South Wales Weekly Post

I AFTE R Mf T MOTHER |jf T AM d 'f| I MEALS• '1 5 EIB E LS j r'AND?? || TAKE I||| SYBUP. Ji TRO'dBLES|g TAKE: G'Y I.R u P, ES ■■ 1 "■ "■ tm———————— ™

PRZEMYSLS LAST DAYS. STARVING CIVILIANS. I ) -=- TROOPS' FINAL ilEAL. I if,lnna papers to hand give further gra.pfa.ic | details of the labt days of Przeniysl, from Captain Lehmann and Lieutenant Stanger, the only two aviators who escaped from the fortress. Lieutenant Stanger says that dur- ing the last few days ail tJie horses were slaughtered for food, and the entire supply of oats was ground into flour. The civii population were staning, and 2GO people were dying from exhaustion daily. All the available food supply was distributed among the soldiers on the morning of March 19, just previous to the last sortie, every man getting two cans of tinned food. with a pro- hibition to eat the contents of more than one can at a time under penalty of death. The troops had been so starved that it was feared that they would overeat themselves and die of sudden congestion. Despite this prohibi- tion many men ate all thev received imme- diately, and died from the effects. STARVING TROOPS STRUGGLE BACK. these starving troops could be got to march with difficulty. The officers had to go ahead of their companies, and the colonels were seen riding before their regiments with :no other arms but their riding whips. By fen in the morning the attack had failed and the troops staggered back to protection under a murderous fire. For a distance of twelve miles their retreat was followed by a furious Russian bombardment, which wis kept up for three days and three uights till the morn- ing of the 22nd. At four o'clock on that morning the signal for blowing up the torts was given. At the same time three aviators started for the Carpathians, and four balloons with ten passengers also left, but nothing is N known of what became of them. The troops from the outlying forts returned so ex- hausted that they took seven hours to march four miles. They consisted of men from all the nationalities in the Austrian .NIODai-chy-Foleci, Rutheuiaais, Hungarians, Croa-tians. Tvrolese, etc. WRECKING THE FORTS. i The destruction of the fort.s was exe- cuted so systematically that the work was nearly completed in the space of ninety minutes. Explosion followed explosion with such terrific effect that the earth shook for miles around. To blow up some of the forts all the ammunition and ex- plosives on the spot were used, and in some forts more than 5,0001b of powerful ecrasite was utilised, when 1001b would suffice to blow up a railway bridge. The smoke of the explosions rose to a height of 1,200ft. The thirty-centimetre mortars and a.U the big guns were laid in dynamite and blown to atoms. All the motor-cars were also blown ,-cars -A--re a a so b l oivn up, and eight million kronen's worth of paper money was burnt. Two thousand Rfussian prisoners were Imed no outside one of the forts under a few policemen, with orders to hand tb?m few pcL,,c?emeii. ii,j- tli )rdei-s t.) liantl th?pin Captain Lshmann thinks tfet had the siege been prolonged for forty-eight hours aU the civilians would have been dead. He and Lieutenant Stangej were the only ones who escaped.

