The Cambria Daily Leader

I CASTLE CINEMA. NOT MY SISTER, C A Five-Part Drama of a Sister's Sacriiicet featuring S I F. BARRISCALE. 3^ > Thurs., Fri., Satur. 5 1

HWTHRiMI «-er-r dd 11 b Whole Neutral World Dcned. ? t]  ■ ■ p ALL SHIPS TO BE ATTACKED.:db ALL SHIPS TO BE ATTACKED. ,1db1 1 Is It War With the U.S. ? a -¡. A now German Note to neutrals re- ? 6' veals the fact that the Central Powers g are about to make the most daring move J they have yet ventured upon. | Neutrala are forbidden to trado J.J with the Allies, and all ships, irrespective g of flag or cargo (apparently whether the cargo is contraband or not) are to be a sunk on sight. 1. five days afe allowed to ships, in h which they are ordered by the Cen- fcal Powers to enter neutral ports. American opinion is that this is tanta- mount to a declaration of war from Ger- many, and the World calls for an end to diplomatic relations at once. The Note to Spain declares that the Central Empires will, without further warning, seek to stop sea traffic around 1 Britain, France and Italy and the Eastern C Mediterranean, as from February let. c SENSATION IN SPAIN. I Madrid, Wednesday (received Thurs- Aey).-Tlte Cabinet met ti" ■- evening, t ,tnd was engaged in a discus? > u of the d German Note. o A. semi-official statement announces that f the German and Austrian Ambassadors c have informed the Government t a t the a Central Powers have decided to defend themselves with all the means at i heir c (llkpoeal. They absolutely forbid j ral I a commerce with the Allies, and wii. tor- 6 pedo all ships, without respecting flag or cargo. A delay of five days will be given I for all ships to enter neutral ports. t The news has caused a sensation in i political circles.-Reuter. CONTENTS OF THE NOTE) I A _1- ..t. Íi. Amsterdam, inujsQay.—a.ccorQing w I a Berlin telegram, a Note was presented to-day to the American Ambassador on the subject of President Wilson's peace epeeeh in the American Senate. The Note states that the guiding lines of this important declaration agree to a wide extent with the principles end wishes which. Germany professes. Germany's j I joyful collaboration is assured to all efforts which aim at the prevention of future wars. The freedom of the seas as the pro-requisite of the free existence of, and the peaceful intercourse of, the peoples, and the open door for trade by all nations, have always belonged to the leading principles of the German policy. The Note affirms that the peace attempt of the Central Powers has failed owing to the 'lust of conquest of their oppo- nents, and adds: Germany must there- fore abandon the limitations which it has hitherto imposed on itself in the em- ployment of its fighting weapons at sea The American Government is asked to 4 warn American ships against entering blockaded rones, and its subjects against entrusting passengers or goods to vessels trading with harbours in the blockaded AMERICA MAY ACT. Washington, Wednesday (received Tliursday).-A preliminary reading of the German Notes hM elicited the expres- sions of opinion which give the impres- sion that the situation is viewed here with extreme gravity. Prompt action is expected.—Reuter. U IN EFFECT A DECLARATION OF I WAR." New York, Thursday.-Commenting on the German submarine Itimatum, the World says ;-It is in effect a declara- tion of war against the United States. It proposes to murder peaceful Americans on the high seas. There can only be one answer for the United States. The Ger- man Ambassador must receive his pass- ports forthwith. All diplomatic relation, must ooase at once. If this means war with Germany, so be it. 'the Tribune says it would be hard to 4ixaggerate tha ominous character of the dkrman Note. Germany refuses any longer to recognise that the United States has any rights of the 008.. Peace that Ger- many would purchase was too dear a price if it has to be purchased by a com- pliance with the Kaiser's latest insulting instruction.—Exchange Special. THE NOTE TO SPAIN. I Madrid, Wednesday (received lnurs- day).—The following is the text of the Note which Germany and Austria have addressed to Spain. Germany, Austria-Hungary and their Allies, in view of the failure of their 1 peace proposals, and of the fact that their enemies, in rejecting the reconcilia- tion which this demarche offered have re- plied by announcing their intention to destroy them, and carry on the war to the end, in view of Great Britain's abuse of her sea power, whereby she seeks to re- duce the Central Emph-es by starvation, condemning them to bitter sacrifices which endanger the vigour and force of their population, and, in view of the fact that Great Britain and her Allies do not respect the laws of humanity, nor tlie interests of neutrals, whose commerce they limit and restrict in accordance with their intention to continue the war with greater violence, The Central Empires have decilled also to continue the war using all the weapons at their disposal, without re- gard for the bounds which they had hitherto set to the exercise of their sea power, and they hope that the Span;?Ch people and Government wm not t? to recognise the reasons which have led to this decision. Accordingly, the Central Empires will proceed, as from February 1st, without further warning, and by every means, to interrupt sea traffic round Great Britain, Prance, and Italy, as well as in the Eastern Mediterranean, in certain speci- fied prohibited areas which will be pub- lished in the Official Gazette." At the same time, they will allow neu- tral vessels, at present in port. in pro- hibited areas, to leave port befote Feb. 5th and the shortest route to reach free waters. The Central Powers have similarly made arrangements to grant aD agreed period of immunity to neutral ships hound for ports in a ^hibated a. it f' ^p  'I ach vessels on February 1st are at no roat distance from that area. g LATEST U-BOAT VICTIMS. FC Among the latest U-boat sinkings re- VI iorted are the following:— a Dutch steamer Epsilon (3,211 tons p roes). Crew landed. 0 Smacks Merit, Helena, Samuel, Wah a nd Wetherell. Crew of last named b nded. f Crew of Spanish steamer Punta Nauo t as been landed. t rr-rr 1J

