South Wales Weekly Post

FROM THE TRENCHES SOME CHEERY LETTERS HOME. R.A.M.C. MEN IN BLOUSES! A private in the R.A.M.C. writes home to his friends: We have been having a decent time the lafct two days. As I told you, we were under cover and we have managed to get our five hours' sleep a day-by that I mean uninter- rupted sleep. I have come to the conclusion that five minutes here and five minutes nnder a wagon does not reft one much. We have been going out at about 6.o'clock the last two days,, aud have been lucky enough to get into bed by something about 1 o'clock—we were all needing a rest. I ex- pect we shall move on to-morrow, as this i? rather a hot shop, being on the main rbad, whidh is being sholled continually. Yester- day a house about four doors down was blown to Bits by a Jack Johnaon. alias Black Maria, alias Coal Box-I don't know which name you know it by. I have got some. funny little things to tell you, and I think one of the funniest is the f,ollowing:-The order against looting is very strict and can, I believe, be visited with death. Our troops are very good in that respect, as they should be in a friendly country, but we often visit fannhouses which have been deserted and use them as dressing staticais, and the most precious thing we can collar is a shirt. Any shirt will do; in fiwt I have seen MEN WEARING BLOUSES And even more delicate garments--one man I know is wearing two blouses converted into "pants." Well, in the case in point, a man was having a is getting more or less of a luxury, as the pumps here now gurgle at yod when you use them. Moreover, he was having a good waah with soma amoi-but the thing- which drew tiw> majors attention to him was a delightful soft pleated pique dress shirt. 'Wh?Jfe did you get Umt hirt from?" -he asked. "From a Cairi?on Artillery man," an- swered the man of the pleated shirt. The Royal Garrison Artillery are coming on, going to the front in dress shirts," said the major. Incidentally I might say that the major ie one of the best men one could have to look after us. I am feeling -ery pleased with life, as I have just. lit a fire in a field and boiled by shirt, which I have worn since I left home. I am now sitting in an overcoat and blanket, waiting for it to dry by the same fire. One of. the funniest things one noticee about the country is the calmness with which the people take tilings as they oome. They are naturally a etolid people, but one I would have thought that they would have ?een things which wowd disturb them. Go into any house in a town where troops are billeting and in the iritchen you wild see six or seven men all making their own little meaiw-boiliii-g vegetables and Obe) Vike,- washing their shirts—greasing their boots— mending their clothes—and up in a corner you will find the people who live an the house unconcernedly getting their meal as if it was quite natural that their house ihould be the j-ceue of jUch festivities. I heard A DELIGHTFUL BIT OF IRISH from a lieutenant the other day who had been censoring lettera- letter he was censoring began: "Dear Mother ,-I nvust not tell vou where I am because if I told you I was In Belgium the major would cen- fcor it." y\. corporal :n the Royel Garrison Artil- lery writes home thus:- Thajilw so very much for letter and papers of the 15th. I do look forward to them to fcee wbmt reallv is gping on. We often get "news," but it's like a new-laid Shop egg, not to be relied upon. We are now, I am glad to eav, en"-mg a. few d?ys' wen-earned rest,. a.nd we need it, *<*x, our guns, as you know, being so heavy, it's been slogging work, but we have always the oonjolation of knowing it cannot last for ever. I think when I last wrote I told you we Were in a quieter position. Well, so we Weæ for a time, until the beggars found cttt. and then we fonnd ouipelves in the plao £ we have been in so far. We Uot only camp- under shell fire, but rifle fire aa well, and plenty of it. too. On one occasion, when things got a bit too VeIrm, some French soldiers came running nd toM iw that the Germans had broken M?ough ?nd w" right on u«, so our guns *?"g too heavy to shift at a moment's notice  the breech blocks out and slipped. 'rUPPily we didn't have to slip far, u *??ve they got œptured. So we went »c* and sent over a few more rounds to weo- chums for their cheek in thinking they u come over and wipe us up. Taking things all r?und it was a warm ?_?. especially at night, w*n most of the *?kB oam* off; then one had to get be- I  ,or' one could. Rdne buHete _'?? dbe nying &u around, and vn,, -r.. VUULD HEAR THEM PLONK *U<* -iomething, but so long as that eometoi fr aSn me our fellows I ""a-'t, m e or ?"y of  MIo?s I 4wn,t nund? ??? we were m tMot ?Modn ?wed???? in .d??df?n, .nd "de'lltly the ?"Tn?na a, knew it, beca.- ?n two 8i0ll18 it 8iJt shdled very he&?.

