The Cardiff Times

I .I's TRY IT.

WORKMEN'S TOPICS. THE TWO BUDGETS AND THE CLOSING DOORS. By MABON, M.P. \\? Ubtless the greatest political interest the furwi over, is how to raise the necessary ^7?^ to meet increased expenditure. Yester- JjTy as it were, we could afford to and follow the German Budget to-day and Oni.ttt0tTow we are trying to study and follow coi Happily for the workers of this ^iQtry, the British Chancellor is not trying q. Provide for our own needs as the German di^nCeUor was forced to do. He evidently has that Protection, after all, does not ^oreigner pay," for the Imperial the Prussian Governments are about to Uew loans to the amount of £ 40,000.000, are required for ordinary State pur- vL"^9 because they cannot raise sufficient that Scientific tariff our Pro- tjOIUst8 so highly commend. Comparatively bnf a small deficit on last year's taxation, any's amounted to EIO,000,000, and jlaeir future needs are still increasing they e to continue a policy of borrowing that already begun to leave its mark upon (k/Van credit. Less than 30 years ago the debt was £ 13,000.000. Up to last year had put on £ 200,000,000, a fourth of that having been added within the last tC7ears< while we have been paying off li 8um to reduce our debt, so terribly tlfifvS? bY the Boer War. Now another is to be put on the German and as obligations to the extent of 000 or more have already been incurred Of the next four years, the prospect ^irther deficits and further borrow- ffcfl "~>e giving the German Chan- ^as*»f considerable anxiety. He doubtless fle,^ ne his best to meet the current year's by increased taxation, but the land- ere, too, won't consent to the impoei- °t direct taxes they want there, as the class do here, more indirect taxation. 111 their case is only another way of 9 that for every penny the working pay into the Exchequer, they want to 0k_ into the landlord's pockets. That the P^ellor re^used to increase the tariffs is plain that he is not a victim to the delusion the foreigner would pay the additional The situation in Germany has, Pfo ^Ver a further interest for us, beyond to conviction that Protection is an nsive, wasteful, inadequate means of rais- revenue. There must soon be a limit to Wiring. Their loans can only be raised on a 5v,Per cent basis, while under British Free ia^e We can borrow at three per cent. They la^ exhausted thoir capacity of productive and the only alternative is retrench- IpQj/ Their naval programme is mainly re- '*he n ^or their strained circumstance s, and ^°t realise, if their Government does QUiLq there mmust be a pause in their ship- expenditure. Thus we in this country hed with another reason why we «et stick to our old policy of refusing to ^ed 8 *)ace' heing content to maintain our de- *aval superiority by waiting to sec what •e^?'Dame we have to meet, and responding e^^c^mstances and prudence demand. This j^^try too, would do well to cease to be ^ocative in deed as well as in word, and I- thus afford Germany every reason to Ijjj that in studying her own best economical K?^ests her comparative naval strength is not ^jftldiced. have found out already that of the large wjjoonts which our own Chancellor has to pro- the larger portion of which, whether we e It () r not, is for tho purpose that are ceUoJ^Jj^barrassment to the German Chan- JncreasinJ°r *onS time all the money that an been draft from taxation provides has Suite eas to the Navy and Army, and it is X Po-_ to see that if the Tory party were at a stj?,r the cost of armaments would increase niore rapid rate. All social problems tft^tor money have been postponed year »titCj''e.ar> and judging from the scandalous ittOfe y-v past month for millions more for be r<1adnoughts, we have every reason to Jhe Old3!6^ that the '■ Aged Poor Charter," -Ela.]f Se Pensions Act, was passed last year. ^«sire +° of course, has been due to the *°r tk j 'n? odium upon the Government the j^dition of eight or nine millions to aid t81o a i^°or • hit the Act has been welcomed has k er passe<^ has stirred the people, "e heen urged that the poor should still to foot the bill, that the gift of last Mil c should be withdrawn. This—but one Ilk Ilfidently prophesy that the Govern- "hell 'ViII act in a more business-like way-- l^cy t future Chancellor wants money, his e Car, hope, will be to apply for it where *8e j. Pa°ity for taxation is greatest. It is no to squeeze wealth out of poverty, Mil £ e present Chancellor, I am almost sure, 4 a t^)30 hurden where it can be best "Oq) Free Trade Budget has the advantage M»o]e whatever taxes are imposed, the P*ete of the revenue will go to the Exchequer. PooiT^ he no additional sums to go into kets of home producers and manufac- in Germany, and for that, of all ■^otectionist States. s The Closing Door. terrific language has beeA used lately denunciation of the Land Taxes im- thjnl?y the present Budget. Sir Ed. Carson, has excelled all others. The language b*^ Dy that gentleman would, no doubt, have ^^tremcly expressive if delivered from a °t o to some Irish landlords' convention. Hat°f ttlem in my opinion, has yet said really mean, and what they mean ''Oil i a ^oubt is that if the new taxes got 3^ Ca ^ree Trade has vindicated its finan- fe^i Pacity. By raising money for Old Age the ar,d additional Dreadnoughts from the door would henceforth be holted, and barred on the possibility ?otL^ it hy taxing the food, the Jaily the houses, the furniture, the 'hev, hfe in sleeping or waking of °f' to the immense enrichment of a speculators, who mean to make a thing out of politics than they have ^ibt, out of business. It is indeed this in- ^*8 <vi, *sta,te their alternative which ham- Mv, ^friends the Tories, and it is the doubt- lhe bp Vlege of the Liberal Benches to supply not only for their own side of the eft. but for their opponents' side as ^hjs again is exemplified by flia Lord Rosebery's Recent Letter b.te the Budget. It was a thoroughly mis- it VOAIB document-except in one particular, U?*1 Tt, s,? S?eneral in its terms that it had no jt Va^ tion, and in that one particular ^correct. To say that the present !? thniT°, ion 53 to provide persons incapable thom a shibboleth they can respect K^teirH understanding it. His t^itv f n that the country has had no oppor- Minii PronomciDg upon the Land Taxes without foundation in fact. » ^Dhii °ur toremost statesmen, Sir Henry j-nnerman and. Mr Asquith, had so many words that it was de- his Co* + deve'°P our undeveloped estates in tj. ry—to colonise our own country—to Iv^ritv .^armer greater freedom and greater 1'e a h 1n the exercise of his business to se- 110rae and a career for the labourer who J/e w V1 many cases cut off from the soil. Is ^*d # ma^e the land less the pleasure- °A the rich» and more of a treasure- t ^hev the nation. of a^ounced in so many words a re- m11, iv, ^nd system and the rating sys- 8.x tax which I include the imposition ground values," these were assur- a^^ltrv 6^ar,d again repeated on which the LoVi>eiumed this Government to power, 3% th_ -Rosebery, while affecting not to dis- ff^iW-merits of the Budget, though his ^bagi^'n rejecting the Scottish Land Elolders ti/8 th«ie: hls of its merits no secret, j '8 is f11 to act upon them is despotism. If pesP°tism, what sort of self-government v, Britain anjoy when a Unionist Wfcifce tT w^en returned under a solemn Jr! thaior-+dea' w'th domestic questions, uses d « °ls a 7 t° rehabilitate sectarianism in the tivv^ce JJoryism in the public houses, in J/°t0 tha^ e electors, and without a murmur •°use of Lords ? °n this Budget the J;.c'8g ar,H lu for a straight fight between pri- iw viHn PeoPle- Every interest concerned tattle Mr ? to Put UP money for it, but the rp la^i rae-e round the land, and it is round the boroughs, to which Mr Lloyd 1 ^tjp;, s made a great concession, and the ahke that it will have to be won.

