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[No title]
"When Mr. Lloyd George took his seat at the Council of Tea on Thursday morning. Marshal Foch and the military and n'l\'al experts of the Allied and Associated Powers were also present. The agenda included two proposal, the fir.-1 being that brought tor- ward by thj American Delegation uniting the various Commissions to formulite pro- pos Js with a vi?w tcT the final adoptiou of & Peace Treat, .md the second thc report of the Military. Naval, and Aerial experts ou the Conditions to be imposed on Germany." He foregoing is an extract from a report of the Paris Conference published on Friday. It indie ites the stage; reached four months after the armistice, which provisionally terminated hostilities between the armies and navies of the belligerent Powers. It is also a pronouncement of judgment upon n process of peace-making dangerously slow and ineffective, having regard to the tragic conseouences of delay. The dynastic an autocratic methods of other days had their flagrant defects; but, measured by the con- sequences, these were not more deplor-tble than the demo?fitic methods of 1919. If at the Conference of Vienna diplomatists of the old school wrangled and schemed in secret whilst Napoleon, bv escaping from Elba., re- duced to futility their arrangements, we have the Paris Conference of to-day in the full blaze of publicity dillying and dallying week after week -tijd month after month whilst swift-marching events are threatening to make many of the decision* abortive. A writer in "Truth points out how the mishandling of the situation produced by the armistice—as evidenced in the fact that four months have been occifpied in work which could have been accomplished in as many days if reasonable forethought had been devoted to it--cfoErates disadvanta- geoi,sly to all in the case of Germany. Had the terms of peace been thought out before- hand and promptly enforced, "with provi- sion for immediate disarmament and the Maintenance of order in Germany, while the other questions that the Allies have been wasting time over in Paris were deferred till Oeimany herself was satisfactorily disposed of. a preliminary and provisional peace treaty could have been concluded before Christmas, with vastly better securities for its permanent observance than we can obtain now. The blockade could have been raised; the people could have been fed and got to work the new Oovernment could hav been saved from ..11 those influences which are now threatening its existence; and Germany might have been by this time a co-operator in the restoration of order in Europe, in- stead of a new centre of disturbance and un- easiness." talk oil the su b ject But in spite of a!l the talk on the subject peace came nd found us unprepared for peacemaking, as war had come and found us unprepared for making war. The Allied Governments simply would njt, or could not, settle in a dvance \dmt they were going to 'do nexk when Germany threw up the sponge. And when that event occurred they could think of nothing better than to devise en the spur of the moment such military and naval conditions as would free them from fear of a renewal of 'the war, while they sat -down at leis ire to")disc\iss what they ought to ha ye settled monthsbofore, leaving Ger- many to go to the devil, regardless of the probable results to themselves, and regard- less 6f the fact that Russia had already gone to the same destination."  For all the time tint the plenipotentiaries ? are setthng their programme the political condition of Germany is visibly goin/! from ? bad to worse. The domestic dimcnitles of the Berlin Government" increase day by day. Discontent and disaffection grow more gene- ral and violent. The may be worsted when th come into collision with the Government forces, but as soon as they are overpowered in one place they break out in another, and Bolshevism' on the ap- nroved Russian model is manifestly spread- ing. And it must be remembered that Spar- taciste are not the only enemies the Govern- ment has to fear. Ail this time the reac- tionaries are watching and waiting their op- portunity. Prussian Junkerdom is not likely to go down for good without a struggle, when the opportunity looks favourable, and there is the ex-All-Highest conveniently placed just across the frontier, no doubt watching, too, and probably not wholly idle. i't adds: "We have the recent example of Russia to warn us against .accepting the first phase of a revolution as the last; and we know—or ought to know, for it has been demonstrated by official inquiry on behalf of the Allies-tiiat the masses in Germany are suffering acutely from shortage of food and lack of employment—the normal causes of disaffection when a Government is shaky and confronted by determined opponents. Hence the general strikes and the spread of Bolshe- vism. In Austria we have the same causes pro- ducing the like effects. The special cor- respondent of the "Morning Post" at. Vienna records the view of All the British and American investigators that, barring some direct strong-handed interference from Paris, Austria, stripped, exploited, and strength-sapped, must simply drift be- neath complete German domination. "To be. gin with, something must be done, and done qiiickly. The food conditions alone would .force action. /With the Czecho-Slovak frontier absolutely closed, with the Hunga- rian barriers likewise up, with such surplus ^applies aa the Swiss may have traded to Germany for coal. literally nothing is com- ing into Austria, and the people are thrown back entirely upon home-grown products. But. at least during the hst part of the war, all agriculture in the country fell to a very low ebb. Long since all the herds of the grazing laiids have been killed off, and the only article of food widely avail- able is cabbage. The result is that. rul- though certain rural districts are taking care of themselves, the centres of popula- tion are in a state of starvation." Energy, alertness, speed, the qualities demanded by the situation, are precisely those most conspicuously absent from the proceedings of the Par-is Conference, where speeches, discussions, interviews, and the inquiries of commissions and committees go on interminably whilst the actualities are slipping away beyond the control of the plenipotentiaries. It would appear as if history were destined again to repeat itself OIl the same scene. In the last decade of the eighteenth century statesmen and politicians in this same Paris wrangled and debated v-hnlst precious time went by and a starving and impatient people were ripen- ing for a great upheaval that made a { iiiuekerv of Sieves and other elaborately conceived constitutions, which, whatever their merit, had the fatal .defect that they did not march—could not keep pace with the hot desires of suffering humanity. The excessive deliberation and extreme leisureliness of a Peace Conference that pradicaUv suspends its functions for a Genera! Election in Great Britain, die- j tated by political strategy, and later, so that ?hg American President may cross and j recross the Atlantic to consult his sup- porters. bave their tragw significance for ud as well as for the inhabitants of enemy countries, it is not only consideration for the latter that inspires the wish that the peace-makers may make haste with their responsible task." The prolonged uncer- tainty is altogether bad in its influence upon the temper of our soldiers and civilians alike,- because the former are concerned