Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

THE EVE OF A NEW PHASE. Judging from all accounts to hand, the war seems to have reached the eve of a new phase. Germany is rushing rein- forcements into France and Belgium, and already we have reports that more de- termined and extensive attacks are being made upon the French and British lines. So far, the. renewed onslaught has not proved very successful, as even the mes- sages from Berlin admit that although the attacks have been successful in one or two places the German lines have been penetrated in other districts. The out- side world is left in some doubt, as, whilst the policy of the Allies is to be as reticent as they can be, in order that the Germans may learn as little as pos- sible, the messages issued from Berlin have been proved false over and over again. In these circumstances, it is impossible for anyone not possessed of definite and official information to make any guess u-s to what 'he trend of events is likely to be. The chief factor in the whole business is the source of the German reinforcements. I Are they rushed across from Russia and Galicia, or are they new battalions that nave been raised and trained since the i war began? If the ODrmer, then their stay in the western theatre will not be very long. If they are new men, they will pre- sent an obstacle to progress towards the Rhine that must be reckoned with, es- pecially as they will be an evidence t h 71, the Kaiser's resources have not reached that point where he has to consider his position as being really dangerous. The only thing safe to assume is that for some weeks to come the Allies will be following stonewall tactics as much as possible. Until they are certain that Germany has reached the end of her resources in the shape of fresh levies, it will not be worth while to make an advance in either France or Belgium. Everything will be done, we may expect, to prevent the Ger- mans from making headway, and also to leave to the Kaiser the task of wearing out his machinery in a series of ineffec- tual attacks. Even in that method there will be plenty of hard fighting on each side, and we shall all feel more comfort- able when we know that the French, Bel- gian, and British artillery is assured of a sufficient simply of ammunition oi tiu sort that this war demands. Thoughts t urn almost aiitoinaticillyl from the west to the east. because of the possibility that Russia will be able to re- turn to the attack. The Tsar's armies have the peculiarity of a spring, in that when the pressure upon them becomes too gèat they give way only to effect a rebound so soon as that pressure is re- moved. They have had to put up with some tremendous battles lately, in which the expenditure of men and arms has been quite as much as one can compre- hend. But they have followed the tactics that suit them best, and up to the pre- j pent are undefeated and undismayed. If Germany and Austria are determined to Ge rmi n -v tnd Austrii follow the war into their enemy's coun- try, the only effect in the long run will be their own inglorious defeat. The very reasons that prevent the Russian troops from pressing forward more effectually are the disadvantages that will prevent the German and Austrian legions from carrying victory when far into Russian territory. Large tracts of open and un- developed country, with no strategic rail- ways to assist either advance or retreat, will puzzle the German generals and hamper the German regiments severely. Besides that we have to reckon the flight of time. In four months' time, the most trying part of the Russian winter will be due, and German troops east of Warsaw or north of Lublin will wish themselves home again. In the Dardanelles the French and British forces have done splendid work. The story sent home by Sir Ian Hamilton appeals for all that is best in the shape of admiration and thanks. Apart from that, however, it is only a description of the sort of work that has to be done in an extremely difficult country. There are still many trenches to be captured and heights to be stormed in the neighbour- hood of Achi Baba before an advance can be made. When that part of the task is locomplished, there wlil be an equally hard job at Seddul Bahr, which must be taken before our side can command the Narrows from the land. Once that >s done, however, the complete occupation of the Gallipoli Peninsula will be a com- paratively easy matter, and by that time the possibility of more effective work in other directions will be heard of. Of course, the element of doubt is as to what the Balkan States will do. About that we can say nothing just now. Italy is doing well. As was forecasted in these columns several weeks ago, her army moving eastward is now in the thick of the hardest part of the attempt to break through the first line of Aus- trian defences. No one who has not been amongst those great mountain ranges can realise the severity of the work that the Italian army has to perform. When in addition to natural barriers that army has to fight again6t defence works of the most terrible description, it is easy to realise that patience and perseverance are thp chief requirements of both leaders and men. By-the-way, those defence works are hardly what one would ex- pect from a nation that has whined so much as Austria has done about its love for Italy! They were not prepared in a hurry.