RARE OLD CHINA. j VALUABLE SWANSEA ART LOAN j PROPERTY OF NEATH GENTLE- i MAN. Swansea Aits and Crafts Committee ii-ict on Monday, Mr. Roger Beck presiding. The representatives of Finance, Art and Crafts, and Library Committee reported re allocation of library and art raLc-, 1. That six-sevenths of the penny rate at- tributable to Public Library and Dcffett Francis Art Gallery purposes be paid to the Public Library Committee, and one-seventh j to the Art and Crafts Committee. 2. That the proceeds of the ld. rate be do- j -Noici to the Giyun Vivian Art Gallery as 'heretofore. The visitors during February numbered j 1.132, and the total since the opening had been 181,287. The Chantroy Beq uest pictures—arranged to come to Swansea in March—will come later. There a.re it-jut ninetoeii works, and the art. director t-srmed them -ji-exceileiit collection. OLD WORCESTER CHINA. Nti-. LT. L;-clcs offered a loan uf old Worcester china (made by the late Mr. Draine, of Cardiff). Mr. Eccles bad pur- chased the same, and though he had all m-t vitation to place the loan at Cardiff for a time he wanted Swansea to hkve the pre- ference. They could have it four years if t'ney liked the collection had an educational interest and it, was colle-eted from that point of view. A few years ago he was in a. Lon- don dealers, when he saw a Worcester tea- ti-je, number "25"' in five different places. Mr. Dra-ine purchased it. It ap- pears in 1760 John Wilkes was put in the ""towor for writi-Hp: an artier in No. 25 of the North Briton. This was one of his wd- mirers. who put 25 in the teapot. In a JROOS teapot there wa.s another "25," and also an old silver badge- When Wilfaes was released the Chelsea people Had china inade ui him, p tc d tl )(' ()ffer The Uh.urm? mud they accepted the offer of the loan with many th3J?- Mr. Eccles said there were over 1,000 pjpoes. Dr. Stephens Mi id tiie collection was excel- lent from its appearance and educational point of view. The ArL Director said it was the tirueet oullectioi of Worcester china in existence. Mr. Eccles .4ai,,i foi- 24 pieces Mr. Dra-me I had paid over £ 5,000. The Art Director suggested taking out. the pcrmajtcnt collection in the entrance hall and making the Worcester china exhibition there. The Art Director said they would want- more cases, which cost about £ 18 each; each woiild accommodate about 70 pieces. Dr. Stephens thought the Mayor and Corporation should Le .,p reseii t ,.t the open-! Jng of the exhibition, it. being such a valuable nd unique one. I Tho Art Director said it was THE FLNEST OFFER THEY HAD I RECEIVED emoe the gallery was opened. T-he Chairman thought the Corporation .anight ooine to their aid in the matter. ^-r- C.' Eden suggested the existing sub- COmm.ittee should de vise ways and means to P'lille for the collection, with power to act. This wa<5 agreed to and the committee tendered their grateful thanks to Mr. Eccles fcr?? ?? 'nestiu?ble offer. The. U:,irInan said it rose Swansea to t Ighest P?ce in art and might attract piigriins  4rt Director rep?daced a copy of t.he IlIut.ra.t.ed London :N ews d.eplCtmg Corporal winning the ?.? ho u. Winilll, g ie asked whethe?! ? committee w0u£ ld appjy for the origin drawing on no  ? Th ?iur decided on no act i on. The nun""), o.i v"- it"rs to th\, {Jeffett Gap^ section during rebruary Tbf Ar ?.nj S. ,r'fe the opening ?.9?. ^C°r r"/ei'red to certain D.f- fett Francis i lying in the store-room ?nd tho?ht ?' stc.e-room ;j,d th01ht  ? ? ?? ? t€inpcr=.n!y sent to +h.> hIgher JSf, ?ere were about 3a) works. thin" .???'Man as?ed if there was any- Sd ill the ^yt™5 Wi" which would b?and in the Way.

MOST OF THEM BORN HERE. GENERAL FRENCH AND THE CANADIANS, A SPLEHDID BODY OF MEN. I (Press Association Wa»v fSoecial). OTTAWA, Monday. I Duke of Con naught ¡"1,S received tlw following from Field -Ma .*ial Sir John French, dated March 3rd ¡ Canadian tr<x>jw having arrived at the front, I am anxious to tell your Royal High- I h ness that they have made the highest im- pression on us all. I made a careful inspec- tion the week after they came to the country, and was very much struck by the excellent physique which was apparent' throughout tho ranks. The soldierly bear- ing and steadiness with which the men stop in the ranks on a bleak, cold, and snowy day are most remarkable. After two or three weeks' preliminary education in the trenches t.hey have taken over their own line, and I have the utmost confidence in their capibility to do valuable and efficient service. Princess Patricia's Regiment arrived a- ] month earlier, and since then xiA v hi tEKFORMED SPLENDID SERVICE in the trenches. When I inspected them, also in pouring rain, it seemed to me I had never seen a more magnincent looking bat- talion, guards or otherwise. Two or three days ago they captured a German trench with great dash and energy. I am writing these few lines because I know how deeply we are all indebted to the untiring and de- voted efforts your Royal Highness has per- sonally made to ensure the dispatch in most efficient condition of this valuable contin- gent.