DEATll OF PONTARDULAIS I 1. TKn ^^pTOGENARIAN. harne Thon ra^a ^il?tpla0e °f J1*?'. If*" I respected Ponull J • and J11^' 'bante ThomltE" a well-known and hIghly-, reøpected P0l1ta1rd6 deceas0ed ? ,nJ* oM ags Of 87 Y, ftrs. ? <?c<M? ed I?&dy bad bC;01l i!l for a '}on¡ ??' but ?? in fn" jKmtmekm cf w ^Ies up to the lwt. %e was a n« f flU ".t. had spent the oTi. l + L?neIIy. 1 but at Pontardut lais ^1,1 portion of her life at PontaM,41kl", Lnd had men it pro- %me- from ? mo' tttu v ^ml,ejt *° » thriving bd??l c.n? ? ?? to ? thri?g children, Mr. P H TV ( fned by two I <hiMreMn, d M?P. X;h???? ???' D?? 'si m ), -ld M- Job, 'Br, P??)t, ?n??) ???? ? ? Tynybo?,' w? be b??t at Yt ^£ r ^Sh° She

I BRITISH WARSHIPS:' I WORK. I SOMETHING MORE USEFUL BY OUR MEN. i (Press Association War Special.) The Dunkirk correspondent of the1 "Petit Parisien" reports that British I warships have inflicted a severe check on the German artillery which opened a ¡ violent bombardment in the district near Ramscapelle, the warships in turn sub- jeœing the Germans to & terrino fire from the sea. There are indications, says the same writer, that the Germans are preparing attempts to pierce the Allies line at Nieu- port and occupy the remainder of Belgian I territory, although there is no prospect of their being able to force their way to Calais by the coast. Certain measures have been taken by the Allies to meet any such attempts.

¡AMERICA'S CHRISTMAS I STOCKING. I 1; SWANSEA AND THE GIFTS. I I PENSION OFFICER I CRITICISED. It The Local Representative Committee of the Prince of Wales National Relief Fund met on Thursday afternoon, the Mayor (Aid. Daniel Jones) in the chair. In proposing the adoption of the report of the Executive Committee (referred to in another column), Mr. A. F. Eden, the chair- man, said in reference to gifts from the United States, it now appeared that the Soldiers' &nd Sailors' Families Association were not taking up the work of distributing the articlec, so that he suggested that the matter be left in the hands of the Executive Committee of the present Fund. Regard- ing the inability of the Borough Treasurer (Mr. Aahmole) to continue his work in con- nection with the Committee, it was sug- gested that the question of readjustment be left to a. joint meeting of representati ves of each department. It was possible that the Central Bureau would now come under the Intelligence Department, and the Borough Treasurer would continue to give his advice and supervision. In reply to Mr. David Roberts, it was stated that the present system of investi- gation would be continued. Ald. Corker (ex-Mayor) seconded, and the report was adopted. On the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Aid. Corker, a resolution waa passed, the effect of which was to amalgamate the Women'. Employment Sub-committee with the Executive Committee of the Mayoress' War Garment Fund. The Swansea Gas Company intimated its wiillingneas to give another 60 tons of ooke for distribution, and on the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Ald. Corker, the Com- pany were cordially thanked. The Glamorgan branch of the Welsh In- dustries Association wrote asking for re- presentation on the present Committee, and suggesting that Lady Dillwyn Llewelyn be the representative. It was pointed out that Lady Llewelyn wouqd become a member of the Committee under the amalgamation referred to above. After much diiacuasdon on the niggardly way in which the War Office allowances are made, a resolution was carried, on the motion of Ald. David DaWeA, that Dr. &rringtan, in conjunction with the Town Clerk, prepare 9, statement showing the grave hardships inflicted upon dependents other than wives and children of soldiers and sailors, and that such statement be sent to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the War Office. The method of investigation by the Pensions Officer was severely criticised, it being said that he had insulted dependents and en- quirers. The Town Clerk reported that the Government committee had intimated that the relief of the dependents of in- terned aliens would be looked after by the Guardians. The Borough Treasurer (Mr. W. H. Ashmole) reported that the local sub- scriptions amounted to £ 14,509, grants received £ 625, expended £715. They were therefore a trifle to the bad, but it had been decided to apply for an extra grant of £ 800. Relief had been given of JMO to 105 oases; last meeting it was reported that the relief amounted to £ 33, so that there had been an increase in the relief. I Extra Relief for Christmas. I Mr. T. W. Hughes suggested in view I of Christmas that an increase of 25 per | cent, in the relief be given aJI round for next week. The Borough Treasurer said there was nothing to stop them doing it., but they I would be placing themselves in the hands j of the Central Committee. I Aid. DSNid. Davies supported the tpro-j posal, especially in view of the fact that! Swansea had contributed so generously i to the fund, and had got such a small return.. The money was given by gener- ous people without any idea of its being doled out. Mr. Hughes: I will risk it, and move that an increase of 25 per cent. be granted. I Aid. Dd- Mvies seconded, and Ald. Corker supported, and the motion was I agreed to.

