The Cambria Daily Leader

ECONOMY NEED 140T BE IRKSOME. It all depends on how you try to sare. It is no hardship, for example, to carry your old Umbrella AFTER it has been re-covered like new for a few shillings by KENDALLS, Umbrella Experts, 26, Castia Buildings, Cdstle Street (opposite Woolvortbr:), Swansea.

GUNS ROARING IN THE WEST I Activity Along the Whole Line FRENCH AVIATORS ATTACK ENEMY TOWNS. TO-DAY'S FRENCH OFFICIAL. French Headquarters, Friday, 3 p.m. Our detachments penetrated into the German lines to the north- east of Courcy and brought back a dozen prisoners and a machine l gun. In Champagne the artillery fighting continued rather lively during the whole of the night, especially in the sector of the Butte-de- Mesnil. The total number of prisoners taken by us at this place in the course I, of pur operations on Feb. 13th was 177. On the right bank of theMe-use and in the Vosges the night was marked by violent bombard- ments. In Upper Alsace we stopped an at- tempted surprise attack in the region of Seppois. Elsewhere the night was calm. Aviation.-During the night of Feb. 12th and 13th our squadrons dropped 4,500 kilogrammes of projectiles on the stations of Thionville, Conflans. Chambley, Metz, Sablon. Fires and explosions were observed in the stations of Chambley, Metz and Sablons. TO-DAY'S BRITISH OFFICIAL. British Headquarters, France, Friday, 9.35 a.m. The enemy's artillery showed con- siderable activity early in the night against our front lines in the Queant sector. Apart from patrol encounters in the neighbourhood of Lens, in which 1 we secured prisoners, there is nothing further to report from the British front. Yesterday evening an attack by a German raiding party on the Belgian coast east of Merckem,. was. successfully repulsed. Germany's inability to conclude a, ftuick peace with Russia immediately fol-I losing the original armistice has greatly J decreased the former's possibilities of launching a big offensive with any degree cf success on the Western front (writes Mr. Henry Wood, U.P.A. correspondent with the French Army). Had Germany early in January been able to come to an arrangement with Russia she would have had at her dis- position some 265 divisions to concen- trate. and hurl against the French front. Until Russia is completely eliminated by peace terms Germany cannot mass over 200 divisions in the west. In six months at Verdun Germany lost 600,000 men. In any big offensive which she might undertake at the pre- sent time her losses would be immeasur- ably greater. If Germany, therefore de- cides to take the chance her one and only hope of success must be an immediate victory. CANADIANS' LATEST RAID. On the British front activity is reported in both the Lens and the Cambrai regions. In the former sector the Can- adians carried out a successful raid on the German trenches, killing a number of the occupants and bringing back pri- soners. soners. BOCHES BUSY AT YSER. There is, according to the "Matin," much German activity in the Yser region. The Huns have constructed a great con- crete dyke along the right bank of the river. COMPLETE ACCORD. Amsterdam, Thursday (received Fri- day).—According to the Berlin evening papers, as cited in a Berlin telegram, the discussions at Main Headquarters have led to oomplete accord in the views of the military and political authorities. The final decision, however, has not yet been reached, and no announcement will be made for come days. HELD UP BY RUMANIANS. Paris Friday.—M. Civrieux, writing in the Matin says thirty-two and a half divisions of German infantry and several complete divisions of German cavalry are still on .e Rumanian front. OUR WATCHFUL FLEET. Ready to Cope With Any Enemy Sea Offensive. Paris, Friday.—M. Marcel Hutin, in the Echo de Paris," says: I am asked whether I do not regard as possible- a German naval action in connection with submarine squadrons with the object of attempting a landing on the coast of Pas de Calais. The British urgently desire that the Germans should attempt such a naval offensive, but the sea front is watched with the same vigiLance as the land front."—Exchange.

EMPLOYERS' DUTY. i A si Registration Cards to be Examined Every employer of men must see each employe's national registration card to- day or within the next six days. This is one of the requirements of the amended National Registration Act. It applies to all males between the ages of fifteen and sixty-five, and it should par- ticularly be noted that men who were in the Navy or Army in 1915 and were not then registered, but have since been dis- charged, must register. Employers who do not examine the cards of their employes or who fail to notify the local autlority that an employe does not possess a card are liable to heavy penalities. They must also take care that every new hand taken on produces his I card when he is engaged.

NEW SWANSEA PASTOR. I On Sunday next the Rev. W. Pedr Wil- liams commcnees his ministry at St. Paul's Church, Swansea. The rev. gen- tl-eman is an acquisition to the local free churches, an-I one of the forer-.io&t Con- gregational ministers of the, day. Since his return from South Africa, nearly 12 i.Ollth,s ago, he has undertaken services in :la,ny -of the largest Congregational churches in England, having preached in the City Temple, Westminster Chapel, Wli.itefields, Tottenham O&urt-road, h list Church, Westminster, all in Lon- 1 m, and Carr's Lane, Birmingham. The W. Pedr Williams is an earnest and eloquent speaker, and one who for many years has taken an active part in social movements.