WINDING THE CLOCKS. Guardians Decide Not to J Renew Contract. 1-0 'V Mr. Albert Ball, at Wednesday's meet- t ng of the Swansea Workhouse Visiting c committee, wanted to know how many c locks there were in the Institution. "My s iifficulty has been to find & clock in the t rard," he remarked. The discussion arose over a communica- E ion from the firm responsible for win- ling the clocks, intimating the completion f their contract, and the need for going ully into the matter before making a new :ontract in view of the increased charges I ,nd the shortage of labour. I Mr. Wm. Owen thought the winding -ould be done by one of their own officials, md that the system of ticking the clocks < hould be suspended. t The Master was instructed to secure the ( soy of the clocks, and to wind them. He t nentioned that there were seven clocks 1 n the House.

ANGRY OUTBURST. I Man Who Wanted His I Mother's Clothes. An applicant before the Swansea Work- house Visiting Committee on Wednesday :reatod a scene when he was informed by the chairman (Mr. Abe Freedman) that his application would be deferred. He wanted the clothes of his mother who tad recently died in the infirmary, and e turned furiously on ttoe.members with a threat to get the clothes even if he had to do 12 months for it." You starved her," he shouted, spring- ing to his feet, and banging on the table with his fist. He alleged that the woman's pension of 7e. 6d. weekly had been used for her maintenance, but this, it was explained, was inaccurate, as the pension had not been drawn at all. The applicant was advised to keep his head," but be used strong language to- wards the chairman, and refused to leave. This is how you treat a ratepayer who has done his bit for his country. I'll make you give up the clothes," he cried. The Master (Mr. T. Morgan) inter- vened, and persuaded the man to re- tire, still breathing threats, and normal business was then resumed.

50 YEARS OF SERVICE. I Captain J. Mackenzie Rogan, director of music, Coldstream Guards, will complete 30 years of continuous regimental service next Sunday.

JUNIOB TREASURY LORDS. I T»i« following appointments have been made: To be Junior Lords of the Trea- sury: Mr. James Parker, M.P., and Mr. Towyn Jones, M.P.

TRENCH rtven. I Privata G. W. Morris, of No. 35. Col- bourne-terrace, Waunwen, Swansea, is under treatment in a Manchester hospital tor trench fever. Prior to enlisting he was employed at the Cwmielin Works as i riser.

MAJOR PERCY DAVIES. I Recently mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's despatch, Captain D. Percy Davies has now been appointed to the command )f the Cyclist Battalion of the XI. Army Corps with the rank of major at the com- paratively early age of 25 years. Major Davies is the elder son of Ald. and Mrs. David Davies, the Mayor and Mayoress of Swansea. At the declaration of war he joined the military forces as a private.

