Weekly Mail

c'l LIVE, LOVE." LADY'S REMARK TO DOCTOR. The case was resumed on Thursday, when A witnoss for the plaintiff, Dr. Stanley Eivers, who had an engagement necessitating his leaving London, was interposed, and, in reply to Mr. Barnard, K.C., counsel for the -laintiff, the doctor said ho formerly' prac- ised a.t Mildeanball, and wae staying at the '■QWj* iortal whore the deceased stayed ot* her visit there in 1907. He first noticed her at the dinner table, his attention being attracted by a remark which she made. What was the remark?—"I live, love." It was made directly to me. BOTTLE OF PORT A DAY. In what state was she?—In a very queer state. The day afterwards Mrs. Dunn arrived, and asked him to look after Mrs. Rawnsley professionally. "She gave me a warning," said witness. "She said Mrs. Rawnsley was a chronic alcoholic, and took a bottle of port a day." Witness added that he found Mrs. Rawnsley Tvas suffering from alcoholic neuritis. Did you see any symptoms of delirium tremens at that time?—They were marked. Witness went on to say that he had objected to Mrs. Dunn. and refused to attend Mrs. Rawnsley as long as Mrs. Dunn was in the house. He did not like her manner, and the fact that she had told him Mrs. Rawnsley had a bottle of port a day. Questioned by the President as to the grounds of his objection, witness said, "My partner had warned me to make a careful note of everything regarding my treatment in a book. He thought we should be looked upon as accomplices. That made me dislike the case. Replying further to Mr. Barnard, witness said that during his attendance on Mrs. Rawnsley he had practically acted as her Replying further to Mr. Barnard, witness said that during his attendance on Mrs. Rawnsley he had practically acted as her private secretary. He wrote letters for her and drew out cheques. She mentioned Mr. Lewin to him, aTEtl said he wanted a sum of £ 100. Were her conversations coherent?—She was never coherent. She would dictate a few words and then would stop to sing a song. She could not concentrate her mind. "A DIPSOMANLAC." Was she a dipsomaniac?—Undoubtedly. She was unclean in ner ha.bits. She once spoke to me about being her executor. Wit- ness added that she gave him a diamond ring on one occasion. She said, "If you love me I will leave You something." When he said she was a dipsomaniac he wished to explain all the characteristics of dipsomania —irresistible desire for stimulants, and the moral perversion which it carries and emo- tional instability. She conceived an affec- tion for every male person she saw, which is a way of dipsomaniacs. Did you consider that during the time you were attending her she was capable of mak- ing a will?—I should certainly say not. While he was there Lewin was sent to deceased by Dr. Dunn. Was her death due to delirium tremens?— Yes, delirium tremens. Witness said he had tried by moral per- suasion to get the deceased to give up drink. Cross-examined by Mr. Hume Williams, K.C. (defendant's counsel), he said he attended the deceased ten weeks, and he charged £116. His account was disputed by the executors. Witness admitted that he had drawn a cheque for the deceased to pay a bill for £7 worth of wine and a lot of cigarettes during four weeks. The diamond ring which Mrs. Rawnsley gave him was worth £25. She also gave Dr. Dunn one worth £19. It was her hobby to give rings to her medical atten- dants. She was 42 years of age when she died. MR. LEWIN RECALLED. Mr. Lewin, who was yesterday examined in support of the will, was now re-called, and his cross-examination was continued by Mr. Barnard, K.C. One one occasion when you took Mrs. Rawnsley back to her flat at Beaufort Man- sions, were you not under the influence of drink?—No, certainly not. I have never taken drink to excess in my life. The sug- gestion is absolutely without foundation. On one occasion when you were with her in a cab when you got out did you not fall on the pavement, and did not the porter at Beaufort Mansions help you up?—It is quite untrue. On that occasion did not the porter have to carry Mrs. Rawnsley up into her room?— I did not see him do so. Mr. Barnard put to the witness a letter written by him to Dr. Dunn, in which he said. Now you must not marry. Everything has gone all right, and you must think yourself lucky, and cheer up and have a good holiday. What," asked counsel, did that refer to?" Mr. Lewin: Dr. Dunn was ill, and he wor- ried about 'everything. Counsel: "You may think yourself lucky?" Witness; I think he was lucky. The President: In what respect? Witness: To take all this money. Further cross-examined, witness said Major Rawnsley had told Dr. Dunn at the funeral j|e was SATISFIED WITH THE WILL. He did not hear that Major Rawnsley had expressed any dissatisfaction with the pro- vision for his daughter Ruby, but he knew that Dr. Dunn had arranged to make over the house and £1.000 to her absolutely. The President: What did you mean by say- ing "Everything is all right"? Mr. Lewin: I meant that probate had been granted. Did you fear something might go wrong?— No, my lord. Dr. Dunn was next examined. He said he was now practising at Uppingham. Up to 1905 he was practising at Mildenhall, Suf- folk, and sold his practice there to Mr. Glazier, who was Dr. Rivers Partner. He came to London in 1905, and was appointed civil medical officer to the War Office. He was consulted by Mrs. Rawnsley in October I that year. She was living in a flat at Albert Mansions. She was in a bad state of health, and took alcohol to excess. She was practically in a state of starvation, and he lent her money. Witness said she went into his house as a paying patient.,He first heard that she had made a will in April, 1906, when she said she had been making her will. He did not know at that time that he was executor, or that he took £ 4,COO, or benefitted at all under that will.During the period she was at Mildenhall he would not describe her as a sober woman, but she was not a drunkard. He never saw her incapable at any time. He first heard of the 28th of September will on rthe day following. It was in Jun. 1907, that he first hear dthe residue had been left to him. Ti Mr. Hume Williams: It is suggested that you and Mr. Lewin conspired together to I make this lady drunk to induce her to make a will in your favour. Dr. Dunn: That is a most DISGRACEFUL FABRICATION. Cross-examined by Mr. Barnard, Dr. Dunn said he discovered that Mrs. Rawnsley was a dipsomania in December, 1905. Questioned about the deceased's drinking habits, the witness said he would be much surprised to find that in October, 1905, tho was supplied with fourteen bottles of spirits and eighteen bottles in November. Asked if he would be surprised to find that in February, 1906, she was supplied with twenty bottles of spirits and seven bottles pf port, the witness replied that she did not I 0n-n¡.;ume It.. When you took this woman into your house did you believe she was a drunken woman? —I do not say she was a drunken woma,n. I say she took more alcohol than was good for her. Would it be correct to say that Mrs. Rawnsley was afraid of you? I do not think 60. Did a man named Dryden come to see her? —Yes. Was there a scene when Dryden was making love to Mrs. Rawnsley on the sofa?— What happened was this. I came into the drawing-room. Mrs. Rawnsley was sitting on the couch. Dryden was in a chair holding her hand. I said I did not like that sort of thing in my drawing-room, and Dryden resented what I said, and I said they must both go out of the house. The further hearing was again adjourned.

