Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

r Picture Palace. Pontyberem. NEXT WEEK. NEXT WEEK. Usual IEXCELLENT SHOW t of PICTURES. POPULAR PRICES: id., Gd., ltd 9d. | Thursday, Doors Open at 6.45, to com- 1 mence at 7. Saturday, Doors OpeJ. 6.30. tc cofamence at (;'4<5 nd 8.45. MATINEE Thursdays ai 4 o'clock. ld.\ 2d., and 3d.

KODION AR BYNCIAU YR WYTHH08. (CAN "AWSTIIM.") Drwg genyf i mi fethu, drwy aficchyd, myned i Gwrdd Chwareu yn Gymraeg y Plant," ya. Yegoldy DJiatty, Ahertawe., prydnawn dydd lau. Yr oedd genyf l'wriad cryf i fyned. os byddai modd, md yn unig i roddi unrhyw gymliorth feddwn roi, drwy breg^cnoldab a diddordeb, ond i fwynhau yr hyn wyddwn tua/sui, ac a drodd allan fel y (hsgwyJirl, yn wl-edd genedlgarol, os uid yn un geueuiuethol. Yr wyf yn cytuno a'r amr-iiion sydd nwwn golwg gaii y Cymvi.« rion ukjwii syim-udiadaii o'r fath. lV. > dj weviai yr ysgrifenyddion yn y gwahe "n_ .ad Os vdym i ddiogeiu'r iaith rhaid dysgu'r plant: ac i (idvsgrj'r piant rhaid gwn^.yd yr iaith yn iaitli ddeniadol. Ac yn ol yr adroddiad wyf wedi gael, llwyddwyd yu mhob ystvr i hyrwyddo riiaglen dda-droi-nol Cymro- dorion Abertawe. Er fy absenoldeb fy hun, felly, cymcrat y cyfle hwn i lon- gyiaroh y Cynghorwr John Lewis, fel cadeirydd, a phwyllgor a 6wyddogion y gyindeithas ar eu gorchwyHon, eu tref- Iiiadau, a'u haeddianol iwydciiant. Gwell hwyr na hwyrach," ac felly cymeraf yn awr gyíi-e i ddweyd ychydig am weinidog newyud Bedyddwyr Seisnig Danygraig. Rhodduis, yn yr iaitl) taiii," dipyn o hauos y cyfanodydd sefyuln tua thair wytbLnio6 yn oi. Ac er mai gweiniclog ar eglwys Seisnig yw y Parch. R. Curtis Roberts, bydd Cymry gwladgar y drcf yn eicr o fod yu falch o'r cytle i roddi llaw a clialon niewn croesaw iddo. Ganedig ydyw Mr. Roberta o bentraf hychaji Saron, Rhydanian. ac yn naturiol y ruae wedi ei ddwyn i fvny niewn awyrgvlch iachus, Gvmreig. Ond peidied rieb meddwl ei t'od wedi ei ddwyn i fyny fel iar o dan badell" (ys dywed pobl y wlad), oblegid, wedi e-ael cwrs o addysg yn Yisgol Gwyn- fryn (fel cyn nifer o hregetbwyr mawr ereill), treuliodd c-ryn ainscr yn NgJioleg y Brifvegol yn KKhaNdydd, ac y mae ei ■wylKKlaeth gyflredinol yn eang ac yn ddefnyddiol. Treuliodd amser fel pupil teacher dan Mr. "Henry Morgan yn Tycroes, ac y mae ei brofiad a.'1 natar fywiog yn deliyg o too yn ddefnyddiod iddo of a'r eghvys yu Mount Calvary, Afiertaiv^ lie y niae agoriad, gallwn ieddwl, i aiddgarwch a gwree Cyrureig. I'an yn aelod o un o golegau lihindain, cymerodct Mr. Roberts <h\vech o wobrwyoQ mcvn cyet<idleuaetli adored i a Chymru n am wybod- aetli gyffredinol. Tr wdd ei ddiweddar dad yn un o ddiaconiaid mwyaf ffyddlon a pharchus Saron.' ac yr oedd ei angladd, ychydig fieoedd yn ol, y n un o'r rhai mwyaf wdwyd yn yr itrial er's llawer (I iiynyddau- YmhJifh amrnv o lythyrn u ereill a dda^thaut i Jaw yr. jr-tod vv-ytlaioi, y NEadolift, ex'fais un oddiwrth fy nai, yn No. 1 Section Hospital, TrimulgluMry, Deooan, India. Pan yn ysgrifeIILI, edryc.hai ymlaen at brofiad newydd iddo ei, o dreulio Nadolig yn yr awyr a go red, yn ngwrce tanba.id yr haul, a ehyterbynia y preaenol gyda'i fy>v.vd blacnorol fel fFeryllydd yn nitiaii Llundain. Ceisia i mi gyeuio ei deulu gyda'r fam fod pob tebyg- olrwydd (jn ol ei brofiad ef o a-cho-sion cyffetyb), y (--a ei t'rawd, Gwilyra Hees, Freid yn glwyfedig yn iMgh'atdy (!a<^rdvdd, wellia-it o'r clvyf a achociwyd pan a(th bwled Genuanairld ilrwy ei fron cJclf,h¡>tl. Men wounded in the same way out here," n\eddai, invariably r<-cover and get ('er it iis if it were only an ordinary gunshot wound in the haiid, «> long as they take care of theme-el vet;J Rbytedd pellder ffordd a'r g^ahanol auigykliiadau y ma/i y rhyfel vMnli eu hfichoti rhwng bechgyn fel hyn j>ertbyucd i'r un teulu. Daetli j'm llaw, liefyd, oddivvrtli y Pa roil. Nantlais Williams, Rhydaman, restr o destynau çúeJdi uIHltlwl a chyffredmol Undeb Eieugylaidd y Byd," yn braj&iU-nio cylaiiodyda i'w cynal o'r Sabliath, Riiagiyr Jil. 191G, hyd lonav. r ti, 1917. Gall y darlk'iiyud gatgiu natur y eyt'arfodydd cxidiwrlh yr cngjireititiau allat ea rh<Kldi yn awr, a dichon v cat ddyckvvelyd at fanylion vpaill «to mewn un o ddwy iaith fwyaf adnabyddus Gorilewin- barth Cymru. Testynau pregethau ae. anerchiadau y Sul diwetldaf oeddynt:— Gad ef y ilwyddyn hon eto" (Eilc xiii. 8, 9); Crist yn Ben vr Eglwys ■" Eph, i. 22, 23); Gorucbafiaeth ffvddlondeb yn Inywyd wi" lllJJ. ii. 1); Yr unig' 'os' loan xii. 31, 32); Duw ein tadau ,J (I. Chron. xxviii. 