I i NAVAL CASUALTIES. I The Admiralty on Thursday night an- l I nounced the following casualties occurred on H.M.S. Patroff and H.M.S. Doon off Hartlepool on Wednesday:- I Kine; 3 Loft overooaTd 1 Died of wounds 1 -W-oun" ?

LAST TO LEAVE I OSTEND. STEAMER COMMANDED BY I PONTARDULAIS MAN. It is interesting to note that the last ship to leave Ostend before the place was cap- tured by 'the Germans was commanded by Captain David Evans, Pontardulais. Captain Evans, in charge of the steamship Thornmby. left Cardiff early in October, laden with coal, bound for Antwerp. On arrival at Flushing a wire was received from the owners instructing the captain not to proceed to Antwerp, as it was then being bombarded by the Germans. Acting on in- structions, the Thornaby proceeded to Zee- brugge, where the oargo was discharged. Subsequently the vesel was engaged to carry refugees, and with 300 on board shoe left for Ostend and took on 600 more. While at Ostend the boom of the German guns oould be heard in the distance, and it was not long before the port was in the hands of the enemy. The Thomaby conveyed her hum mi cargo to Calais, and was here engaged under a

INJURED OR WOUNDED? DISABLED 6th WELSH I PRIVATE. One member of the 6th Welsh, Private Tudor S. Jones, an old Llandyissul boy, who has been brought home disabled, writes home from Bevan Hospital, K^ndgate- "I proved to be a better shot than the sniper that akot me, because he only wounded me, but I made him throw up the sponge with a bullet in the head. I have a soft-nosed bullet which I found on him, and it was with one of them he shot me. í have gone through one operation success- fully, but I am doubtful whether I will have to undergo another one." We telegraphed to the Military Hospi- tal at Sanagate and received the following reply Private Tudor Jones, 6th Welsh, not wounded; slight injury. 27 MILES FROM j WARSAW. GERMAN REINFORCEMENTS I EFFECT. The battle in Poland still goes on. The main German effort is being put forth in the country that lies west of the Bzure. River between Lowicz and the Vistual. It is in this direction that the German reinforcements mentioned by the "Times" Petrograd correspondent have been thrown in, The effect of their arrival may be de- duced from the statements made in the Rus- sian communiquo issued on Wednesday. The Russian troops holding the centre of the Ilow-Lowioz front have evidently been forced back as far as Sodhacaew. Here they rest on the Bzura, but are only about 27 miles west of Warsa.w. It is possible on the score of this that the Germans lay claim to a victory.

SPORT AT THE FRONT, I FOX HUNTING AND FOOT- I BALL. "ENGLAND v. FRANCE." I (Central News Correspondent.) PARIS, December 16. While London peers into the darkness for improbable Zeppelins, and the English countryside discusses what it ought to do in the even more improbable event of Ger- man soldiers landing on British soil, the British Army in the field, in its hours of re- lief from fighting, has planned out quite a rema.rka.bly attractive programme of diver- sions for the weary winter days and even- ings. Our offioers and men have arranged a series of "inter-trenoh" .football matches; with still greater enterprise a pack of fox- hounds has been brought over from Eng- land; sporting rifles have been bought in Paris with a view to keeping the pheasants off the mangold-wurzels; and with the aid of field telephones any given song may ':m "turned on" to any triven trenoh at any given moment. for a phonograph oompany has earned the gratitude of the troops by sending some thousands of records to the front. The formation of the Battle Hunt Olub was planned some weeks ago, when offioers returning from a spouting exedition, re- ported that, apart from a force of Germans entrenohed in suoh-and-suoli a place, the country SIMPLY ABOUNDED IN FOXES. I whioh were suffering shameful deaths from srtiell a.nd rifle fire. They respecfully sub- mitted to their superiors that while British cavalry officers were about such a state of things oould hardly be allowed to continue. nmd that while they were off duty it would be a ood idea to have a little hunting í"Flt to keep in condition." The matter was roairht to the attention of the Commander-in-Chief, who had no objec- tion to srivinfr the idea a trial, and a hunt I committee was formed, one of whose duti.R t. was to impress upon their comrades that mde1" no circnmstan'?es were any of them to emulate the achievement of the brigadier- general of Napoleonic fame. The result was that onp day last week fifty: two foxhounds arrived in Boulogne, an! were sent to the "Battle Hunt Olllb" head- quarters, somewhere very near the firing Hne. It is understood that the flmt meet waa very successful Besides British and French oificers who had been granted a few hours' rest from the saddle or the trenches, several sooiety ladi-33. WElkKNOWN CROSS-COUNTRY RIDERS I -2 "uu are now engage In lWtl Cross work at the front, followed the hounds, running sev- eral foxes to earth. It is reported that the brush of the first fox killed will be mounted and Presented to the Queen of the Belgians. The first big football match is to nlao* —never mind wherc--in a few days' time, probably on Christmas Eve, and will be of an international character. British; wnd F-rench alo-rens will be opposed to each other, a Belgian officer acting a a referee The necessary number cf men. will be given leavo from each army, and it is gathered that the game will b& played at one of the hospital bases, so as to give convalescent soldiers a chance of witnessing 81n afternoon's Fro-,t. The French ca.n nut i1 I R), pvoHlf-m while several professionals will be included 1 In the British eleven. Thr match is ex- pecieu to 1H) a tremendous eaocest;