FREE EDUCATION. nieeting of the Barry Education t0 ed ovaT.0.11111.1 on Tuesday evening? pre- bp thr, Da 'f'y Ml" T. Davies.it was notified that f? PHid K ee months the sum of £ 820 had ^hn fee the Board of Education in respect (V tirrje ,,f.ra!1' allowed by the Government at cillor tit1 free education was introduced, 4 v is er aa'on stating that were it not i £ r,nt Parents would have to find £ 3,200 arry in school pence. I

The Czar's Police. > SENSATIONAL ALLEGATIONS. Paris, Tuesday.—In The Humanite," to- day, M. Jaures states that M. Bourtzeff, the Russian detective who discovered Azeff, has absolute proof that M. Harting, the Russian Chief of Police, who is preparing, together with the French police, the precautions to be taken during the Czar's visit to France, is the man who, in 1890, was condemned in the name of Landessen by the French Courts for participa- tion in a dynamite outrage. M. Bourtzeff wrote a denunciation to the Minister of Justice. M. Jaures announces that he will interpellate the Minister of Justice with regard to M. Hart- ing, who is a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.—Renter. French Premier's Action. Paris, Tuesday.—What may be regarded as an inspired announcement is made this even- ing by the Temps," in regard to the allega- tions contained in this morning's Humanite (Concerning M. Harting, of the Russian Secret Police, who is now in Paris. It was stated in an article by M. Jaures that M. Bourtzeff, an eminent Russian detective, had obtained proof that M. Harting had been condemned in another name in France for complicity in a dynamite outrage. The Temps says that if it can be proved that M. Harting is the same person formerly sentenced for participation in outrages committed in Paris by certain Russians, M. Clemenceau will order his expulsion and will remove his name from the roll of the Legion of Honour. —Central News.

GERMANY AND SWEDEN. Inauguration of a Ferry. Berlin, Tuesday.—The steam ferry communi- cation between Sassnitz, on the German side, and Trelleborg. on the Swedish, forming a sea link in the new direct route from Berlin to Stockholm, was formally opened to-day by ceremonies on German and Swedish soil, which were attended by the Emperor William and King Gustaf. An illustrious party assembled on the ferry boat Deutschland, where Herr Breitenbach, Minister of Public Works, deli- vered a speech, in which he pointed out the newly established service would have the effect of vigorously promoting personal and commer- cial intercourse between Germany and Sweden. After the inauguration ceremony the Swedish visitors were entertained at lunch on the Hohenzollern. by the Emperor who, addressing the company, thanked the King of Sweden for his personal attendance at the ceremony, and expressed a wish that the new route across the Baltic might be the means of powerfully stimulating and promoting trade and intercourse between Ger- many and Sweden and constitute a new bridge between the hearts of the two kindred nations, The King of Sweden in reply thanked the Emperor for his friendly words, and expressed a hope that the new link between Gemrany and Sweden might help to strengthen and develop the cordial relations between the two countries, which had been friends since ancient times. The steam ferry service, which will be thrown open to the public to-morrow, is copied from the system which has been in force on the Berlin-Copenhagen route for the past six years —that is to say, on reaching the sea coast trains are run on board specially built steamers, which convey them across to the opposite side, where they run off on the land again. Since the establishment of this steam ferry between Warnemunde and Gjedser passenger traffic between Germany and Denmark has doubled and freights increased by 20 per cent. -Reuter.