LOCAL NOTES. ABERAVON & PO,RT TALBOT. Everyone connected with the opening of the new Aberavon Municipal Buildings and Arcade was delighted with the great success of the event. It was, in fact, the happy consumation of a great local am- bition, and Aberavon as a whole felt justly proud of itself. The compliments voiced on the borough surveyor (Mr. J. Roderick) as architect, and Mr. Morgan Cox as contractor, of the new buildings, were a deserving compli- ment. There can be no doubt that the new and attractive surroundings of Aber- avon's public life will arouse a greater ambition in. the best local talent to seek public honours. In common with most of the public bodies of the country, the Aberavon Cor- poration has shown an excellent example of patriotism by taking up 5:1,000 worth in the new War Loan, and although there were a certain amount of cavelling over the amount, tt.e¡"e can be no doubt that the resources of the borough very easily lent themselves to speculate this sum. Excellent business in connection with the War Loan has also been done throughout the district generally, the banks and the local Post Offices having been busily en- gaged in negotiating demands for the new loan. As indicating what can be accomplished for the benefit of our wounded soldiers by a little organisation amoungst Sunday- school children, may be cited the fact. that in connection with Uie Aberavon St. -Mary's Parish Church on Sunday last no less than 1,5000 eggs were tendered to a I collection on their behalf. The Vicar (the Rev. Edward Davies) organised the event. The eggs were promptly packed and for- warded to Harrod's Stores, which are utilised for distributing such gifts to the various war hospitals. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, by the kindness of Mr. Edward Furneau and the theatrical company at the New Theatre, Port Talbot, special per- formances and entertainments will DO given for the benefit of the Women of Wales Hospital for Servia and the Y.M.C.A. tents at Sandfielcls, Aberavon. In addition to the production of a new play. Who's the Man?" in which Miss Hampton and Mr. Furneau will take the leading parts, the cream of local talent will give items, as also will the Margam Glee Party, under the conductorship of Mr. David Henry. The artistes will in- clude Miss Kate Thomas, Welsh soprano; Mr. Handel Evans, Welsh humorist; Miss Russell, London contralto; and Mrs. R. Church, the clever impersonator. The orchestra will be augmented for these oc- casions. Two Aberavonites from British Colum- bia have returned home with the inten- tion of joining one of the Army units. They are Mr. D. A. Davies, the old Aber- avon half-back, and son of Mr. Tho-s. Davies, printer, Aberavon; and Mr. Sam Rees. who was a stalwart forward in the old (now defunct) St. Mary's Rugby Foot- ball Club. Friday the Reserve Battery of the Glamorgan Roval Horse Artillery leave the Drill Hall and Riding School for their new training camp at Dorchester, whey.1 they will go under canvas preparatory to artillery practice. The battery consists of 170 N.C.O.' and men and five officers, and is commanded by Major Llewellyn David, who was responsible for the first and original battery, now at Marsham. The majority of the men in the Reserve But- tery belong to the town and district, and the other portion from Maesteg. Briton- ferry, Ogmore, etc., where capital recruit- ing was made before the battery's comple- tion. The advance party, numbering 20, under Lieut. Ralph Jones, departed for the new camp on Monday last, for the purpose of making preparations. A movement is on foot to re-establish the old Aberavon and Port Talbot Male Voice Party, which made itself famous under the conductorship of Mr. John Phillips, J.P., some years ago, by securing the first prize at the National Eisteddfod of Wales held at Llanelly. A meeting has already boon held with the view of bringing the party back to life, and it has been decided to hold the first practice at the Tabernacl Xewydd Church, Port Talbot, on Saturday night, July 10th, when it is hoped that all the old members will be present. Invita- tion is given to all siagers to join the party, which, it is understood, will give a series of concerts in aid of local charities and war funds. The party will be again under the conductorship of Mr. John Phillips, J.P., whose fame as a male voice party conductor needs no recalling. The secretarial duties will be carried out by Mr. J¡.k Evans, and Mr. Tom Wil- liams, the old treasurer, has consented to again look after the party's interest*. Lucifer.