ALL FOULLY MUR- a DERED BY GERMAN KULTUR S DEATH- HARTLEPOOL'S DEATH- ROLL Of Women & Children. The frufnber cf poopte killed and wounded by German shells ciuring the raid on the North-essi Coast of Eng- land, is, unhappiiy, larger than ¡--¡a.at first supposed. The casualties so far reported are Killed. Wounded. The Hartlepcwis 82 250 Scarborough 17 200 Whitby. 2 2 101 462 A great number of the killed and wounded, probably the majority, are women and children. That Is the chiof triumph that the German cruisers can claim. Deeply tragic stories were told at the in- quest iieid on Thur/iaay on the Kaiser 'e vic- tims in the Hartlepv>ola. The deputy-ooruiicr a-j. IVest, Hartlepool said the inquiry was unparaileled in the history of the country. I believe there has been no on I an Enghsn town by an alien enemy for hun- dreds of yeaxs," he ,aid. "There.f e hav? no precedent tor the guidA?ce of t';e jury. We have i.ow, however, oom-? id ?. of what the Belgians and the French has" 'I suffered by invasion. I went yesterday en a tour of the damaged districts, and 1 car. say that within a few hours after the bom- bardment the place was calm and quiet. No doubt when the actual shelling was taking I place there was a great deal of excitement, but it is gratifying to "ote that the people of the Kartiepojls are not (seriously airaid of bombardment. Evidence was first given by Mr. William Ropner, a, shipowner, who stated that at 8.35 on Wednesday morning he was at home when the borough was being shelled by hos- tile warships. There was an explosion in the house," he said, ..and I at once made my way I Down Into the oellar I to join my family. The bombardment ceased at 8.50, and I subsequently found the body of my cook, Jane Stoker. She had been struck by a shell and was dc i." In reference to Charles liccnawd Clay- ton Ramsey, it was ptated that he was ain- ployed at some works. The men were i startled by the tound of gun-tiring. A shell struck the ?oof of the shop they were in, and others followed. About forty men made a rush for the door leading into the yard, where they found it was hotter still. They then went back into the shop, and a little later decided to go out of the works together and make for homo. liamsey remarked that he would proceed to see to his children, but he was not seen alive again. With reference to the dearth of a woman I named Dorothy Caw, aged 26, the father stated that he and his wife and his daughter were Sitting down to breakfast when a shell bur. f through the ceiling and I killed his daughter instantly. Another ease was that of Julia, Moon, whose daughter said %he and her husband I went to a house in Dover-street to bring j her mother away. When they got there she was lying dead in a back passage. The I house had been shattered by a shell. Evidence of identification was given as to Rose Owen by her husband, and other ¡ testimony shewed that she was found lying faoe downwards, with ber arms out- stretched. A piece of shell had passed through her body. In reference to two children named Job- ling, an aunt stated that the father was a stoker in the Navy. The grandfather, in his evidence, said that when he heard the noise of the guns he went to the door. A lot of people were running through the streets. I never thought it was the Germans," said the old man. I thought cur ships were practising. 1 turned into the house again, and was just going to get a drop at tea wheat all at once smash went the corner of the house. It took mo a few minutes to recover. When I did so I went to the door and ¡ found Three children among a lot of bracks, two of them being my son's children. They had been killed by a shell whioh struck my house. As to Bridget Conner, it was stated that her hus.band wa.s a gunner in the R.F.A. She was found on the pavement dead, face downwards. The next case was that of Thomas Phil- lips. His father said "Thomas went- to look for his mother, his sister, and his brother. On my way home from work I found my scn'p body absolutely riddled." Margaret Hunter's son stated that he found the body of his mother beside the rail- way line. She had gdne out to pick sea coal. Her body waa riddled with shell. The jury returned a. verdict to the effect that the deceased were kilkd in time of war by shell firp, from German warships off the coast of the liartlepoole. GiIRLS' THREE-MILE II RUN. 0 ESCAPE FROM I THEILLir? ESCAPE FROM MURDEl?RS' SHELLS. j ) WHITBY, Thursday Night. One ?f ths mo?t thrilling incidents of thej bonibat?nent of SearLomugh wa? the preci- 't&le il??u ot 1ûty little girl? from the Queen Margaret Public School. They vei ;,U at breakfast when the drst shells began to 'burst over the town, I wa? ¡ told to-day by Miss Woodhouse, the eldest of four little daughters of Dr. H. Wood- boiut, of Hull, a prominent North-country solicitor. "My Bisters and the other girls, of course, were frightened very much," Miss Wood- house said. "Before they could get away a shell exploded close to the school, and some of the windowt were broken by the oon- cion. "The mistress decided to take the chil- i dren away a.t once, and hurried them out on the road to Searner, with the mistreasea behind them. "They were actually under fire during most of their tlu6e.miie run for life, and were very in.cn scared and out of breach when at last- they reached Searner."— ("Daily Express.")