MINERS7 WAGES. I An application by miners for an addi- tional war bonus in addition to and out- side existing agreements was made at a joint meeting ot employers and workmen on the Cool Conciliation Board for the English federated area at the Savoy Hotel. London, on Wednesday. The meeting was adjourned until Feb- ruary 16 in order that the matter might be discussed in the different districts. nilO AIIT

HOARD IN A uuu-vui. I A private in the Miaaie^  named Joseph Haynes, charged at wme!<- den on Wednesday with burglary, was said to possess an Army discharge which he had printed himself.. He had lived for a long time in a dug- out he had made in some brickfields, and in it was found money, many articles which were proceeds of burglaries in the district, and a jemmy. He was remanded in order that other charges might be preferred against him.

CLYDE DEPORTATIONS. I The committee of five appointed by the conference of the Labour party at Man- chester to inquire into the circumstances i which led to the deportation of nine of the Clyde recalcitrants will be conducted privately at the headquarters of the Labour party, Victoria-street. The In- vestigation Committee began its proceed- ing on Wednesday afternoon.. The com- mittee's report is not likely to be issued g&frra April, when some startling re- 3?t\Wns are predicted.

MiUMIH WRATH" PEACEFUL KAISER TALKS OF L WARMQHCER8 Amsterdam Wednesday. Answering irthday wishes sent by Prussian pro- p inces, the Kaiser wired:— d After 30 months of war, full of sacrifices, j. tie whole German people, boiling with p rath at the reception of my peace pro- a osals, and filled with new courage and edoubtable strength, 'will stand like one lan for the Kaiser and Empire to the in- H vitahle and bloody end of their fight to b efend homes, honour, and freedom, and :) throw back the foreign warmongers. h iCt God and our good sword help us.- n ixchange. cl oS HAnU IIMtS tSbhUKE US. I ¡i A A- 1 „ « l • 1 2&iij.sue>riui-ui, n t.'UwilSuay .-1l.CCOrulng TO II Berliu telegram the Reichsanzeiger nblishes an Imperial rescript conveying he Kaiser's thanks for birthday oon- f< ratulations, in which he says:— n From these very numerous manifesta- p ions there rang out with the over- '< -helming force of unanimity indignation b t the contemptuous rejection of our ,eace offer and the disgraceful plans of r ur enemies which have been disclosed, vow to bear joyfully every sacrifice of c lood or of treasure to preserve the fatherland from the degradation con- emplated for it, and to enforce with all n lie weight of our arms the peace which » ias been refused. n Hard times are still before us [ The utmost exertion is.demanded of every- li ne by the Fatherland's need, but the d Lrm, unshakable German people, filled g rith the consciousness of strength and n rith the will to victory, stand steady at t he front and at home to defend its just ;ause to the last man, and I now confi- ( lently look forward to the issue of this r anguinary conflict for the existence of < ,lie Empire. God will be still with us, and will N £ frant victory to our arias."—Reuter. "WE AGUtr I ,Gt-J,A L L l:r4_li_7-: I 1 TTT 1 1 J 1 iimstemam, vveanosaay jreceivtxi j Chiiroday).-At to-day's sitting of the i nain committee of the R^chstag the Im- jerial Chancellor, referring to the British r eply to Germany's peace proposals, said: < The enemy's conditions we cannot dis- ] miss. They could only be accepted by a ) ;otally defeated people. We have been I jhallenged to fight to the end. We accept ;he challenge. We stake everything, and i ure shall be victorious."

MONTH'S WAR LOSSES. I ] • j 33,000 British Casualties I Reported in January. Following are details of the losses given under the principal headings in the War Office casual ty lists which have been pub- lished in our columns from Jan. 1 to Jan. 31. The lists include casualties reported from all points at which our Armies are engagedi JN.t-.U. s <s Oifioera men. Killed 181 5014 Died of Wounds 65 2104 Died 26 1419 Accidentllv Killed HI. 82 2 P, ) 9 8, Wounded 62R 20058 ( Wounded and Missing 3 G02 M issmg, Believed Killed or Drowned 9 130 Missing 34 3625 Prisoners of War 5 100 From these must be deducted the *ollov- ing:— First reported killed, wounded, or missing, afterwards reported not killed, wounded, or missing ? 406 This leaves the totals as follow:- Onicers. 953 Men 32,498 The figures for September, October, November, and December respectively were: Officers 5,408 Men 113.780 Officers 4,366 Men 102,210 Officers 2,312 .Men 72,479 Officers 953 Men 39,711

A GERMAN SEAGULL. I A seagull captured in Norwich as a band round one leg stamped "Zool. Sta- tion, Heligoland. 181. The bird, one of a great flock which has invaded the city, was caught by the foot in a rat-trap baited with a lump of fat. It has been handed over to the II naval authorities.