PONTARDAWE COUNCIL. I At Pontardawe Council meeting on Thursday, Mr. D. T. Jones, J.P., presid- ing, the engineer (Mr. John Morgan) re- ported that he had received a letter from the County Surveyor that the Road Stone Control Committee were endeavouring to arrange for the ctfst or part thereof cf making good the damage done to roads by timber or similar haulage to be borne by the War Office. Messrs. W. Gilbertson and Co. wrote pointing out that in view of the further (levelopments ttt their works they sug- gested a conference with the Council in order to consider the question of housing accommodation. The matter was left in the hands of the Clerk to arrange. The War Agricultural Committee wrote granting permission to enter the field of Mr. Samuel Davies at Coedgwilym, Clydach, for the purpose of allotments. During the discussion as to whether the Council should arrange their own haulage work the engineer .said that he had failed to get a horse and cart in II Velindre for the past 12 months to clear a way rubbish from the roadside. Far- mers would not send a horse and cart at 10s. a day.

1 PRINCE OF WALES. To Visit Cardiff Next Week. The Prince of Wales (Duke of Corn- wall) it is announced, will spend part of his short leave from military duty in visiting centres of commerical industry and war activity in South Wales and those? parts of his Duchy property in Cornwall which are unfamiliar, or only partly fami- liar, to him. The programme has not yet been. completed, but the expectation is that his Royal Highness will leave town about next Wednesday and be back by about the following Monday. He will visit Cardiff during a couple of days (probably making his headquarters at an hotel), and will -go on to Cornwall at or near the end of the week. Here the Duke of Cornwall will probably put up one of the farms of the Duchy, and during his short stay will visit as many others as possible. It is likely, though not definitely settled, that he will attend ,a Duchy church on Sunday, the 2,U11. INVITATION TO SWANSEA. The Mayor (Aid. Ben Jones) has ex- tended an invitation to the Prince of Wales to visit Swansea. Every effort will be made by his Worship to ensure that Swansea will be honoured, and already re- presentations on behalf of the ttfwn have been made.

SHOT BY OWN MEN. Information has reached London from Palestine that last July the son of the ex-Sultan Murad, visited Jerusalem and was received by the Turkish general, Djemal Pasha, with all honours due to a Royal Prince. Soon afterwards he went to the Beer- slieba front, and was never heard of again. Austrian officers declare he was killed by a Turkish, bullet.

THE LIBRARY LECTURES. I To the Editor. Sir,—Yes, well might you ask why should the most popular Swansea Satur- day Library lectures be given iip-aftor a 27 years' run-when there are two school- rooms, one on the right and one on the left of the library, and almost joining it, which oould be had free, no doubt, for the asking. A little trip of the Food Committee to London costs the town £ 39 18s., yet they do not pay for the four rooms they use at the Library. The respected member for Coebricks ought to have something to say on this. The Library Committee must be a sleepy lot to allow this to happen, after 27 years. Go for them, Caebricks bach.— Yours, etc., Member for Cwmtwrsh, 1 ,.4

THE PROBLEMS OF RATIONING EQUAL SHARES FOR ALL LOCAL FOOD AUTHORITIES TO CONFER I Swansea Food Control Committee meeting on Friday .was presided over by Mr. David Griffiths. Mr. Victor Evans, reporting on meat supplies, said that the only meat that had come direct to the committee was eight hinds of beef; all the rest from the Ministry of Food came through trade channels. The committee had not con- j trolled or detained any meat. He be- lieved the allegation of Swansea district that Swansea had taken supplies meant for them arose from the fact that each authority unknown to the other, had been trying to get further supplies re- leased. Swansea had taken no supplies due to the district. Mr. J. Powlesland said that if butchers were'entitled to only 50 per cent. of their October supplies, and those sales were on the basis' of supplying numbers of dis- trict people, then it was clear that Swan- sea was getting more than the supplies due to the town. Mr. Victor Evans said the supplies were coming through trade channels, and any butcher was entitled to 50 per cent. of his supplies in October, so far as sup- plies. were available. Mr. Evans said he had announced that those people outside the borough who were in the habit of buy- ing in the borough should be allowed to continue doing 60. CAUGHT NAPPING. Mr. David Matthews said some outside authorities had been caught napping. Mr. Evans said district officials had been invited to inspect the Swansea Commit- tee's books. A letter from the Foood Controller was read etating that the subject of food for those doing heavy work was being con- sidered, and under the new ration scheme heavy workers would receive larger rations. ANOTHER JOINT CONFERENCE. I Referring to the problem of supplying meat to those outside the borough, Mr. Evans said the difficulty of the outside districts were those experienced in Swan- sea before-the present distribution scheme was undertaken. Some people were get- ting nothing; others were getting more thrtn, their share. Mr. Dd. Matthews pointed out that they all desired to be fair to the outside dis- tricts, and on his suggestion it was decided to invite representatives f the District Food Committee to meet the Borough Committee on Monday, to clear up matters. SUPPLYING MEN ON LEAVE. It was decided that supplies of necessi- ties should be sent to one shop at each of Morriston, Cwmbwrla, Landore, St. Thomas, and Brynmill, from which men on leave might draw supplies. I" MILK QUEUES. Mr. Powlesland alluded to the. fact that there were queues at the Babies' Welcome for milk. The matter was left in the hands of Mr. Victor Evans. -.so LLANSAMLET SUPPLIES. I To the Editor. I Sir,—At a meeting of the Swansea Rural District Council, reported in your Wednesday's issue, the following para- graph was included:— Mr. John Jenkins said < in Llan- samlet grocers had. been .without an ounce of butter or margarine for three weeks. An enquiry from Messrs. Evan Rees and Thomas Evans, butter merchants, of Swansea, will show that Mr. Jenkins (who is a grocer and also a member of the Council) received from Mr. Evan Rees on January 14th, 28 lbs. butter and 56 lbs. margarine. January 30th, 43 lbs. butter and 42 Ibs. margarine. February 8th, 84. lbs. butter. And from Mr. Thomas Evans on January 15th, 371 lbs. butter and 74 lbs. margarine. January 31st, 56 lbs. butter and 56 lbs. margarine. February Gtli, 112 lbs. butter. Yours, etc.. J. VICTOR EVANS. 1 '■ i I