I AMMANFORD. I Ever since the sudden rainstorm and alleged cloud-burst which startled some of the inhabitants of the Amman Valley a few weeks ago, the weather-wise have been watching the sky and the streams. And although the stories told of the havoc wrought by the flood has, like the pro- verbial snow-ball, been growing bigger in rolling along, there seems to be a ten- dency on the part of the tributaries of the Amman river to play pranks. Perhaps the most astounding of these tricks have be?n attributed to the Pedol. I It is said that a farmer who was indulg- ing in the holiday labour of .sheep-dipping was nearly carried away by a "freshet" which came as suddenly as the Deluge, M grandiloquently described by Fom of the London weekly papers, whose ac- counts of the terrible havoc of the -I'lle,re(i cloud-burst at Garnaat have made Am- manford as famous as Johnstown used to be. Fortunately for the people of Am- manford they are still alive, and u4- drowned, to read the exaggerated fairy- tales. Still, there was a flood in the river, and the drains were flooded. One is strongly reminded of the imaginative boy's version: "Os nad oedd yno filoedd o gathod, yr oedd yno rhyw gath heblaw ein cath ni." Ammanford is determined to keep in front, and the- offer of assistance to the Government in making war munitions has been duly acknowledged. Its boys are at the Front; it is ready to produce munitions for the Front; it was to the front in offering hospitality to Belgians, who now form a strong and popular local colony: and the next step is to take up the war loan as a business proposal as well as an indication of the continuity and breadth of the patriotism of the dis- trict. I am glad to note that the magistrates of Ammanford and district, who are practical and sensible men, took the same view as ourselves, and as all on-lookers took, on the nationality of Mrs. Oheler. As her neighbours, who know her best, say: "Wrth gwrs, un o honom ni yw hi- merch o Gastellnedd. German, yn wir! Na fu—ddim erioed I Menyw fach nice i ryfeddu yw hi." Amid all his multifarious duties as Chairman of the Urban District Council, Justice of the Peace, Conference dele- gate, and so forth, Mr. John Harpies (Irlwyn) manages to keep in touch with his colleagues on the question of the pet aversion of the Anthracite miners-tha lost five per cent. At the mass meeting held this week by the workmen of the various local col- lieries, he did what he sometime ago de- clared he would d-o-he argued and ex- plained and elaborated upon the missing words and the missing percentage, and peeing that Mr. E. Evans, Mr. Llewelyn, Mr. D. Davies, and the other local leaders are "on the scent" of the same five per cent., you may depend upon it that I the next conference of South Wales dele- gates will hear about it and have to listen to the tale of woe. And certainly, whatever may be said of the past, and of the forgetfulness of the employers of the Anthracite district in regard to the return of the borrowed percentage, the contention that anthracite coal prices have gone up is one which cannot be controverted. Suggestions as to improved price lists will, doubtless, be made by opponents to the miners' claim, but the men of Ammanford have done their duty in calling upon the Anthracite Miners' District Association to see that the members of the Miners' Executive do not sign any new agreement which does not contain a proviso that the lost chord shall be struck, so that it may "oome from the soul of the organ, like the sound of a great Amen." Even if the new lists, in some cases, do take the lost percentage into considera- tion, the others do not consider it, and there is really no reason why a labourer in the Amman Valley should get five per cent less than a labourer in the Rhondda Valley for precisely the same work. And the workmen's leaders on the Conciliation Board will, un- doubtedly, do whatever is pc-sible for the Anthracite men. Exigencies of time and war, and the dire need of a settlement in the South Wales coal trade, may necessitate a hurried arrangement in the end, but it is only right that those who lead the men locally should look after the interests of those" mn, and it was not by accident that the speakers at the mass meeting at Ammanford on Tuesday night once more struttk the 104 chord." Awstin.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT I House of Commons, Monday. 1 Mr. Runciman informed Mr. King that up to June 25th the total number of women who had placed their names on war service register was 87,861, of whom 2.61K had been placed in employment. During the period from March 13th to June 12th, the number of women whose names had been placed on the ordinary register was 81,005, the number remain- ing on the register on June 5th being 43,058. War Munition Volunteers. Mr. Lloyd George, answering Sir Edwin Cornwall, said the total number of war munition volunteers enrolled up To aaid including yeater^iy (Sunday) was 67.650. Inasmuch as instructions issued by the Ministry of Munitions were to enrol only skilled men in employment in certain occupations, it was anticipated that a great bulk of the men enrolled would prove efficient, but a certain proportion of them could not be removed from their present occupation without detriment to national ii'.erests. Mr. Will Thorne- In face of that sabs-I factory reply, is there any need of th0 Registration Bill? (Some Liberal cheers.) No reply was returned. Mr. Hogge: Will the right lum. gentle- man assure us he Is perfectly satisfied with this seven days' voluntary TeeruH-. I in s ? Mr. Lloyd George made a reply which was inaudible in the Press Gallery. Mr. Ho;(j:eWill he say if he is satis- field with the seven days' enrolment, or are we to expect further measures to be taken ? The Speaker: The hQn. member should give notice of that. To ask whether » Minister is satisfied or what his opinions are is irregular. j No Compulsion, Mr. Alden asked the Prime Minister with respect to the National Register Bill w hether lie was able to assure the House that no such action as the introduction of forced labour or conscription was in con- templation by the Government. Mr. Asquith No such change as is re- lered to in the question is contemplated. (Hear, bear). Rumoured Reverse Denied. Mr. Tennant (Under-Secretary for War), in reply to a question as to whether he could give any information as to reports of a British reverse in the Dardanelles, said no such report had reached the War Office, and the House might hope that the information was 6olely incorrect. Interned Enemy Aliens. Mr. Brace stated that since May 13th, 7,144 enemy aliens had been interned, making a total of 26,713. There have been deported and repatriated 4,800 women and children. House of Commons, Tuesday. Mr. Tennant informed Mr. MacCallum Scott that there were at present five re- presentatives of the Pre«i at the General Headquarters in France. Mr. MacCallum Scott: Is there a limit put upon the number of newspapers that can be represented? Mr. Tennant: Obviously, there must be a limit. National insurance Prosecutions. I Mr. C. Roberts, answering Mr. Watt, said the number of prosecutions under- taken by the Commissioners in England and Scotland for the non-payment of contributors under, the National Insur- ance Acts during the past year was 129 and five respectively. Ceylon Riots. I Mr. Bonar Law, replying to Sir J. D. Rees, said he had not yet received the details as to the loss of life and the destruction of property caused by the recent riots in Ceylon. Inquiry was be- ing made on the spot as to the origin of the riots witli a view to- the punishment of those responsible. Sir J. D. Rees asied if it were known that German agents were concerned in the affair. Mr. Bonar Law said he had seen state- ments to that effect, but, although he had received voluminous accounts from the Colony, there was no indication in them that such was the Case. Post Office and the War. I Sir Ivor Herbert asked the Postmaster- General whether he was in a position to make a statement with regard to the em- ployment of women as letter carriers with a view to enabling postmen of military age to join his Majesty's naval and mili- tary forces? Mr. Herbert Samuel read a short