RUSSIANS AND THEIR MEMEL MEASURES. (Press Association War Special). PETKOGRAD, Monday. A scrni-official note denies the German allegations that the Russian reconmaiss=unce at Memel was an att-a-ck against an unferti- fied town, pointing out that the occupation of Memel was preceded hy an engagement with German troops at Grambowisch. On the same day the Ru?-ums ppnetmted into lemd, tor?:u?:? the Germans to retreat. In- habitants of the town took part in the com- bat, forcing the Russians to take me?sure?. sanctioned by the Laws of War as generally adopted. The note adds: "The Germans, who maltreat the innocent population of Belgium, who soil their banners with crimes such as at Kalisz, who daily bombard non- fortified towns from their aeroplanes, who no later than Sunday last killed at Libau, with bombs dropped from a.n aeroplane, two persons and wounded a little girl—these same Germans seek to enlist sympat,hy by their complaints of injury done to the co- habitants of Memel. The note contends that after their defeats on the i?e 'ld of ?iattle on the ii-eid of battle the Germans are at- tempting to enlist the sympathies of Powers who have had already abundant opportuni- ties of appreciating German methods of making wax. ——————.

DARE-DEVIL LIEUTEN- ,> I .I i. RECAPTURING A FRENCH FLAG. The Eton 1 College Chronicle," in a tri- bute to Mr. Walter George Fletcher, an Eton master, who was killed at the front on March 20, descirbes the following fe"- 'Re was the bravest man I ever saw: mote an officox. "We had heard of his latest exploit, when he crawled all night be- tween the Hare-lights to climb a. tree in the German lines where they had iuuig a cap- tm-ed Frcnch flag. Nw it waves in our tr en diets. He o-ught to have been given the Victoria Cross and a court-martial but it was worth doing: nothing delighted and inspirited the Tommies more. For it he waa again recom- mended for distinction. He had already been mentioned in despatches on February 1 o, and mesifflgee from his C.O., the brigadier, and Sar Johr. Keir testify to his value." Mr. Fletcher, who was attached to the Welsh Fusiliers, was wounded in the head while in the trenches, and never recovered consciou sn ess.

"LOVE THE GERMANS." I A CANON'S DIFFICULT IN- I JUNCTOR Canon Simpson, preaching in St, Paul s Cathedral from tho lext, "Love your eiiemi-es," said he wjis not prepared to admit that under no circumstances force was justi- fied. The war h-*d brought us a noble oppor- tunity, if we had the grace to use it, to love our enemies, and it would lœd no one to believe every tale of barbarism related of the foe, it would lead no one to sneer at culture or the ignoble workings of hate, or self-righteously to assume the prerogative of punishment. It was not enough to defend our shores, to liberate Belgium, to suocdur France, and to give peace to Europe. We must make an effort to love (?eTm?uy as God loved us. Rarely in this imperfect worM would PUnish-I ment stop short of the pound of flesh, nor could one country crush another, howev?r righteous its cause, without inflicting what it was difficult to describe otherwise than I horrible wrongs.