l A CONTROLLED PORT, Swansea's Claims Supported by the Justices. The effort being put forward to make Swansea a controlled port was discussed at a meeting of the whole bo,dy of Justices for the (bounty Borough of Swansea re- cently. Mr. J. W. Jones presided, and on The motion of Mr. Frederick Edwards, J seconded by Mr. Dd. Roberts, the fol- lowing resolution was unanimously passed:— That we, the Justices of the Peace for the County Borough of Swansea, recog- nise the great importance of Swansea be- ing created a controlled port, and promise our full support to the Joint Committee appointed to deal with the question." Copies of this resolution have been forwarded to the Chamber of Commerce and the Harbour Trust.

MUNICIPAL RABBIT WARREN j The Guildford Town Council have been asked by the Food Control Committee to finance a scheme for starting a municipal, rabbit warren in order to increase the food supply. It is proposed to start with 30 tame does and 10 bucks, and it is estimated that at the end of the season the. stock will number 4,000. The value of the sales during that period is put at £170. The initial expenses are estimated at 5:65, and the cost of feeding and work- ing expenses at C270.

WAR STAMP PROFITS. I New York, Thursday.—Remarkable re- sults of the campaign for the sale of war stamps, inaugurated two months ago, are revealed by the figures made publio in Washington. The craze for these stamps, representing for the most part the savings of children and thrifty house- wives has spread to the remotest parts of the country, and is known to have .1 produced £ 10,000,000, while officials esti- mate the actual sales at £ 12,000,000. They predict that within a month the revenue from this source will be nearly 4:1,000,000 l .a day. T ?-

EDUCATION IN THE FUTURE -——-< LORD CREWE SEEKS CREATER I SCOPE FOR UNIVERSITIES SHEFFIELD Friday. The installation of the Marquis of Crewe as Chancellor of Sheffield Univer- sity in succession to the late Duke of Norfolk, took place at Victoria Hall this morning, and was carritd out with the customary ceremonial. The Earl of Derby (Secretary of State for War) who was to have attended to receive the degree of Doe?or of Law, was prevented froi?: attending at the la&: moment. Among those who were present and re- ceived honorary degrees were the French Ambassador (M. Paul Cambon), the Italian Ambassador (tie Marquis Di Fracaville), the American Ambassador (Dr. W. H. Page), and Mr. H. A. L. Fisher (President of the Board of Educa- tion).' Mr. Fisher is thf late Vice-Chan- cellor of the University. SMALL STONE ON GREAT BASE. Replying to the welcone of the Court of Governors of the Uliversity, and in thanking them for his iistallation of the office of Chancellor, the Marquis of Crewe said in public lifr he tried to lay a small stone or two on the base of the great pyramid of trainiig the imperial mind and character, en.oying the confi- dent hope that at a futire date the apex of that pyramid would tover into a height now shrouded by clouds and visible to the eye of faith alone. A sound general education was the best portico to any study however scien- tific, and he thought where the public proposed to study metalht'gy or engineer- ing they would be best equipped by a good general knowledge straight over the measureless wide feld. In the past a great nany young people had been put to, gr ud at technical matters and the classics when these would Ii have been better employd at something I Cleo IN THE DAYS TC COME. Going on to speak of th part the uni- versities would play in ihe re-construc- tion of the country after the war, Lord Crewe said it was impossble to be blind to the continual benefits thich could be crea,t,ed between the City <f Sheffield and its university. The closer the tie betveen the Uni- versity and the prime industries of the 1 city the better for both. The happy con- dition of-affair-, in that respect existed in Sheffield. (Cheers).- If be universities were to take their rightfd place ifc our ¡ new national life, money was absolutely essential. If the country is "e;ermined," he went on, as I believe it is that univer- sity career shall be just a: obtainable by the child of an English labours- as it ever has been by the chili of a Scottish peasant, that goal can only be reached by a large expenditure."