state- ment as to several measures propod to be taken. He stated that over 26,000 members of the postal staff were already serving in the Army and Navy, and ar- rangements had been made to enable a considerable further number to enlist. The deficiencies in the staff would be made good by the employment of men not eligible for military service and also of women. Any readjustment of labour con- ditions now being made would be for the period of the war only, and the measures now being taken would not constitute a precedent when normal service was re- tored. In order that postmen who en- listed might not be. put to any disadvan- tage, it was proposed to suspend, during the war, all competitive examinations for higher posts for which members of the male staff were eligible. (Hear, hear.) Special leave would be given to poetmen who desired to work in the harvest field, and were offered employment by farmers. ¡ Appeal for Books. Mr. Samuel said he was issuing an an- nouncement to-day inviting the public to hand in at any Post Office any suitable book or magazine not more than a year old without address or wrapping of any kind. Such books and magazines would be brought without payment to the cen- tral depot and distributed to voluntary organisations approved by the War Office and Admiralty for supplying the needs in this direction of the Army and the Fleet. (Cheers.) Sir Wm. JJvles: To what extent does the right hon. gentleman expect to be able to substitute women for men? Mr. Samuel: I cannot give any statis- tics, but women will be employed to a very large extent to fill the places of men who have enlisted, or will enlist, both as House of Commons, Wednesday. Mr. Tennant informed Mr. Joyn-son Hicks that the first arrival of wounded to Alexandria from th& Dardanelles took place on April 29. He could assure the House that the arrangements made for the reception of the wounded at Alexandria had been adequate, in all respects. Seven army and three naval hospital ships were now employed between the Dardanelles and Alexandria and the United Kingdom. Three ships were also employed on what was called ferry service. Railway Passes for Soldiers. Mr. Forster informed Mr. R. McNeill that the question of giving extra free rail- way passes to soldiers on leave was under consideration. Small Investors and the New War Loan. Mr. MacPherson asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he was aware that small investors were deterred from investing their savings in the new War Loan by reason of an apprehension that they might not be able to realise their investment before 1945 in any period of financial stress. Mr. McKenna said he was glad to have the opportunity of removing apprehen- sions on this point. War Loan bought through the Post Office or trustees' sav- ings hank might lie sold at any time through the Post Office or trustees savings bank at the market price of the day on which the transaction took place. Replying to Mr. Pollock, the right hon. geutleman said a subscriber for £100 of the new War Loan had the right to con- vert £ 75 of Consols or any smaller amount. Arrangements were under con- sideration whereby subscribers through the Post Office for smaller amounts of the new "'ø.r Loan would be given the right to convert a proportion of consols stand- ing in their name into the new loan. Mr. W. Thorne: If all the money in- vested in Consols were converted into War Loan, what would become of the nation? The Speaker: You cannot expect Minis- ters to answer that off-liand. Mr. Thorne: Will it be about one hun- dred millions? (Laughter). Mr. McKenna: Oh, no; that is ten or twenty times an exaggerated sum. Mr. Thorne: I don't think (Laugh- ter). House of Commons, Thursday. A new writ was ordered to be i&sued for the election of a member for Central Glas- gow, in the room of Mr. Scott Dickinson, who has accepted a legal office in Scot- land. Damage from Aircraft. Mr. Ferens asked the President of the Board of Trade if lie could assure the House that the Bill now in course of pre- paration with regard to in sura nee against damage from aircraft would be carried into law before the House rose for the vacation. Mr. Runciman said it would not be necessary to proceed by legislation in order to extend the scheme of marine war insurance to the damage caused by air- craft. This could be done by executive action, and the scheme would be put into operation at once. Answering Sir Godfrey Baring, the right hon. gentleman said he hoped to be able to make a definite announcement on the subject next week. From Trench to Workshops. Mr. Evelyn Cecil asked the Minister of Munitions what systematic scheme had been arranged to determine which men would be l released from the colours in order to return to munition work, and what action or principle had been decided upon for the protection of the firms under- taking work essential to the production of munitions from losing, by enlisting, men whom they could not replace. Mr. Lloyd George said a definite scheme had been adopted in conjunction with the Wfar Office for allowing men of skilled trades in which there was a shortage to be released from their mili- tary duties in order to undertake work on the production of munitions, and the necessary instructions were being issued to-day. The matter referred to in the second part of the question was engaging his earnest attention in consultation with the Secretary for War. Machine-gun Orders. Mr. Tennant, answering Sir A. Mark- ham, said no offers of British or American machine-guns had been refused by the War Office on account of non-interchauge- ability of the parts. No type of machine- gun which was considered suitable for use in the field had been refused. Sir A. Markham: Then why is it guns have since been ordered by the Minister of Munitions that were refused by the War Office in February of last year? Mr. Tennant: I do not think that is a fact. Sir A. Markham: But I know it is so. Lord Aberconway's Complaint. Sir Leo Chiozza Money asked the Under-Secretary for War if he bad now ascertained that Lord Aberconway, the Chairman of John Brown and Co., Shef- field, had publicly complained that 10,000 of UP; men had been recruited, and that this recruiting had injured the firm's power to produce munitions, and if he would explain why the War Office per- mitted this injury to occur. Mr. Tennant said he had not succeeded in obtaining a copy of the speech referred to, nor could he add anything at present to statements already made on the subject of the release from the colours of men who were skilled munition workers. Sir L. Chiozza Money: Is he aware that firms who- have been pressed to make munitions works, and put up new plant, are actually being deprived of their work- men? Mr. Tennant: I am informed that John Brown and Co. is one of the firms exempted from recruiting. Sir L. Chiozza Money: I refer to other firms who are suffering from this. Mr. Tennant: Well, other firms are- other firms. (Loud laughter.) The" Push and Go Poster. Sir L. Chiozza Money asked the Prime Minister if he was aware that the respon- sible recruiting authority had issued official poster to the following effect: PUSH AND GO. I It is Better to Go than be Pushed! if he would state whether this poster was to be taken as an official intimation that the Government had decided to adopt a policy of Conscription in the near future; and if it was with his sanction that the voluntary system was supported by threats. Mr. Tennant said he had been asked to reply. As he had stated before, advertise- ments had to be framed to meet all tastes, and he would add that tlley must also meet all tastes of inclination and inten- tions, and the most veriegated forms of a sense of duty. The answer to the last two parts of the question was in the negative. Sir L. Chiozza Money: Is he aware that the poster is' as much disliked by those who support voluntaryism as by those who support Conscription? No reply was made. Mr. MacCallum Scott: Is it not a fact that the words, It is better to go than to be pushed," are a correct exposition oi the principle of voluntary enlistment? Mr. Tennant: It is a matter of inter- pretation. A New Welsh Member. Mr. Caradoc Ilees took the oath and his seat for Arfan.