CUMBERLAND JEWEL CASE. Jacques Deville, an agent, who was charged on a provisional extradition warrant with obtaining by false pretences in Brussels a pair of diamond and emerald earrings, valued at £1,800, said to have been once the property of the Duke of Cumberland, again appeared in the dock yesterday at Bow-street before Mr Marsham. The case for the prosecution was tha^the earrings had been entrusted to the prisons by a Brussels agricultural engineer named M. Stercky. It was alleged that the prisoner handed prosecutor a sealed box containing some pieces of sugar in place of the earrings, which, it was stated, had been sold to a Count Festetics for zel,loo, who had obtained an ad- vance of E200 upon them. Prisoner was further charged with obtaining by faise pretences from Messrs Thomas Robert Walter and Son, pawnbrokers, of City-road, a pair of diamond earrings valued at 9137 10s. Mr Harold Simmons (instructed by Messrs Claud Lumley and Co.) defended the prisoner. The Magistrate said they did not propose to deai with the extradition charge to-day, but would take up the other charge. Mr Robert B. Walter, of the prosecuting firm, cross-examined by Mr Simmons, said that the prisoner had given him a certificate as an evidence of good faith, which he accepted, but said he did not know anything of its value. The prisoner, he believed, gave him a receipt for the earrings, which he would endeavour to produce. He had had, so far as he was aware, only two transactions with the prisoner-one about ten years ago, when he advanced money to Deville on a necklace pledged, and the pre- sent transaction, which was the subject of the charge. Mr Simmons stated that the prisoner would reserve his defence, and the magistrate com- mitted Deville for trial at the Central Criminal Court on the 19th inst., on the charge of ob- taining by false pretences, from Messrs Walter and Son, earrings valued at E137 10s.

CATHEDRAL FOR KHARTOUM. Royal Donations. A meeting was held at the Mansion House, London, on Tuesday afternoon to further a scheme for the erection of an Anglican Cathe- dral at Khartoum. The Lord Mayor presided, and the Duke of Connaught was ptfcent. The Sirdar states that a sum of Xll.000 was required to complete the original design. The following letter, enclosing a contribution of 200 guineas from the King, was received from Sir Dighton Probyn :— The King quite agrees with you about the desirability, if not the urgent necessity from a political as well as a religious point of view, that any English Church which will compare favourably with the churches already built there by other countries and persuasions should at once be erected at Khartoum." The Prince of Wales contributed 100 guineas.

PLATFORM COLLAPSED. Mr R. J. Rhys (coroner) held an inquest on Tuesday touching the death of Frederick Hunt (39), an assistant repairer, who met his death as the result of an accident at the Cambrian Colliery, Clydach Vale. The evidence was that deceased was following his employment with another man, when a platform on which they were standing suddenly collapsed, as the result of a winding rope coming in contact with it. Deceased sustained severe injuries to the head. He was taken to his home at Knowie-terrace, Tonypandy. and never spoke again. A verdict of Accidental death was returned.

DEATH SENTENCE. At Manchester Assizes on Tuesday Mark Shawcross, labourer, was sentenced to death for the wilful murder of Emily Robinson, with whom be lived, at Gorton. She was found in a field strangled by a tightly-knotted handker- chief. Prisoner in his evidence admitted sending an anonymous letter announcing that he had killed a man bVcause he was tired of life, being out of work, having no money or food, and being footsore. He however, denied that he committed the murder. After sen- tence he exclaimed in a loud voice, I am not guilty. I shall appeal against the sentence."

LITANY ON SCAFFOLD. Alexander Edmonstone, the Fife carter, was executed at Perth Prison on Tuesday for the murder of Michael Swinton Brown, a boy of 16 years, in a public lavatory at East Wemyss last February. Robbery was the motive. Shortly before six the condemned man was re- moved to the vincinity of the scaffold, and par- took of breakfast. When pinioned be muttered Lord have mercy upon me." Death was in- stantaneous.

MERTHYR WOUNDING CHARGE. Richard Dwyer was charged at Merthyr on Tuesday with unlawfully wounding Timothy Burns. Burns said that in consequence of a message he received from Dwyer's wife he went to the prisoner's house and saw him smashing furniture. Witness told him to have a little bit of sense. A struggle followed. Witness saw blood running from him, and he found that be had been stabbed in the thigh. The accused was committed for trial at the Assizes, bail being allowed.

A lighted candle fell from the mantelpiece in the front bedroom at 44 Allerton-street, Cardiff, on Tuesday night, and set fire to a chil- dren's cot. The Fire Brigade, under Supt. Geen, promptly turned out on receiving the alarm, but buckets of water used by the occu- pier of No. 44, Mr Samuel Ambur, and neigh- bours extinguished the fire before much damage was done. I i