9); Can ad Crist- yn < vniliell" (II. Cor. v. It) Wedi hyny, dechreuwyd ar y cyfarfüdydc1 gweddi, ac o dan y penawd Diokligarwch ac Y nioo- tyngiad," rlitvddir y gyfree a ganlyn: Diokbgarwcl-L Am dystiolueth yr Eglwys a'r Ysgrythyrau Banctaidd. Am y ddwy ffaith dragwyddol: Yr Hwn nid adnabu tiechod, a wnaeth Eie yn bccliod drosoin m." Yr Hwn wyf fyvv ac a funi farw." Am yr ysbryd aberthol, tvdd wedi bod yn puro dynion. Am 4dyfnhad o'r meddwl a'r bywyd ysbrydol | ■fxx yr Eglwys. ) mostynglad-Aro fethlaJlt i fyw yn "ngliymdeithai yr Ysbryd Glan. Am fydolrwydd. ac am yr ysbryd i gyfadd awdu yn yr Eglwvts. Am halogiad o Ddydd yr Arglwydd. esgoulilxiod o'r Cyije^gr, dirmysf o Air Duw. a dirywiad duwioldeb teuluol. Rlianau l'w darllen: Siilm ciii. 1-5; Rhufeiniaid viii. 31-39; Salm li.; Datg-addiad iii- Heddyw, dydd Mawrth, y mae y cyfeill- ion vn ymwneyd a mater py,y.sig arall: Yr Eglwys Gyffredinol yn Un Corph" i'r hwn y inae Crist yn Ben. Edifeirwch— Am fethiant yr Eglwys i ddysgu y fath dystiolaclh ffyddlon ac unol ag a barai i'w dylanwad gaol ed deimlo yn fwy dwfn gan SSenhedloedd Cri&tionogol proftescdig. GweKidi-Ain y fath sylweddoliad o brosen- oldeb a nerth yr Yshryd Glan ag a arweinio i adfywiad. Am bureiddiad yr Eglwys yn mhob eymdeithas drwy y byd. Am gynydd o ysbryd undeb ynghanol omryw wei thrediadau. Am y cariad sydd vn eofleidio yr holl fyd. Rhanau i'w darllen: Esaiah liv. 2-5; loan xx. 19-23; Actau ii. 1-4; 1. Cor. xii. 4-7. Caraewn roddi amhnlIiad o'r tref- niadau rhagoi-ol sydd wedi eu parotoi gan Gymrodorion lilanelli, ond gyda n<xli'r ffaith fod rhaglen fwy diddorol na'r cyffredin wedi fy nghyraedd, rhaid gadael y manybon am y tro hwn. Yr wyf wedi gorfod gohirio cyhoeddi rhai yegnfau, yr. herwydd diffyg gofod, a dealle cyfeillion y rheswm pan ym- ddangoeo y cyfry-w ychydig ymhell vmlaen ar ol Øi] dyfodiad. l'eidioo neb ff i-omi- ù angenrhaid a oeodwyd arnaf." Y mis o'r blaen bu farw Mrs. Ylargaxet i Harries, Casllwchwr, a dywecl cyfaill o Penuel:—Aelod ffyddlon a dieglaer yn Mlienuol am lawex o tiynyddoedd. Gyda bod y newydd am farwol-aeth Mr. Isaac Lloyd, dyma yr unrhyw newydd am Mrs. Harries. Yr oedd y ddau fel brawd a clnvaer. wedi ctuel eu cyd-tagu yn Nglias- llwchwr, a chyd-addoli yn yr un eglwys, lite un o aelodau hencf y oor, a'i Ijedniyg- «jdd o'r diweddar arweinydd yn fawr iawn. jTeimlai ein chwaer ddyddordeb ym inliol) pet11 perthynol i'r cyssi^r, ac JDl- hyfrydai yn neiliaid y cyesegr, a hyny ar sail ei charied at Dduw y cywsegr. Teimlai v Szilmv( ] ( I Gv?- fel y Salmydd: "GWJll fyd preswylwvr Dy di." Merch ydoedd i John a Gwenllian Howelle, Di!?t,hant i Gasllwcliwr o Alaev- i teg. Bu John llmvdls yn arweinydd y 1 gan yn I'enuel yn llaenorol Mr. Is«Aac Lloyd. Unodd ein c>r.*aor ,u pr;• a Mr. Rwys Harries }.n yn 'X a 011 j yn briod felly am 3!) mlynedd. Gadawodd j briod i wylo ar ei hoi, a dwy ferch, 'ef Mrs. M. A. Williams a Mrs. Winnie Dayies, pa rai ydynt yn aelodau ffyddlon yn Penuel. iiaeth tori barclius i'w angladd a nifer o berthyu3,:au o bell a{ a?os. D?rbymwyd nifer o lytbyrau hdyd, ac yn eu plith air oddiwrth y Parch. D. C. Howells, Salem, Ma-esteg (perthynil&). Canodd y cor ar y ffordd i'r capel, ae yn ystod y gwaeanaeth. Amlwg fod y teimladau yn dyuer a'r ysbryd yn friw. a pha ryfedd— newydd fod yn angladd yr anwyl lien arweinydd, ac eto yn angladd un o aelodau henaf y cor. Yr oedd dagrau hiraeth am y naill a'r llall yn gymysg- edig. Gwasanaethwyd yn y ty ac yn y .capel gan ei gweinidog. Parch. Edwin Watkins, yn cael ei gynorthvvyo gan y Parch. II. Davies, M.C.. Moriah, Cas- llwcliwr. Olfrymwyd gweddi ar li-ii y hedd. a chauodd y cor" Bydd myrdd ryfeddodau. 11 Yr Arglwydd a f} ado yn iwdded i'n hanwyl frawd ar < cymar tyner a gofalus, ac i/ii :hwi.urydd ar 01 i mam hoff a cliariadus, ac a ienlitiiio y perthynasau oil. Ond gan nad lietti arall idowir alaù yr wythnos lion, ^t naid iveidio angaario rLoda; cyfavc hiad moesgar i eJref Jas"ell'i<^id r doriad gwawr ei gogoniant i;ene.Hi".v iol. Y mae pleiuleisiau Pwyllgor yr C»r«edd a Phwyllgor yr Eisteddfod Genedlaetlio! wedi perrjorfynu mai yn Ng!iastellnedd— ac nid yn Barri na Phorthcawl—y cynhelir Eisteddfod Gencdlaethol yn 1918. Nid oes angen i mi t'anylu ar y parotoadau a'r addewidion fuont yn foddion i sicrhau y fath bleidlais—gwyr pawb iiiiti Costolinedd a haedda'r anrhvdedd, a gwyddom oil y gwna Cymry yr hen dref a.'r cylth yr oil sydd yn eisiau i wneyd ymweliad v 'wfvdliad conedlaethol yn "Ddydd Llythyren Goch yn hanes Cauolljarth Morganwg. Oddiwrth Efell Trefor," Coedcae, Tre- foris, daeth y cunlyii, i'w gyflwyno i'm darllenwyr ar ddeihreu'r flwyddyn:— Y Gwir Anrhydefklus D. liloyd George-, Prif Weinjdog. Wr dedwvdd. rnnwr odidog -—glow doiiiol, (iwlad Weirivtl-i )?'d ?!?n?; Urn a wti a ginn. yn ei giog, Ilynodaf Brif Weinidog.