THE NEW IDEAL IN MOTOR-CARS. The high price of petrol and the duty which devolves on all of us to avoid need- less waste of it has led to a sudden change in the motoring field, in the retirement of heavy touring cars and town cars, and the ri-se of the car which, while requiring much leas petrol, and costing: much less for tyres and for general maintenance, yet give all the service that was given by the heavy cars which formerly were popular. The most significant example of this is the noted Maxwell," which is now being ex- hibited and demonstrated by Neath and District Automobile Co., Ltd., 21 and 22. Alfre,d-sti-eat, -Neath. By using the most advanced scientific metiullurgicr.1 process to produce strongest metals suitable to tie strains which each part of the car J.ul'&t bear, the makers have produced a car which weighs barely one-half as much as a car of similar strength would have weighed only a> few years ago. A motorist Afrhose petrol and tyre expense were tc r- merly used largely for moving a great excess weight of metal ftnda now that in the Maxwell" car both petrol and tyre ex- pense arc much lower because the needless excess of metal has been done away wi'h. The low price and high degree of perfection to which the Maxwell*' has been brought 8JTe made possible by the fact that, they are produced in great quantities, the output for 1915 being 75,000 cars.

FIRE ON A LINER. Renter's New York telegram says:k wireless message received there states that a fire has broken out in No. 3 hold of liner Minnehaha, New York to London. Crew are fighting1 the flames.

AVIATOR'S DEATH. j Squadron-Commander SoamM was kiU<'d on Thursday in an accident at ?m aviation school on Salisbury Plain. i

r THE SHELLS PROBLEM. LORD HALDANE SPEAKS ON THE STEPS THAT WERE TAKEN. Lord Haldane made a remarkable speech at the National Liberal Club on Monday night. His points were:— We were sluggish, and anybody who made us think of the real danger did a public service. The Imperial Defence Committee con- sidered the raising by compulsion of a great Army. It is very difficult to get this country to change its methods. We can win if only we organise our re- sources. We must develop heavy artillery. On the question of shells, Lord Haldane said:- Under the constitution of the Army it is for the General Staff to advise what kind of ammunition—whether it should bo high explosives or shrapnel, for in- stance—is wanted at the front, and this they settle in consultation with the staff at the front. The business of the Master- General of the Ordnance is to give oxpert advice about the construction of the am- munition, and in ordinary circumstances to place contracts for it in conjunction with the Director of Contracts, who be- longs to a different department to the Army Council. In peace that works very well. Every shell and everything the General Staff requisitioned -,N ac,, I know. there at. the time I left the War Office. But, of course, in time of war conditions aro quite different. The demand is mul- tiplied ten-fold, and the milchiaery" of the Ordnance Department becomes inade- quate not to the production of the expert knowledge and expert assistance but at organising. the huge volume of output that is required. What I am going to refer to has already appeared in the papers, which is the only reason why I venture to refer to it. In October the Government was quite aware that the task was one bevond the ordinary strength of the War Office. There was a special committee of the Cabinet, over which Lord Kitchener presided, and of which I was a member along with Mr. Lloyd George. Mr. Churchill, and other members of the Cabinet. It was plain, and nobody was so clear about it as the Ordnance Department, that ordinary means could not supply anything like what was necessary, and we therefore called into consultation the great arma- ment firms- Enormous orders were placed with them. They undertook to do everything in their power to fulfil them, and if they had fulfilled them, or nearly fulfilled them, we should have been ahounding with more sltells and more munitions (f war than we could use to-day. But their expectations were not realised. Labour and capital in this country had not then begun to be organised. If anybody is to blame for this it is not the Matter- General of the Ordinance but ourselves, who did not initiate in October the im- mense effort that is now being made. We thought the great firms could do what they said they would do, and they thought so themselves. What was wrong was that the nation was not stirred up to a sense of the seri- ousness of the situation, and difficulties of labour and capital which were not fore- seen presently began to arise. I say that because I think that there is at least a danger of great injustice being done to a most gallant and most devoted servant who. asked for the things for which he is really responsible, is more admirably qualified than almost anybody else I know to give the help we want.