Welsh Monuments. a- PENRICE CASTLE. Penrice, or Rhys's Head," "able and not history is presented to us at the very ap- proach to the contemplation of the history of this interesting castle. No doubt tradition invented the story to account for the name of this castle. It goes that when the Normans, under the command of Henry Beaumont, seized Gowerland in the year 1099, a Welsh leader, by name Rhys, son of Caradawg, grandson of Iestyn, was taken prisoner by them and beheaded at the place, since then known as Penrice, or Rhys's Head. There were many of the name of Rhys, and granting, that there is some truth in the story, perhaps Rhys once ruled in the entrenched camp, vestiges of which may be traced near the present day village. A more probable, and perhaps more historic, solution of the name may probably, be found in the name of its whilom proprietors, the Penrice family. It may be pointed out that many of the Norman settlers in Wales took their names from the appellation of the places they seized, and the existence of a well-established family in this country, bearing such a distinctly Welsh designation as Penrice, may be regarded as evidence that they took the name and property together, as did for instance the Carews but on the other hand, it should be noticed that there was a Penrice among the followers of William I., and it is likely that the Englishmen who settled in Gower during the reign of Edward I. may have been this man's descen- dants. The castle is regarded as belonging to thts date in fact there are few architectural remains to be found la Gower earlier or later than the Edwardian period. In the reign of King Henry V. Isabel, daughter and heiress of Sir John Penrice, married Sir Hugh Mansel, I, and until the year 1750 Penrice remained a possession of the Mansels. It was in that year that Bugsy Baron Mansel, owner of Margam Abbey and Penrice Castle, died without issue, and his estates passed to John Ivory Talbot, of Locock Abbey, Wilts, who had married Mary, sister of the late Lord. During the Civil War, Sir Edward Mansel was an infant, and so, fortunately for himself and his property, was saved from the grave and uncertain responsibility of joining either King or Parliament, though, as his family were staunch Royalists, there can be little doubt on which side the young Lord of Penrice would have ranged himself. Occupying the summit of a rock, it must have been a fortress of considerable importance, for it commanded Oxwich Bay and the surround- ing country. The modern mansion is in the immediate neighbourhood of the ruins, and it is a handsome edifice. The pleasure grounds are very beautiful, well wooded, and sloping down to the sea." PENRICE CASTLE.-Plaoto by H. Mortimer Allen. I

The Decrying Age. a LORD CURZON'S TIMELY PROTEST. Lord Curzon, Chancellor of Oxford Univer- sity, on Wednesday opened a new service building erected by the governors to com- memorate the fourth centenary of St. Paul's School- Lord Curzon, in declaring the building open, said that-one of the reasons apparently why he had been asked to perform the ceremony was that he had had the advantage for many years of serving in India, and that this was one of those schools which assisted to train and turn out that magnificent body of public servants of whom he had the privilege for a number of years to be the head, and which had been one of the most potent instruments in the building up the worldwide fabric of the British Empire. (Cheers.) We lived, he continued, in days of self-depreciation. The pessimists were abroad in the land. We could not take up our daily paperwithout reading that we had been beaten at international cricket, at polo, or again that a foreign pastry-cook had discovered that he could run 23 miles faster-(Iaughter)-quipker than any corresponding champion in this coun- try. Our generals told us we had no Army we were beginning to be. suspicious about the Navy. (Laughter.) But he ventured to say that there was too much of this spirit-of de- crying outselves abroad in the land at this moment, and that there was a little of hypoc- risy and cant in it. They knew the saying that the judgment of foreign lands was the nearest equivalent that they could get to the enlight- ened verdict of posterity, and he asked them to take note of the fact that foreigners were con- tinually coming over here seeking to learn the secret and to imitate the institutions that we were engaged in decrying at home. Particu- larly were they inquiring into the organisation of our public schools, to find out if they could combine with their educational superiority that trailing in character, that sense of moral responsibility, that spirit of civic patriotism,' that ordered sense of personal liberty which were amongst the chief and most honourable characteristics of our public school system. (Cheers.)

THE ASSASSINATION AT THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE. Sir Curzon Wyllie, who was shot at the Imperial Institute by Nadar Lai Dhingra, a Hindu student, received his commission in the British Army in 1866, and in 1869 entered the Indian Staff Corps. Early in his military oareer. while serving with the distinguished regiment now known as the Prince of Wales's Own Gurkhas, he was selected for service in the Oudh Commission in 1870, passing on in 18T9 to the political department of the Government of India. He served in Baluchistan under Sir Robert Sandeman during the Afghan War of 1879-80, and was attached to General Phayre's force for the relief of Kandahar, receiving the Sir Curzon Wyllie. I I- Nadar Lai Dhingra. medal in 1889. As agent to the Governor-General in Rajputana, and Chief Commissioner, Ajmere Merwara, he filled the highest posts of honour in the foreign department of the Government of India. While holding the latter office he was selected for the post of Political Aide-de- Camp to the Secretary of State for India, India Office. Here his wide and accurate knowledge of the Indian States and their rulers specially quali&ed him for the discharge of the extremely delicate and important duties connected with the visits to Europe of Indian magnates, ruling chiefs and princes. Of all these great person- ages he won the highest esteem and regard by his personal qualities. Dhingra came to Eng- land to study engineering. He hails from the Punjab, and his brotheiB have also been students in England. Some time ago, it is stated, his brotheers wrote to Sir Curzon Wyllie begging him to look after Dhingra, as they feared he was getting into evil company in London.