POLICE-OFFICER HONOURED PRESENTATIONS BY RHONDDA RESIDENTS. Police-superintendent J. Williams, 01' Neath, was on Wednesday the recipient of a gold-framed illuminated address subscribed for by the inhabintants of the Upper lihondda, where he acted as inspector for nine years prior to his promotion to the superintenden-fship. Mrs. Williams was also presented with valuable silver plate, suit- ably inscribed. During his stay in the Rhondda Superintendent Williams, while dis- charging his duties with rigorous exactitude and fearlessness, had made himself exceed- ingly popular with all sections of the com- munity, and it. is very seldom that a police officer has succeeded in winning such popu- larity. The presentation was made to the superin- tendent by Mr. Edgar Hall, M.E. (agent to Messrs. Cory, Limited), who referred in eulogistic terms to the efficient service rendered to the district by Superintendent Williams, who on all occasions wae only too ready to give friendly advice in case of need. Councillor W. T. Jones, J.P., commented upon the high state of efficiency to which Superintendent Williams had brought his division, and the officers whom he had trained were a credit to the county. Councillors Walter Williams and E T Davies, Mr. D. W. Jones (solioitor), and other leading residents also bore cordial tribute < to the personal worth of Superintendent and Mrs. Williams. Superintendent Williams paid a warm tribute to the excellent manner in which his subordinate officers had conducted themselves and helped him during his charge of the sub-division.

CARD SHARPERS AT WORK. A gang of sharpers are reported to be work- ing the three card trick on the local rail- ways. Several people were had on Thurs- day on the Taff between the Rhondd-a. and < Cardiff.

ELDEST SON OF A BARONET. v SAID TO BE STARTING IN LONDON. CHEQUERED CAREER. I HIS FATHER OWNED THE LLANSANOR ESTATE. Heir to a baronetcy, and an ex-officer in the Army, Joseph William Spearman finds nimself starving in London, after crowding years of adventure into his twenty-nine years of life. He is the eldest son of Sir Joseph Layton Kroes Spearman, second baronet, of craigour, Cullane, East Lothian. The title R as created in 184-0, the first baronet being ir Alexander Young Spearman, at one time Assistant Secretary to the Treasury, and rwards Comptroller-General and Secre- „fT\,to ^e. Commissioners for the Reduction National Debt. The present baronet IS nis grandson, and it is his great-grandson ose plight has been discovered in London, Slttmg III his barely-furnished room in one of the mean streets off the Old Kent-road, ha a u 5?a,rman told °f the hard times that f tK ^en him. There was no need to tell o He privations he is suffering—that is all T ° /F *ve been tramping all over ijon-don to try and find work," he said, "and I d welcome any job. My wife and I are penniless and hungry." Mr. Spearman was born on August 22, 1879, and after education at Shrewsbury served for a year in the 3rd Suffolk (Militia) Regiment as sub-lieutenant. Then a roving spirit came over him. ^or Canada on November 26, 1898, in the Labrador." he said, with the idea of taking up ranching. My first taste of adven- ure soon came. I was crossing the con- tinent on the Canadian Pacific Railway, and we were going through the Rockies, when the train jumped the metals and fell into a ditch to the right; of the track. We scrambled out unhurt and saw how narrow had been our escape, for had the tram gone over to the left we should all have been dashed to pieces hundreds of feet below. Thero was no dining-car on the train, as we were to have a meal at a station some way ahead, and twenty of us had to share out a tin of salmon and a few biscuits till relief arrived twelve hours later. I had a flask of whisky, and could have sold it over and over again for its weight in gild. "Eventually I reached Aahcroft, where Sir William Curtis disappeared from Roger ■Fooock s expedition. From there I went 200 miles by coach up the Cariboo route to a place called Soda Creek, where a spring of water bubbles up. all fizzing like soda water. Then I got into Chilcoot country and appren- ticed myself to learn ranching. So began nearly three years of a regular cowboy's life, with plenty of ups and downs, and enough fun breaking in horses and branding cattle to keep one liveiy. Of course, I was very raw a.t first. My first load of hay slipped off my cart, and 1 had a busy time getting it back again. But for excitement give me branding cattle when a rope breaks and a steer tries to horn you for your trouble. That taught me some new ideas in sprinttng and getting over six-foot fences. MANY MISFORTUNES. "In 1901 I thought I'd try town life again, and made my way to New Westminster, British Columbia, where I took an office and started an agency for the Veterinary Science Association, the idea being to visit farms and sell books on horses and cattle. A local veterinary surgeon, seeing tbe plate on my door and fearing opposition, tried to get! me arrested for practising without a licence or qualifications, and I had to convince the authorities that I was a mere harmless book- canvasser. Books didn't pay very well, a.nd during the next two years I tried my hand at all sorts of things. I helped in a tobacconists shop, worked in a salmon cannery, and went on a farm as haymaker. "In 1903 I came home for a short holiday, and, raising some money, I returned to Van- couver and bought a small fruit farm. But luck was against me; some pest killed all my apple trees, and before long I was wandering about doing any odd jobs I could get. "In January, 1907, I came to South London, and with a little money I had left started a tobacconist's shop in the Old Kent- road, and married the daughter of a butcher who lived near by. This caused the estrangement from my father, and on July 15, 1907, I again sailed westward, intending- this time to take up poultry farming in Toronto. But land was too expensive, so I took a lodging-honse, which was mostly used by English people who wanted to stay with me for nothing, and bolted without paying as soon as they got work. "Down on my luck again, I did all sorts of odd jobs, digging foundations, making concrete floorings, and the like. Then oa-me my worst misfortune of all. Some coffee had frozen in a pot, and as I chipped it with a knife a splinter or icicle of coffee flew up and made a slight wound in my right hand. Blood poisoning set in, and here is my hand half crippled, so that I ca.n do no heavy jobs, though I can manage to write and do clerical work—if only I could get it. "At last my wife and I determined to return, and landed in Liverpool last Sep- tember. We were penniless. A local relief 1 society helped- us for a time, and a fort- night ago we reached London. Now what we shall do I cannot say, for we are at our' last penny." With the assistance of the Church Army, temporary employment has been secured for Mr. Spearman, who hopes soon to get such regular work as will enable him and his wife to face the future with less dread.