MINERS AND THAIN FAKLZS. I At the meeting of the South Wales Miners' Executive Council, held at Cardiff on Wednesday, it was resolved to request the Central Council of the M.F.G.B. to press for the abolition of the increased railway fares. It was also decided to ask the same Council to approach the Government at once with a view to increasing the > £ 1 a week which workmen now obtain under the Compensation Act. Mr. J. D. Morgan applied for loclc-out pay for men working at several collieries in the Anthracite District. Some of the grants were acceded to, and the others are to be reported upon.

NEATH WAR HOSPITAL. I A excellent concert was arranged by the secretary, in conjunction with Mr. Will James, at the hospital on Tuesday evening when the following artistes took part:- Soprano. Miss Norvick. and Master Edgar Evans; contralto, Miss Laura Francis; baritone, Mr. Jack Morgan; humorous, Mr. Will Thomas; elocutionist, Mr. Leslie Rosser. By the kindness of the manager (Mr. E. Gilley), two turns appeared from the Palace, namely, Orme and Leigh, who delighted the'boys by their clever dancing and singing, and the Cowper Brothers who gave a marvellous exhibition of juggling with Indian clubs, etc. Mr. Will James was the accompanist, and Mr. Tom Davies (superintendent of the hospital), presided.

GERMAN COLONIES. I I' ?- Mr. Walter Long, Secretary of State for tho Colonies, at the close of a speech on Wednesday at the Westminster City Hall in support of the War Loan, referred to the future of the German Colonies. He said: "We have acquired possession of different German Colonies in various parts of thfe world. Now, I speak with know- ledge and with responsibility, and I speak as the representative for the moment of those Overseas Dominions which are the pride and glory of our Empire to-day, when I say: Let no man think that these struggles will have been fought in vain. Let no man think that these territories will ever return to German rule." (Cheers).

DUTY FIRST. • •« a »>— 1 -?- Mr. Waiter Lo^ s message I I From DeadSon. ] t Keterring to the death m acuve eernce of his eon, Brigadier-ireneral W alter IiOng, C.M.G., D.S.O., M. Walter Long, Colonial Secretary, at a Var Loan meet- ing in Westminster City lull on Wednes- 1 day, said: It is no secrt that an event has occurred in my dometic circle which t in ordinary times would have led me to choose seclusion rather th.n to appear on 1 a public platform. I hat;, however, felt it my duty to bo here ad have yielded t to the entreaties of both ay wife and my I daughter-in-law, that I sbuld be present and say that their though] at this moment a is that the people of this country should not hesitate to do their dty. 1 I have," he addM, "J still stronger i incentive, if possible, in the knowledge that the 60n whoeo loss I hall deplore as ] long as I live, bids me to come, in a ) message, perhaps silently riven, but nono the low clearly to my nnd, telling me ( that he would wish me tobe here, and to ] let nothing prevent me rom doing my duty, as nothing prevente him." oAUKI r I UtS I-U: ALL. I ?- The question that we should ask our- selves every day when we pt up and when I we lie down to rest at Mlit," said Mr. Long, is, Can I do E;om-stin.- more than I have done yet to help inthe prosecution of the war ? Sacrifice: Yes, we are called upon in these day; to make some eacrince. but what are OU Bacrmces com- ( pared with thOSB made )v our gallant dead, or by those who li?d in Belgium, L Serbia, and other lands verrun by the enemy ? Until we rcalisi at home that 1< the issue of this war dernd3 upon our- selves and the sacrifices tat we are pre- 1 pared to make, we tsha, not see the 6 termination that we wis) to see—a ter- IP mination triumphant an< immediate." g e

A RESCUE EXPIDITION. I Router's Agency states tat news is now expected at any time of ti rescue expedi- tion which left New Zeal&d for Ross Sea in December last to pick 1) the ten mem- bers of Sir Ernest Shacteton's Inxpeidal Trans-At lan tic Expedition marooned on the South Polar Gontiner,

BIG BURGLARY If CARDIFF. A eensational burglarlyxxjk place be- tween 7 and 9 o'clock i Wednesday evening at 16, St. Mary-ireet, Cardiff, the window of the jewell ehop of Mr. H. B. Crouch being clear] of half its ,I of lialf it-s contents. The jewelle-ry iken is of an assorted kind, and it is eetaated tha los6 is between £1,200 and Cl,&.