MR. LLOYD GEORGE ANGRY. Sharp Reply to Lord Haldane's Recent London Speech. Mr. Lloyd George has authorised the issue of the following .statement with reference to Lord Haldane's speech on Monday last :— Lord Haldane S version of what took place some months ago at a Committee of the Cabinet on arms is incomplete and in some material respects inac- curate. At the proper time it will he neces- sary to go more fully into the matter, though Mr. Lloyd George hopes he will not be driven to do so at this stage. But he would like to point out that the very fact of this conflict of memory having- arisen shows the unwisdom of these partial and unauthorised dis- closures of the decisions of highly con- fidential Committees of the Cabinet. July 7th, 1915. The following is a report of that part of Lord Haldane's speech evidently re- ferred to by Mr. Lloyd Geoigo:- Gentlemen, in the month of October, when I was a member of the Government, there was a Committee assembled at the War Office. Lord Kitchener presided over it, and my old friend, Mr. Lloyd George, was on it—( cheers )—and Mr. Churchill—( cheers )—and Mr. McKenna and various other Cabinet Ministers, and our attention was drawn to this, that it was urgently necessary to very much en- large the amount of the supply of muni- tions. The changed conditions of the war had brought out that something like ten times as much were required as we usually sup- plied in time of peace. Well, we had to consider how these were to be got. We consulted everybody. We consulted General von Donop, and at last we sum- moned—I tell you these things because they have already been the subject of dis- cussion in the Press—we summoned the great munition manufacturers, and we placed orders with them which they thought they could execute, and undertook to execute, and which, if they had been carried out, would have placed this country in a tremendous posi- tion as regards munitions. We should have had a great surplus. The placing of these orders was done by us, and we were responsible for it, and the munition manufacturers did their very best to execute them. But there arose difficulties, difficulties in the rela- tion between labour and capital which confounded all the calculations of the munition manufacturers, and that is a source of the trouble to-day. It is not General von Donop. It is this, that with industrial conditions in the face of such a demand as I am speaking of—a demand where they raised to tenfold what we were familiar with—the demand was one which the great munition manufacturers, al- though they did their very best, could I not comply with. They met with difficul- ties that they knew nothing of. They had undertaken to organise their factories. I daresay people sent in appli- I cations to the War Office. It was the busi- ness of the War Office to say: W»t have made this plan and the great munition manufacturers have undertaken to bring in other firms. We are working through them." At any rate, it seemed a rational plan. What upset it? It was things with which General von Donop had nothing to do and which we could not foresee. The nation had not wakened up then. It was not in the reflective mood it is in to-day. Every man had not wakened up to the necessity of saving his country by putting aside every personal consideration, and it was found more difficult to organise than it is at this moment. Anyhow, I tell you that because I think in justice to a very distinguished officer, a man within my knowledge of immense ability, whose loss I should regard as very serious, it is right that the public should not let itself be drawn away by this craving to look for scapegoats.

THE POSTMEN'S WAR BONUS. The Press Association says that Sii- James Woodhouse, arbitrator, has given Lis award on the application of potal ser-1 vants for a war bonus,

I TWO YEARS AGO. I I HOW A LLANDEBIE WIDOW WAS I DEFRAUDED BY LODGER. A remarkable story of false pretences I and theft was related to the Ammanford magistrates on Thursday. Palmer Beynon, labourer, a native of Brynhyfryd, Jihandimiwyn, near Llan- dovery, was charged with obtaining in April, 1913, the sum of JCl from Mrs. Mary Rees, the Factory, Pentregwenlais, Llandebie, with whom he then lodged, by falsely representing that his mother had died; ar d also with stealing X,t -f r on i Mrs. Rees. The Deputy Chief Constable (Mr J. Evins), said defendant had been lodging -V vs. lipes, ( who was for some time with Mrs. (who was a wi dow), when he told her that his sister had got married to a preacher at Llandovery, and that they had gone on their honeymoon to France. 11 is mather. he said, had gone to Amman- ford, and she was not very well. Defen- dant then left the house for some time, and about 6 p.m. the same day a tele- gram was delivered to him, which read: Mother seriously ill.—Rees, Llan- dovery." Defendant, after showing Mrs. Rees the telegram, left the house, and did not re- turn until the following morning. When li- did return, he announced that his mother had died, and that hse had left a will, bequeathing him E375. He asked Mrs. Rees for the loan of 30s. to assist him with the burial of his mother, which was to take place at lihan- dirmwyn on the following Friday. On the strength of that story, Mrs. Rees very willingly gave him two sovereigns. That was on the 1st of April. When de- fendant returned after the alleged burial, he gave full particulars of the funeral arrangements, and left Pentregwenlais in the following week. After his departure, Mrs. Rees found that her purse, contain- ing 5.>t, was missing. The officer con- cluded by saying that the whole story of j defendant was a pack of lies from begin- ning to end, and added, His mother, to my knowledge, was alive, and perfectly well at 5.30 last evening, for I was speak- ing to her in the house at Brynhyfryd. Mary Rees gave evidence bearing out the above statement. She said she gave de- fendant two sovereigns without hesita- tion, as he was crying very much, and she also burst out crying with him. P.S. Davies said he saw defendant at the Town Hall, Llanelly, last Monday, and took him into custody on a warrant which had been issued two years ago. When charged by him, defendant said "Y es, I admit it; and I also admit steal- ing £ 4 from Mrs. Rees." The Deputy Chief Constable went into the witness box, and gave evidence that (kfendant's mother was alve and in the best of health. Defendant, who presented a dejected ap- pearance, admitted everything, and the Magistrates sentenced him to one month's imprisonment in each case-the sentences to run consecuti vely.

AMMANFORD MINERS. I Demand to Leaders for New Agreement. The miners of Ammanford and the sur- rounding districts at a mass meeting held on Tuesday night, took up a strong atti- tude with reference to the" percentage of five less" on the standard paid in the an- thracite district than in other parts of the South Wales coalfield. It was felt that the present period, when the new wage agreement is being formulated, was an opportune one for its abolition, and a resolution was passed calling upon the leaders not to sign any new agreement until that had been secured. Mr. Evan Llewellyn (Ammanford) pre- sided over a large attendance. The principal speaker was Mr. John Harries (Irlwyn), who gave an exhaustive report upon the proceedings at the four days' conference at Cardiff last week, and dealt generally with the proposals which it had been agreed would form the basis of the new agreement, lie men- tioned that much had been gained through Government intervention, but they were not oblivious of the fact that many of the demands made by the men had not yet been acceded to. Proceeding to deal with the anthracite district griev- ance of five per cent. less," he said they. had parsed resolutions time after time for its abolition. Mr. Evan Evans referred to the history of the concession to the owners of the five per cent. The anthracite coal had now gone up in the market, and stood equal, and in some instances higher, than steam coal. It was; therefore, high time that the lost percentage should be re- stored. (Hear, hear). Mr David Morgan (Rhos Colliery), also spoke, and on the motion of Mr. David Davies, seconded by Mr. Thos. Evans, the following resolution was carried with ac- clamation :—" That Ave tie the hands of our leaders not to sign any new wage agreement till the < five per cent lees' prevailing in the anthracite district has been restored