SOUTH WALES CONNECTIONS SIR JOSEPH'S RESIDENCE AT LLANSANOR. The foregoing interview is of particular interest to South Wales. The present baronet. Sir Joseph ype-arman. is well known in the county m Glamorgan. For many years he owned e Llansanor Estate, near Cowbridge, and for a long time resided on his property. The old manor house he re-built into a modern, .imposing residence, and he went in for farming oil high-classs and scientific lines. His pedigree cattle were known throughout the district, and in other respects Sir Joseph spared neither money nor labour to run his farming on up-to-date principles. For some reason or other Sir Joseph found it necessary to dispose of his South Wales property, and about fifteen years ago the Llansanor Estates was gold to the late Sir Thomas Morel, upon whose I. decease the' property was re-sold to the present owner, Mr. Herbert Watson. After disposing of the property Sir Joseph went to reside in Shropshire, and afterwards in Scotland. His wife is a relative of Sir Joseph Bailey, and locally surprise is expressed that the son is in such dire straits as reported above.

SEQUEL TO AN ELOPEMENT WIFE AND LODGER ACCUSED BY HUSBAND. The sequel to an elopement of a collier's wife and a lodger which was alleged to have taken place upwards of five years ago was heard at Pontypridd Police-court on Wednesday, when Samuel Blight, collier, NantydaJl, Rhydfelan, appeared as com- plainant in a case in which he charged John James, collier, now of Lower Greenfield, New Tredegar, and his (complainant's) wife, Sarah Blight, with stealing various articles, including household linen, Ac., on December 2, 190G. According to the story told in court, the flight took place when Blight was away at work. All trace of the couple was lost until Tuesday, when the husband came across James at Pontypridd, and a.t once caused his arrest. Police-constable Willia.m Evans proceeded with the husband to James's residence at New Tredegar, where the latter discovered his wife, and also identified t<h#» articles which were aUeged to have been stolen. Mrs. Blight denied that the articles referred to belonged to her husband, and exonerated James from having taken anything away or for any blame in the matter. Mrs. Blight now added that her husband had goije to America for five months, and only sent hot £5 during the whole of that time. The Presiding Magistrate (Alderman R. Lewis) remarked that the bench had nothing to do with the moral aspect of the case, but characterised what had been done as dis- graceful. James was fined £2, or a month's imprisonment, and the woman was fined £1.

ENGLISH MINERS' WAGES. A meeting was held a-i ^Westminster on Wednesday of the Coal Conciliation Board to consider an application by the coalowners for a reduction of miners' wages by 5 per cent. The board disagreed on the question, 4w-hich will have to be referred to the outside chairman. Lord Jojnes c* Hereford.