with the termination of the1r servitude, and the latter realise how detrimentally all indus- trial activities are affected by 'uncertainty. The thoughtful also know that such reliet a-s mav be expected from the recovery, in Part at least, of ,he costs of the war from the countries which made it, is only pos- sible, if and when order has been restored to the kifr-ff. Stable and responsible gov- ernments established, the wheels of indus- try set turning and the soil made to yiLd its harvest. The peoples of Gennany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, and Bulgaria have to produce any indemnity imposed upon them before they can pay it; the wages of an unrighteous war have to be earned before they can be gathered by the victors from the vanquished. The conviction is penetrating the national consciousness that we are muddling, through the peace as badly as we muddled through the war, and that there is a real peril in consequence of the fe.1.r being justified of the fruits of victory won on land and sea be- ing lost at the congress table. It is only when the impartial historian, diagnosing i the facts in a spirit of detachment, deals ttdequately with the great world war, that the full measure of our muddling will be guaged. The South African war yielded its lessens, but most of them were misunder- stood and therefore misapplied. It was supposed to have put an end to infantry attacks in dose formations; given a new lease of life to cavalry, and demon- strated the efficacy of shrapnel. Whereas the most successful advaaiees of the Ger- mans, and later of the French and British, were effected by massed infantry cavalry on both sides had mainly to hold watching briefs, and when in a-cticn was easily held by machine guns, and an inordinate faith in shrapnel 'nearly cost us our old army and brought almost irreparable disaster upon British arms in France and Flanders. The politicians who were responsible for it and their hteraoy and other friends, have sought to beguile the public from the reali- sation of our unpreparedness for the war by the repetition of unctuous reference's to the efficiency of the Navy and the indomitable prowess cf the Old Contemptibles." With regard to the naval aspect of the matter the frank disclosures and the honest confessions of Jellicoe have been necessary to furnish the needful correctives So far from being fit and ready for the fray the British Navy entered upon the war with battleships and battle-cruisers inferior to the German be- cause narrower of beam and therefore with less scope for armour and water-tight com- mrtments—ail unavoidab le defect arising from the failure to provide docks of ade- quate capacity--with a crippling shortage of light cruisers and destroyers, with shells that exploded upon impact instead of after-! the penetration of armour, inferior torpe- does and mines, and without the auxiliary aid of airships, which were invalu- able as scouts to the enemy. It was providence or "the luck of the Navy" which pulled us through; not the prescience of the politicians, but the superb quality of the men on the decks and under the decks a.nd behind the guns. Competent judges now knuw and freely confers—JelHcoe more freely than anyone eiz-e-tliat we held the seas by so narrow a mar-Tin in 1914-15, when our naval bases in the North Sea were all unfortified and our ships therefore always susceptible to submarine attack, that only the lack of enterprise on the part of the enernv* averted a possible disaster. Har>pily for us German naval strategy dictated the holding bacK of the High Fleet until, by under-water craft and other means, the Brit- ish warships had become so reduced in nam- j her as to offer a reasonable chance of vie- tory in a fleet act i on. Our capacity to build and man warships was under-estimated, nor was the inter- vent-ion of the Italian and American war- ships foreseen The mistaken strategy of I the enemy wss our salvation. It dis- couraged fleet actions which might ha.ve caused our original slight predominance to disappear discouraged attacks upon our de- fenceiees na'tt b??es and ports, and it ga?e us time to J?.'elop our resources and make good gradually the many shortcomings. But our naval power had not experienced so dose ar call since Trafalgar. ■■ And disaster at sea in the early days of the war would "have ipevitably involved an irreparable defeat for us and our Allies. It was the clear consciousness of this that compelled the caution of Jeiieoe and his re- lucta-nce to snatch at a great victory by offering hostages to fortune. He deJiber- atelv denied himself the NTolsoii touch "of j da-riu, because, uniike Nelson, he had no ileserves from which could be made good the losses in capital ships. The Jutland i fight was indecisive because Jellicoo dare not risk his ships to the attack of the suly- marine flotilla, which lie knew to be ap- proaching. If he had dared and lost another kind of Peace Conference might have met in Paris years ago. British naval pbmployed with cau- tion and husbanded with care, succeeded in holding the seas—it was touch and go uii-il Italy and, later, America came in—until the original Nary had been powerfully re-ii- forced by improved ships and implements of sea-warfare; until the inadequate and under-gunned Army, with its limited supply j of the wrong kind of shells,, had been re- placed by an extemporised force great in spirit but woefully deficient in experience; and until the exhausted resources of France had been replenished by the practically limitless resources of America. Even with the favour of fortune on the seas, where the skill, patience and endur- ance of our sailors compensated for mechan- ical defects, we came perilously near losing the war at several stages. In the Spring oi 1917 certain of the French armies, played upon by disintegrating, political influences, faltered and came near failing; the collapse of Russia created a situation that shook the confidence of the most optimistic amongst the Allied Statesmen, and the blow s-ruek at the Italian armies, under Cadorna, al- most proved fatal. The grand offensive launched by the Germans was less formid- able than it seemed for, even had Ludendorff. followed the heroic Course and attained his main objective by flinging in his last re- serves. we now know he had not the neces- sary power left to garner the fruits of victory. It was the gambler's last des- perate throw, and though it would, if suc- cessful, have galvanised into temporary live- liness the moribund war-spirit of the German people, the latter were too deeply sunk in torpor and apathy to endure the subsequent strain of a delayed Peace. In the realisation of perils past, we should find guidance for the iuture. But will we? America, the principal sponsor of a League of Nations as an instrument for averting war, betrays a limited faith in the efficacy of the latter by deciding to create a Navy intended to have no superior in the world. France, too, is unlikely to place her trust so implicitly in the League as to dispense with an Army capable of holding in check a possible enemy formidable in point of numbers. And for us, if the world-war has imparted any lessons at all, they surely in- clude this—which should be burnt deep into the public mind—that whatever Navy and Army afre deemed essential to the national security should henceforth not be allowed to become the sport Of politicians, but be made thoroughly efficient and. servicea,ble. Otherwise, it may happen that we shall muddle matters once too often.