SWANSEA SALES. We direct our readers' attention to trie numerous sales which are now on in Swan- sea, end at the establishments mentioned several very good bargains are to be. ob- tained. During July-up to the 16th—T. C. Palmer, smartest tailor, ie making a most sensational offer. Five hundred cf his noted 50s. suitings will be sold to the first 500 customers during the period mentioned at the reduced price of 30a. the suit (to measure Over a hundred suits were dis- posed of in a few days, and thcee who re- quire a really smart and seasonable cos- tume should hurry up and place their order, Messrs. Thos. Lewis and Co., Oxford-street, Swansea, are offering several really great bargains at their sale now proceeding. [There are special reductions in ready-to- j wear gcode, ladies' costumes, tweed coats, showerproofs, ladies' trimmed hats, blouses, underclothing and hosiery. Mesers. D, M. Lewis and Co., Ltd., are offering a huge stock of men's and youths' suitings at tempting prices. There are wonderful bargains in washing suits, blouses, knickers, hat. caps, and piles of men's and youths' trousers from 28. lid. See their windows at their well-known premises in Oxford-street.

FUNERAL OF SWANSEA GENTLE- MAN. The funeral of the late Mr. Philip I Kneath, took place on Tuesday afternoon, leaving deceased's residence, 2, Brynymor- II crescent, Swansea, for Danvgraig C-Pihe- tery at 3 o'clock. The interment took place in the family vault. The funeral j was for gentlemen only, the following be- ing the chief mourners: Mr. John Kneath, Mr. David Kneath (brothers) Messrs. A. Kneath, Philip John Kneath, Llewelyn Kneath, and T. Philip Kneath (nephews), Mr. Thos. Gay, Mr. George Sedmond (brothers-in-law), Mr. Wm. Gay, and Mr. George Davies (nephews), Mr. T. Jones I Mr. T. 1. Salathiel, Mr. T. R. Robinson (Swansea Harbour Trust), Mr. Geo. H. James, Mr. A. Drysdale, Mr. lalf. Price, Mr. M. R. Morgan (Keath), the Rev. J. G. Greenshields, and Mr. D. Gl Phillips. The body was enclosed in a shell and unpolished oak coffin with sil- ver mountings. The funeral service was impressively performed by the Rev. J. G. Greenshields, Presbyterian Church, Swan- sea. The funeral arrangements were car- ried out by Mr. D. G. Phillips, under- taker, Dillwyn-street, Swansea.

Finsfcury Borough Council has sent a message of sympathy to Major Archer- Shoe, M.P., for Central Finsbury, who has been severely wounded at the front. Major A rc'her-Shee • was also wounded in the South African War.