HELP FOR BELGIAN DEFUGEEB. A conceu, ;u 'Jd cf the Belgian Refugee Funa ?&s ti?d a? St. Iltyd's Schoolroom, Dar.ygraig, on 'rhursday evening. Long before the start the rchoolroom was crowded to its utmost rapacity. Tne room was taste- fully decorated with the flags of the Allies, producing a. most picturesque effect. The programme rpened with a pianoforte solo by Miss Sarah Griffin which was given in masterly style, and contained a series of solos, both vocal and instrumentl, a.nd ac- tion songs and ?horua?s &nd drills by the ?choolchildren. In the second pa.rt. some male voif? ??cclio'i' <r i'f''?. Jua?;'? J ua in. tilt3 attendance a ,;cüJ £ >uui should bf handed over to the £ uivi:

1 I ANNEXED BY BRITAIN I I 400.000 SViiLES OF I TERRITORY. I ) I I I (From the Official Press Bureau.) THI ASDAY, 9.30 p.m. j HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S PRINCIPAL SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIttS GIVES NOTICE THAT, IN VIEW OF THE STATE OF WAR ARISING OFT OF THE I ACTION OF TURKEY. EGYPT IS PLACED TIN DER THE PROTEC- TION OF HIS MAJESTY. AND WILL HENCEFORTH CONSTITUTE A BRITISH PROTECTORATE. I The suzerainty of Turkey over Egypt is thus terminated, and his Majesty's Government will adopt all measures recessary for the dfoncé of E?ypt and I !jGFttection of its inhabit?nt6 and in- erosts. His Majety has been pleased to ap- prove the appointment cf Lioutenant- 0010ne1 Sir Arthm- Henry McMahon &a High Commissioner for Emt I I ADDITION TO EMPIRE. ) Turkey's Loss of E665 I Annually. 100, 1 By this sot a territory covering about 400,000 square miles is a-d<d to thoj British Empire, and Turkey, besides the territorv, will lost an annual trihute which in 1908 was £ 665,041. The dis- possessed. Khedive of Egypt, Abbas Hilmi, who succeeded to the throne in 18C2, was the seventh ruler of the dy- nasty of Mehemet AH, appointed Gov- ernor of Egypt in 1806, who made himself in 1811 absolute master of the country by force of arms. The population of Egypt, in 1907 was 11,139,978, including 20,653 British. EGYPT'S FUTURE, j I Placarding the News In New I Territory. (Pre&s Association War SpaciaJ.) CAIRO, Friday. The proclamation of the establishment of a British Protectorate over Egypt -,vae, pla- ca.rded at an early hour to-day throughout the country. .———.