CONCERT PAVILION TOI -CHURCH.
CONCERT PAVILION TO CHURCH. Acquisition by Swansea Catholics. Swansea Catholics of St. David's Parish have purchased the commodious building known as "Tom Owen's Pavilion," at the Mumbles, and will take over possession early n May. The community is a growing one, so many townspeople now residing in the seaside suburb, and the probability of so many more making their home there during the coming summer. It will be known by the same picturesque title as the little place of vorship the Dunns, the lease of which is expiring—"Our Ladv, Star of the --eas"and the purchase price wai ±31,480.
THE POST BAG. j
THE POST BAG. j Twelve shillings are being given for cats in Petrograd. Another chance for the development of a local industry. Ex-Councillor W. Laugharne .Morgan strayed into the Swansea Guildhall the other afternoon. Force of habit. <M-CX;XiXj.V Swansea, docksmen have their own par- ticular "dug out." And they dig them- selves well in at times, too. "We have not yet got the imagination I for bi,r things that- some authorities have." Co un. -'vlerreUs, at the Swansea Highways Committee). I A Swansea gentleman was asked if he would be willing to stand for the Town Council. He immediately inquired 'what he had done. Three years ago Mr. J. O. Roberts, secre- tary Swansea Schools' League, ordered referees' charts from the Football Associa- tion. They arrived to-day!! At Pontardawe Police Court, Mr. G. H. Strick said he wished he could add 100 per cent. war bonus to the fines for drunkenness. For dri-iklng Government ale, too! Foxes are causing damage in the neigh- bourhood of .LIane-lly, and a few days ago a number of chickens were killed at PwlL There are also complaints from Burry Foit. One effect of high prices is that they are stifling industrial development locally. No one is anxious to take risks in markets so uncertain and no one buys anything ahead. He gave his age on enlistment as 24 years, and was discharged at the age of 57 years," was the remark made about a soldier at Carmarthen Pensions Committee. The-late "Teddy" Bishop was, when playing for the All Whites, noted-end feared—for his drop-kicking. Anywhere near the he was a terror to his opponents. l In an American newspaper a gramophone firm advertises" that it sells records of Aberystwyth.' Tori y Botel,' '0 Mor Ber.' and Sospan Fach.' It is a striking conjunction. Smoking is permitted at one shipper's office at Swansea docks as a preventive to the "flu," and employer a.nd employed in- dulge in it to the full. It is understood so far no application has been received for liquid preventives. A defendant was so anxious to impress the Neath County Bench yesterday with his de- sire to comply with the letter o" the law that he exclaimed Yes, and like a jiff I got the dog license. Duw, I wasn't two minutes. But it cost 7s. 6d. all the same. ) Eggs were 3-,}d. apiece at Swansea on Fri- day. Hitherto it is recorded some local families have had to purchase on the co- operative principle and share an egg at a time. There were evident drawbacks to this arrangement as some participants ob- jected to getting the shells only. This is one way of pleading" Guilty" :— "De.ar Sirs,-It is with the extremest re- gret" that I confess my non-compiiaacp. with my statutory obligation but I am not with- out hope that your Worships will impose the lightest penalty that will satisfy fair justice in so trivial, one might almost say, technical offence." And ail this over a dog license. The Neath justices said Seven-and-six." Strikes on grounds of conscientious objec- tion-are even spreading to horses at Ystaly- feta collIeries. Charhe. a horae employed at one of the pits, has this week struck work as a protest, against, drawing tranis by means of the attachment known Ais a "gu.-I. Char- lie refuses to carry the "gun," but works quite willingly with the chain attachment. > j At the, Neath County Police Court an ex- citable lady ha<d just been fined 7s. 6d., for Kforgetting her dog license. And the genial Constable held up his hand for the specie. "Take it." tdie lady hissed; "but, mind you, 'twill do yoa no good.' BewaTf; Beware !!v And she houned from the court. Don't sup- pose the three half-dollars can do the officer j any good but 'tis hard lines to be ill- i wished" when he had nothiug to do with the ca.o;e I There me not many Churchpeople left who remember the good old days when fiddles and flutes were prominent instru- ments in the services. These old per- formers were in desperate earnest, too; witness the story of a church orchestra when the clerk gave out the anthem, "Who is the King of Glory!" and a voice rang through the church, Here. Tom, hand up the rosin; us'll soon let 'em know who's the King o' Giorv!" 1 \Five German field-guns were captured by the 16th Welsh Battalion Royal Welsh Fusi- .liers. One each has been offered to A ber- systwyth, Bangor, Carmarthen, Denbigh, and Llandudno. More men enlisted from Llanelly than from either of the above towns. Why is it (asks a correspondent) that Llanelly has not been offered a gun? The tinplate town is continually being over- looked in favour of Carmarthen, and yet the voluntary recruits from Llanelly exceeded the total male population of the County town. The successful working of the South Wales Tinplate Conciliation Board for nearly 20 years has borne fruit largely outside its or- iginal scope. Mr. Tom Griffiths, M.P., stated at the birth of the new Industrial Council of the trade at Swansea on, Friday that he had met Mr. Whitley, the chairman of the committee—after whom the Whitley Council schemes are named—in the House of Commons, and he had raid the tinplate trade the compliment of saying that the Whitley report was based on the valuable results of the South Wales Tinplate Con- | filiation Board's operations. It is signi- ilcant that throughout the whole existence of the Tinplate Board there has been an entire absence of any serious friction which previously caused con- siderable trouble throughout the trade. A Lover of Beauty (Swansea), though a mere man, approaching with deep humility any question affecting the eternal feminine, would put forth a plea I in the interests of the fair themselves. Just as Achilles of old was vulnerable in the heel, even so is the force of the most resplendent attire rendered void by the