ANOTHER RAID BY SUFFRAGETTES. + CHARGING THE POLICE CORDON. In accordance with their expressed inter.- tion to ^interview Mr. Asquith at the House of Conrnons, the members of the Women's Social and Political Union, followed by a cheering crowd, reached the St. Stephen's entrance to the House shortly after eight o'clock on Wednesday evening. Police pre- cautions had been taken, and the demon- strators found a strong body of constables re outside the door Mrs. Pethick Lawrence, who carried a peti- tion in her hand, was met by Inspector Scantlebury. She asked to be admitted to see Mr. Asquith. The inspector told her that the Prime Minister was not in the House, and offered to hand over any papers she chose to leave. Some attempt was then made to rush the entrance. While the struggle was in pro- gress a division on Earl Percy's amendm-out was called, and a few members coming in to vote had difficulty in forcing a passage through the orowd." A way had also to Oe kept for members of the House of Lords. who were leaving at this time. After a few minutes it was decided to clear the roadway, and a' fresh body of police, who had been in reserve in Westminster-hall, marched out and very soon forced the cR-monstrators away from the building. Considerable disturbance had previously marked the progress "f the demonstrators I from Caxton-hall to Parliament-square. An enthusiastic meeting was held in the hall, at which the deputation, some twenty in number, was duly appointed to proceed to the House to present the resolution to Mr. Asquith. On emerging from the hall the deputation was* greeted with loud cheers, and a rush was made by the crowd to surround them. A strong cordon of police was drawn across the end of Caxton-street, who arrested the progress of the crowd, but allowed the deputation to pass. This led to cdmmotion, and several suffra- gettes charged the police with great persis- tency. They struggled with the officers, who bit by bit forced them' back towards the entrance to Caxton-hall. In the meantime the deputation marched rapidly towards Parliament-square, and ware allowed to go as far as the door of the House of .Commons, more or less maintaining the processional order in which they set out. Several attempts were made to pass the police cordon which was stretched aatoss the roadway in front of the Central Lobby. One young lady passed the cordon at a run, shouting emphatically I am going to the House." She was soon captured, lifted bodily to the outside of the cordon again, and escorted to Cannon-road Police-station Other ladies charged the police at a run, and several more arrests followed. Others mounted the railings before Westminster, hall, and one began to make a speech, but, I after a short struggle, these ladies also were removed and taken to the polioe-station. When the news of the arrests reached Carton-hall there was considerable excite- ment. Mrs. Saul Solomon, wife of an ex- Premier of Cape Colony, offered to head a second deputation. Mrs. Solomon's offer was accepted, but she failed to reach the neigh- bourhood of the House, and ultimately took refuge in the Westminster City-hall. Miss Burnett accompanied Mrs. Solomon as far as Westminster Abbey, and, when the pair were separated, Miss Burnett tried for fully ten minutes to force a way past the polioe, but was not successful. Half an hour after the first deputation had appeared at the House the police cleared Parliament-square, and within a. few minutes the crowd had dispersed. Interest was trans- ferred to the Westminster Hospital neigh- bourhood, where crowds cheered or jeered the ladies. Altogether 27 ladies, including Mrs. Pethick Lawrence and Miss Daisy Solomon, daughter of an ex-Premier of Cape Colony, together with one man, were arrested and taken to the police-station. Subsequently a party of suffragettes left the Caxton-hall for Brooks' Club, St. James- street. where the Premier was dining, intend- ing to force their way into his presence, but the police frustrated the plan. An attempt to pass the police cordon was made by some of the demonstrators m cabs, but this also failed, and the ladies making it were subjected to rather roufh handling- from the crowd on alighting. Mounted police at length found it necessary to inter- vene and conduct these dein0nstrators out of the crowd. A list of those taken to Gannon-row, sub- sequently obtained from the police, included the following Emmeline Pethick Lawrence, 4, Clement's Inn, London. Lady Constance Georgina Lytton, Kneb- worth, Hertfordshire. Helen Kirkpatrick Watts, Lentpn, Notts. Margaret Daviee, Colley. Pul borough, Sussex. Katherine Tyson, Drewsted-road, Streat- ham. Katherine Richmond, Redhul- Helen Tyson, Streatham. Mary Allen, Wenterbury, Bristol. Una Stratford Dugdale, 13, S-tanhope-plaoe, London. Daisy Dorothy Solomon, da-ughtex of Cape Colony ex-Premier. Mrs. Catherine Elizabeth Corbett, Dover- street, London. PROCEEDINGS AT BOW-STREET. Suffragists A a large number congregated at Bow-street Police-court on Thursday in connection with Wednesday's raid at West- minster, iu which twenty-seven women and one man were arrested during the attempt to interview the Prime Minister. Among those present were Lady Betty Balfour, Mrs. Pankhurst; and Miss Pankhurst. The first defendants to come before Sir Alfred Rutzen were Mrs. Pethick Lawrence and Leslie Lawzon, who were charged with obstruction. Inspector Jarvis said the defendants asked to see Mr. Asquith, and he told them he was not present in the House. They would not accept his offer to take in any resolution, and said they must go in. They then per- sistently endeavoured to pass, and there was a great struggle with tbe police, the two defendants being particularly prominent. Owing to the state of affairs the police reserve had to be called out. Mrs. Pothick Lawrence said the women con- nected with this movement were not law breakers, but wished to do everything to help the police and every cause deserving of a woman's assistance. Their only offence was that they wished to get rid of the terrible 'ES* CURSE OF WOMAN'S HELPLESSNESS. They were contesting for the npliftiu-S cause of the women of this country. *-ey •had broken the technical law. but no moral or constitutional law, a.s they had a rignt to present a petition to Parliajnent. ny obstruction by the polioe was a. breacn of the law. She appealed to the magistrate not to regard them as ordinary brawlers, and because of the political agitation she aspect him not to order them to be bound over, out u. acquit them as having broken no Jaw. They only claimed constitutionally that to which they were all entitled, viz., the rignt, of repreaentation with taxation. The Magistrate told the defendants they had tried to do that which they had no rignt. to do. He was obliged to deal with their a,s with simila,r cases. He asked them if they would be bound over, and both replied m the negative. The Magistrate then bound them over in sum of £ 23 or two months' imprisonment. Katherine Tyson, of Strea-thani, was boon over in two sureties of £ 10 each, or one month's imprisonment.. Muriel Roberts, of Ham-pstead; Daisy Dorothea Solomon, of Hampstead constable stated, said she was proud ot wna she had done); Kate Walsh, of pentonvil.e; and Evelyn Cheshire, of Ealing, were simi- larly treated, each refusing to be bound over. LADY LYTTON PROUD." Lady Constance Georgina Lytton, a^e>- 43, was next charged, and it was stated in at when she was asked not to o^truet the police, she said, I must get throug insist on getting through." Her ladyship said she had no quesu to ask, but she had voluntarily asked to be allowed to help the women's cause, ana never felt more; proud in her life Th.e po ce were ordered to prevent her doing her a and there was necessarily some conflict. e did not wish anyone to pay a fine for her if one weire inflicted. The Magistrate: I understand this is the first time you have taken ]wt in any (I-opu- tation. Would you be prepared to be bound over not to try to force your way into the House ? Defendant: No, I cannot. The Magistrate: Then I nust deal with you as with the others. A number of the defendants were dealt with in the same way-a month's imprison- ment in default of being bound over. These included Ellen Lethune, Ellen Kirkpatriok Watts, of I yen ton, Nottinghamshire (who re- marked that she intended to do the same at the firs; opportunity); Mrè. Capnna Fahey, Margaret Davis Cqlley, of Pulborough, Sussex; Mrs. Sarah Oa.rwin, and Mrs. Rose Yat-eg (who protested against going in the seoond division), Ellen Wine. Pitman, Annie Ainsworth, Maude Freeman (who smilingly accepted the alternative), Mary Barnett, Katherine Richmond, Margaret Eleanor Thompson, Madeline Petre, and Helen Tyson. Catherine Isabel Ida Oorbett, who wa.s treated in the same way, said she was never more proud of the womanhood of the country than last night, when the moral foroe of the country was pitted against the brute physical force as represented by the Government. It was a disgrace to the Government tSbeut women were not aJlowed to exercise their constitutional rights. She refused absolutely to be bound over. THE KrXD OF FOOLERY." The same course was taken up by Una Stratford Dugdale, of Stanhope-place, a, daughter of Commander Dugdale. She wished to protest against the inhuman and brutal treatment meted out to the women by order of the^Liberal Government. With due respect to the magistrate, she said there was a. higher, a Divine justice which would bring Mr. Asquith and his colleagues to aocount for their cruelty and opposition meted out to women asking for their enfranchisement. Ca,roline Townsend and Margaret Rogers were likewise dealt with, as was Mary Allen, of Winterbury, Bristol, who, asked by the magistrate whether she would undertake not to do this "kind of foolery" again, declined to be bound over, and said she would take the alternative of a month. Elsie Gye, of Fulham, who was stated to have said she would get into the House of Commons when she came out of prison, was given six weeks imprisonment, as an alter- native to be hound over, as there was a previous conviction Thomas Mortimer Budgett, the only man charged, was stated to have said: "The women are not going to do all the dirty work," and to have been very excited. The defendant said he oould not allow English- women to be treated in a disgraceful way, but the magistrate said he appeared to have interfered without any reason whatever, the evidence showing there was no ill-treatment by the police. He would be bound over the same as the other defendants, or go to prison for a month in the second division. Mrs. Leslie Lawless was brought into court again, and sentence upon her reduced to one month in default. She protested against the reduction.