41 OFFICIALS: 1- PliSONER. I At Windsor Quarter cessans on Wed- nesday 41 people were preset to deal with one prisoner, a man chargi with steal- ing a pot of honey, valu 5d., from a grocer's shop. Attending Qcially were: The Recorder, 13 grand)urymen, 12 petty jurymen, counsel, vo witnesses, solicitor, usher, court ap-p.dsnt, the Mayor, Clerk of Peace, cj-k, two war- ders, Chief Constable, pice sergeant, shorthand-writer., doorkeeps.

HOSPITAL SHIPS i THREATENED I —— j, I G RESH FRIGHTFuLNESS I a i IROMPT REPRISALS PROMISED I Press Bureau, Wednesday.—The Foreign )ffice issues the following:— J- The German Government announce that hey have conclusive proof that in several nstanoes enemy hospital ships have been disused for the transport of munitions nd troops.. They also state that they have placed hese proofs, through diplomatic channels, r: eforø the British and French Govern- ments, and have at the same time declared hat trafhc of hospital ships on the mili- ary routes for the forces fighting in "ranee and Belg-ium within a line drawn etween Flamborough Head and Terschel- ing on the other hand, and from Ushant o Land's End on the other, will no longer Ie tolerate<l. His Majesty's Government have received 0 such communication through diplo- 51 aat-ic channels or otherwise from the Ger- dl, nan Government as is alleged, and they tl fiost emphatically deny that British hos- t1 lital ships have boen used for the trans- g iort of munitions and troops or in any g ray contrary to the Hague Convention, n r the adaptation of the principles of the ti ipneva Convention to maritime war. ti Under the Convention, belligerents have he right to search hospital ships, and the ierman Government have, therefore, an a bvious remedy in case of suspicion, a y emedy which they have never utilised. p From the German Government's state- ti hat hospital ships will no longer be t1 >lerated within the limits mentioned. 11 nly one conclusion can be drawn, viz., a hat it is the intention of the German 0 rovernment to add yet other and more 11 mspoakable crimes against law and umanity to the long list which disgraces gi heir record. In these circumstances, his Majesty's II rovernment have requested the United b tates Government to inform the German b Government that his Majesty's Govern- aent have decided that it the threat is iJ arrietl out reprisals will immediately b" aken by the British authorities con- t erned. „ COLD-BLOODED MURDER. 1, Fresh Instancs of German  BrutaHty. WM1"Mn.. a T),D-V(,? UTTPP A TT J. 4-VJUoo JJ V v The Secretary of the Admiralty makes i 'he following announcement:— The British eteamship Artist. when orty-eight miles from land in a heavy easterly gale, was torpedoed by a German submarine on Saturday morning, January I 57th. In response to her appeal, sent by idreless, "SO S, sinking quickly," luxiliary patrol craft proceeded to the ipot and searched the vicinity, but found c o'mclt'n"Ë\¡;arfu- hej survivors. 11 Three days later the steamship Luchana n jicked up a boat containing sixteen of the turvi vors. The boat had originally con- t rained 23, but seven had died of wounds 11 tnd exposure, and were buried at sea. I u L'he surviving sixteen were landed, and of fi ;heae five wei-e suffering from eevero frost- r aito and one from a broken arm. e The crew had been forced to abandon £ heir ship'in open boats in a mid-w inter t ale, and utterly without means of reach- ng land or succour. ( Those of them who perished during hose three days of bitter exposure were nurdered and to protp?d that anything l was done to ensure their safety would be ihe?r hypocrisy. The pledge given by Germany to the United States not to sink merchant ships. vithout ensuring the safety of passengers md crews has been broken before, but lever in circumstances of more cold- t alooded brutality. 1 [The Artist was a eboamcr of 3,570 tons, b nvned by tlie Charente S.S. Company, g Ltd., Liverpool.] < 1 c

DEFIED THE U-BOAT. I How a Danish Skipper Saved I His Ship. £"1. T n OA rri. 'UIJt:1lJ-U ngt:JJ., uiiiiiiary ou,—iut- -un.>lla-¡ blad" states that the United Steamship Company's steamer Iris, which arrived here to-day, had an adventure in the North Sea. She passed a German submarine as the latter was in the act of sinking the Danish steamer 0. B. Suhr. The officer command- ing the submarine ordered the Iris to stop, and after he had inspected her papers ordered the captain and crew to get into the boats. The Danish captain emphatically declined, pointing out that he was a neutral sailing from one neutral country to another, and that he had no contraband on board. You may sink my ship," he said. but I and my men will remain on board." All arguments failed to make any im- pression on the captain's steadfastness, and the ship was allowed to proceed.— Reuter.