BOLO TO DIE. I French Traitor Sentenced to Death. Bolo Pasha has been condemned to death in France. One of iis accomplices, .Cav,a,llini,.the Italian, alio received the death sentence, and the Porchere, was sentenced to three ars' imprison- ment. The verdict was greeted "with silence in Court, but cheers were raised by the crowds assembled outside.

LABOUR SHORTAGE. I Why G.W.R. Cø's Local I Enterprises Were Suspended. The annual report of the Great Western Railway Co., which will is submitted at the annual meeting on Thursday next, has I just been issued. j Of local interest is the explanation that the shortage of labour aId the difficulty of obtaining materials hare continued to retard the progress of new works in hand, the construction of the" Qydach, Pontar- dawe and Cwmgorse Railway having been entirely suspended under in order of the Ministry of Munitions, wrh a view to the utilisation of the men and. materials for other of national ini3oTtance. An other works of national importance. An application has been mace to the Board of Trade under the Special Acts (Exten- sion of Time) Act, 1915, br an order ex- tending > the time for the Construction of certain authorised works, and the acquisi- tion of additional lands, the powers for which would have expired in the current year. The directors retiring by rotation are Sir S. Ernest Palm^ Bart., Mr. T. Robins Bolitho. Mr. Enest H. Oimard, Mr. Charles* Mortimer, And Mr. Joseph I Shaw, all of whom offer themselves for re- election. Mr. Stanley laldwin having joined the Government, :M1. Joseph Shaw, K.C., has replaced him on the directorate. The statement of accounts, in the modi- fied form approved by the 3oard of Trade, ioas. that the receipts r-ere £ 1^10,744, compared with £17,369,()87ti 1916. The ex- penditure amounted to 113.210,438, com- pared with £ 11,823,490. Added to the re- ceipts is an iteni for X4t8?li3, making a total income of £ 6,048,179. After addin,, and deducting for appropriation certa-in other items, the babJlce available for dividend on ordinary stock is 92,380,763, which exceeds the previous year's amount by 930,000. The interim dividend of S2 per cent., which was paid on t'he ordinary stock for the half-year ended the 30th. June, 1917, absorbed 2741,644. This eaves a balance or 91,639,119, which. wil admit of the payment of a dividend of S3 15s. per cent. for the half year ended .he 31st Decem- ber, 1917, making S5 15s ftr the year, with a balance carried .forwaid of 9248,536.

GERMANY'S FOOD. I Lieut. Percy Shuttlewcbd, of Swansea, has accepted an invitation of the Royal Society of Arts to lecture on April 17 on the food situation in Germany. Mr. Shuttlewood has made a ¡'!)oc.al study of the food situation in the Central Empire. After serving in France lor nearly three years, he was invalided ott with the rank I of hon. lieutenant on accoint of wounds.

LABOUR'S GIFT TO U.S.A. I The King and Queen, uooorapanied by the Prince of Wales and Princess Mary, paid a visit to the Couniy Hall, Spring- gardens, on Thursday, to nspect a bronze panel representing the "Triumph of Labour which has been ires en ted by the British Trade Union Omnrress to the American Federation of Labour to be placed in the latter's newoffices in Wash- iri £ fton. '4

KAISER READY FOR PEACE WANING INFLUENCE DIRE PLIGHT CF THE AUSTRIAN EiaPlfiE Acoording to Mr. W. P. Simms, repre- senting. the United Press of America at Zurich,, the Kaiser has openly declared that President Wilson's terms are rea- oonable enough to form the basis of nego- tiations. The Emperor Wilhelm, however, i6 without influence. While- he is openly opposed to the extreme attitude into which the war p*t 'v is leading the Empire llindenburg and Ludendorff are his abso- lute masters. It is announced that Count Czerdin, the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister, will reply on Saturday to President Wilson's speech. KING KARL'S HOPE. -1 The Austrian Emperor, in a proclama- tion to his people giving thanks for the L kraine peace, expresses his hope that a general peace will soon be granted to suffering humanity. He speaks of the sincere peace policy which we have pur- sued with indefatigable perseverance." Cpunt Czernin in his recent speech stated that no peace could be made by the Central Powers which did not re-establish the position as before the war both for Germany and Turkey-which would mean the return of all the German oolonie& and of the occupied Turkish provinces, the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to Franoe, and I the disappointment of Italy's claims. The plight of Austria is known to be desperate, and the peace with Ukrainia has raised great hopes in the empire. The grip of Germany on' Austria is strong. It now remains to be seen how far Count ¡ Czernin may be able to modify the situ- ation. RESTIVE POLES. Stockholm. February 13.—It is believed that neither the Russian nor the Austrian Poles are likely to tolerate the handing over of the ancient Polish district of Kholm to the Ukraine, a measure which they regard as the beginning of a fourth partition oi Poland. Reports as to a re- bellion having already Broken out at Wax* saw may be premature, but there seems no doubt that they reflect an imminent pos- sibility.—" The Times." STILL ON THE FENCE. I German newspapers are pointing out to the Fatherland that rejoicings over tlbe Ukraine peace may be premabure. Russia it is recognised, is still on the fence, and the situation is such as to necessitate fur- ther conferences between the war lords and the political chiefs.