IN TIME OF PEACE OR WAR. A SCHEME FOR IMPERIAL DEFENCE. A Parliamentary paper was issued on Friday evening containing the text of an important memorandum which has been prepared by General Sir W. G. Nicholson, chief of the General Staff, in pursuance of a resolution of the Imperial Conference of )901, on the subject of the creation of an Imperial General Staff for the service of the Empire I as a whole. The object of the staff would be efficient preparation for war in reace I time and the successful conduct of war in war time. The main points in the War Office memor- andum are as follows:— (1.) All the forces of the Empire to be organised for war on the same general principles as regards the system of com- mand and staff duties. For this purpose the formation of the Imperial General Staff should be proceeded with as far as the present means permit. (2.) Uniformity to be ensured in the sys- tem of training officers for the General Staff. (3.) Uniformity in the carrying outp of staff duties to attained by encouraging gradua-tes of staff colleges who aspire to holding more important General Staff appointments to undergo a further course of training in England or India, and by arranging for a systematic interchange of officers of the Imperial General Staff between the various appointments through- out the Empire. National defence, the memorandum points out, must be considered under two heads- local defence and Imperial defence—and in regard to the latter it is remarked that "the first point to note is that it is a cardinal military maxim that no organisation for defence can be regarded as adequate or complete which does not contemplate offen- sive action. Passive defence seldom, if ever, wins decisive results." "The work of the new staff," says Sir W. G. Nicholson, "would be organised in two divi- sions. In the first place we require a central body to consider and draw up plans for the defence of the Empire as a whole, to study and formulate broad principles of general application, and to collect and disseminate general information. In the second place we require local branches to study loeal needs and local possibilities and to supervise the application of broad general principles under local conditions. But the Imperial General Staff must be an entity. Therefore, the local branches must form parts of one whole, springing from the central body. Thus, both in peace and war, the General Staff I must be regarded as a large organisation, consisting of a central body, with branches stretching out to all the various units of an army." Another section of the memorandum deals with the principles of selection and training of officers for the Imperial Staff. Uniformity is to be ensured in the training of officers by arranging for uniformity in the system of educating regimental officers. The suggested new staff would consist of a central body in London, working directly under the chief of the General Staff, and local sections throughout the Empire. Lord Crewe has forwarded the scheme to the self-governing Colonies, and Canada has I already intimated general acoeptanoe of the principles.