I MINED BY THE GERMANS. I WELL SHOWN SWANSEA TRADER. THREE &ONE: EIGHTEEN j LIVES. I Presumably as a result of the indiscrim- inate scattering of mmes by German cruis- I ers after Wednesday's raid three steamers have been rank off the north-east, coast through colliding with mines, and 18 lives have been The steamer City brought into the Tyne on Thursday morning 12 of the crew of the steamship Elterwater, which was sunk by a German mine off Flamborough Head at six o'clock the previous night. The Elterwater sank in three minutes. Five of the crew are missing. (The Elwrwatör was a steamer of 1,228 tons, and was registered at Newcastle. She wao built at Blytih in 1907.) Six hours after the sinking of the Elter- water two other steamers were mined, and the loss of 13 lives resulted. The Norwegian trader Vaarten was sunk in three minutes. Four survivors, who were clinging to an up- turned lifeboat, were picked up and landed by the Grimjoy trawler Cleon, but 13 other members cf the crew were cit-her killed or drowned. About the same time the steamer Princess Olgia, while on a voyage from Liverpool to Aberdeen, was mined six miles-ot Scarbor- ough. The crew of 19 were .saved. (The Princess Olga was a small steamer with a gross tonnage of 998. Siie was regis- tered at Glasgow, and belonged to Messrs. M. Lan-glands ard Sons. She was built on the Clyde 13 joars ago, and was a well- known Swansea trader.) GLOATING OVER THEIR GRIME. I Iron Crosses for the Child- I Murderers. (Central News War Special). COPENHAGEN, Thursday. A message from Berlin says the bombard- ment of English towns by German cruisers has caused enthusiastic jubilation a,11 over Germany; indeed, no other event of the en- tire war has made such an impression on the public, the invasion of England being still the great and overwhelming hope of every German, From other messages the inference is drawn that tine action of the German cruisers was imdertaken. because of the pre- valent depression in Germany consequent upon recent mishaps, notably the siniking of the naval squadron in the South Atlantic and the totall destruction of the Austrian Army in Serbia. The fact is frankly recognisedin German military circles that the action is of no military importance, but confidence is felt the. nothing could have woirk-ed on public feeling like a bombardment, of English towns. All the officers of the German cruisers and a number of the men will get the' IVon Cross if they return safely. COPENHAGEN, Thursday. Indescribable jubilation is reported in Berlin, which is beflagged. FLASH IN THE PN" SAYS THE I U.S.A. (Central News War Telegram.) XEW YORK, Thursda.y. The majority of the morning newspapers do not take the Gsman raid on the Eng- lish coast very seriously. The "New York Herald" ,RaYF., Tt can be clearly seen that the shelling yesterday of several Englsh ooaat towns was merely the result of a subordinate naval raid by an energetic enemy. In these flashes in the pan there was no feint attempted to divert attention from the greater war op.e-rationlil." i LLOYD GEORGE AT THE FRONT. I TALE WITH A RELIGIOUS I MORAL. The following is an extract from a mes- sage which Mr. Uoyd George has contri- buted to the 'Christmas .nuznbef of the "Methodist Times" issued en Thursday "I recently visited or.3 of the battlefields of Franoe. I saw a village being shelled by the German guns. A prisoner of war was lie.hg brorght into the French lines. He wae in a. motor-car under guard. tie wa.s wounded, and looked ill and in pain. A French Genera.I with whom I had. gone to the front went up to the wounded Prus- sian and told hina that he need not worry; he would be taken straight to the iiospitaJ and be looked after as if he were 'one of our men." The Prussian replied: 'We treat your wounded in exactly the same way.' It was a curious rivalry under those con- ditions; for you could hear the whizzle of the German shells and the shuddering crack with which they exploded, dealing out <ieath and destruction in the French trenches closo by. We were in sight of a powerful French battery which was preparing to send its deadly messengers into the Prussian ranks a little further on. I marvelled that this exhibition of good- will amongst men who were sworn foes should be possible amid such surroundings, until my eyes happened to wander down a lane, where I saw a long row of wagons each marked with a great red cross. Then I knew Who had taught these bralo men the lei*«>n of humanity that will gradually, sure- ly overthrow tho rtign oi hate. Christ had pot died in v&tcu"

FIFTY DEFENDANTS. ROMANCE OF WELSH ESTATE. ACTION HEARD IN I CHANCERY. j m!n. CL,y Division on Thuipd? a. 1 Olb &.nay ot I -Olt- -le-I api;??ai-ed j l?l-Ing-ii ia ^uueetion v.un ques- ti?'? "'? .? the pamlion action of HanhM^' ^rere- ?? P?nnits are i?g?n?d lianbUl-,y- 9 "uui iiunei Mav.de vizard. 'i'he prmCll);d a?ienda,nt is Anthony '"m- SnV kf.; There a ?"S 1i8t ? detend- ?? 50, the Pa.rt?s &6hip tho? bem? hciah.y jn created iu th? Mie Est&, MtQ. w um the t?ri?hfs ot CadoxtonjuxuL- ?e?h and ?a.namcj:e. '.t'h.me 1) Lies woee *old by order in .tune. ?9i4. and realised ??25C2!}. t? pur- cua?or Of-H? Ar. Evans B?vMi. of N?th. I wh< WM a, Oe nen ciary, thpb"f^ti?iLwas oommeaoed as f*r ba?k M t]?e .re4i- 1873. ?id related to the estate ¡ meDUon?J a.bov?. Winch wci? devised by ?w?<:f t? late Da?e M?Uia Ann L»igii M m?mbera of tha Miers family. to which the tee uttnx belonged. 1;,Hufer one ? the ord?? made in the ?uit nl^ y^was g3ven ? ?y of the b?n?oi.  who might beoome the purchasers of ,?he piopeny to apply ?y leave to ?? off the ^"nt ? ??'' "?? in t.he aet?te agaiiwt t;iza ja.i?oe of the purchase money. and -,Ii;. -,Lvartc, +1"10   ? ?"? ? 8ùvïve,"hÏ:b  to the eXnt of 432,0?0, after leama;r8]J) fOT Posts and duty. On September 16, the day before the date fixed for the completion of the purohaæ. M??r. Bt) eva;u paid the b"iim of his purchase  ? -Uni<,n of 1-? =d Smith's Bank. Owing to deaths ansiimmMit. MATTK-BS HAD BECOME VERY COMPLI- I CATED. ine Paitjeg now sought to charge Mr. Bevail interest on the L32,002, contend- ing, ii-, eitect. that he ha.a received part of hi", share befor the other beneficiaries, iney also sought to oharge him with iur- ther mtarefit- on the balance of the pur. chase ?.<?oy. ?ha,se w hOle of the proc?edx of the sale of the estate, it was stated, was in Court, ihere were other questions of minor mte- h  ??' OOtW1 for the plaintiff, up !:)jnut which he &aid had been agreed ?to between the Daj?ieo. OiipN Laid I it Pl'oposed to Make a k?e d6itri??. t.ion of the ??'?' to the amount of S .w ,ciua:n" eumB already distributed, h ?'  ??& eum of more than' 'PZO.000 in Court, which would be enough t? Dztv the costs and duty and certain oth-i, sum? that might have to be pai d. lir. f rievan and certain ethers had received pay- I went before the remainder of the fienefici- ariet. and it was thought that they should pay a œrtain rate of interest to put tham on a. par with the remainder, who had re- ceived nothing. Tis Lordship stated that the partition action had bear going on fcr p very long time, and in JulY last the Master gave a certificate finding thai tlis property should I be DIVIDED INTO 8,000 SHARES.  N? &18° u^eided who the hemenciariea .should be. Expenditure h?' been made out of rents and profits that should have been made out of capital, a.nd now it was pro- posed to makf3 the necessary adjustment which, his Lozvisiiip held, it was open to tfcp, Court toO make. There wa.s no occasion fcr < aajvisticent im the oa&e of persons abso- rately entitled, but there might be in the c-aso of the others. Mr. Jiathew. KC. (for STr. Evans Bevan^, asked that the Receiver- should hand over all plans a,nd other documents to his oliem. who was'the purchaser of the estate. The Judge aid he could not make an order, bur it waa understood the request would be complied with. The Judge stated that the receiver wonlrJ be discharged, and he directed that. in rp. gard to the anticipatory paym-e-nts to bene- ficiaries interest &hou!d be paid. INTEREST. I Mr. Matbew argued that Mr. Bevan phould not be called upon to pay interest, bu& his Lordship Iielil that Mr. Bevam received I ia share as bcrjeftoiary when he took possoe- Eion of the estate, and should be charged I with interest on X.24.00,1. I