NEATH AND THE PREMIER. Neath Town Council met on Thursday morning. <iie Mayor (Aid. P. i ban^o presiding. Thc Ma ror. at the outset, moved a vofe i of c-ong'-a'i'liotis <i' Hie rime \tini"Yl. and said hk aupointment brought great i honour to Wales because the Prime ( Minister was a Welsh man. (Cheercs). H i could only hope that, they would have him | witli tlieni at Neath in 1918 when they would have the National Eisteddfod, and that, by that fillle they would be able to recognise him as the leading man in I bringing peace to this country. Aid. llopkiu Morgan seconded, and the resolution wTa^> carried. A vot" of congratulation was also accor- ded to Sir Samuel T. Evans, K.C., upon tll" honour conferred upon him by the King. The Mayor, in moving the resolu- tion. said that at one time Sir Samuel was a member of that council, and he was sure tluit they all felt proud of the fact that he had attained such a great and high position. I

A LADY'S CHAUFFEUR. I Edgar Charles Hoskins, Farm-street, Mayfair, chauffeur to Lord French's I daughter, was fined, at Mortlake on Wod- nestlay. k7 for driving a motor-car at Rar.-alagh-gardens, Barnes, at thirty miles an hour. A Id.ter from the Hon. Essex FN'nch.1 who wrote as hon. secretary of the A brume Paget Massage Corps, Bt.ated that Hoskin" had been exempted because he had been driving one of the cars of the corps since the beginning of the war. I venture, to hope (said the wri,ter) that ho will be allowed to continue to drive and not have his license taken I a.way, as he has done most excellent work. Four previous convictions, one at Croy- I don two years ago for driving at 42 miles an hour, were proved. The chairman (Colonel R. W. Srk,) said that the magistrates thought defen- i dant ought to be at the front, and his license would be suspended for six months.

BRIDE OF A DAY. I Married on Christmas Day, a young i bride of 22 disappeared on Boxing Day, j and has not been >en since. The huband I told the m?i-?!'rate at Tower Bridge Police Court on Wednesday that the weddingj took place at Southwark Cathedral. It was followed by a joM cation at his mother-in-law's liou-se, Noah's Ark-alley, Bankside, and next day his wife started to go to their home in Newoomen-street. She was in good spirits then, and there had been no quarrel, but no trace of her had since been found. The missing bride is about five feet in height, and she was wearing five rings. She apparently had no money with her I when she started for home.