GERMANY'S IDOL STILL THE KAISER. Yon Hindeuburg is no longer a national bero. lndwd, if there be any hero at all in Germany to-day, it is the Kaiser, who is regarded throughout the land with an es- teem and affection not hitherto accorded to him, WrJÎJ06 a neutral correspondent in the "Times." Conoerning the Crown Prince all liincis of .rumours arc afloat. His private life during the war has not giiven satisfaction to the German people. His failures in the field are notorious. The allegations as to his j thefts from private houses in France have not pleased even the extremists of the German Army. On my last visit the English Anny was hardly mentioned- Next to Joffre, Ge-n-eral French is undoubtedly the object of their fears. Little by little, probabtlv from the lips of German wounded, stories have per- colated throughout the country of deeds of bravery by British soldiers-their extra- j ordinary tenacity and imperturbability. WAKING UP. It is a mistake, I think, for English people to believe that Germans under- estimate the new armies i-aised by Lord Kitchener. They obviously did so a few months ago, but it is equally obvious that they have changed their minds lately. The idea circulated by the "Witzblatter." the scurrilous and so-called humorous papers, that the English could only induce the dregs of the population to enlist by means' of heavy bribes is disappearing. The long- legged Highlander continually asking for money is no longer the butt of the comic artist. I

"JOY IN THE HALLS OF KULTUR." SCATHING AMERICAN COMMENT I (Press Association War Special). I NEW YORK, Tuesday. 1 n an article headed" Kultur at its Meridian, the "New York Herald" makes the following comment on the sinkirug of the Falaba :— There is great joy in the halls of kultur, that over a hundred non-combatants, some of them women, have been mthlessly murdered on the high seas. It is The The "World," writing on the same sub- ject, declares it is not war but murder, add- ing that, it rouses pity throughout the neu- tral world for the helpless victims, and ab- horrence for the men in high command who order murder to be done. The higher policy of war, as waged in Berlin, began with a gigantic blunder in the invasion of neutral Belgium. It is continuing it with another I in decreeing the deliberate slaughter at sea of defenceless men, women, and children.