NOVA SCOTIAN MINERS' RIOT. Trpops Sent to the Scene. Halifax, N.S., Tuesday.—There leave to- night for Glace Bay to preserve order among the miners on strike 500 troops and two machine guns. Scenes of disorder have occurred leading to the reading of the Riot Act. Mr Duggan, the general manager, was mobbed, but he escaped uninjured. Half of the Dominion Coal Company's men are working. The United Mine workers are attacking the men of the local company who are members of the Provincial Workmen's Association. The striking organisation is American.—Reuter. f

I Morocco Again. 0- EL ROGHI OUTSIDE FEZ. Reported Massacre at Sefra. Lisbon, Wednesday Accoding to urgent telegrams received through diplomatic channels from Tangier, the Pretender. El Roghi, is now encamped with 5,000 men outside the walls of Fez. Part of the garrison of Muley Hafid has already deserted to the enemy. The town of Sefra, near Fez, has been burnt to the ground by El Roghi's army, and all the inhabitants are stated to have been butchered, the advancing troops bringing with them ter- rible trophies in the shape of hundreds of human heads affixed to poles. The intention of Muley Hafid to retreat to Marrakesh has been frustrated by the insur- geSl? h^VIng blocked all the roads. Ihe European residents in Fez ate in a state of panic, the fear being that the chief among them at the best will be thrown into prison and held as hostages for hea-vy ransoms. Muley Kebir and El Roghi are now endeavouring to bring about a junction .1 forces, and should they be/Aaccessful the foil of Muley Hafid will be inevitable—Central News.

A GREAT SPECIALIST. Sir elix Semon, Physician-Extraordinary to the King, who is retiring from the active prac- tice of his profession, is in many respects the foremost authority of bis time on diseases of the throat. He is perhaps best known as the chief founder of the Laryngological Society of Lon- don, and a host of patients have come to recog- nise him as the most skilled diagnotician of his profession. The medical profession knows him as the contributor of innumerable physiological and clinical papers to scientific medicine in the Transactions of the Royal Society and the medical journals. His colleagues have long been sensible of his strong views, ablyex- Sir Felix Semon. I pressed, his unfaltering frankness, his hatred of pretence, and his scripulous conscientiousness. His life has been an eventful one. He fought in the Franco-Prussian War, for whiih he holds a medal with five clasps and returning to his medical studies after the cessation of hostili- ties he studied in Berlin, Vienna, and Paris and finally came to London. After being attached first of all to the Throat Hospital in Golden Square, he became physician for dis- eases of the throat at St. Thomas's, a post which he held for 15 years. He is 60 years of age. His brother, Professor Richard Semon, of Munich, is one of the greatest authorities on physiological psychology.

-PRINCE EULENBERG'S TRIAL. Berlin, Wednesday.—On the opening of the proceedings of the trial of Prince Philip von Eulenberg on a charge of perjury, defendant, who has been ailing for some time,was not able to follow the proceedings. In consequence, Herr Preuss, chief public prosecutor, asked that the Prince should be taken into custody, as he be- lieved there was ground for suspicion that ac- cused was either simulating illness or else de- liberately making himself ill through the use of artificial means.—Reuter. Berlin, Wednesday, 12.33 p.m.—In answer to Prince Eulenberg's declaration of his inability to follow the proceedings, the court directed he should be medically examined immediately in the court house. While undergoing the examina- tion the Prince had a severe attack of heart weakness, in consequence of which the Physicians, on the resumption of the proceed- ings, declared the defendant was not in a eon- dition to stand his trial. The court thereupon adjourned the hearing sine die, and the public prosecutor withdrew his request for the arrest of Prince Eulenberg.-Reuter.

INNOGENT PEOPLE FROM THE HILLS. I An Swansea Police Court on Tuesday five youths, named George Morgan, of Aberdare Thomas Morris, of Aberdare Thomas Wil- liams, of Aberdare and Thomas Williams and John Davies, all 16 years of age, were sum- moned for furious riding on the sands. The Deputy Chief Constable told the magistrates that notices were posted all over the sands warning people against furious riding. In im- posing fines of 10s inclusive, the Chairman (Mr J. W. Jones) said the grievance was that the Corporation would not enable the police autho- rities to get at the people who turned out their horses on the sands. Innocent people came down to the sands from the hills, and they could not very well be blamed for breaking the byelaw. There should be a byelaw dealing with the people really responsible. Proposed Bye-Law. At a meeting of Swansea WTLtch Committee on Tuesday afternoon the question of prbceed- ing against the owners of horses who allow their animals to be furiously ridden on the sands was considered, and it was stated that the town clerk is engaged in framing bye-laws to meet I the case.

The Peril of Persia. GRAVE SITUATION. DipJomatie Negotiations Broken Off. Teheran, Wednesday.—British and Russian representatives have decided to hold no fur- ther communication with the Nati onalist mili- tary leaders. A report has been in circulation that the further Russian force which was ordered to be in readiness to enter Persia has left Baku en route for Teheran, and this may check the Nationalist advance. It is understood, how- ever, that Colonel Liakhop, the officer in com- mand of the Shah's Cossacks, is expecting an attack at any moment. The Royalist troops here have been reinforced by hundreds of hooligans, who are parading the streets carrying rifles. A regiment of soldiers is bivouacking to-night in the central square of the- city .Reuter.

CONSCRIPTION IN BELGIUM. Government's New Scheme. Bpassels, Wednesday.—The Government's new Army Bill abolishes the system of conscrip- tion by drawing lots. There are at present, it is stated, 15,400 families, the male members of which furnish soldiers for the State. By volunteering for service a youth exonerates one of his brothers from liability to serve. The Bill would not supply the whole number of 42,800 men who comprise the permanent establish- ment of the Army. The Bill aimed only at bringing those families under contribution, no member of which has as yet become a soldier. The failure of these families to furnish soldiers was causing a shortage, which would manifest itself during three or four years. By means of the Government's Bill the shortage would be avoided in future, and there would be grounds for the shortening of the period of service. Young men would be allowed six years between 18 and 24, during which they might enter the Army, the date being left to their own choice. In this way the burden would be fairly distributed among all Belgian families, and the Government would be enabled to decrease the number of classes of Reservists liable to be called up in future. The Bill ex- tends exemption from service to all ministers of religion and to monks whose congregations were recognised bv the heads of the Catholic Church. The Government does not propose the abolition of the system of providing substitutes by pnrchase.- Reuter.