hole so often noticeable at the top of the back of the shoe. One's sympathy is aroused the more by the fact that, like to the bdy who in- spired Burns' immortal, Wad some power the giftie gie us. to see oursels as ithers see us,' and was ignorant of the circumstance, the modern wearer of the panoply of wealth, or its semblance is so often quite innocent of the blighting influence behipd. None knows better than the writer the chafing nature of the back of a shoe; hence this plea. Ladies! omit your breakfasts if time is short, but don't omit a careful inspection— a morning parade if you 1ikf the back of your hose." Well, now, if after that- More Pickings from Punch." í So much controversy has been caused by De Valera's escape from prison that there is some idea of getting him to go back and do it again. The owner of a mule found wandering at Walton-on-Thames is being advertised for. "Trooper," writing from Mesopotamia, says that if it had a portion of khaki breeching and a stirrup in its mouth it is probably the brute which slipped out of his hands about six months ago. Disturbed Burglar 'Sorl right, con- stable. I'm only 'avin' a gloat over me whist-drive prizes." Demobilisation Officer What is the n'un!.berot"your b'TOUP?" Private: "I don't know, sir. 1 was a turf accountant." Demobilisation Officer: "Ah! Agriculture —Group 1." Inspecting Officer Which is the most important nut on this lorry?" Driver (ex- infantry) "I am, sir." Catrtarrg Pearls.—Philistine (who has been dragged by wife to Jazz tea-shop): What is it they're trying to play, dear" Modern Wife "Oh, you wouldn't be any wiser—nothing out of 'The Bohemian
SHORT-LIVED LIBERTY
SHORT-LIVED LIBERTY ———— I 1 » lii»1 Escaped Americans Smartly Recaptured. DETECTIVE'S JUMP FROM TRAIN. Two Americans—one a soldier and the other a sailor who (as exclusively reported) escaped from the Swan- sea Central Police Station whilst being de- tained for the naval and military authorities, have been recaptured. The two men, it seems, exchanged clothes after their escape, the soldier wearing the naval uniform of the other man and the sailor donning ilie U.S. military tunic, etc. They appeared to have taken the Gower direction. for on Monday the Mumbles police received information that a. man answering the description of one of the two wanted had been seen, and after midnight Inspector Williams, Sergt. Wil- liams and P.C. Bevan went to a certain place at Kittle and there effected the arrest without trouble, the prisoner realising at a glance that resistance was useless. He was conveyed to Mumbles Police Station and during the early morning brought to Swan- sea and again lodged in the Central Station. Detective Juntos from Train. The arrest of the second man was smartly effected by Delictive Barry. It seems that the officer was on the Mumbles train when he saw his man on the road near Blackpill. He immediately jumped from the train, which was stopped, and arrested the man- the soldier wearing the naval uniform, who it is said looked surprised but offered no re- sistance. This prisoner was also brought to Swan- sea and again lodged at the Central Police Station.
TALE OF A TRUNK. !
TALE OF A TRUNK. Mother and Daughter Charged at Swansea. Girl Who Wore Stolen Clothes. At Swansea on Tuesday, Muriel Selina Evans (16) was charged with stealing a trunk containing clothes, value £ 28, from the Swansea Bay Hallway Station, and Swansea an d Ellen Annie Treloar (44), married, was charged with receiving the property, know- ing it to have been stolen. Mr. Henry Thompson said the trunk be- longed to Miss May Howells, of Gwauncae- gurwen, and was taken from the waiting- room. The younger defendant t-ook some [ clothes out of the trunk, went into a lava- tory, and came out wearing the clothes. De- fendant later attempted to sell the clothes, some of which were found at the residence of the elder defendant, who is the mother of the girl Evans. "If mothers were honest," said Mr. Thompson, "there would not be so much dishonesty in the children." Catherine Hopkins, of the Andrews' Lodg- ing House, Strand, said the girl Evans told her she got a boy to help her take the trunk from the station. It Wa3 Opened by a woman with a poker. Mrs. Cohen, wardrobe dealer, said' she bought a coat for 5s. from the younger de- fendant, who said her husband was in France and showed a wedding ring. Inspector James said the trunk was found; at Gocdwick Station in December, 1918. The younger defendant subsequently con- fessed her part in the affair. Both defendants pleaded guilty and wept* during the hearing. The Bench sent the elder defendant to prison for six weeks and adjourned the other case for a week to have the girl medically examined, the Chairman, remarking that the elder defendant's conduct was most dis- creditable and was partly responsible for the girl's downfall. >
"""iL"'"..j  HUSBAND, WIFE…
i L j  HUSBAND, WIFE AND I PRIVATE. Matrimonial Tangle at Llanelly. At Llanelly en Monday, Ellen Ann Jones, 25, Glanmor-terrace, Burry Port, applied for a maintenance order against her husband, Morgan Philip Jones, 17. Waterloo-street, on the grounds of desertion. Complainant said her husband had joined the Army and when he was in London he was keeing company with a girl who was a.1 so in. the Armv. When he came down last he said he did not intend to return to her. Crosit-examined by Mr-. Ludford, com- plainant said she had not seen the girl from London. She stayed at Pembroke Dock for a fortnight. Morgan Philip Jones said he came heme on special E,Ve and his wife admitted hav- ing committed adultery with a Private Ross and he had not cohabited with he: since. He was not friendly with a girl in I.ondon. Detective-Sergeant ITom Davies said he saw Ross in company with Airs. Jones on a Saturday evening behind the Greyhound Hotel and on the following morning arrested Ross as an absentee. He found the soldier c.n Sunday morning in the house of Mrs. Jones, who said. "I will tell you the truth. My separation allowance has been stopped. N,lv ,P p weat i i)ii ad -,iiiee I and having no money I sent Ross a wire. He has been sleeping here since. I intend to live with Ross at Pembroke Dock." Ross said, "We are cohabiting and I am going to make her an allowance." It was sta-tt divorce proceedings were likely to follow, and the Bench reserved their decision.
