyr. At no distant date there will be erect^ch Cardiff Docks 30-ton tips, orders for « have already been given. These will be able to deal with wagons of a weight of 20 tons of coal, and the quiok ing of steamers will thus be further rated. Most of these new tips will doU" be erected at the new dock, which will be one of the quickest loading docks ? world. cJ The oldest manuscript of the so-o Gwentian Code of Welsh Medieval Laws p, shortly to be published by the Oxford Y? eity Press. These laws are ascribed to Dda. An English ti anslation will alS°.ea1" provided, together with an introduction i' ing with the pre-Norman period. The wore of by the Rev. Arthur W. Wade Evans, cn*fl„ oJ St. Mary's Chnrch, Paddfngton, a nati Fishguard, Pembrokeshire. The first flow of the water from the port Corporation's waterworks at Wentw after the tap had been turned on bY of mayor, was eagerly awaited by a crow youngsters at the junction at Maindee, tl1' when it came there was a scrimmage first drink, a ragged urchin being the » After the youngsters had drank, a ter, number of adults sampled the "new and appeared to be satisfied as to its There is a good deal of talk n°w^r1* about the declining birth-rate of this c0°,0 b' Up Merthyr way, however, things seeID: ø9 going all right in the direction of the population. A woman appeared D the school attendance committee of the cation authority yesterday who said s*1 0t the mother of twenty children! Mo^ eleven and twelve children who were upon to explain the truancy of their ones were quite plentiful. A Welsh Baptist near Swansea anonymous letter to a young lady for wb biØ he professed affect on. He wound uP 1114 epistle with the statement that if sbe ,r°dlLf smile in chapel on the following sun ¡1S evening the writer would smile at ber bit return, and so she would discover identity. After service the letter- » stole a glance at the lady. and. walkin? male friend, told him that she was ,111 tb# at him. The friend smiled at her. a°tojj«> lady now "sets her cap" at the innocen The Llanelly Hospital is one of the flourishing institutions of its kind tb" country, and is fortunate in enlisting tb" practical svmpathy of the workingmen 0 19b' town. The annual report read last n t11' showed that during 1902 the employes p-ø various works subscribed no less a sum bf jE686 7s. 6d., and this was snpplemen ditiotl JE195 8s. 5d. from the proprietors. In ap pf. to that Mrs. Buckley, widow of the 1^ c0$l H. C. Buckley, has promised to defray of building a children's ward as a ine^)jjdif to her husband, whose name is cherished in the town. A tourist who visited Swansea 170 describes it as "A Seaport, and a reTJ o0i siderable Town for Trade with a yeT^ie l°\ Harbour. Here is also a very great Tr* »!' Coals and Culm, which they export Parts of Somerset, Devon, and cornwttl\,eø » even to Ireland: so that one sometimes floo,1f hundred Sail of Shins at a time loading øtr1' here; which greatly enriches the coG. is and particularly the Town of stands on the River Twye or Taw." cat according to the same tourist, is a porrbO\Jt Town of Trade, with a very good Sa. opening into the Severn sea. 01 tltø Cefn Mably, one of the favourite bntJ heeØ Cardiff pedestrians, ia said to built by Mable (Mabel\ daughter and of Robert Fitzhammon, Earl of Glow circa 1150 A.D. The long stone gallery- of lies between the old chapel and the Idiet" the edifice, is sometimes called the "SO Gallery." as it has been reported 0 been occupied by the garrison in its siege by Cromwell's troop3. In it Qf oU? nearly the whole length an oak plank, which is 6in. thick, 2ft. 9in. 42ft. 8iin. long. Having at some found not long enough an additiona bIe f of 9ft. has been attached to it. This t mentioned in the "BeaufoTt Welsh colliers are keen practical 53s and sometimes there is a grim in their jokes. An inquisitive traveller came across several miner1l tel Ing themselves in the kitchen of a colliery district. He expressed a (TP know how colliers worked undergrooB of the men picked up a poker, lay ?n and commenced to imitate a colfa coal. The commercial was invited ipvf himself, and he delightedly j the same attitude and imit»* collier. There was a large flitch 0 tper hanging from the ceiling. One o* 0p cut the cord and the flitch gfi traveller. "There," said the ,maa. "tbajt'g &ojy a. collier a killed." J