Al.LTAST .lZtS,t)UU.. I uarmarinensmres war Loan I A :er aMn A 4- i"L /"V. — -1- 4. n :i LlL LUI-V vû.lli.li:U'Hlt:U UUL. uu Wednesday, Mr. W. N. Jones proposed that the council invest £ 28,500 in the War Loan. It would mean £ 30.000 worth of stock. Mr. Nathan Griffiths suggested that the amount should be increased to 950,000, and that the Council should get some of the money by mortgaging some of their securities. Mr. Thoe. Jones (Llanelly): You are too faint-hearted by a long way. We should borrow S:100,000 for investing in the War Loan. Mr. Ben Evans (Pencader) proposing that they do not invest in the War Loan, pointed out that the only money they sould invest was their working balance. Personally he was investing every penny lie had in the War Loan, but to make an investment as proposed was the height of foolishness. The Council decided to invest at least ::28,500.

TOO R/SANY CIGARETTES. I TT7I« -I- -I HllBU Öo UitMlUCi U1 Uigaixutt) WllttlW appeared before the Law Society Appeal Tribunal on Wednesday, Lieutenant Wat- son asked: Do you know that there is a very strong medico opinion in the Army against the quantity of cigarettes being smoked on service, and among wounded soldiers, and that pipe smoking ought to be encouraged instead?"

TS-DAY8 WAR RESUILI a Leader Office, 4.50 £ .»».l liermany's submarine ultimatum is re- garded in America as being in effect a declaration of war upon the United States. The German Press is infuriated over the British decision to mine the Heligoland Bight. An attempt is being made to rouse neutrals, Holland and Denmark in particular. flie Carman Government declares that it has proof that enemy hospital ships have been misused for the transport of .troops and provisions. They threaten to sink them, and His Majesty's Gov- ernment has decided that if the threat is carried out, reprisals will immedi- ately be taken. General Sir Henry Rawlinson has stated in an interview that the Allies are ready for the day." ft.

V.I.O. dUNUAY UKILLS. I Protest Made to the Neath Council. TTkn. rrtinnf/w. i-U /I sj.i I U vi tixo Tvotuu voinraituee I submitted to the Neath Council on Thurs- iay contained a resolution of protest from ;he Neath Free Church Council against lie consumption of drinks Otl mayoral Sundays and military reviews at the Drill Ball, with a request that the Watch Com- nittee and the commandant of the V.T.C. ake such steps as to prevent such a viola- ion of the Lord's Day in future. "ll DIPOC nl: IMDCfiruirkiAr u r-% • a ww i. wi 1 »i r u rr« I I C. rM bt, t Mr. VV R I'rin.t Aiiir) Vi) .&.Q" t similar letter as commandant of the V'.T.C. He regarded li, as a piece of im- pertinence to interfere with an organisa- ion that was endeavouring to do good in he present crisis. How could they ask hundreds of men to come from miles ii-ound and send them home again with- out a crust of bread and a glass of beer? It was a most unkind and uncharitable thing for the Free Church Council to sug- gest. Mr. J. R. Jones said he realised that men from a distance required refreshment but there were such things as tomperanoc- beverages. The Mayor said some people were sober in body and not sober in mind. Mr. Jones 1 have witnessed scenes on these particular Sundays that are a dia- iiace and —— nllT no nDnCD VW I VI U lIMbili I T1,A A I ..L.LLU -u-ajV;A J'UU to move a resolution? Mr. Jones: No, sir. The Mayor: Theu I shall rule it all out of order. You can bring it before the Free Church Couucil if you lik. "II. c- I.