CHANNEL FLIGHT. The attempt to bridge the Channel by air has now started in real earnest, and Mr Hubert Latham, whose chances are considered by ex- perts to be the most favourable, has this week been working at Sangatte, a few miles to the west of Calais, making ready for an early flight. The weather Mr Latham most have is a dead calm, not only from the starting point but all Mr Latham's Monoplane. Mr Latham. the way over the necessary information will be obtained by wireless communication b tween Sangatte and Shakespeare Cliff, Dover, where he intends'to land. Should this arrange- ment be completed, the flight may be at- tempted at any time after the end of the present week. He intends to travel light, carrying on his machine the very minimum of weight, and taking just sufficient petrol for a flight of one hour, though he hop4ps to achieve the crossing in about half that time. He will be followed during the transit by the-swiftest oftnotor boats.

TRAGEDY IN THE CANARIES. Paris, Wednesday.—The Madrid correspon- dent of the Matin reports a terrible crime at Santa Brigida, near Las Palmas, in the Canaries. A man named Juan Bernaldez. alt-nough married, became enamoured of another woman, and, in order that his relations with her might suffer no interference, deter- mined to kill his entire household. He accord- ingly poisoned his wife, his two daughters, and his granddaughter. The inhabitants of Santa Brigida were roused to fury by the murders.and the police had the utmost difficulty to save their prisoner from being lynched.—Central News.

On Monday afternoon a child, two years of age, named Lizzie Smith, of 10, Michael-street, Newport, was admitted to the local hospital. She bad placed a bottle containing iodine to her mouth, and drank some of the stoff. The case, however, is not regarded as a serious one.

The Royal Tour. KING IN THE NORTH. The King and Queen and Princess Victoria arrived at London-road Station, Manchester, on Tuesday morning. There they were met by the Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress, and the muni- cipal authorities. Proceeding thence with an escort of Life Guards they drove down Port- land-street and Oxford-street towards the new Infirmary. A halt was made at the University, where an address was delivered. Rain then commenced falling, and the King and Queen had to drive in closed carriages, and tens of thousands of people, many of whom had been waiting for some time. were unable even to obtain a fleeting glimpse of their Majesties. Mr William Cobbett, a well-known Manches- ter solicitor, was knighted by the King. In replying to the address of the University, the King said he was glad that in Manchester the cause of learning and research was united with the seat of practical benevolence. A review of the East Lancashire Territorials was arranged on lines similar to the Knowsley manoeuvres. The King and Queen arrived at Warrington punctually to scheduled time, and were ac- corded a most enthusiastic welcome. Nearly three miles of streets were lined by cheering ^P^^tors. At the Town Hall the Mayor (Alderman Forshaw) presented an address giving their Majesties a most cordial welcome. His Majesty, in reply, stated that in coming to review the Territorial Forces of the county he was reminded that Warrington and district had witnessed in times past many conflicts between hostile forces. But be was confident that the patriotic spirit of the people was as strong as ever, and that no effort would be wanting to prepare for any risk, how- ever remote. He trusted that by God's blessing the warlike scenes of the past would not recur, and that they would be able to pursue without interruption the arte and pursuits of peace by which Warrington had become prosperous. The town might be assured he would always take the liveliest interest in its welfare. Princess Victoria was presented by the Mayor with a diamond necklace in celebration of her birthday. KING'S^VISIT TO BIRMINGHAM. Lord Mayor Knighted. The King and Queen terminated their visit to Liverpoolon Wednesday, leaving by special train for Birmingham in the morning. They motored from Knowsley Hall, attended by an escort of Life Guards, through streets gaily decorated and lined with enthusiastic sight- seers. Their Majesties were received by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Liverpool, mem- bers of the Corporation, and other officials and the Recorder, on behalf of the Lord Mayor, read an address of welcome. In reply, the King said I thank you. on behalf of the Queen and myself, for your loyal and dutiful address of welcome. I remember well my last visit to you, which was for the purpose of laying the foundation stone of the New Cathedral, which witnesses to the care of your citizens for the religious needs of this community. With religion patriotism goes band in hand, and it is not unfitting that my second visit to Liverpool should be for the purpose of reviewing the Territorial Forces of West Lancashire. I trust that, under the pro- vidence of God. there may be no occasion for the forces which I have reviewed to be called into action, but readiness for defence is the strongest of the safeguards of peace, and I rejoice to know that the citizens of Liverpool have done their part in the work of providing for the defence of my country. I am sure you will spare no efforts in the future for this object." Loud cheers-were raised as his Majesty con- cluded. After several presentations and an inspection of the guard of honour by the King, the Royal train left at 11 o'clock. The Lord Mayor of Birmingham Knighted. Birmingham gave itself up to holiday on Wednesday in honour of the visit of the King and Queen to open the new University build- ings, on which, up to the present, half a million has been spent. By a happy arrangement, the visit synchronised with the birthday of Mr Chamberlain, the Chancellor of the University, who has played so conspicuous a part in its es- tablishment. Their Majesties, accompanied by Princess Victoria and a numerous suite, Mr Haldane being Minister-in-Waiting, arrived from Knowsley at 1 o'clock, the signaumg of the Royal train being announced to the public by the firing of a Royalsalote of 21 guns. After several presentations, the Royal procession drove by a circuitous route to the Council House. The streets were resplendent with colour, Corporation-street being a perfect bowerland of wisteria. They were lined with cheering crowds, whose loyal greetings from time to time their Majesties smilingly acknow- ledged. On arrival at the Council liouse his Majesty was presented with an address of welcome. In his reply his Majesty said :— It was noteworthy of the distinguished men who have taken a leading part in the industrial world that great schemes such as that for pro- viding the city with pure water have been undertaken in the past, and have been brought to a successful issue, but none is worthier of support or more far-reaching in its scope than the establishment and extension of the great University in which you have taken so impor- tant a part. Fortunate is the city which can obtain for its government the spontaneous ser- vices of so many able and conscientious citizens. Birmingham (his Majesty concluded) is the home of the best traditions of municipal life. and I am well assured its traditions will be up- held in the future as they have been in the past." (Cheers.) At the conclusion of his reply his Majesty conferred a knighthood upon the Lord Mayor (Alderman H. Kenrick), a mark of Royal favour which was greeted with cheers. Thereafter her Majesty was presented with a jewel designed and made in the local school of art. Retur/i to London. The King and Queen, with Princess Vic- toria, arrived at Euston at 6.45 on Wednesday evening by special train on the conclusion of their engagements in Lancashire and Warwick- shire. In spite of a heavy downpour of ram which preceded their Majesties' arrival a great crowd of people welcomed the King and Queen. His Majesty chatted with the officials of the company before driving to Buckingham Palace and thanked the chairman for the arrange- ments made. Fall of a Stone Coping. A fatal accident occurred at Birmingham in connection with the Royal visit. A coping stone of a building at the corner of New-street and High-street fell upon a man who was standing in the crowd waiting to see the King pass, and killed him instantly. A Horseless Highway. Birmingham Corporation are introducing an interesting innovation in connection with the visit of the King add Queen to open the new buildings of the Birmingham Univer- sity at Bournbrook. No horse will be permitted on the decorated route of the Royal procession before the passage of their Majesties. Invited guests will proceed to Bournbrook in motor- cars. and for those who do not possess such vehicles the Corporation will provide motor- cars or motor-cabs. The Birmingham muni- cipality have thus for the first time passed a decree, valid, it is true, for a few hours only, undertaking the responsibility and expense of transporting passengers over a horseless area.