AFRAID OF RAIDS. I I .0 German Authorities Reassure I Citizens. The fear of air raids in the Rhine dis- tricts of Germany is shown by a report in the Cologne Gazette of a conference at German Headquarters of representa- tives of West and South Germany. The military authorities told the delegates that there was no reason for uneasiness, and declared to be unfounded the opinion that is widely held that Americans will invade Germany with a large number of powerful aeroplanes. 1

TRANSFER OF MINERS.1, Coal Controlldr's Scheme I Before the Federation. A meeting of the council of the South Wales Miners' Federation was held at the 1 Central Offices, Cardiff, on Friday, to consider the Coal Controller's scheme for the transfer of miners from places where unemployment is rife to other collieries and other industries, such as shipping, shipbuilding yards, etc. The application of the Anthracite Dis- trict for the convening of a South Wales miners' delegate conference to consider the proposed additional combing-out." At the time of writing, the local dispute at Gwaun-cae-Gurwen Colliery, which is down for discussion, had not been reached.

TWO MYSTERIES. Bafffting Problems for I Oswestry Police. Two mysteries are engaging the atten- tion of the Oswestry police. A military nurse who went on Tuesday to Oswestry from Hengoed, just outside the borough boundary, to have her uni- fdtni fitted, did not return, and on Wed- nesday night two woodmen found her I with her throat cut, in a lane near Hen- goed. She was alive, and was taken to hospital, and it is hoped that she wil! recover. The second case is that of a soldier named Thomas, who was found with his throat cut at West Felton, just outside the borough. It is understood that he had been home on iurlough, and a ticket for Southampton was found on him. When he regained consciousness in hos- pital, where he was conveyed by game- keepers, he was unable to give a coherent account of himself, beyond stating that be had been wandering about for a week.

RADIUM AND CANCER. I Although the description "cured" is still cautiously excluded from the vocabu- lary of specialists in the treatment of cancer with radium, an increasing num- IxH* of cases are now reported free from the disease.

3LAZJN.G TRAIN PANIC. t Zurich, Thursday.—A crowded pas- senger train from Stanislav to Lemberg* Galicia, caught fire on Saturday at mid- night between Jezupol and Vodniki. The train was brought to a standstill on the bridge over the Dneister, when panic en- sued, and many passengers jumped from the .carriages and were drowned in the river. Many others were burned to death.-Reuter. I I

PONTARDAWE BALL. I There was a large attendance at a fancy dress ball at Pontardawe under the auspices of the British Workers' League. The prize-winners were:—Ladies: 1, Miss Essex Davies, Trebanos (Indian); 2, Miss Owen, St. Thomas (Billiards); gentlemen: 1, Mr. C. Andrews, Ystradgynlais (Duke); 2. Mr. D. R. Williams, Pontardawe (Uncle Sain). The M.C!s were Mr. An- drew Davies (POntardawe) and Mr. Sid I' Mainwariyg (Swansea), and the accom- panist was,M,r. Stenley Croker (Swansea). _:r"" ;I: :0: 2:?!