UtmVlAN PKISONfcHS. t -0 To Work on Glamorganshire I Farms. I Organised by the Glamorgan War Agri- cultural Committee, a well-attended mft ing vf fariaeis was held at Nmtlr o1:C W ",it.. nesday. Mr. W B Trick, J.P., presided. Councillor Dl. Daniel, Cry nant, urged the farmers to increase the production as much as possible He wished them to understand that, if peaceful persuasion tailed, compulsory powers would be re- resorted to. Inspectors, who were practi- cal farmers, would visit the farms, aud the agriculturists would have to satisfy them. lie was satisfied, however, that the Giamorgau farmers would do their best. (Applause). Mr. J. M. Randall, Bridgend, asked the farmers to imagine that they were a be- leagured city. He hoped the farmers would try to get back to the 1874 figures. In that year Glamorgan had under wheat 14,000 acres; in 1S14 only 4,000 acres, in 1874 they had under barley 11,300 acres; in 1914 just a little over 5,000. Under oats 12,000 acres, as against 8,000 in 1914. Arrangements were already being made < to find suitable buildings in which to house German prisoners, who would eoon be sent to work on the land in .Ulamor- gan. He had received a letter from Mr. Protheroe urging the farmers in the county to do their utmost, and his re- ply to Air. Protheroe was: You need have no fear as to the patriotism of the Welsh farmers." (Applause). Mr. Walter Williams, Brecon, and Mr. J. G. Moore-Gwyn, J.P., also addressed the meeting. MY Hue-h Rdwards. M.P-- «»irl certain the Glamorgan .farmer would re- spond nobly. It meant extra work, but when they were following the plough and the lonely furrow, far away from the glamour of publicity, they could feel the satisfaction that that was their oontri- bution to the price of victory. (Applause). The Chairman reviewed the local cir- cumstances, and criticised the procedure of local tribunals with reference to the agricultural labourers. A series of queries was put by a Glyn- corrwg farmer, who finally remarked that after the Germans the greatest enemy to England was the drink. The Chairman: This is not a temper- ance meeting. (Laughter). Questioner: But look at the amount J corn used in the manufacture of beer/ The Chairman: You are at the wrong", meeting. (More laughter). Mr. Geo. Sims (Cadoxton)- suggested that pressure should be brought to bear on the householders to increase the nation's food production by cultivation, (Applause). M A- i/rn(<) nnrei ni-nv

uHfttno rncoiucnii The annual meeting of the Swansea Master Bakers' Association was held on ruesday evening, when Mr. W. H. Bur- ridge, of the Gold Medal Bakery, Waun- wen, was unanimoiisly elected president for the ensuing year, in succession to Mr. W. A. Rees, Clvdach. Messrs. W. R. Jefford and J. Davies were elected vice- presidents.

NEATH TOWN COUNCIL. a l. Î1- _1 mi 1 T Q.\J J,ç.g,v.l..l. 'Jt.lUUUJ,.¿ .u..L.L.LuJ,.aJ', »..l.1.. "L. Jones referred to the dim gas-light, and ivanted to know if it had anything to do with the quality of the coal. Ald. Hopkin Morgan replied, and said that by Friday night there would be full pressure again. Mr. W. J. Challaoombe supported an appeal made to the Council from the Trades Council to meet the late trains with motor-cars when soldiers were re- turning from the front on furlough, who were resident in outlying districts. The Mayor said he would see into the matter and, if naeessary, pay for the conveyances D,iit of his own pocket. (Hear, hear.) Mr. W. B. Trick mentioned that the Ynysarwed Colliery Company desired to present Neath with a motor ambulance valued at Xl 000. The Mayor endorsed the Council's appreciation of the company's generous gift.