-! MISS DILLWYN TAKEN ILL…
MISS DILLWYN TAKEN ILL AT MEETING. At the Gower Guardians on Tuesday at Penmaen, Miss Dillwyn was taken seriously ill and was conveyed home. She was suf- fering from a severe cold on Monday, despite j which she made the journey.
ARCHITECT FOR SWANSEAj "RURAL.…
ARCHITECT FOR SWANSEA j "RURAL. (-, 1 T'I. Swansea Rural District Council on Tues- day further considered the appointment of architect and reduced the number of appli- cants to two, the final election to take place at a special meeting in a fortnight's time. —* 1 11 —»
SWANSEA WAR HOSPITALI CLOSES.
SWANSEA WAR HOSPITAL I CLOSES. At the end of this week Work at Swan- sea Y.M.C.A. Red Cross Hospital will finish, as orders have been received to "close down." For over four years very excellent work has been done there, and about 1,500 men have received the best of treatment.
I IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL ATI .GORSEINON.I
I IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL AT I GORSEINON. I Amid manifestations of deep sorrow the remains I of the late M'ss Olwen Annie Williams, fourth-, daughter of Mr. r.nd Mrs. W. Williams, "West- I vine," 41exaadra-road, Gorseinon, fMrs. Williams I being the -rg-anist of St. Catherine's Church), were laid to ust on Saturday, at (Penllerpaer I graveyard. fhe deceased lady, who had on )v been ill for a few davs. was well-known and hig-hl?- lespected in T: e district, being a member of the Girls' Friendly Society and Church Choir, also an ardent church worker The funeIal was a most iirpressive .e, the St. Catherine's Choir feel- ingly singing well-known hymns. The bearers were: Messrs. Thomas, Harold Davies, Emrvs. Borthwict;, nd Wilfrid Webb (members of the rb-itri. Tilt' rhief mourners were: Mr. and Mrs. Williams .father and mother) Misses Gwynne, Gladys, Jiesta, red Margery (sisters), r. Bowen Williams (cousin). The officiating clergy, were the Rev. D. A. Jonf-s, Curate, Gorsemon, and the Rer. W J. Arter, Peniler/aer. Mr. D. T Williams, organist 0. Holy Trinity Church, Gorseinon, placed the "Dead March" will- telling effect. The floral tributes were many and beautiful, including wreaths by dada and mamma, sister and brother, Uncle Jack nd Auntie Carrie, Uncle Pearce and Auntie J -i-gie, cross from the congregation of St. Catherine's, from the choir harp with a broken string, cross from Girls' Friendly Society, Miss Doris Hughes (Cameron' Stores), and Miss Griffiths, cross, flowers, Miss Mav Darke, and Miss Bidgood, staff of Mr. Emanuel Thomas (Swansea), -taff of Exchange Restaurant and Mr. Steer, Exchange; flowers.  Mr. G. The arrangements were carried cut by I*tT. G. Wilhs Mid Mr. Thomas Tbo&as. 1
[No title]
STOP PRESS. ]
WITH THE V.A.D'S.
WITH THE V.A.D'S. Striking Scene at Swansea I Ball. { BRILLIANT FUNCTION. The Albert Hall presented a striking scene on Monday evening at the V.A.D. ball, which was most successfully organised) by Major Geoffrey Moss and the committee, Mrs. Bertie Perkins, O.B.E Mrs. Stanley Jones. Mrs. Reggie Morgan, Mrs. Chas I Jenkins, Nurse Reid, Nurse Bellingham, Lieut. Ogle and Lieut. Grimes, the attendance being about 240. The decoration of the hall had been carried out by officers at Park Wern Hospit;ii and the scheme was quite original. The balcony was draped with primrose musiin, above which were hung hun- cheds of air balloons in many colours; flags a;so were suspended, while drapery with the Red Cross encircled the pilars, the general effect being very striking. Mr. Hulley's i Orchestra attended iijid played popular | dance music to a programme uf 19 dances. Major Moss made an admirable M. C. American officers now in Swansea were pre- sent aid man), of the wounded from Park Wern, who, lthough denied the privHege ei dancing, appeared to thoroughly enjoy the proceedings. The design on the programme was executed by Cadet. Todd, R.A. V.A.D. nurses came from Neath, Gower, Mumbles, and other districts and appeared principally ;n uniform, as well as the matrons of the various hospitals. Amongst others present were Commander and Mrs. Kirkhom, Mr. Lang Coath, Mr. and Mrs. Hazelton, Major and Mrs. Bertie Perkins, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Harvey, Dr. McDonald, Lieut. 0. Meley. Mr. and Mrs. C. Moxham, Major and Miss Reid, Major Isaac, Mr. and Mrs. "toho Andrew. The stewards who so ably assisted and contributed t? the enjoyment of the func- bon were Col. Dyson WiUiajns, Co?. Lan- caster, Major Perkins, T.D., Major Reid, Major Williams, Capt. Stanley Jones, Capt. Frank Thomas, Mr. C. C. Vivian. Mr. Charles Cleeves, Mr. Ernest Perkins, Dr. McDonald, Mr. A. Furneux. Dr. Albaii i Evans, Mr. Charles Jenkins, Mr. C. Peacock, Mr. Ernest Leeder, Dr. Cameron, Mr. Cuim, Mr. E. E. Morgan, Mr. Roger Bellingham, Lieut. O,i"iI Te-v, Mr. George Gash, Mr. fom Brader, Lieut. Grimies, Lieut. Ogle and Lieut. Excell. Mr. G. Matthews, Walter- road, catered and gave entire satisfaction. I some of the Cowns. I A few pretty evening gowns were notice- able in the following :— Mrs. Kirk ham was attired in a gown of white channeuse with an overdress of em- broidered black net: the corsage was banded with turquoise velvet and em- broidered in gold. Mrs. Stanley Jones was very becomingly attired ;n black satin and net. the bodice having an introduction of choice lace and a swathe of chenille flowers in goJd, blue and pink. Mrs. btoho Andrew chose a becoming gown of evtlii cl-iarrneuse. with a bodice of jet and aji introduction of rose silk em- broidered in gold and long black net sleeves. Mhss J. M. Davies wore a striking gown of black satin charmeuse with s leeves of jetted net and a corsage of gold tissue. I Miss E. King was wearing black net over silk with gold embroidery, the bodice hav- ing touches of turquoise velvet. Miss Chapman chose a gown of black net and silk, the bodice having d swathe of silk embroidered in gold. Mrs. LJ. Jones was dainty in 'ite satin veiled with embroidered black net, ti e bodice havjiur a swathe of sapphire blue satin embroidered in silver. Dr. Patchings was becomingly attired in black