LIBELLED INDIAN GETS Yliooo. Calcutta, Tuesday.—In the High Court to- day Mr Justice Fletcher delivered judgment in an action for libel brought by Mr Lajpat Rai against The Englishman for stating he had been deported for tampering with the loyalty of Indian Sepoys. Mr Jajpat Rai, giving evidence, swore that the statement was absolutely untrue. The journal pleaded privi- lege, and urged that a statement to the same effect had been made by Lord Morley in Parliament. Mr Justice Fletcher found for plaintiff. He said the statement was a malicious libel, and awarded Mr Lajpat Rai £ 1,000.— Reuter.

SOAP "TRUST" ACTION. In the Court of Session, Edinburgh, on Tues- day, Lord Guthrie was informed of the settle- ment by Lever Brothers (Ltd.), soap manufac- tures, Port Sunlight, against the Daily Recond (Limited), Glasgow, for £ 50,000 for alleged slander. The action arose out of statements made in the Daily Recond in 1906. Defendants pleaded fair comment in matter of public interest. The terms of settle- ment were not disclosed.

"HAN6ER8-0N" TO THE REGIMENT. With the assembly of the trained men of the R.E. Special Reservists at Monmouth some hangers-on to the regiment, as the police describe them. have become a nuisance. At the police court on Tuesday two men were charged with theft. They were John Regan, alias King, and John Murphy. They were charged with stealing a loaf of 'bread from a shop kept by Mi s Louisa Wintle in Monnow street, and a pair of ladies' stockings from the premises of the Green Dragon Inn. The men were described as nuisance in the town, as in addition to their dishonest practices they endeavoured to beg coppers. Bqth were ordered to be imprisoned for one m&nth with I hard labour. <