A WELSH VICAR' SFUNERAL. The interment took place at Llandilo Parish Church on Tuesday of the Rev. Dd. Morris. brother of the Rev. John Morris, lay rea der at Llandyfan Church. Deceased who was 71 years of ago, was for many years vicar of Silian, Cardiganshire, and afterwards of the Vale of Clwyd, North Wales. He retired only six months ago. He came from a well-known local family of which there are several in holy orders. Deceased was about 40 years ago head- master of the National School, Llandilo. The officiating clergy were Revs. Arthur Jones ^curate), Llandilo, and W. Hughes, euifAe of Pembrey.

LATEST WAR NEWS I THURSDAY'S FRENCH COMMUNIQUE The night was calm on the whole of the front. BRITISH OFFICIAL. Wednesday, 8.47. p.m—In the neighbour-I hood of Souchez and in the southern half I of the Y p res salient enemy artillery wits very active. Elsewhere intermittent artillery activitv has continued on both i=ides.

THE HUNGARIAN MINISTRY.! A message from Zurich to Le Matin says tha.t the Vo-ssdiche Zeitung learns that the retirement of Count Tisza and the fall of the Hungarian Govern-! liient ax-e iiuiument. Count j-ndrassy will, in all probability, be charged with the for-luatioti of a new Cabinet. He was received last night in I private audience by the King. j A telegram from Vienna says that' Count Tisza was received in audience by the Emperor yesterday. He conferred with the Austrian Premier and also with the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The utmost political significance is at- taclied to these interviews.—Exchange Special, j —————

TWO ZEPPS DESTROYED. Wednesday.—The (Ribe j Stiftstidende says that on December 28 a fire broke out in a double Zeppelin shed at Tondern (Schleswig Ho-lstein). The outbreak was probably caused by a' short circuit. Both the Zeppelins in the shed were dÐStroyed.-Reuter.

RUPTURE OF RELATIONS. I Mr. G. J. Stevens, cabling from Athens' on Moi-iday, tiays: We are in a state of rupture of relations with Greece, which does not necessarily mean war. M. i Go maris states that the Entente's de- mands will be conceded."

VICTORY CERTAIN. I Mr. Ben Tillett has received a Jetter I from Sir Douglas Hai" saying:— You can tell labour at home that thü; best of all Christmas presents they can; make to their comrades in t.he field is the assurance that in so far as in them lies nothing during the coming year shall. hinder the regular and increasing output of munitions and materials. If the men and women workers and the' troops puli together the triumph of our I cause is certain. -————

GERMAN SHIPPING. Amsterdam, Thursday.—In an oii means of communication after the war, the Koelnische Volksj&eitimg says:— "Our oversea shipping rests hut does not grow rusty. Despite the loss which the war has it is still working to perfection at any rate, we can hope to I pof-wess after the wa r the latest creation in shipping."

TO MURDER M. MILIUKOFF. Paris, Wednesday. -The Journal t*. veals the organ; nation of a plot in Pet.ro- grad to assassinate M. rt'velations brought about the faH of M. Stuermer, the late Pivmier. A. man named Butzull, affiliated to the Blaek Hundred, was entrusted with the murder of M. A! i link off, but he denounced the plot and handed over documents showing the measures taken by the Black Hundred to commit the crime.Reuter.

ARMED MERCHANTMEN. I Admiralty and a German I Suggestion. The Admiralty a-Hu-ounces that efforts are being made in Germain Wireless Press to cast doubt upon thel strictly defensive charcter of the arma- inent carried by British merchant ships, and in support of this con- tention use is being made by the Ger- mans of unofficial and unauthorised com- ments that appear from time to time in British newspapers in this connection. The policy of his Majesty's Government is qii" ti elnir. and is defined in the follow- ing authoritative statement, which was made bv tie First Lord of the Admiralty in the House of Commons on the 21st of Daccrnhfr last:— His Majesty's Government CtnTiot ad- mit any distinction between the rights of unarmed merchant ships and those armed for defensive purposes. It is no doubt the aim of the German Government to con- fuse defensive and offensive action with the object of inducing neutrals to treat defemuve armed vessels as if they wero men-o f war. Our position is perfectly dear, that the merchant seaman enjoys the immemo- rial right to defending his vessel a attack, visit or search by an enemy by any means in his power, but that he must not seek out an enemy in order to attack him, that being a function reserved to commis- sioned men-of-war. So far as I am awer,% all neutral Powers without exception take the same view, which is clearly indicated in the Prize-Regulations of the Germans themselves."

GIPSIES FOR THE ARMY. Brynmawr and Crickhowell police or- ganised a raid on a gipsy encampment on Llangattock Mountain, near Beaufort, and as a sequel half-a-doaen sturdy gipsies were charged at Crickhowell on Wednesday with being military absen- tees. The court was full of spectators. amongst whom were sixteen or eighteen gipsy women belonging to the encamp- ment. The Bench fined the prisoners M each. and ordered them to be handed over tt.1> the military authorities.

A SWANSEA FATALITY. I A verdict of accidental death was M- turned by a Swansea jury on Thursday afternon in connection with the death of Francis A. Magley, 3, Watkin-street, Swansea, a sawyer, who sustained fatal injuries while following his employmentj, at the works of Messrs. Stone. J

SWANSEA COLONEL'S SON. I Among those who are included in the honours list is Capt. A. V. Sinclair, eon of Colonel A. Sinclair, of Swansea. He went to FVance with the Welsh RcgL being afterwards placed in charge of a machine-gun section.