STILL AT WAR. Germany's Attitude to Russia. Copenhagen, F rid ay.—The "Berlin Tageblatt learns that the most im- portant question at the German Headquarters meeting was am to whether the Russian truce existed or not. The Berlin opinion is that on the expiration ox the stipulated' tiiric I war was automatically reèommencr-d. Moreover 'the Russian demobilisation order was repeated the same day, and demobilisation did not take place.— Exchange. MINERS' « COMB-OUT." At a meeting of the South Wales Miners' Federation Sir A. in- timated by letter that the recruiting authorities were considering the best means of t effectively and expe- v ditiously combing out miners from. I South Wales collieries. FOOD COMMiTTEE'S MEETING, Swansea Food Committer to-day creased the WTg*<9 of 11 clerks, and others will be dealt with. Mr. Evans said lie believed butter was beifig sold thyough the post at llhs. for £1. AGENT'S WILL. Estate of the late Mr. J. Bewitt Jenkins. Mr. John Blewitt Jenkins, of Glen- thorne, Sketty-road, Swansea, ship broker and minerals agent 'and sales- man, of the firm of Messrs. J. B. Jen- kins, and a surveyor and architect and estate agent of the 'firm of J. Blewitt ¡ Jenkins and Sons, who died on Jan- I uary. 3rd last, at Tenby, leit estate of the gross value of £ 10.025 If)f. 7d., of Probate of Ilii5 will has been granted to his widow, Mrf. Annie Maria Jen- kins. The testator left his interest In his business as to tT^-tbirds to his son Harold, and to hi-, son Regi- nald, and all ct-her of hi? estate he left to his wife absolutely. TO-DAY'S ITALIAN OFFICIAL. To-dar*& It-ctli,1D ..f'fJ:U:L d.. .COM?ER?-O?-?? Wr. iigl?ng ae-??t.??j?? t,-? wbole r BUTTER MABKET. f: Friday.—Firsts and seconds, —; no official prices fresh butter. .METAL MARKET. London, Fdday.-CQpner. 110 to 110? cash and three months. Tin 322 to 323% cash; 319 to 320 three months. Foreign lead. Z%- 28;. Spelter. 54—50.

COMPETITIVE CONCERT. A competitive concert was held at Eben- ezer Schoolroom Swansea on Thurdsay j evening. Chairman, Mr. W. James (Goed- weg); adjudicators. Rev. Llynfi Davies and Miss L. M. Richards: accompanists. Mrs. Arthur James and Miss Lizzie Williams. AwardsPianoforte solo (under 10), Mise Bhiaimoa James; solo (under lz), Miss Iris Williams: Pianoforte solo (under i8). Miss Rhiannon James; recitation (under *10). Edna Lloyd: pen and ink sketch (open). Hi* E/ James; handwriting (nnder :£), Olive Williams; solo (under 18). Miss Jennie Rees; solo (boys under 18). Freddie Lloyd: recitation (under 16). Gwennie Davies: trio (under 16), Iris Williams. E. Rees, and Bernard Jones; essay on Spring" (under 18). divided between Maurice Williams and Jack Jones: dialogue, divided between Ber- nard Jones and Gwennie Davies. Iris Wil- liams and J'ack Owen, and Winnie Owens and May Rees; children's ohoir (8). con. ductor Mr. Georee laorcl- ,¡

I PER TAG." .a- ENEMY OFFENSIVE WHICH FAILED TO MATERIALISE (From Press Association Special Correspondent.) War Correspondents' Head- quarters. France, Friday. This is the day upon which, according to some German newspapers of about a fortnight ago, the grand offensive was to start upon the Western front. This morning's repoiAs from -the battle line are unanimously couched in terms of all quiet." save for the u-sual bursts of artillery fire. If the Huns were coming either to-day or to-inorrow they would find our men all ready to receive them. Although a very great deal has been said nowadays as to what the Germans are doing, coupled with much speculation as to their intentions, very little is being told about our preparations. There need be no hint of misgiving upon this point. Ail through the winter the British Army has been working, perhaps as never be- iore. to be ready to meet the worst the Germans can do. The complete evidence we continue to get of the manner in which the Germans are imitating details of our methods forms the most convinc- ing testimony conceivable to the wonder- ful efficiency of our military machine. 1-

U-BOAT TRAPPED. Towed Into Port Like a Blooming Fish." Amsterdam February 14.—A Dutch cor- respondent has received from a German eaiior interned in Holland a lively account of his first and last adventure in a German submarine. Alter being interned in England for a short time, he mpde good his escape with a feilow-prisoner in a small boat, and was picked up by a German submarine near .the English coast. Soon after the sub- marine sighted some fishing vessels, but their curious movements caused the Ger- mans to suspect a submarine trap. and they dived. They proceeded slowly sub- merged. but presently the screw began to beat irregularly, and the commander oould not make out what had happened. After about two hours the water seemed curiously otill, and as it felt as if they were making no headway the commander decid-ed to come to the surface. When they emerged, they were alongside a quay full of laughing faces of British naval officers and bluejackets. They wetv safely in a British port— i Just towed in like a blooming fish," said the German.

TWO BROTHERS. Soldiers Who Lived and Died Together. A series of remarkable coincidences -s brought to light by the death of two brothers in France—Waller :ía2"5 and Thomas Maggs, says the South London Press. The men were left orphans at an early age, and were ed ucated at the Printers' Orphanage. Olie became a printer and the other a compositor, and both worked in the same firm. Both had good voices and frequently sang duets. They married two sisters. Were married together on Christmas Day, 1915. Took up residence in adjoining flats in Brixton. Both joined the London Regiment to- gether. Went to the front together. After 21 months' fighting side by sade minf- hoe-it on leave together in De- cember last. Returned to the front on December 29, and on January 19 were both killed by the same shell. i ——————

I GERMAN BODIES FOU/NDf Copenhagen, Thnrsday.-A message from Malmo to the National Tidende Eay that on Tuesday and WodaesdaT Swedish fishermen encountered large numbers of corpses of German marines clutching a lbir-ge life buoy. The hodies had only been in the water a short time. —Exchange.