MOTHER AND TWO IJAUHTERS '——— i- ——— LOSE LIVES AT NEATII TERRIBLE FIRE TRAGEDY, Father and Son's Poignant Grief. In a terrible fife tragedy at Neath about midnight on Monday (as reported in an early morning special edition en Tuesday) a mother and two daughters v/ere burnt to death—Mrs. HoilwsH, wife of a carpenter, living at 62, London-road, Ethel, aged about 23, and Gertie, aged about 17. Mr. Hollwell, who is employed at Mfessrs. Ward's Shipbuilding Yard, Ciant's Crave, and his two sons escaped with the greatest difficulty, and were badly burnt. NO CHANCE OF RESCUE. FIERCE SPREAD OF THE FLAMES. Our Neath reporter sends the following full story of the tragic affair :—Neigh bours rush- ed into the street to see hug<e sheets of flame i?uuig irom the front of the premise, which were old and burned like tin dor. A crowd quickly gathered, ladders were fetched, and attempts made by sveral civil. ians to enter the house. But the flames were too fierce, and they were all driven back. Meanwhile the male occupants of the house- Mr. Holiwell, a carpenter at Messrs. Ward s shipbreaking yard, ■Giant s Orave, and his two sons, Ernest and George, had escaped, but. all were burned In their dash through the names. They were 1-11 great distress, and it trauspn- ed that MiK. Holiwell and her two daughters, Gertie, aged 17, and I'.thei, agred 2.3, were still in the hurning buiMing. The father and who were scantily clad, were dis- j traeted. They walked up and down the crowded thoroughfare, crving, Oh, who will save them?" "But; there; t.ne latin r woulci aaa. "no one can. They can never escape from that fiery furnace." Presently some hope was raised by the statement that the mother and daugh- ters had escaped by the real" of the pre- mises. It was eveii wiat.cd that they were perfectly safe with some friends in Windsor- road. But. unhappily this report proved untrue. The women were still in the blaz- ing building", and there appeared to be no hope for them), for the fire raged as fiercely at the back at. the front of the building. In fact the. whole house was a mass of flame. The Poor women were doomed. Nothing could save them. And apparently nothing could have saved them if the police brigade had been on the scene directly "the outbreak was discovered, for the fire had got a strong the occupants pf a. stroug iiold .c cY tb.c f the house, who werc asleep in bed, knew what had llappened. Fire Brigade's Promptitude. The police h:e brigade were not long in getting the flames under, and very soon all danger of the fine; spreading to the ad- joining houses—for No. 62, is in the middle of a long row of private houses—was averted. Tho brigade, under ?hc charge of P.S. Morgan and P.. M?h?e!, and 1). S- Nl oi.- ;i-?ii P. 6. -N I l,c b a ti :1 aiid ceded in obtaining complete mastery over the iiames In less than an houl". but the in- terior of the house was completely gutted, and the flooring of the upper storey had given way and fallen to tlw basement. When the dense volumes of smoke had thinned the police entered the premises, and in the kitchen made the sad discoverv. The Beds had been precipitated to the basement, aud under the Led. were found the charred remains of the mother and her two daughters. They were all terribly burned, in fact burnt beyond •re- oog11'tion. Tl3 hodies wel'l aiterwards taken in ambulances to the Borough Police Station, where they lie awaiting an inquest. Father and Sons Distracted. The lather and two sons found sanctuary in a neighbour's house. Their grief at the sad catastrophe was uncontrollable. It vibrated a tender chord to hear the youngest satl exclaim: "Never mihd, father; we must bear up as best we can. But oh, this is awful." Pathos is added to the sad occurrence bv the fact that the elder daughter was to have been ibarried in June next. All that neighbourly kindness could ac- complish was done. but father and. sons were suffering so badly from bnrJls and shock that their plight was pitiable indeed. No. 62, Ivondon-road, is a small tenement with five rooms, and, as far as can be ga.th- ered, the fire originated in what is known as the middle kitchen, which is directly under the back bedroom. It must have spread with great rapidity, otherwise all the occu- pants of the house must have escaped, for the bedroom windows are not more than ten or twelve feet from the ground. FAAL SPARK. How the Family were Separated. Up to the present no official information is forthcoming as to the cause of the outbreak, hut it would seem probable that the fire had its origin in a spark from the smouldering ashes in the kitdwn grate igllitmg some inflammable material near by. But what- ever the cause, the flames spread with such rapidity and were so intense that no rescue work was p.issible. Several young meu Volunteered, but were held back. I To go into the burning building was certain death. Inquiries on Tuesday morning show that although all the furniture and effects in the middle and back rooms were destroyed, a good many articles were saved from ion in the front parlour, which was not attacked until the fire bad completed i devastating and deadly work at the rear of the premises and in the upper storey. It appears that tile hither and two sons slept in one bedroom and. the mother a.nd t w. o daitght-er, in another, a circumstance which would account for the escape of the former and tragic death of the latter. Victims Probably Suffocated. The poor women were pmbably suffocated by the smoke, which continued to issue from the premises loiig the flames were ex- tinciiished. THE BEREAVED HUSBAND AND FATHER. ifr. Hollweul is t,o-day suffering acutely from shock and burns to his face, hands j and arms. He is confined to his bed, and is j lieing attended by Dr. O'Brien. The in- I juries to the two sons are slight.

COPPER PIT MEN. I A meM.mg of the Copr Pit eolflis. wa& I held at Philadelphia. M?rriston. on Tu?day afternoon, when the employers' offer was submitted by Mr. John Williams, M.P.

I I NEATH FIRE VICTIMS MOTHER & DAUGHTERS WHO PERISHED. Mrs. HOLE WILL. Mother, ETHEL HOLLWILL (aged 23), Eldest Daughter. I GERTIE HOLLWIlJj (aged 17), I Youngest Daughter. I (Phol-vs by Harry Jones, Neath). 1-

HIS SADDEST CASE. ) I CORONER CUTHBERTSON'S GRIEF I, Mr. Howell Cuthbertson. county coroner, opened an inquiry at the Town Hall. Neath, on Tuesday afternoon into the fire tragedy. The full ages and names of the deceased were officially given as follows:—Elizabeth AIm Hollweli, aged 40. the mother; Ethel Holi- well. 24. and Gertrude Emily Holiwell. aged 17, daughters. Cotui. John Morris was iore- man of the jury. Before calling the evidence of identification the Coroner said "Gentlemen, this is a very fad case. In all my experience of over fifty years I never had a sadder case to inquire into. I have the deepest sympathy with the sunjyjng relatives in the irreparable loss surviN,iii. rel,?tive,, iii the irrel)arible loss dorge IMhvelL son, who gaw evidence of identification, stated that his father was too ill to-attend the inquiry. The Coroner intimated that he would ad- journ the inquest until Wednesday, 7th of April, by which time he hoped Mr. Holiwell would be able to attend to give evidence. The inquest was adjourned according]}-.