velvet and satin, the Dodice b(:Iillr trimmed with choice lace. Miss Ira Davies came in a frock of black Georgettee over Silk with a waistband and I vest told of cherry coloured velvet. Mrs. Haw ken wore a pretty gown of powder blue Georgettee with t.sneraient I sieeves embroidered in beads to match Miss M. Morris wore a smart frock of dove j ciepe de chene with a waist-belt of rose i silk. Miss Goldberg was striking in a gown of pale blue still charmeuse with sleeves of ninon and trimming of gold lace and fnnge. Mrs. -Hooper chose a striking gown of lilids Georgett-ce with a trSniing of Miss V. Williams' frock of black net over silwr tissue and trimming of jet wa.s very STJlIU:t. Mrs. Gregor was dainty in white crepe iieLvii hoice lace and a waistbeit of Torpk k Mrs. Can n, in a gown of b?ck velvet with   tis*ue ^tessei trimming, was Miss Graham was wearing a frock of pow- der blue crepe de chene with a pointed tunic and belt of gold tissue. Miss was attired in black ninon over silk with a swathe of emerald silk. "JOAN."
A PENNY RATE.
A PENNY RATE.  Swansea and University Levy. 1 At the Swansea ??"??°° Committee on Mon- day Mr TJ iD Director ? Education, sub- mit" ted rpnn • reSj fT"ce to a communication tothe Lord Mayor of Cardiff containing certain propositions ;n regard to the proposed ?- for University education in Wales. A penny rate from each local Authority towards the reor??sation of the Welsh UniveMi??? focal Ar.tV conference at Sh?ew?burv, sub' Ct to local Authorities having more '-epreseuMti?. and it was nun pon this point the views of the ?———— Authority were asked.
COMBINED ACTION.
COMBINED ACTION. South Wales Bakers and Stale Bread. The South Walers have decided upon combined action against further carrying out the stale bread' clause of the Food Order. They say that the 12 hours clause is now no longer necessary and that it is impossible to find the storage accommodation for keepino, bread Until it is 12 hours' old.
-.NEW NEATH CONCERN. I
NEW NEATH CONCERN. I Ihe followng has been registered—West Wales Horse Slaugmermg; and Manure jVIanufa.cti.innc; V—Private company. Ca'piial, .fS,000 in Cl ares. As title; also the business of hide, skin, tallow., bone, and wool brokers, tanners, and feiimorgers. The subscribers (each with one share) .de :-M. T. Price, TheWaverley, 9. Parade, «^3.th, farmer, and \V. Price, Danvlan Farm, Neath -armer Table: "A" mainly applies. solicitor: T E. Bevan-, a, New-street, Neath.
I LESS HOURS, iiI
I LESS HOURS, iiI Experts' Opinion at Coal Commission. PROFIT AND WAGES LAST YEAR. At the sitting of the Coal Commission on Tuesday, Mr. Lowes Dickinson, financial adviser to the Coal Controller, submitted a document; showing that, on the annual b.vsis, the profits of the owners from January to June last year, after deducting royalties, were twenty; millions sterling, as against nine millions sterling from July to September of the same year. The total earnings in wages for the comparative periods were 144 millions, as against 157 miJli"Jls. The -.vage: worked out at L149 and CI69 respectively. Sir Richard Redmayne. H.M. Chief In spector ot Mines, gave evidence as to the ap proximate reduction in output consequent. on reducing the hours. He said that the erious effects prognosticated bv I The Eight Aours' Act were not realised. The Act led to a higher state of organisation in lowering and raising the men, which probably led to no decreasH in the time worked and to no reduction in output. All things considered, he gave 20 per cent. as a safe and conservative figure to represent the immediate leduction in out- puit from the proposed reduction in working j hours. He believed the ultimate reduction would be considerably less, and he was of the that stoppages In collieries might be met by a system of posting pri- vately-owned wagons and by an improved method' of stacking. Absenteeism had de- creased during the war, and he expected a further decrease in t. Sir Richard added that it was generallv accepted that the system of individual ownership of c-ollieries was extravagant and wasteiul, whether regarded from the point of view, oi industry or t-ho nation. That was A somewhat daring statement, W-i- i,„ J 1 KuL. piepartu xo stand by it. 11: conduced to cat-threat competition be- j tween owners in selling coal and was a i preventative of the purchase of materials for carry ing. on separate enterprises at a price favourable to the coalou nei < State as Royalty-Owners. I The advantages of State ownership of royalties would mean that more equit- able terms could be arranged with the coalowners. Asked whether coal mines should be vested in the State. Sir Richard said he thought that ownership of coal, which was at present vested in the hands of iiidii-iduals who were called royalty- ovtners, might probably with advantage be vested in the State. That was not to say that coal mines should be vested in the State; that was a matter which re- quired a good deal of consideration SWANSEA AND THE 'COM- MISSION. Although Major C. Harries went to Lon- don last week-end to give evidence before the Coal Commission i*e*garding the ant-hra, cit-e trade, he was not lied. It was ex- pecte he would give evideuce last Saturday morning', but the other evidence was pro- ceeded with. Major liatries has now re- turned to Swansea; he may expect an inti- matiun to attend to give evideuee any day. FIVE MILLION TONS Of American Coal for Italy. PARIS, Monday. According to information received in finan- cial quarters, the United States is willing to supply Italy with eoal on much more advan- tageous conditions than those offered bv the coal-owners of Wales. The difference in the, cost of freight is more than compensated for by the compara- tively lowaft.-st of the American coal at the mine" and for its transport to the ports of the Atlantic coast.—("Daily Telegraph" cor- respondent. ) ROME, Monday. According to the "Tempo," the Govern- ment has awarded a cÚntrac for supplying 5,000.003 tons of coal to the Kirev ?oS?d Iron Company, of New York, who will also furnish 250,000 tons of shipping.