?MEDICALLY HARDLY  ANSWERABLE." I GERMAN AND AUSTRIAN I KAISERS. I SWISS MEDICO'S UNKIND ANALYSIS. t GENEVA, Dec. 14. I In the 'Revue de Psychotherapie" of Gen- I eva, Dr. Neipp. vice-president of the Bw s Academy of okeoicii,o, and a well-known I specialist on nervous and mental disease, publishes a curious analysis of the. phy- ) sical and mental characteristics of the two allied Emperors. He considers these two potentates, N.; ho are politically and morally responsible for the catastrophes under which the world is suffering, to be medi-cally soar- j cely answerable for their acts. The case of the Emperor Francis Joseph is simple. With an extraordinary robust physical constitution, he possesses a ner- vous and sensitive equipment below th'" average. His retreating low forehead small brain capacity, and thick shull are apparent signs of this inferiority, lie seems never to have understood, and hardly to have felt, I what has been going on around him. | The most fearful domestic tragedies and j puMio dramas hav? left him with an un- troubled digestion and a mind free for or- j dinary occupations and amusements. After summing up a technical diagnosis of his case, Dr. Neipp predicts that the Emppror- King will probably vegetate for a few more years after the inevitable dismemberment of II the monarchy, and end his days in senile im- becility. KAISER'S BRAIN AND ILL-HEALTH. A-, D II,I,HEALTI-1. Tuc casa of the Kaiser ? more oonipli* cate& Here we have a nature exceptionally endowed with intellectual faculties enough to have m £ de him a good officer or public servant if he had been born in private life. But his childhood and youth were passed in the intoxication cf the Pruesian triumphs of 1866 and 1870, which turned his head, until Teutonic pride -was cubed in his brain, at the same, time that will-power degenerated to such a. degree that it nvas not equal to restraining the abnormal growth of un- jj bridled ambition. To do him justice, it must be allowed that I this pathological condition of the Kaiser's intelligence is probably due in a great mea- s-axu to his state of physical health, aris- ing from hereditary taints. The symptoms of congenital ailments are numerous-one arm atrophied, swellings of the joints, and ear trouble. The Kaiser suffers from adonis- ing headaches and frequent insomnia. I iir. Neipp concludes that if Francis Joseph is a victim of want of will-power, the Kaiser is a hyperacute slave to caprice, liable to intermittent attacks of melancholy marl. ness, or dangerous lunacy. The professor is of the opinion that the Kaieer will either put an end to himself in batda or finish in au asylum.