ELOQUENT WELSH PRIYATE. Recruiting Campaign at Neath. D?rin? the week a great rf'uiting cam- paol is being held at Vint's Pa-lace? Ncatii. a.t which th? great attractions are the pre- solice and stirring story of Private Derry, who made known the story of the epic of Captain Haggard's death; and the presenta- tion of the vivid and realistic^ war film, Wake up, England." which presents an idea of what invasion would mean. On Monday night the Mayor (Coun. Matthew Arnold) and Major Clark, 6th Welsh, spoke. Major Clark said he had a letter from Mrs. Haggard, who hoped that the meetings would meet with the success they deserved. Private Charles Perry, after alluding to the visit of the Kaiser—'the wolf m sheep's clothing" -t<) this country and the heroism lof the Belgians-- I salute the Belgian Army!" I he exclaimed, ain Idst appiause—went on to tell the story of the Aisne. "Captain Hag- gardled us nobly until he fell mortally wounded." Come forward now and tight for liberty, freedom and national honour. Tire flag of Walet* has never been sullied. Dismember this: Better death than shame." (Cheers a.nd applause).

THORDIS GETS 9660. i BOAT WHICH RAMMED SUBMARINE. The "Syren and Shipping," having been informed by the Admiralty that the captain | of the Alston does not lay any claim to having sunk a German submarine, has de- cided that the iirst British merchant vessel to sink a German submarine is t'he steamship Thordis. i The "Syren and Shipping's" award of £ 500, therefore, goes to the captain aiid crew of the Thordis, along with the other sums subscribed by its readers, bringing the total up to £ 660. while Mr. Stephen Scrope has deposited an udditional £ 500 for the first vessel to sink an enemv submarine with the "Yorkshire Post."

Cur Portrait is of Mr f l ? W. BRJDAL, III .,||| who writes, as foltowsS v It grimes me I felling you about ???:?? ? ??s remarkable f'????S ?? ???? ?re I found ia ? Clarke's 1 1 o o d J& ???? &? C?kes ttoed 1- and pimples. Aft<rr HIL-LAT tr u '■ to time from bot&L, and trying ail kinds of so-called ren-iedies, and being: iinde-i- doctor's treatment, I thought of Clarke's Blood Mixture, having-tried it years ago with success lor a similar complain;. Aftert akiiip: one bottle it seemed to .drive them out, and after the second bottle I found a decided improvement, and continu- ing with your Mixture J can honesth say I am quite cured. I cannot speak too bi^b'y of it. | (Signed vi" Bridal. 2ii, Strand Mreet, | iiountain Abh. G l aim. 8 k,m tmn——c——— )——t '■ j CURED BY | If YOU s.iff<?r from anv such disease as Eczema, Scrofula, Bad Legs, Abscesses, Ulcers, Glandular Swellinfa, Boils, Pimples, Sores of any kind, Plies, Blood Poison, Rheumatism, Qout. &c, don't waste your time and money on-useless totiona and messy oint- m ents which cannot, get ltelow the surface of the skin. what you want and what you must have to be permanently r-uml is a medicine that will thoroughly free the blood of the poisonous matter which aloAe 13 the ie cause of all ;our suffering Clarke's Blood Mixtjpre i.. ¡U. 'a medicine It is composed of n .ckly expel fro, the blood all ¡ ((':Ie whatever cause aris- ing, and by rendering it clean and pure can be re- lied on to effect a complete ana lasting cure. over ?iiii years' sU:: It u. tM M t))?_?N Pteas?t?t.t! 'f??<? Over thj J Ci?rkelsr 9^ ? Blood &myr> Sold by .fl NSfJ ILKI Chemists and ?' auxuwe jf Stores. 2/9 per bottle. t ) Refase v' Substitutes. "THE WORLD'S BEST SLOOD PURIFIER:

OVER FROZEN LAKE. RISKY GERMAN TACTICS. BIG MOVEMENT WHICH FAILED. "Prodigions Efforts." (Press Association War Special.) PETROGRAD, Tuesday. Th official communique issued late last Liigbt says:— Frcm official documents which we have taken it would appear that the Germans I a ttachecl enormous importance to their ,offensive movement wi the Trans-Niemen district, which failed on March 27th. The principal task was assigned to the 31st Division, which was supported by three reserve regiments, with a large body of cavalry. These troops advanced from Calvaria on Krasno with orders to push forward at all costs to Lodzic and to out off our forces, which were engaging the Cerman army west of that. The Germans, in executing this plan, made prodigious efforts, and even at- tempted to envelop on the ice of Lake Doussia our right wing, which was oper- ating north of Lodzic. Movfhg over the ice of the lake the Germans-also attempted to turn our position r, t' J passage be- •- tween the lake and Syn, In two instances, however, near the villages of Zebrziski and Metelitza, we developed counter-attacks against the German troops which had penetrated our rear and annihilated them entirely. I A Captain's Daring. I During tne engagement, in which we took j German trrwh^ on March 27th. near the I village of Vakh, in the direction of Ostrc- j j lemka. Captain Savored crept into the s t-ronnh, and. capturing a machine | gun. turned a. murderous fixe against the German reserve which had come up in sup- I port. During the last few days, on the left bank of the fistula, the Germans have been very economical of their artillery fire. It would appear that Gorman forces in that region have been considerably weakened.

I FRENCH AND FOCH. A DRAMATIC INTERVIEW. TEARS AND A BAN. CLASP. General Zurlinden describes in the Gan. lois" a meeting between Generals French and Foch which will go down to posterity as one of the most thrilling during this war. It was at the end of October when the fortunes of the Allies in the north of France were at a critical stage, and the Kaiser was hurling masses against their lines, regard- less of cost. The Belgians had evacuated Dixmude. The English losses had been as heavy that General French was debating whether to retire to the second line in or- der to rest and reinforce his harassed troops. The French troops were also se- verely shaken, and their commander, Gene- ral Foch, had lost his own son and son-in- law. At. this juncture-it was the first of No- vember, two o'clock in the morning-Foch arrived at the British headquarters, and said to General French "The Germans have sixteen corps in front, of us. We have only ten with voure, and if you retire I shall re- main with eight. Remain. The British Army never drew back in history. As for myself. I give you my word as a soldier, I will die rather than retreat. Give mo yours. ) General French had listened in oleoeck Moved to tears he grasped General Foch'. hand, and promised. Next day began tbe memorable battle in Flanders. The rest if known. =============== (

f4 WE HAVE LOST THE RUBBER-" j I I GERMAN AIDE-DE-CAMP$ ADMISSION. (Press Association War Special). PARIS, Monday. The" Matin tells the-following story of Captain Stem pel, aide-de-camp to General Von mmich. He was having dinner with Dr. Longer, head physician of hospitals, at Liepe. '.1 ne. doctor said that the Germans would soon be driven out of Belgi. Quite so, replied Capt. Ste-mpel, "but it is no good reminding me the whole time. That, day will com when we shall have to E?ve up your beautiful country. I am quite iiwaje of the fact and have no illusions wha.t- I ever. "I know add our -higher command knows that we have lost the rubber, but it is the fault of the higher command, who at the be- ginning of the war were conadent in speedy victory, ??d wit)i<?ut counting the odds sent our best trooos to their doom. We sacri. nc&d too many men at the beginning. It I wae a very grave mistake. j I