STRENGTH OF THE ARMY. A MARKED INCREASE IN RECRUITS. The general annual report on the British Army for the year ended September 30, 1908, with which is incorporated the annual report of recruiting prepared by command of the Army Council, was issued on Friday evening. In an introductory note, Sir Edward Ward, Bays that, consequent upon the re-organisa- -a tion of the Militia into the Special Reserve, a- change has been introduced into this yoar's return. The re-organisation of the Militia has involved the amalgamation of the old permanent staff of seventy Militia battalions with the old depot staff, the com- bined numbers being now entitled to Regular establishment. Consequently, in the Army Estimates for 1908-9 the Regular establish- ment of the seventy battalions (including the old per man en* staff) was included among the regiments insfead of with the other per ma- nerut staff. This course has been followed in the present return, but a Btep further has been taken, and the whole of the Regular esta,blishment, of the Special Eeserve (ail arms) has been included in the regimental establishment. This fact should not be over- looked in considering the comparison between the figures for this year and pre- vious years, as it means that 2,930 non-com- missioned officers and men. 1.889 of whom are sergeants, all of them with long eer- vioe, a.re now shown in the Regimental establishments of the Army who were not previously included. The following tables show the establish- ment and strength of the Regular Army, Army Reserve, Special Reserve, Territorial Force, &c„ on October 1, 19C8:— Army Estimates. Strength. British Establishment 179,066 175.405 Indian Esta-bllslimcnt 76,155 75,919 Army Reserve 142,000 133,949 Special Reserve 80,301 63,151 Territorial officers and men 313,673 197,258 Major-general Crutchley, Director of Recruiting, says the number of recruits who joined the Regular Army amounted to 37.175 for the year, an increase of 2,259 com- pared with the previous twelve months, Partly attributable to recruiting for he mounted corps being unrestricted during the year. There has been a marked increase in the number of recruits in the regimental districts, due probably to the general depression of trade. In the transfer of Militiamen to the Special Reserve 48,746 joined the Special Reserve, 8,585 remained Militiamen, and 9,818 took a free discharge on the occasion of the con- version. The number of recruits enlisted for tho Militia up to January 15, 1908, was 8,223. Tiie number of recruits for the Special Reserve from January 16, 1908, to September 30. amounted to 17.781. The total number of ex-soldiers in the railway service throughout the kingdom at September 30 was 20,289. Of 23,974 men who returned to civil life from the Army with characters either good, very good, or exemplary, 20,960 ex-soldiers were provided with employment or found situations.

LATE REV. DR. ROWLANDS ILARGE ATTENDANCE PRESENT AT THE FUNERAL. The high' regard in which the late Rev. Dr. Rowlands, Llanelly, was held by all classes of th6 community was fully empha- sised at the funeral rites on Saturday, when his mortal remains were conveyed to Box Cemetery. The cortege was of considerable length, and was representative of all phases of the community, including the clergy and ministers of various denominations from all parts of the principality. A short service having been conducted at the house by the Revs. J. John. Tondu, and Thomas Morgans, Skewen, the coffin was conveyed to Moriah Chapel, where a very impressive service was held under the direction of the Rev. John L<ewis, Gaersalem, Llanelly. The last rites at the graveside were performed by the Rev. W. Trevor Jones, Bethania, Llanelly, and the Rev. E. R. Evans, Llwynhendy, V7hust the chapel choir sang "Bydd myrdd o r.vfeddodau."

FIGHTING BOB AND HIS WIFE. BOTH OF THEM OF WELSH DESCENT. ¡ The Hon. Anthony Howell, formerly United States Consul at Cardiff, contributes tiie following interesting interview to the Druid," the well-known Welsh-American paper, published at Scranton: — Admiral Robley u. Evans (Fighting Bob) entertained the people of Canton with his lecture on his trip with sixteen war vessels from Hampton Roads to San Francisco, Cal. The admiral is not what might be termed an orator, but of a fair voice and a pleasing I and entertaining speaker, though, unfor- tunately, by reason of disabilities received while fighting in the Civil War, he is forced to speak sitting in a chair. I had seen the claim made several times that Admiral Evans is of Welsh descent, while others doubted the claim. To satisfy my curiosity, as well as to get the facts in the case for others, I sought an in^terview I with the admiral, which was readily granted, and I was more than pleased to have the presence of Mrs. Evans also, because of the happy and unexpected termination of the interview. I fired my gun on him straight, without trying to shoot around the bush, and said: Admiral, I have seen it stated that you are of Welsh descent. I have also seen it stated that your forefathers were English, and, if you have no objections. I would like to know which is the correct one." Without the least hesitation, he said, Welsh." I said that I was glad to hear that, because I was Welsh-born myself, but he said: I can't go further back than my great-grand- father He came from Wales, but what part I have not been able to find out. I remember my grandfather, Samuel Evans, in Pennsyl- vania, but I do not know whether he was born in Wales or in this country." Now comes, perhaps, the most interesting past of the interview. The talk became general, and Mrs. Evans took a lively part in it, about Wales and its people, lang-ua-ge, &o. Mrs. Evans said that many Welsh people in early days came to Virginia. I said, "Yes," and that during the Revolution- a.ry war they and their descendants played a conspicuous part in that struggle, such men as Jefferson and not the least of them, the fighting general, John Morgan. I noticed Mrs. Evans's face glowing with pleasure, and she said: "He was my great-i grandfather. My maiden name was Morgan. More than that, I have Welsh blood from my maternal side. My great-grandfather came from Wales, and first settled in New Jersey, removing afterwards to Virginia. So you see," she said. with a pleasant smile, '1 have much more Welsh in me than has the admiral." Yes," said Admiral Evans, and what is a singular fact, we have a painting of Gene- ral John Morgan at home, and find that our son is the very image of that picture. Then Mrs. Evans said smiling, "I can further convince you that I have Welsh hlood in me by saying the 'Maid of Llangollen,) and it was pronounced fully Yn yr hen Gymraeg," stating at the same time that very few English-speaking people could, or as least did, pronounce it properly, as invariably they pronounce it "Langolen." So the reader may imagine my surprise when I found out that not merely "Fighting Bob" was of Welsh descent, but that his better half was full of Waed coch Cym- raeg." The admiral then said that he understood that the Welsh language was very harsh and full of guttural sounds, and that he would like to hear it spoken. I said that was partly true and partly otherwise, and that I would try and repeat to him some- thing of both kinds. I then repeated, "Hoff fryniau gwlad a ooed o gylch hoff gastell lan Montgomery. Yn hardd boch drych. yn wyrdd boch dail, mewn g'lyndid i'n ragori." He said, "That is not harsh nor guttural. It is melodious as the Spanish. Can you repeat it in English?" I then did so. "Ye banks and braes and streams all round the castle of Montgomery," A-c. "Well," he said, "that 'Via.s a translation of Burns's 'Highland Mary. I said, "Yes,! and without detracting any from the origi- nal." I considered the translation fully equal to the original, and that I had com- mitted both to memory over 60 years ago. I then told him that there was another side, so repeated "Ihvch a chwech o berlich gochion bach." We all three laughed, and he wanted to know what it was in English, and I repeated the sime in English, so all! three had another good laugh. The admiral is not a robust nor a healthy man, by any means. He has been a "Fight- ing Bob" since early in the Civil War, and was badly wounded in the leg and foot, and of late years, coupled with rheumatism, he has suffered much, and has to use crutches. His features are strongly Celtic, and without knowing anything of his antecedents I would pronounce him of either Scotch or Welsh descent. would pronounce him of either Scotch or Welsh descent. Mrs. Evans is small in stature, but of a most lovable and kindly disposition, and' very motherly in all her words and actions. I never had twenty minutes' more pleasure L] my life than the ohat with the admiral and his good wife. So I bid them farbweH. and, if for ever, still for ever fare thee well, in both languages.