WAR SUMMARY FRIDA y Peace Notes on the lines of that of Presi- dent Wilson, have now been addressed to belligerent countries by Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Messages from many quarters indicatol that the food position in Germany and Austria-Hungary is critical. British Naval aeroplanes have successfully bombarded enemy camps in Gallipoli. The great Jakal Dere Bridge, on the! Baghdad Railway, has been destroyed.1 The triple enemy raid on our trenches near- Gonuneeourt ended in failure. It is stated that the Greek troops which surrendered a" Kavalla to the Bulgar- ians are to :■ jht against the Allies in the Bf?ans. .ans. SATURi. fl Yi Sir Douglas i 1 aig's dispatch on the Battle of the Somme is issued to-day. He points out that at least half of the whole German army has suffered defeat. The Commander-in-Chief pays tribute to the work of General Sir H. Rawlinson, General Sir H. Gough, and General Sir E. H. H. Allenby. British soldiers who raided enemy trenches at Le Sars found them to be in a badly damaged condition. A big battle on a front of 90 miles is raging on tiie Rumanian front. The climax i i German savagery has been attained, says the Press Bureau, by the sinking of the British steamer West- minster 180 miles from land. Not only was she torj>edoed without warning, but the. crew were shelled in the boats. MONDAY. A drastic Note has been handed to the Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs op. behalf of the Allies, ixoong other things it demands the transfer of the whole of th", Greek Army except neces- sary troopt and police to maintain order. Sir Douglas Haig has been made a Field Maj-shal in recognition of his services as Comma, der-in-Chief of the British Army. Tbf naiads of several local officers also figure in the honours list. The Allies have replied to the German peace offer, and have refused to con- sider a projosal which is "empty and insincere." The French 'lattlesBip Gaulois was tor- pedoed in tito Mediterranean on Dec. ith, sinking in half an hour. TUESDAY. Geiinan comment on the Entente reply to their sincere pe-ace offer takes a tone of regret for suffering neutrals. Latest information shows that the German peace offer, rrespective of any question of terms, eaged great jubilation in Ber- lin. The I 'fusal by the Entente has amused fu y, which is in great part directed ap inst the German Govern- ment. The Austro-H rgarian Pre^s is making a furious on»: ught on the Government of the Dual K >narchy. holding them re- sponsible tr the v;;n'" continuance. More British ds on (o-riiaan tmwhexiu the West a' reporfrd. The Entente ote to Greece warns Athens that rh-o E hente may shortly p=e the Larissa Rai! vay for conveying tIioop6 to Salonika. Ear] Graiivil!* has been appointed repre- sentative of the British 'Jorernmerit to the Provisional Government of 4. Veni- zelos at Salonika,, with the title of .Diplomatic Agent. The King. in New Year's message to the Lord Mavor of Txmdon, expresses the hope that 1917 will be the year of Victory. Switzerland has warned Germany of her readiness to defend her soil against tuny violation. WEDNESDAY. To-day's Froj-ch official reports "noisy artillery act ivity in the Verdun region and French patrol activity in the Cham- pagne. The RusBO-Rumanian forces hare taken up their position, and it is anticipated that a big battle is at hand. Turkey's repudiation of the Paris and Berlin treaties is believed to be in order to enter any peace conference as an entirely independent Power. Loud French, in an interview, has ex- pressed the belief t.Imt neutral States adjacent to Germany are in danger of being over-run by the Teutonic armies. Greece is said to have accepted the Allies' demand, and have decided to hasten their execution with a view to the re- moval of the blockade. It is stated that the British Knee in France now extend to Clery. THURSDAY. The fall of the Hungarian Government is said to be imminent. Great political significance is attached to the position. A fire in Soh leew ig- Hokitei n is reported to have destroyed two Zeppelins. In a stand before the Sereth the Russians recapture d three villages. A British armoured car did fine work. Given an adequate supply of shells by the workers at home, Sir Douglas Haig says our victory is certain. The possibility of a German effort to turn tho Allies' tank in the west, by viola- ting Swiss neutrality, is beoommg more and more apparent.

PROUD TO BE A 'DISGRACE. I G. A. Sutherland, formerly a master at Harrow School, who has already served a term of imprisonment at Lewes as a conscientious objector, has been eourt-martialled again at Dublin for re- fusal to obey military orders. In a statement Sutherland said: °*I am proud to think I shall never be anything but a disgrace to any army in which I may be deemed to be enlisted." Sentence will be promulgated in due cotirse.

DESERTERS' ESCAPE. I Assistant Gaoler Cavell repotted to Mr. Garrett at Bow-street on Thursday that four soldiers arrested as ahsenteee had es- caped from the court. The magistrate asked how it happened, and the assistant gaoler replied that the men were under military guard at the time, and had been taken to the office for the purpose of having certain Army forme filled in. The magistrate expressed his surprise, and directed inquiries to be made.