JUVENILE JOSTLERS. Two lads were finffi 10s. e ek-h at t b Llanelly juvenile court on Thursday for jostling foot passengers on a Sunday even- ing, and the presiding magistrate (Mr. R. W. Evans) said the Bench were deter- mined to suppress the horse-play that was on the increase In the town.

WOMEN AT THE DOCKS. -1 Margaret Jones (41) and Catherine Reas (27), both married women, were fined t5 or 30 days at Swansea, on Friday, for be- ing found within the area of the Prince of Wales. Dock. on Friday without a pass. P.S. Squires (Harbour Police) said he found the women at one o'clock in the morning with some soldiers.

NEARLY A HUNDRED. Death of Oldest Resident of Llansamlet. The death occurred on Friday morning of Mr. Daniel Williams, the oldest in- habitant of Llansamlet. He was over flC years of age, and had held the Heol- ddu Farm up to a few years ago, when .he relinquished it to his son, Mr. Wm. Williams. Deceased leaves a very large and highly respected family, amongst whom was the late Mr. David Williams, of the Park, Gowerton, colliery pro- prietor. Other members are Mrs. Abra- ham, Alexandra-road, Swansea, and also Mr. D. Williams, Birchgrove.

WALES AS A CENTRE. Principai Griffiths on Celtic Study. Principal E. H. Griffiths addressed the Court of Governors of the University Col- lege, of Wales for the last tizttA as Prin- cipal on Thursday, stating his Views on Nationalism in Education. He thought the race charaoterisitbs of a nationality should be encouraged. (Hear, hear). He believed it was wise to encourage our young people to bring their Welsh char- act-ertetics with tlieni into «v«ry task they had to face. (Hear, liear). He recognised that the language which a man learned at his mother's knee must be to him throughout life the language of; affection and religion. (Applause.) He was aware that there was a great Welsh literature, although this was a matter he could only judge by hearsay, and that in Celtic studies there were opportunities for research and achievement. CENTRE FOR CELTIC STUDY. At intervals there had been a cry, and recently from influential quarters, that Welsh should be made compulsory in the University of Wales. He believed that! any such step, on account of the opposi- tion it would raise, would defeat the ends of thoee who were most anxious to quicken interest in all matters connected with the Welsh language. (Hear, hear). Wales ought to. become the great centre for Celtic study. Principal Griffirths added that until the Welsh colleges were better equipped it could not be said that young Welshmen had -equal opportunities ¡th. the students of most of the English pro- vincial universities, especially if they. ,were of a scientific bent.

HOSPITAL SHIP FIRE. Toulon, Thursday.—A fire broke out on board the hospital ship Asie, which was lying in the roadstead here yesterday. All possible measures were taken to I the fire under control, but it was fed hy siocks of hospital material on board.— Router.

HAYDNS" REATION." Fine Performance at Ammanford. The Ammanford Christian Temple Choral Society under its gifted conductor CUr. Gwilym'R. Jones), gave, on Wed- nesday night at the Palace Theatre, a performance of Haydn's Credtion." The choir was assisted by Madame Laura Evans-Williams (soprano), Mr. Spenoer Thomas (taaor), and Mr. Herbert Brown (baritone), together with an efficient orchestra, drawn largely from Brritani- man, and Mr. Geo. 1. Thomas, L.L.C.M. Bett.ws, as accompanist.. Every available inch of accommodation was taken up by an audience which passed from a severely critical attitude into one of boundless admiration of the great masterpiece and its presentation. This was far and away the best perform- ance given by the society. The choir con- sisted of about 150 voices, which were well blended, and there was that power and restraint exhibited in the various choruses which did credit to both choir and cond actor. Very little was left to be desired, notably in The Heavens are Teili ng and "Achieved is the Glorious Work." The artistes, individually and collec- tively, did well. and quite fulfilled the high expectations. Madame Laura Evans-Williams showed herself possessed of a charming voice, and she won golden opinions,-while Mr. Spenoer Thomas, who, by the way, is a discharged soldier, was j also responsible for some pleasing rendi- I tions. The magnificent bass singing of Mr. Herbert Brown was a feature of the performance. The efficient orchestration also very materially contributed to the success. In submitting a vote of thanks at the close, Mr. T. M. Evans. M.A., and Mr. Rhys Thomas, Brooklands, extended warm thanks to the conductor upon the successful issue of his labours. The announced chairman, Mr. Guy de Warren, M.E., F.G.S., was unavoidably absent, but ho -ent a handsome donation, and the whole proceeds of the event go to the Christian Temple Remption Fn. ,ii-  '?. ;?..?3???a???