WELSH GLEANINGS. News and Views in Lighter Vein. t remarkable public prayer meetings re- ferred to in this column recently as being o-e of the features of holiday life at Llandrild^d have been re-started. uoa> deJirfL??71? NationaI Lifeboat Institution has slio lrifoel w"6 a ?uW lifeboat station and The Rev. David R. Jones, B.A., minister of Bethlehem Congregational Church. Cardiff, has obtained the degree of M.A. of the Uni- versityof Wales. Mr E. H. Flood. of has been appointed stage mamag- and dramatic for the coming histOrical pageant at Builth W clIs. The new chairman of the Welsh Conzrega, Stephens, Brynte? • he R^v" J°hn Capel fe' 18 of notable family in^e district' 1? Co*™of* STced1StpSihTh°— drindod? man; like business S* H- n- and smelting worl^ otr^0*1 °wns minea works near SwSSS ^L°ntano' .^d refining ta addiSo., £ ^000^ l^D^P*?minent-in Griffiths, of Kingston, Lord Mayor of Cardiff'JTwLsj 111,011 him pleasant mementoes frc^h,:aandi their adopted citv K"in<re+ relatives m suburb to Wilkesbarr*^?^1 ^sidential the Wyoming Valle^ ° gardenof Smith, curate in charge of St- John's Church. ba8 aocepied the c1a.incy of St 'David's Welsh Chh. respect of Churchmen and^N^m 7^ alike by his readmesTto wL Nonconformists cause in the parish and his brcSd vil^7 g°°d large^rowd Tw & gP?aj favourite with the deliberations of the Conciliation Board at diff on Wednesday night, but when an enthu. siast cried" Let's shoulder him," everyo- Btood aghast, for the popular eighteen stone odd avoirdupois would be almost as great a problem to tackle as the eight horo question, or the sixty extra hours a year. h^Seim°ther•^°nguek the language of the heart in anguish and in joy. LW T n,t?n^tIVe "P°n th« ConcIlLw^Sf questioned as to the re«?ulf- tu wb„ jsfc* the result m their beaming faces at considered an offenc* sra sra CtoUeg? certificate of the Tonic Sol-fa It is not usual in this country to regard the valueto farm- land, but it is evidently the case in Antt»-i/-f», and we commend the following advertisement trom a W-elsb-.A mffncaq newesDODer to tha notice of Mr Lloyd George 60 Farms for Sale.—One thousand dollars; half church 78 acre fiacm mile from Welsh Denbi^h Eisteddfod, many years ago, hoWl?S a meeting at one of the hotels m the town when Will Ysceifiog, a well- known local bard, went to the door, and asked abruptly :— t O03 gofyn-am Wil Sgeifiog ?" C1Wydfardd repiied' completing Nag oes, rhed at dy neges, rog." The following morning, at the Gorsedd, Will had his revenge. He was to be admitted to a bardic degree. In those days, according to Clwydfardd, the bards had to enter the Gor- seddic circle unshod. As the proceedings were gomg on Will entered the circle in most de- votional attitude, carrying a boot in each hand. and said ''I>yn glan yn nhraed ei O brydydd sydd yn neshau." This quite upset the sobriety of the bards, and shortly afterwards the no boots rule ma rescinded. -< Preljr^,nary programme of the first to be held at Rhyl the first week in Augnsfc. under the auspices of the North Wales Temper- ance Federation, has just been completed. Sir Thomas Barlow, Bart., M.D., is to deliver the opening lecture of the school, and the Bishop of St. Asaph is to preside. The other lecturers will be Dr.. John Morris (Hartley Lecturer to the Lancashire and Cheshire Union), Mr R. Prys Jones (Schools Lecturer to the Monmouth- shire County Education Authority), Mr H. Rowland Wakefield (scientific demonstrator to the Swansea County Education AuthorifcvL rP'r?" t?" Wilson, B.A. (of Manchester), and Mr G. K. Rothera, B.A. (city coroner of Notting- ham and secretary of the Licensing Laws In- formation Bureau). The school will be recog- nised by the Board of Education under the regulations for technical schools. That the revival of 1904-5 is still unspent is attested by two remarkable gatherings for prayer held in the open on two hills in Cardi- ganshire last week. The one was held near Llyn Eiddwen, on Mynydd Bach, and was attended by an assembly computed to 1*500. The meeting lasted all day, and is held annually in commemoration of the recent re- vival. Prayers were offered without interniis. sion at three meetings, held in the morning, afternoon and evening by persons situated promiscuously throughout the vast assembly., The hosts of this great multitude were men converted during the revival. They entertained the multitude to an al fresco meal on the hill- side. Another like remarkable gathering is one which also meets annually near Trisant, in North Cardiganshire, not far from Devil's Bridge, to which reference was made in this column recently. The local authorities of all the lovely seaside resorts of South Wales may take lessons in enterprise from the North Wales coast authori- ties, who are now being backed up by the London and North-Western Railway Co., who inaugurated on Thursday the summer train ser- vice to North Wales, including its express Euston to Seaside without a stop. Leav- ing Euston at 11.15 ami. with a good number of passengers, the train travelled without a stop to Rhyl. The train comprised a number of new corridor coaches and a luncheon car. The train arrived at Rhyl at 3.10 pjn., two minutes before time. At Colwyn Bay it was divided, a portion going to South Carnarvon, and the re- mainder to Llandudno, where it arrived punc- tually at 3.57. As it steamed into the station the scene was chronicled by cinematograph, and from an observation car at the rear of the train views were also taken during the journey.

FELL FROM MOTOR 'BUS. Whilst the last motor 'bus was returning from Cardigan to Newcastle Emlyn on Tues- day evening, one of the passengers, who was sitting on the front seat, by some means feU off. He received injuries which caused instan- taneous death- He was conveyed to Newcastle Emlyn in the car, and Dr. Lloyd was in imme- diate attendance, and pronounced life extinct. Deceased was identified as John Davies, of Llainywenverwig, near Cardigan, and about 2& years of age.

ISLE OF MAN RECORD TRIP." The new Manx steamer Ben-my-Chree broke the record on Tuesday by a passage from Liverpool to Douglas in two hours forty-eight Ainutes. This is eight minutes faster than the previous record, and represents a gain of no less than five hours on the voyage to New York. The Ben-my-Chree is the largest and fastest coasting turbine steamer ever built, four feet wider and eleven knots quicker than the original Atlantic greyhound, Arizona. Her passage was 25 knots, including slowing down for the first 14 miles to comply with locat Mersey regulations.

Caerleon Council on Tuesday night decided to approach Viscount Tredegar with a view tc the Council acquiring a piece of land in Caer< leon for the purpose of a public park anl recreation ground.