SWANSEA PROMOTION. Among the promotions appearing in the London Gazette is that of Vivian Dormitharne Cullis, who has been given a commission in the Yeomanry. Second- Lieut. Cullis is the son of Mr. T. D. CnHis, Surveyor of Taxes and Excise at Swansea

RAILWAY SMASH 11 Killed, 40 injured. A .serious railway accident occurred on W ednesdav evening on the main line of the j North British Railway between Edinburgh and Glasgow. The train involved was ttie 4.J8-from Edinburgh to Glasgow. It wa nearing Ratho Station, about eight mile,: from Edinburgh, when it smaslied with great force into a light engine, which. through some cause at present unex- plained, had been left on the line at Queensferry Junction. The first two car- riages were badly damaged. They were both crowded with passengers, and it was stated at the T-dil -.a, company's headquarters that eleven persons were reported to have been killed, avi a message from the village of Ratho was to the effect that over thirty passengers wer", injured WWI were being treated preparatory to being despatched to Edinburgh Royal hi fi. Hilary. Several Red Cross ambulances were hur- ried from Edinburgh to the scene of the accident, and the chief pfficials erf the rail- way went by special train. The crowded state of the train was accounted f. by the fact that it was the last day of the holi- days, and large numbers were travelling w. The driver and fireman of both engines wore badly injured, and were conveyed to Waverley Station, Edinburgh, by special train, and taken to the Royal Infirmary. Two special trains brought back other injured. A later message says: Eleven persons have been killed, six men, three women, and two children. The bodies have not been identified. Forty injured persons are being treated at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. The cause of the accident has not yet been ascertained Another message from Edinburgh says: The train left Waverley Station, Edin- burgh, at 4.18, and when approaching Ratho Station, some ten miles on its journey, crashed into a light engine which, for some reason so far unexplained, was standing at the points on the Qneens- ferry Junction The train had a full oom- plement of passengers, the majority of them people who were returning to Glas- gow and the West after the New Year holidays. Assistance was telephoned for, and motor nmbulances and cars hurried to the scent; of the disaster. The injured were con- veyed with all speed to the Royal Infir- mary, Edinburgh, where a staff of doctors and nurses was in waiting to attend to them. The «roaah resulted in both lines of rail- way being blocked, but the passenger traffic was without much trouble trans- ferre d to the line running via Dalmeny and Slanghton. Another death took place on Thursday morning in connection with the railway smash at Ratho' Station, near Edinburgh, making 12 in all. An rklcrly .d.. uI.awl1 Catherine White, belonging to St. Bos- welFs, dying from her injuries in the Royal Infirmary. Several of the victims have not been identified.

FATAL ZIG-ZAGGING. An inquiry was held at Sawnsea on Wed- nesday by the Borough Coroner (Mr. J. C. Morris) on the body of Thomas Morgan, aged 29, a labourer, residing at SS, Cecil- street, Neath, who died, at the Swansea Hospital from injuries received in a motor- ing accrident ca January 1 ^t. Mr. Andrews, of Measrs Andrews aDd Thompson, ap- peared on behalf at Mr. Glover, the owner of the motor lorry. Chief (nonstable Hig- giivs, of Neath, was also present. Thomas Morgan (father of deceased) 20, at, the tin Ethel-street, Neath, employed at the tin works, gave evidenoe of identification. Benjamin Morgan, of the Melincrythaji Co-operative Stores, stated that about 1.30 p.m. on Monday, he eaw coming towards Neath, a light motor lorry belonging to Mr. Glover, wine and p;>irit merchant, Neath. Coming behind w itness, in the opposite direction to the motor, was a green;oror,-ec. cart. Witness formed the opinion that the lorry was travelling about 20 miles fin hour, whilst the pony of the cart was trotting at the rate of &bout six miles an hour. The motor kept a straight oonrse, but one of the wheels seemed to wobble a hit. When the cart had passed the bend the driver appeared to get con- fused. The next thing he saw was the left wheel of the cart coming off, and the driver being thrown out. Ion reply to a question by Chief Con- stable Higgins, witness said that the motor lorry dicl not stop until it had gone about 15 or 20 yards. Mr. Andrews: Was not the tail end of the motor lorry on the side of the cart ?— No. He added that the driver of the cart got condensed, and puiled well over to tho wrong (side of the road. James Lapham, 16, Cattle-street, driver Mid owner of the cart, was travelling to- wards Britonferry with one of the wheels of the cart on the tram-Line. He saw the motor approaching, and got off the line. The motor lorry also got off the line, but each seeing the other get off the line, they both got back on the Jine again. A colli- sion occurred. He thought the shafts struck the motor. Phillip Jenkins, 21,. Ethel-street, Neath, a motor driver employed by Mr. Glover, said he was proceeding from AbeTavon, at the rate of IO miles an hour, when he saw Mr. Lapham going towards Briton- ferry. He (witness) was more on his right side than Mr. Lapham, and was about 20 yards awav when he (witness) saw Mr. Lapham. The shaft of the cart came over the door and struck deceased in the stomach. Wetness was asked by Chief Constable Hipgins if he could pull up in 20 yards. Witness: I do not know. Dr. Wood, of the Swansea Hospital, having given evidence, the Coroner summed up, and sl1.id the evidence was very confusing was like two people after i Biff-sagging out of each other's way eventu allv colliding. The jury retnmed a verdict of "Dentb. from injuries accidentally received," and expressed their sympathy with the rela- tives. Mr. Glover also expressed his sorrow with deceased's family, and said he was very sorry to lose such an excellent em- ploye.

FATAL TRAM SMASH. A tramway smash occurred at Dudley on Thursday morning, resulting in tho death of a probation conductress named Payne and injuries to 25 passengers.