KING DECORATES GEORGE f „…
KING DECORATES GEORGE f „ ROBEY. I ine ting heid? investiture at Bucking- ham Palace on Tuesday at which he person- aMv decorated over 300 members of the I ?ous cla&?,es of the Order of the British Empire. 'I here were twelve knighthcods and among the Commanders of the Order was Mr. George Hobey.
I - HUSBAND'S MIDNIGHTI IHT'o'1.DISCOVERY.,…
I HUSBAND'S MIDNIGHT I H T'o' 1 DISCOVERY. ?? 1. ?- I .virs. -icnie jonn, Uoed Bach. Pontardu- lais, was sitting quietly by the fireside read- ing a book, while her husband retired to bed before her. At twelve midnight he called for her. She replied by say'ing that she would come almost immediatelv. Again at one o'clock he called her, and, receiving no reply, he went downstairs, only to see his wife quite dead. Medical assistance wa. summoned, but life was found to be extinct. During the day she had been in the best of health. She leaves a widower and two small i children to mourn their loss.
COUNCILLOR AND POLICE-ISERGEANT.
COUNCILLOR AND POLICE- SERGEANT. David Lewis, a guardian and district coun- cillor, of G wauneaegurwen. was at Amman- ford on Monday summoned for riding a motor cycle to the danger of the public. r.S. Morgan stated that on the occasion of a parade of discharged scldiers an d sailors High-street, Llandebie, was crowded when defendant came through, and after nearlv colliding with a. motor ear knocked two per- sons down. Defendant had since approached him and asked him not to say too much. and to bring no witnesses, to save expense. —The magistrates ordered defendant to pay the costs.
SWANSEA CORPORATIONI / LABOURERS.
SWANSEA CORPORATION I LABOURERS. Swansea War Honus Committee on Tues- day decided to place the Corporation labour- ers at the electrical department on the Cor- poration scale, but they are not to receive any further eleotricai award. The case of discharged men returned who were unable to carry out their duties was discussed.- and it was decided to have a re- port prepared. (Scales for sanitary and water inspectors were approved.
| GORSEINON MEDIUM. ! '____—
| GORSEINON MEDIUM. — Crucial Test at London Seance. SCENE AT A CITY; 1 HALL. Will Thomas, the young Gorseinon collier, who nas come into such prominence through the famous Carditf seai-ce, .v.is in London on Tuesday with his brother Tom, to en- deavour to justify tnemseives in the pre- sence of a committee oi expeits. The Bros. Thomas have themselves chosen the room .n a newspaper office, which they consider will be most suitable for the holding of the seance. It is an ordinary business apart- ment, from which all light will be excluded. Will Thomas will be securely fastened to a chajr, and will be equipped with toys sup- plied and purchased tor the occasion similar to those employed at the Cardiff seance. This will help to exclude trickery. if he satisfies the committee he is entitled to the £ 500 offered to produce a ghost." S1. George's Hall Scene. At St. George's Hall, on Monday, when Mr. Maskelvne was endeavouring to pro- duce through Mr. Goff Godfrey, a conjurer, the same manifestations said t.o have been produced at the Cardiff seance, Mr. Tom Thomas made a dramatic offer which created much stir. Mr. Maskelvne invited a com- mittee to tie his medium with ropes. One of the members of the committee asked for string instead of rope, and this was not pro- ciu'able. The first indications of a stormy afternoon came when a dispute arose as to the method of tying the medium," and when this was settled a man in the audience cried out that the tying was unsatisfactory. 10m Thomas rose and offered to tie Mr. Maskelvne's medium with the same rope that was used to bind the Cardiff medium. The reply from the stage was that Thomas would have an opport. -.ity of addressing the audience when the performance was over. The screen was thereupon placed around the performer, and immediately he indicated by noises and the Tnrowmg ot articles out of the cabinet that he Had succeeded in freeing himself. It was clear to the audietice when the screen was removed that the ropes had been hastily readjusted. Mr. Godfrey was also able to free himself irom a "Straight jacket after some manipula- tions and demonstrations on the floor of the stage. The Brothers Thomas, however, ridiculed the performance as being- in no way a dupli- ¡ cation of the seance held at Cardiff.