BUILT IN A YEAR. -r- FINE WORK BY BRITISH SHIPYARD. (Pr«&s Bureau). The Secretary of the k,,imiraity makes the,! following ^announcement:— An interesting record in ship c/wjstrtafcion has established in tho" building ajt Messrs. Oammell, Laird an", Co.'s vard at Birkemhea«d of his ??aj?s!?y'- n? !?" ,t crmeer Caroline. H?r kpff wa? 1:Ûd on January 23, 1914 She was launched on fsepteiTiber 21st, n.nd deiiv^ned complete on December 17th, aft or satisfaxTtoiy trials on December 15th. the contract dite for de- livery having been May 21st. 1915.

STOP PRESS. I r I ■ ■ ■ as—

GREECE AND TURKEY EXECUTION THAT WILD MEAN WAR, ATHENS, Thursday. The Press declares that in the event of the execution of the Greek non-com* missioned officer iu Constantinople oa 4 charge cf espionage diplomatic relation, between Greece and Turkey should be broken off.—(Central News.)

WELSH HNERS V. JAPS. BETTER TRENCHES AT KIAO CHAU, The correspondent of the Associated Press who was in Kiao CThau during the siege, writes The part that the 1,000 British of the South Wales Borderers end the 600 Sikhs played in the taiege was interesting and il- luminating in bringing out the bitter feeling of the Germans for the British. The British did good work considering their numbers, working in trenches of their own along a small section of the German front and ad- vanoing very near to the German trenches through the barbed wire entanglements. Their losses were 60 men killed end wounded, large in proportion to their numbers. If they did not get into the final sseault it was because the Japanese left them behind. A. British seVgear.t told me that he would lay a wager on his soldiers, many of whom were Welsh miners, as against the Japanese in sap. ping and trenoh building.' The Normans wero ,,> v i ANXIOUS FOR A CHANCE AT THE BRTTTBET troops. The hitting of the British ship Tri- umph by o shell from Euitchienhuk caused rejoicing in Tsingtau that would not have been equalled by the sinking of a Japanese Dreadnought. The German airman, after locating \the British camp by its white tents, singled it out for his bombs. The German artillery tried particularly to hit the British camp; and when the British entered the city and camped at the artillery depot their name was anathema, and German prisoners showed their hatred in various ways.

 | The Welshman's Favourite. £ ? MABON Sauce 1 | As good as its Name. i 3 DON'T FAIL TO GET IT. 9 Af-f-ea BLANCH,16 St. Peter St., CMdt<f. 1 <M?!???t???.'?t??!?!?MM?MMMt??t?MM?MMMtBM)N IMy Mon's SauceJ I Large Bottle 2#d. g | Delightful Sauce and lots of it f(w S ? the money, 0/<?<3?c?a????. a ? Mt?it?t Bt?tCttt, St. Pow St., C&RDWP? J <.— «!!M?a.taB!!)!Kat!? -??<.??-.?S

THE KAISER'S MOUS- TACHES. — DIRTY WORK" BY THE GHURKAS. The following is the very latest Gurkha story. I have not thought it necessary to submit the statement to the Press Biireau (says Truth"), feeling assured, that the reply would be that, while having no in- formation on the subject, the Bureau sees no objection to the publication of the news In the trenches there is much hilarity over the latest exploit of the Gurkhas. It was known that the Kaiser waa directing operations before Ypres, and late one night it was noticed that six of the dark little men had disappeared. About one o'clock in the morning a loud cry was hea?d from the Ger- man ii.. ajid there was much commotion. Two hours later the six Gurkhas reap- peared, crawling, as is their custom, on their stomajuhs with their kukris in their mouths. "Where have you been?" asked the cap- tain. "Sahib," they answered, "we went for a walk and found a great tent. and in the tent was a king, and, sahib, we have brought back these." They laid before the astonished captain a pair of waxed mous- taches, pointed upwards at the end." This, of ootirsc, would explain a great deal. But in this case I do not understand how he can appear in the field again in a week or ten Caysv as announced, without something being noticed. We must wait and see.

A SOLID REPUTATION F acfilevotl by a proletary medkiJne can an!y be raised on the firm found a- Z sl tlon, the bed-rock, of Public Satisfaction. Advertising, afons, oarmot £ Z3 SI make any article popular. To obtain, and retain, a Plao-e In the public X I favour the preparation Itself muitt be possessed of very real merit. For the lengthy period of seventy years Seecham's Pills have been before the t > pMbnc. They Mvs to-day, a <:oUd—a? continually ?)?mns—roputat!cn æ ? as a r?any reliable remedy for those aHment? whkM com?on'v affect  £ the liver, stomach, bowels and ths digestive system gM?-aity. Among æ ? =g t?a many n?dictnes put forward fr this purpe? at the pressnt Hme. f ? 3«eonam's PHIs are <M?!ty nr&t. A splendid achievement based upon 5 the fong xmst of ssv-wty years I This fact, In Itself, recommends I BEECHAM'S PILLS, j ? Prepared only by THOMAS BEECHAM, St. H?en:, Una. & t So<H8VM-ywhert)?boxp<,?'!cet?(58p"!t!)and2/9(?8ptHs). £ »