MR. TRUErÿ1t\ffS CLAIM NEATH LITICANT SAY-S HE BcPStSEHTS i At a special sitting of the Neath Justices on Wednesday, Mr. Clement Robert Trueman broii-i UT r ■•o -iuhirinses against Brinley Riehartk. draper, Wind- sor-road, Neath—(1) that between the 17;1 (iay of March and the 19th of May, 1914. he-, being a person adjudgod bank- nipt aiter a bankruptcy petition, did un- lawfully attempt to account for certain part of hie property by fictitious losses or expenses; and (2) that he did not deliver up to the Olhcial Receiver all boons I papers, and writings relating to the pro- perty. with intent to defraud. At the outset, Mr. Shipton, for the de- fence, referred to a communication lie had ieceivcd from Mr. Trneman. Mr. Trrr- man was not privileged to pit at L1H' I table, and he asked that he be moved. Mr. Trueman smilingly remarked that a barrier should be put between them. The Clerk asked Mr. Trucuian to sit at one end of the table, and Mr. Shipton at the other. Mr. Trneman opened his ease at grea' length, reviewing the whole of the bankruptcy proceedings, emphasising the charges which he intended to bring. Serious allegations were made at Neath on Wednesday during the hearing of a summons issued by Mr. Robert leme-T) t Trueman against Brinley Richards draper, Windsor-road, Neath, for alleged i offences againgt the Bankruptcy Act. Mr. Trueman addressed the court at some length as to the course he intended to pursue. rrior to 1914, Mr. lrueman said, defendant was a draper ciurying on business at Windsor-road, Neath, and else- where. During the year 1912, he seemed to have been a prosperous business man. for he embarked upon what may 1* termed hazardous speculations and company pro- moting. Ar.d he was brought in with person vho joyed the privilege of trading upon his baAKing account to n considerable extent. He would endeavour to show that one UlTf in one year alone drew the sum of £:34;) 5" and the year before that £ 209. in respect of n mohpy-lendincr business. In 1914 defendant found himself in difficulties, and called a meeting of his creditors in Ixvndon. He (Mr. Trueman) called upon defen- dant. and suggested that he should give him the document which he had over and over again promised to give him a docu- ment which defendant himself bad said would "put this particular gentleman in quad." Defendant declined to give him the document, and he (Mr. Trueman) said ho should investigate it in bankruptcy. Con?ut-nth-, he bough! some of his d?bts. and defendant was forced to ?e his petition. d d ,efen dant wa,,4 forced f<) file. his' On thR 13th Fpbn?rv. 1914. the O?Hcial Receiver held a oreVtmiiiary examiuatiou and he produced an office copy of it for examination. The public examination Mas held on the 17th March, 1914. which wa« adjourned to the 19th May. The lia- bilities included n debt of £ 1.1 due to Mrs. Brinley Richards. Previous to his bankruptcy be offered a composition of lis. in the Æ. and he was going to bring before the court evidence that he had under bis control at, that time a. bag of gold to the value of ~€7S3 lis. available for the pavtuent of the offered c>;nposi- tion. A firm of chartered ae-connt-ants engaged by defendant's creditors took an inventory of the s tock at caqli prlCP. and the approximate value was aborf .£1.46(1. And that was outside s hares which lie held in a ii(-. we -pay)pr-whi,-b proved a failure- of XIOO. motor van, and furniture, loafer, when an inventory of the slock was taken by Mr. Parminter on the instructions of the Official Receiver, tV valuation w; something over £ 700. The stock had dr- nreciated something Hke half its value. Thomas Brown, a part colliery pro- prietor, Tonna, said in March, 1911. defendant made a suggedion to him thai he purchase his fstate. Subsequently, Mr. Tngleton approached him, and again the suggestion was made that he should put ,ci.000 into the business. He (Mr. Inglefton"! said he would Dr. Evans would put -,x-n(,thL-r X,2.54. and Mr. Thomas, Mountain Ash. 10(1. Negotia- tions commenced, and ultimately the estate was purchased for £ 750 Thos. H. Tngleton. grocer. Old Market- street. Neath, and Dr. John Evans, Lon-, don-road, Neath, also gave evidence. William Burrows Trick irl he had business transactions with Mr. Richards from time to time. He admitted having had n-ctice to produce certain books rel.it ing to the money-lending business, but explained that he was unable to do so be- cause he did not know where -they were to be found. Four of his clerks who did the books at that period were on active service. The Bench suspended tie examination of the witness, and ordered the production of the books in court on Thursday morn- ing. Charles Edward Stuart Thomron, mana- ger of the Neath branch of the Mstropoli tan Bank, produced a copy of the banking accounts relating to the monev-len<j!i>e business, and Wm. Lev«>n, s<SHcitor, wa,~ examined as to the- deed of assignment o* an insurance policy from defendant Mrs. Richards. The court then adjourned until Thuts day morninty. When the case of Trueman v. Richards was resumed at Neath on Thursday mornihg, Mr W. B. Trick, J.P.. went into the box, and, his examination continu- ing, produced 6om€ books, including a ledger for 1909-10, and stated the-e were all the books that he was able to ?ind in the absence of his four clerks on active service that contained any reference to business transactions with Mr. Brinley Richards. Further examined by Mr. True- man, Mr. Trick said that Richards was not the tenant of the premises at Sum- nierfield-place occupied by Messrs. Arthur and Co. These premises during the tenancy of Messrs. Arthur and Co. were tenanted partly by Mrs. Richards, wife of the defendant. Mr. Trick also said under exam- ination, that he did not owe defendant a single penny, neither did he pay him any losses while connected with a money- lending partnership. At a later stage Mr. Trueman used the word We," and witness exclaimed, What do you mean by we ?" Mr. Truman: His Majesty the King- i and myself Mr. Shipton: What about justice? Mr. Trueman: I represent justice. Mr. Shipton: Then I am very L-,k,I.y i. it. Mr. Trueman: Perhaps you will be. i Later Mr. Trueman asked the btl:C.L treat Mr. Trick as a hostile witness. JTiiejf refused to do 60. At tile adjoumiu'u- for lunch, Mr. Trick was still ir.v!re- examination. Mr. Trueman, addressing the Lj; cL, said ii the magistrates thought this was, » prosecution that ought not to have been brought, and thai he was not justiiied in exposing the alleged fraud, lie w«s< pre- pared to leave the responsibility iu the hands of their Worships. The Chairman (Coione-r 5. Edwards Yaughan): The magistrates can form no opinion until they have heard the whole oÍ the evidence Mr. Trueman then resumed his examina- tion of the T,-itn(-ss, Mr. Trick. Mr. Shipton (cross-examining witness): Do yon remember the perj ury action brought against the preseni defendant in 1!1J5-Y(' Were you then put through the whole thing you have been put through to-day;" —Practically. Did the Grand Jury throw out that case !•'—- Y es. Sidney Thomas (who had been subpoenaed) refused to be sworn until he was guaranteed his expenses, as he had now been two djrys in the court. Mr. Trueman: I am very sorry, but your evidence is not worth it. Witness then left the box. -M r, Truemar-, Paid 11 1 Mr. Trueman said that he had expected another witness, but Le had not turned up, and on second thoughts he would pay Mr. Thomas' expenses, and take his evi- dence, and banned witness a tl note wh°n The Clerk interposed, and said that trie witness was not entitled to so much. Mr. Trueman then gave witness a Ids. note, and witness gave evidence. The case was afterwards adjourned un- til Thursday next.