LLANDILO COUNCIL. THE ARREARS OF RATES. 'be monthly meeting of the Urban Di*l trie Council was held on Tuesday evening, whti there were present: Dr. R. Jon-es (charman), Mr. D. Pritchard Davies (vice- chaiman), and Messrs. J. H. Bees, D. W. Evan, W. Hopkin, A. E. Harries, Ben Hughs, Hy. W. Jones, J. R. Evans, the clerk (Mr. t. Shipley Lewis), and the other official.—Replying to questions by the chairnxri regarding the arrears of rates, in- eudillgdct ric lisht, Mr. Dl. Ambrose, col- lector, aid all had been paid up to the end of Marti. He had taken proceeding6 in L-;c>me ca&s.—The Chairman did not want to have the quarter's credit as was the cus- tom.—Mr. D. P. Davies and Mr. Hy. W. Jone", exressed similar views.—The collec- tor said ie would do all be could.—Ques- tioned by he chairman as to the auction- eers' viewswith reference to the proposed extra tolls, he Clerk said he had no written, answer, but they had seen him, and they were agains the proposal and said cus- tomers wouldgo to Ffairfach Mart.—Mr. Hy. W. Jones cotended that they would be bieaking no onditions with the auctioneers if they increaed the rat.-The Chairman was of opiniOl that the advice of the auc- tioneers had btter be followed.-Ori the motion of Mr. L P. Device., the matter was referred to thl Market Committee to be dealt with.—M.r.,J, H. R-ee& asked when the agreement with he auctioneers would ter- minate.—The Cl<rk replied that it was a. leass for s^ven, fourteen or twenty-one years.—The Electro Light Committee recom- mended ordering <bcut 250 tons of coal to store up for the wiiter. It would put them in a safe position fr the Avinter.—Mr. J. H. Rees feared they ha' no room to store it.- Mr. D. P. Davies aaiotbere were sheds close by they could use. 1 was steam coal ttfty wanted. If the Courtal did not agree with the recommendation he committee would not be to blame.—Mr. D. W. Evans eàid it was for the present ony prices were asked for.—Mr. D. P. Davies observed that "last winter they had been otiged to use unsuit- able cc-al.-As a membe. of the committee, Mr. A. E. Harries strongly supported the recommendation, and the Council would be taking a wise couree by a'plying for prices. —Mr. W. Hopkins asked iihe was to under- stand they had sheds.—Tte reply was that, there were sheds a vail a He.—Mr. H. W. Jones said they would haAa to pay rent.— Mr. D. P. Davies said the-rewere sheds, near they cculd get for the askinr. At the same time, in Llandovery there wee thousands of tons in the open.—The Chat-man remarked that by entering into a moithly contract before, they had not had th. contract ful- fill'eu.—Mr. A. E. Harries sad they could have a. report from Mr. Bown as to the sheds.—The Chairman pointed out that all they asked for as a committe was prices. Surely there could be no harn in that.- The report was -adoptel.-Thi Clerk said he had written to the London City aad Mid- land Bank as to the paving in "ront of the new premises, and in reply tiey said it was their intention to cement vhere their premises were concerned, but the present kerbing satisfied th?in.—The auditor's re- port was under consideration, aid in it he expressed the opinion that someone other than the collector should read -he. metres of the electric lighting so as to g:ve the col- lector more .ime.—Mr. Ambrose said it was, unnecessary. He had had to take up ex- traneous duty owing to one leaving, but now he would be .able to give his full time to the. Avork.—%iscussion ensued with regard to the paymentfor the troughs used for the Yeomanry.-Th Clerk said the officers de- clined to pay at they had had nothing to do with tl)e-Ir. J. R. Evans asked who had ordered then?-It was preeuifred' the Surveyor hi(I.f.r. J. R. Evans thought that in that case the Council was respon- sible.—In referenceto a supply of stones for the road there was,, dispute as to who was to pay Mr. Ben Higheo the sum of £1 3a. for weighing them. The difficulty was over- come by Mr. D. W. Evans proposing that the bill be referred to Mersrs. Charles Thomas and Co.. the contractors.—A similar dispute aroso as to ho should pay for some gutters on Blem.road th$fc,;l}a<j Jlot yet, been, taiccn over.—1 was. necldefl that the Council should pa&ae they had now been put down withou consulting the oAvnens.—For the constitution of a sewa!ze tank near the Electric Ligit Station teri(fere, were under consideration One was from Mr. Hry. Evans for JE43 12.. another from Messrs. CheSo. Thomas and ;0. for £ 56 186., and yet another from Mr. t B. Morris for £ 57 Ite. The tender of Mr Henry EyaJl was accepted.—Tenders for toes brooms to the number of three dozen overo received from Mr. T. M. Williams, iroimonger, Mr. D. P. Davies, ii,onmonge. iA Mr'. S."P. Morris. That of the latter '%s accepted conditionally on the brooms beiig "Kentie." —The question of taking over Blend-road again engaged the attention of the Coun- cil. The owners objected to do vhat was required of them previous to its bCng taken over. There was & part for the Ccincil to Chairman thought they tught to try to get the owners into 1in.e Or it.— Mr. J. H. Itees said that a. distinction waog being made between these owners and others. The sooner they put their foot down the better. If they had the. rigfo to make them do it th-ey should make th^n,— The Clerk said that after taking wer Clarence-road the Council spent £ 30 on i.— Mr. D. W. Evans agreed with Mr. J. \L Rees.—Mr. Hy. W. Jones said the people Blend-road Aveie intelligenteiioiigli to knor what was required of them.—Tha Chairmai said they should either take the road ovei or compel them to do it.—Mr. J. H. EeM said it was in a bad state, and something should be done.—Mr. D. W. Evans held that as it was an exceptional road the Council should help them.—Mr. D. P. Dalies advo- cated that the surveyor should try to COllie to terms with the owners.—Mr. Hy. W. Jones urged that the owners should be dealt wtlt as others had been.—Mr. Harries: It. is in abnormal road.—Mr. D. P. Davies gald thy had spent about £50 on it now, and tllt- should recover the money. He proposed that they should get it.—Mr. D. W. Evax and Mr. J. H. Rees seconded, and it w« agreed.—Mr. D, P. Davies then propoect that they should try to come to a bargah. forthwith with the owners—Mr. D. W. Evans eecon(ted.The Chairman: Failing: which the Council should do it themselves— Mr. Hy. W. Jones said they were maki-i-. new resolutions and ignoring old ones 0: the books. They were going to give the* owners an abatement.—Mr. J. R. Evans ob- jected.—Mr. D. W. Evans favoured it.-M- Ily. W. Jones proposed, and Mr. J. R. Erani seconded, that they ehould enforce the pro visions of the law, but after further dte cussion the Council did not seem to favout this course.—The Surveyor said the owners had kerbed and channelled. Whet wag wanted was the straightening and crowning of the road and rolling'.—Mr. D. P. Dttviea said they cculd not compel :the owner* to roll it.—After a desultory discussion the proposition of Mr. D. P. Davies -To celebrate French Flag Day on the litti of July, it was proposed by Mr. D. P. Davies and seconded by Mr. A. E. Harries that a committee of ladi-as be appointed o carry out the work.—The Olerk suggested that they should leave the work to a few.- It was decided that the following be askei :to act:—Mrs. James, Frondeg; Miss Wil. liams, Aelybryn; Mrs. (Dr.) Jones, and Mrs. Stephens, London Houve, with power to ad<. to the, iiu-mber.-An appeal with respect to the destitute people in Belgium itself wae next dealt, with.—On the motion of Mr. Har- riet, it was agreed that the chairman, vice- chairman, Mr. Rees and Mr. Hopkin, report on the matter by the next meeting.

EDWARDS' GREAT SALE. The summer pale at Messrs. Edwarde well-known establishments is proceeding with unabated success, hundreds daily visiting the various departments and securing unprecedented bargains in all Kinds of ladies' costumes, underwear, and smart millinery. Those anxious ii secure good bargains should not fail to visit the colossal stocks tiuit are aow dja. played-