BOLD U.S. ACTION. Aii Shipping Held Up at New York. New York. Thu,-sday.-A torpodo 004 which has been stationed off Sand Hook for tho purpose of preserving aex trality, has been ordered not to pormij any neutrals or bdlige::<:ts to pass  —Exchange. A Renter's Nw York message sayi (1 dt the Collector of tho Port sealed York harbour tigllt. yesterday a Hig, not allowing steamers cr tug-boatj to arrive or depart, a torp<?da beat' quarantine forcing ''? to | The purpose of tho collector s acti?J i>"lifvf>d to bo doo to a report thai German merchantmen are preparing td ^id.ke a da.^U for rixe ees ,,1 TO-DAY'S FRENCH OFFICIAL. There were patrc. encounters at -a oxis points of tho front, notably to ,th<ki east of Rheiras, an din. tho region to tW north of Altkiroh. i The night was oalm ot>rryVhere Aviation.—During !i.5t night on Of our air sf^uadroas bombarded tio rail*' way station and enemy depots or ehy and the to tho eset of Mosle. One of our fired 6ome 50 fehtllc- oa the onomy tonjucnt ti. Hcecil St. itie&its and At (Sommo). RUSSIAN SUCCESS. Over 1,000. Prisoners Takon, To-day's E-aalsiajj Official (Admiraity, per Wireless Press.) Tho sectors situated. on the. high, road has been entirely cleared of the enemy, and our troops, in spite of asphyxiating gas, severe frost, and 6lW stinate resistanoe of the enemy, have re-occupied their trsnchee, Rumanian Fro^t.—During the of Jan. Siti, the èD.i:my carried out thre* Uto heights. For a sua thro- -;juu.* >vi"s, east ci Jacobeuii the one my were beaten back with heav* looses. During the battle of Jan. 30th in the region east of Jacobeni we took It officers and. more than 1,00 soldiers pnø. sonera. Black S«a.—Our warships captured near Anhnli five boats, three of whioh v ore motor boats. NEATH CHILD'S DEATH. At ooth inquest to-day in 19-montha. old child, doctor 6aid death was duto spotted fever .—Verdict accordingly. NEW ZEALAND v. WALfcS* MAtch postponed through froet. • + i <

.THE NEW MINEFIELD I SUD HOWLS OF PROTEST fROM I rrL- CERMY. 'pl,-  C: u. C. .LJJ.e .1..Li..Lr.u, ▼¥ t?uutr?yllUcfv .—VJtriliuui » 'ress has been set ablaze by the British ecision to mine the Heligoland Bight. "rom the bitterness with which the news- E iapers refer to the matter it seems to be ffecting Germany painfully. They are playing the old game of at- empting to rouse neutrals—in this case ( [olland and Denmark—against Britain t y accusing her not only of b1ockad!ng .er enemy, which is illegal," but also 1 eutral harbours, which is simply scan- II alous and intolerable." All of them a gTee that Britain is acting in despcra- ion, knowing that the inevitable end- leaning the complete defeat of the Allies b -cannot, be long delayed. The Rheinisch Westfolisehe Z6itung/' t, or instance, declares that Britain is not t aerely blockading Dutch and Danish b oorts, but is using those ports as bases. The British blockading forces are to be telped by neutral coasts," it 11 It rill be interesting to see what Holland and Denmark are going to do to free their oasts from British pressure." n D MULLAfVU rLcASCu. 111 Hollamd a attitude will aisappomt Ger- n a any. I learn from an. authoritative D ource that the British positon is well P mderstood and appreciated here. The 11 )utch have not the slightest intention of t' 'J t i" 0 ist-ening to Germany's ever-increasing en- C [eavours to embroil them with Britain. ;hipping circles, which keenly resent Ger- ti nan interference, are not a little pleased q o be relieved by the British initiative. 0 One way remains open between the r, Germans' home bases and their pirates' vest at Zeebrugge," says tic "Telegraaf." t 'That way lies through Dutch territorial t< ivaters. We hopa that our torpedo-boats o ire not going to survey the seas less dili- t' gently than the British iiiorcler to hinder G jkrmaTi U boats, which. hampered by the u British blockade, might try to violate our h neutrality. t "Owing to Hie Britisi action the work ■>f German submarines 'ac^omes far more C difficult," adds the p)-ner. As our S rights are respected by Britain we can C hardly say that the measure is prema- 11 ture." c There is another sid" to t^e question. It t is considered that thi possibility of Ger- c many trying to hack her way through Holland, as she did through Belgium, m order to get at Britain, bar, been greatly increased, and that slJ may use the pre- text that "necer'ntr fciows no law." In any case, as the Tiegraaf" saye, the Dutch fleet is rendy hI' all emergencies, even the most serious. General Snyders, Uti uprc-me Dutch commander on land and sea, has left with f a number of Admiralty oiffcers for a tour < of inspection in Zee1ant-q)a,ily Correspondent.

TIRED TAXI MANFINED. I Samuel Braine, of RansUe-street, Lis- rongrove, a taxicab driver, -as fined iOs. .nd £3 Ss. costs at Westmittcr on Wed- nesday for assaulting anc refusing to drive Mr. Claud Goddard. t auctioneer, from Ashley Gardens, Wcminster, to West Kensington on the nigt of January 24th. "I had been out since teiin the morn- ing and was uncertain abot niy petrol. said Braine in pleading- noguilty to re- fusal to take a fare. He ao denied the assault..