TO-DAYS WAR RESUME Leader Office, 4.50 P-m- German artillery was active last night against our front lines in the Queant sector. During patrol encounters in the neigh- bourhood of Lens we took some 1 oners. An attack yesterday evening by a German raiding party on the Belgian coast, east of Merckem, was repulsed. Bolo Pasha has been found guilty of es- pionage in France and sentenced 1 death. According to an ^mtiix*n writer = Zurich, the Kaiser has openly declared that President Wilson's terms are rea- sonable enough to form the basis of me- gotiations. The British Fleet, according to M. Marcel Hutin, urgently desires that the Ger- mans should attempt a sea offensive. The sea front, he 6ays, is watched with the same vigilance as the land front. is A repared for a new enemy often- sive. The weather conditions will, of course, have a great influence OL. the enemy's intentions, but Italy is confi- tierit in the ability of her troops to with- stand the onslaught. 4

WAR WIDOWS. j '1 o 1 How Swansea Citizens' Union is Helping. j There is nothing more pathetic in the trail of war than the lot of the widow and the orphan. In Swansea fe have al- ready about 600 war widows and 1,500 fatherless children, under the age of 14. Their natural protectors have given tiheir for us, and to care lovingly for those that are left is the least that we can do; but this is a duty impeiative. The Swansea Citizens' Union, of which Lady Lyons is president, and Mrs. W. \Yatkin Williams secretary, are endea- vouring on their own, and on behalf, to meet these obligations. Since January lBt' wives of soldiers and soldiers' widows, with other ladies of the Citizens' Union; have met regularly on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons in the Central Hall for the purpose of making children's gur- ments. They are doing the work, but want financial assistance from the rest of na. All materials have lisen tremendously ia cost, and of late funds have come in very slowly. The position is that the Citizens" Union wants 1250 immediately for dress material and for boots, and to provide it, are organising a Flag Day in Swansear next Saturday. The amount required is really small, and we fed sure that none who grasp the significance of the situation will allosv this opportunity to pass without a liberal contribution. Morriston has its Flag Day for the same imperative object, on the following Saturday. = ii

LLOYD'S BANK. I Business Requirements After the War. At the 60th ordinary general meeting of the shareholders of Lloyds Bank, Ltd., Sir Richard V. Vassar-Smith, Bart. (chair- man of the board of directors) moved the adoption of the report, which disclosed an available profit of 21,463,125 and recont- mended a àhridend at the rate of 18i per cent. per annum, lees income tax. The chairman said, taking into consideration the enormous shifting of capital oc- casioned by war demands, it was remark- able how well the market had borne the year's strain, aiid how little it h&d beeib disturbed. The subscriptions through. Lloyds Bank for public issues amounted to £ 103,0W,000. The values of the import and export trade during the year were highi and extraordinary, but owing to the ab- normal conditions it was not possible tot form any comparative basis upon them. I' The report upon the iiome trade wed necessarily limited, as the Government were prodctically governing the production of the country. In the existing circum- stances'Government control was doubtless necessary, and might have to continue for some time during resettlement after the conclusion of the war, but he hoped it might not be long and that business might as quickly as possible resume proper con- d tion-s. As to o,fT<ei war conditions all the •proposals pointed to two essential require- ments—greater industry and production and strict economy. We must have better organisation of our industries aad her- mony between capital and labour, botii working in the national interest. We must, where necessary, protect our home markets and increase our foreign mar- bets. The recognition of industry aawl commerce and agriculture as important factors in the prosperity of the country was now admitted by Parliament and would doubtless receive more attention in the future. Lately two important steps had been t?ken. One was the formatim of an intelligence department for hn- proving the Consular service and obtain- ing information with regard to foreign markets, and the other the reorganisa- tion of the Bo; d of Trade by a division, into two departments, one dealing with industry and commerce and the other with the administration of public serw vices. « j The repo-d. j, r

YSTRADGYNLAIS DIVORCE. m In the Divorce Court on Thursday. Mr. Justice Lush granted the petition of John Evans, a miner, of Ystradgynlaig, for a di,"orce from his wife, Jane Evans, on the ground of her alleged adultery with a cinema proprietor, Thomas Ward, at Mil. ford Haven.

I VALLEY LICENSES. At Ystradgynlais annual Licensing Ses- sions on Thursday. Mr. G. H. Strick pre- siding, Deputy Chief Constable Jone6 re- j ported that there were 27 licon^d houses in. the district and two clubs. During 1917 there was only one conviction for drunkenness as against 15 in 1916. All the licenses were renewed with the exoep- < tion of the Gough Arms, which was de-I l ferred for alterations. The Chairman congratulated the police. licensee?, and public upon the "good be- > haviour. He felt that the new orders | had a good effect upon decreasing drun. ,? k. ness in the district, and he also be- j hc-ved that the war had a sobering efft 1 in a general .,f./