CASE OF lUR. NORRIS. « ATTORNEY-GENERAL WILL NOT INTERFERE. Mr. BRACE asked the Attorney-General in the House of Commons on Wednesday if his attention had been called to the case of Mr. G. L. Norris, who was unseated upon petition as a member of the Penarth Urban District. Council upon a charge of bribery and corruption; who was also arraiened at the Swansea Assizes for corrupt practices during the above election, but the grand jury threw out the bill against him, and would he undertake to have this case fully and specially investigated with a view of quashing the findings of the petition com- missioner, and refunding to Mr. Norris the costs he had been burdened with as defendant in the actions. The .ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he had made inquiry into the circumstances of the case, and he did not think he had the power i to give the undertaking asked for by the honl member. He was bound to say that if he had he did not think in the circumstances of the case he should give it. Mr. Norris was found by the commissioner sent down to inquire into the facts to have distributed threepenny and penny pieces under rather indiscreet circumstances during the course of the election, and, therefore, he did not think that the findings of the commissioner could be quashed. "Tr. BRACE said if the hon. member would not assist him could he tell him where he Dught to apply. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he never assisted anybody. (Laughter.)

A GIRL WIFE. n-i Carrying a baby in her arms, a. srirl of about fifteen years of age applied on Wednesday at Willesden for a separa- tion order against her husband. "A separation!" exclaimed the magistrate with surprise. A girl of your age ought not even to be married." I know that now," was the girl's rejoinder. "I was married last SePtemher, and my husban 1 has now gone home to his mother." She went on to,say that she could not make up the quarrel, for her husband one night tried to cut his throat, and had a-lso attempted suicide by hanging. Her application, how- ever, was refused.

STOP PRESS. + At The old Bailey oar Soeepb SvxWart was, £ o*tfnd g"Uilt>y of ooospwaicy flI'4 Falie pretenaee 'i,1 ooxfnectK*& "With the coupon competitions case, and sen- tc-oced to eighteen mouths hand labour, f rodenck Catling was found not guilty .of preteocee, ai;d the jury failed to agree in the conspiracy ooMct He was allowed 011.1, on bail. -¡, I ) I

SERVIANS' CALL TO ARMS. i A GRAVE SITUATION IN THE BALKANS. A telegram published by a Selin news- paper from Vienna states that the Servians have issued a warlike proclamation, of whi^ several copies have been distributed m th« Austrian capital. The text is as follows: — SERVIAN BI1 OTHERS! SERVIAN HEROES! The hour is approaching when you will have to do your holy duty to the Father- land. Do not believe in the peace coquetting witfl which our diplomatists deceive themselves and the country. An Austrian ultimatum is imminent, ana will be followed three days later by an in- vasion by Austrian troops. That is the decision of the Austrian Army Council. All other reports are lies and imposturee with which they seek to delude and lull us into a false &ecuri.y. Be ready, as 8oon as the Fatherland calls you, to grasp your guns and go to your posts. To-morrow already you may hear the call. GRAVE SITUATION. If Austria invites Servia to submit claims the latter State will comply, but not other- wise (says the "Daily Lelegraph"). Austria has declared that she will make no territorial concession" in any circumstances. There the matter stands, while the members of the Triple Entente refuse to recognise any modification of the Balkans unless it is sanctioned by all the signatories of the Treaty of Berlin. The situation, therefore, is grave, and the only satisfactory features are: (1) The correct attitude of Servia, and (2) The unwavering confidence of those in the best position to know Baron von Aehrenthal's inmost opinions, that he will not provoke a war the limits and end of which no one can foresee. ATTITUDE OF THE POWERS. Paris, Thursday.—The Petit Parisien" states that M. Pichon. in receiving the Ambassadors yesterday, declared that France and Great Britain were ready to intervene once more at Belgrade, but only on the express condition that this step was approved by Russia, the natural protector of the Slav races in the Balkans. M. Isvols^'s reply had not been received in Paris yesterday evening. The Petit Journal" says that, if no decision has as yet been come to on the subject of proposed intervention at Belgrade, it is, nevertheless, now certain that France, Russia, and Great Britain will act in concert. -Reuter. SERVIA S DESIRE FOR PEACE. Paris, Thursday.-The "Matin's" Belgrade correspondent has been granted an interview by Dr. Milovanovitch, the Servian Foreign Minister, who assured him Servia would not make war on Austria, and could not believe the latter would attack her. The country was tranquil, and no warlike spirit pre- vailed. No military measures had been taken apart from old orders for artillery placed with the Creusot firm, and the Government had expended in all only sixteen million francs ( £ 640,000) on armaments. Servia was proving her desire for peace, and they were sure the fact would be recognised by Europe. —Central News.