POTATOES IN PARKS. Sir Alfred Mond. the First Commissioner of Works, is setting an excellent example to local authorities and other public- bodies in dealing promptly with the pro- blem of food production in parks and open s;>ace» (says the Daily Telegraph ")- With the Killg;ö approval he ha-o given instructions for the grounds of the Con- valescent Home for Officers of the Navy and Army at Osborne. Isle of Wight, to >ye planted with potatoes. Before the wai those portions of the grounds open to tie public—notably the Swiss Cottage gardens w,- i,k) a blaze of harmonious colour throughout the whole of the summer. Very little gardening has,. of course., been done since the commencement of the war, but to the thousands of people who member what the gardens lookea l", three years ago the decision oi the ri" z Commissioner of W'ork.-> cannot iaii 1, oo an admirable object-lesson.

PORT TALBOT TRAGEDY. (jrtPts ta tAberavo oon W^dn^sday lS. Lewis M. coJKiuc.cd ar, ;:i- quest at on Wednesday Charles Parkhoufce (IS), a flag signalJI -i in Lhe employ of the Swansea Jiarb Trust, who was run ever a.t Port Docks on Monday night last week. 'Hie widow said her husband had bren on sick leave since September, folio? jrSw an epileptic seizure, but on Monda; he W5 quite c.heeriul at th,e prœpp{.t 1,(, suming work that day. He left Lome about six o'clock. lie knew nobody in Port Talbot. but being a great walker she thought he must have walked. He was a total abstainer David John Morgan, head shunter out the Port Taloot Railway, was the first to see. the deceased alter the accident. When leaving work about six o'clock he eaw a man lying in a nat work of railways near Llewelyn's Quay, with the rigM leg amputated. Dr. Radcliffe complimented Morgan ftn the efficient way he had stopped bleeding. After Parkhouse bad beca taken to Aiwr- avon Hospital an ampi^^cui was DtJCeØoo sary, bat the man died fro inshock ani also from the effects of an epileptic 5t, which he appeared to have had during the day. In hospital the deceased said he thought he was in Swansea Docks. A verdict of accidental death w.ts re. turned.

I NEATH SOCIALISTS. Council Refuse Use of Gwyn Hall. At the monthly meeting of the Neath Town Council on Thursday, the Mayor presiding, the Halls Committee reported that they had received an application from the Neath Socialist Society for the use of the Gwyn Hall on Saturday, February 9th. for a. meeting to be addressed by M-r. Robert Williams, the aet.retary of the National Transport Workers (Loridol-, on the status of the workers after the war. The committee, by a majority, had declined to grant the application. Mr. J. R. Jones now moved an amend- ment that the use of the hall be granted, and pointed out that the Gwyn Hall was n Halt was a white elephant" to the Council, be. cause it did not pay. He submitted t-Kat j there was no reason why the Comaefl should refuse the use of the hall. Mr. J. Chodlaoombe seconded. Ald. Hopkin Morgan, in opposing the amendment, pointed out that the applicat- tion was made on a form headed the Neath Socialist Society." Was not that in itself a contradiction of the statements made by Councillor Jones? If Sir. Wil- Mams said he wanted the hall on behalf ,of the trade unionist '-K.t-'nvent why did he not say eo? If the Li-a(ic izmi.Pnjg*,s re- quired the hall they could have nade the application on forms of theor own, and not leave it to the Socialist Society, who were federated with the I.L.P. Whll they came there under the gui se of the Socialists and I.L.P., who were at the preeent moment raising all sorts of objec- tions, he contended that they were not honest or fair and did not fight their battles upon fair lines. Councillor J. Morris also opposed the amendment, which was defeated by six votes to four. Councillor J. R. Jones: I see the opposi- tion. Will you give me the hall? (Langhter.) The Chairman: You must make yovr application to the committee. (Laughter.)

PROGRESS ON THE TIGRIS. Press Bureau. Wednesday evening.— ) The Secretary of the War Office an- j nounoes:— I j Since December 26th operations on the | Tigris front have been impeded ly heavy rain which hns fallen almost daily and reduced the ground to a morass, In spite of th^sc ad verse conditions. further progress has-been made on the ( right bank of the Tigris east and nortii- east \of Kutl-Am..a.I1&.