CHANNEL TUNNEL \ ————-
CHANNEL TUNNEL ———— 1 Work to be Commenced at Once. There is rrore behind Mr. Bonar Law's reply to a question about the Channel Tunnel in the House of Commons Ot: Monday than meets the eye. Asked whether, itj order to find employment for discharged soldiers, he would approach the French C-rovernment -i-h view to beginning immediately at both ends 'h e construction of the Channel Tunnel, he replied that he was in communication with the Prime Minister on the subject. The fact s triat the British Government have for the first tim decided in favour of the COIl- struction of the Channel Tunnel in principle, and have issued nstrnctions in this sense to Sir H. L. Smith and a Bonrd of Trade delegation who are now in Paris e: -mining the question. As the French Government have long been in favour of the Channel Tunnel, the moment for action seems to be approaching. The tunnel will be about 30 miles in length, and the proposal which finds most favour is that two tubes should be built and electric traction used. The (.(,.$t of the scheme is now pot at £ 20,000,000. v The tunnel wit: almost certainly be run op free trade principles, as the Paris negotiatora are strongly opposed to the making of any differentia- tion in rates :or the goods of different Continental countries.
"DEEDS, NOT WORDS.
"DEEDS, NOT WORDS. Llanelly Railwayman's Brave Action. There was a large gathering of rail- waymen at the Cleveland Hotel, Llanelly in connection with the presentation or the Royal Humane Society's certificate and gratuity to Dock Gateman John George Lewis, for the gallant rescue of Mrs. Evan Davies Jenkins from drown- ing in the Great Western Railway Com- pany's dock at Llanelly on the night of, October 26th, 1918. Mr. Charles Roberts, district goods managfer, Swansea, presided, and said he was proud of Lewis's action. Gateman Lewis, in accepting the cer- tificate and gratuity, said he was an old naval man and one of Admiral Beatty's lot, whose motto was Deeds, not words."
SWANSEA CHURCH'S FINE . RECORD.
SWANSEA CHURCH'S FINE RECORD. '1 Mount Pleasant's Ex-Service Men. Discharged and demobilised service mem- bers of Mount Pleasant Church, Swansea, on Monday evening were entertained to a wel- come-home meeting and supper by the De- mobilisation, Committee. Over 300 (includ- ing nurses, V.A.D. 's. and W.A.A.C.'s) re- sponded to the call of their King and coun- try, and 28 had made the supreme sacrifice. Practically all were volunteers. Honours had been won, including seven Military Crosses, and they had rank from privates to a colonel. Already about 100 had returned to civilian life, and of these practically all were present. An excellent supper was heartily enjoyed, after which the pastor (Rev. H. C. Mander), on behalf of the church, ex- tended to all a hearty welcome home. He was supported by Messrs. R. J. Matthews and T. P. Cook. Mr. Walter Watkins extended a sincere welcome on behalf of the Sunday School. Mr. Harry Rees, secretary of the commit- tee, described briefly tha work of his com- mittee, responsible "for the sending of the Christmas parcels all over the world. He also mentioned the ladies, who were respons- ible for sending the parcels for the first three years. Captain Frank Palmer, Sergt.-Major Bowden, and Sergt.. Bevan feelingly returned thanks, and homage was paid to the mem- bers who had fallen. Solos were rendered by Lanee-Corpl. Ronald Watkms, Mr. S. Jones, and Signaller Ivor Morgan. Mr. Arthur Davies, F.R.C.O., presided at the piano, and thanks were ten- dered the ladies for their good work.
WEST WALES COPPERMEN.i A -_..r"…
WEST WALES COPPERMEN. A r" .-a uiccung M tne South Wales Council of Copper Workers and Employers was held at the Metropole Hotel, Swansea, when Mr. Mills (Swansea) pre- "sided on behalf of the employers, and Mr. Jas. Wignall, M.P., on behalf of the employes. This Council has now been resuscitated after a Jong suspension, and a meeting has been arranged with employers and employes, when matters concerning the copper and yellow metal trades will be dis- cussed.
----. ECONOMISING ON THE PARKS.
ECONOMISING ON THE PARKS. Swansea Parks' Sub-Committee met on Monday, Mr. Geo. Hemmi.igs in the chair.—Reporting on the reduction of estimates, the Superintendent (Mr. Biiss) said the amount lOW required for the whole borough w is jE12 000, which mejnt a 4d. rate, as last year As a result of the e 4orts of the chair- man. superintendent, and treasurer, the estimate had been reduced by £ 2,000 sinni the last meeting.
.SWANSEA CORPORATION SALARIES.
SWANSEA CORPORATION SALARIES. At the monthly meeting of the Sketty Trades and Labour Council the following resolution was unanimously passed That this meeting views with alarm and indignation the various applications of our public- officials for huge increases of salary, and calls upon the Corporation to seriously consider the position before granting i?? such extravagant increases and further calls upon each Índividua member of the Borough Council t-c, awaken to their fuM sense of respon- sibility they owe to the ratepayers, and to strongly oppose such unreasonable 1 demand*"
I CLYDACH CATHOLIC -SCHOOLS.
I CLYDACH CATHOLIC SCHOOLS. Pontardawe School Managers on Mon- day had before them a letter from the Board of Education stating that the pro- i ar? Roman Catholic School at Clydach, about which there was a protest by the ratepayers was necessary, and it was unanimously decided to hold an inqtùry into tho matter I
I T.I I WATER FOR PORT TALBOT.…
I T. I I WATER FOR PORT TALBOT. I ine cierrc at Aiargain District Council on Tuesday read a report of the sub-commit- tee on the question of the water supplies, and the Council appointed a deputation to interview the trustees of the Margam Es- tate with a view to securing the removail of the restrictions on the selling price of water in the district, amending the exist- ing leases so as to establish an equitable scale for all water supplies for industriaJ purposes, etc., to allow a full development of the present water sources, and to permit of a co-operative scheme with the Aberavon Corporation.