"A WRETCHED STORY." OF A CHRISTMAS JOLLIFICA- TION." The twice-adjourned case of Annie Arm- strong, who charged her brother-in-law, Wil- liam Sparks, a weigher on the Great Western Railway, with assault, came before the Car- diff Deputy-stipendia ry on Thursday. Mr. Harold Iloyd represented complainant, and Mr. Evan Davies represented defendant. Mr. Lloyd said the parties lived next door to each other in Sandon-place. On December 24 the woman was sitting in her kitchen, when a man and woman who lodged with defendant came in. Defendant wanted his wife, who was also there, to go. home. He also threatened to knock her face off, and when complainant said he should not hit his wife, there he struck her in the chest, the blow sending her from the kitchen door to the fire-place. She fell against the fire, and a kettle of water ujset over her. Next day the defendant said he would do it to others. She had been ill ever since. By Mr. Davies: Mrs. Sparks and witness were addicted to drink. Defendant had been a checker for 25 years. Frank Allen, the lodger, was diressed in woman's clothes, with his face blackened, and a cabbage in his breast. (Laughter.) Allen's wife was dressed in man's clothes, and defendant's child had been frightened by Allen. Witness wa* dressed in her husband's coat. Mr. Davies: I suggest that you had the whole of your husband's clothes on? It's no use laughing, you know?—I didn't. Did you act in an improper manner?—No. A*d did he say it was disgusting?—No. I suggest that all he did was to push you as you came to scratch him?—No. You have scratched his face?—Yes, when he hit me. x Mr. Lloyd: I don't care whether you were wearing your husband's trousers or not, but he did hit You in the breast?—Yes. Are you In the habit of taking too mtltaii to drink sometimes?—Sometimes I go off. Dr. E. Martin said the woman was suffer., ing from scalds. Mrs. Allen, the wifio of the lodger, address- ing the Deputy-stipendiary, said: "I -tell you straight, tir, it is a family affair. I was there, and I didn't shift. It was a regular jollification." Her husband and she h^fcd changed clothes, she said. They all had drinks. The case was dismissed, the Deputy-Stipen- diary remarking that it was a wretched story -a man of good character going into a house like that.

LATE LORD WINDSOR. FUNERAL AT HEWEL GRANGE. The funeral of the late Viscount 'Windsor took place on Thursday at Tardebigge Church near Hewell Grange. A large number <f people assembled at the church, and the Worcestershire Imperial Yeomanry, with band, formed an escort from the house, aiid provided a firing- party. Tne mourners included the Earl and Countess of Ply- mouth, the Hon. Ivor Archer, Lady Phyllis, Lady Georgina, and Henrietta, Windsor Clive. The inscription on the coffin was:- Other Robert, Viscount Windsor, born October S3, 1884, died of enteric fever at Agra., while on the Viceroy of India's Staff, December 25, 1908. The Rev. Canon Dickens, vicar of Tarde- bigge, and the Rev. W. R. Roberts officiated. The Yeomanry were under the command t of Colonel Sir H. F. Grey. The bearers were ten of the estate men, and the grave Was lined with moss. At the close of the service the Yeomanry fired three volleys over the grave, and the trumpets sounded the Last Post.

CHOKED AT SUPPER. DOWLAIS WOMAN SUFFOCATED BY COLD MUTTON. At the Ifor Castle Hotel, Dowlais, on Wednes- day Mr. R. J. Itbys. coroner, conducted an inquiry into the sad case of Eliza Jones, aged 59, the wife of Thomas Jones, '-N-o. 5, Regent-street, Dowlais (weigher at Messrs. Guest, Keen, and Neulefolds' collieries), who met her death whilst partaking of supper on Monday evening. The circumstances of the distressing affair were detailed by the husband, who was gTeatly affected. I He said they were both seated at the table taking a meal of cold roast mutton, when his wife made a. noise as if choking. He immediately went to her assistance, and tried to remove a large piece of meat, which had stuck in her throat. He could just touch it, but could not get hold of the obstruction with his fingers, although he tried hard for several minutes. He did not think of tryiug to push it down with something plia-ble. He was too excited at the time, and sent for medical help. Dr. H. Lewis-Hughes. J.P., who produced the piece of meat which was two ounces in weight), stated that he 6aw the deceased about 7.30 o'clock. She seemed to have died a few minutes before.. He found a portion of the meat in the gullet* and the other part, in the air pa,ssage. It was such a large piece that be doubted if it could be foroed down, for it was firmly fixed, and the deoeased was suffocated. The jury returned a verdiot accordingly. ABERAVON COLLIER'S FATAL INJURIES. Mr. H. Cuthbertson, coroner, held an inquest at Aberavon on Wednesday touching the death of George Cole (38). collier. of the Mountaineer Inn, Blackwel), Aberavon, who died 9n Friday last from injuries received at the (folliery. Evidence showed that deceased had been employed at the Duffryn Rhondda Colliery for about three months. Benjamin Morgan (Caerau) said a stone, which weighed about 30ewt., fell on deceased. John Davies. fireman, said that previous to the accident he advised deceased to put an extra pair of props under the stone, which he considered a bad one." Dr. J. Pryce Roberts said deceased's thigh bad been fractured and the kidneys ruptured, A verdict ot "Accidental D aaAH was iwtiuMiitl.