Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

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Boches in Franco-British I Grip. I Situation Less Strained Near I Soissons. H. Q Warning to Germany. I We closed our last week's chapter oi -the war story with i-h.e, expectation that -the German offensive on the Western front, and the lull which we then noted, ritvould continue over Friday, Saturday, Itnd Sunday. Then came the inevitable. ;The enemy could not abstain longer from the attack, as he knew that the Allies vv/ere strengthening their positions, pr- i paring for the expected attack, and se- curing the a&sistance which the influx of Ariieica.i troops must gi ve% The big attack came on Monday morn- ins;, and was opened on two sections of thü front," in one of which the Germane gained ground, over a part of the line rtfor about ten miles, and in another of v which we first lost and then regained the ground thus lost, in Flanders. On the Aisne front, where the Germans succeeded in crossing, the attack on Mon- day morning was preceded by four hours' intense bombardment, with gas shells, be- ginning at one in the morning. At four o'clock the German infantry began to move. The operation from the German tpoint of view was in all respects similar to the attack on March 21st. HOW IT OPENED. I The enemy engaged about 25 divisions, including a number which had been moved with the usual secrecy from the Uirson-Meziers region, where the Ger- ionan general reserves were massed and brought on to the battlefield at the last moment by a night march. Before, the battle front of attack was hold by the armies gf Von Boehm and Fritz von Below. These commanders held the en- tire front from Noyon to Auborive, Von Boehm from Noyon to Craonne with nine dj visions, Von Below from Craonne to Auberive with eiglit divisions. The line is thus relatively thinly held, with an average of Ane division to four miles of front. According to Renter's Special, the Cheanin des Dames line was attacked in flank from the Corbeny-Juvinoourt region. In accordance with his usual tactics of submerging the defence under an over- whelming flood of men, the enemy > launched his infantry in a dense wavq. against the eastern end of the plateau, captured Craonne, turning the flank of a division which was here, and stormed the Californic and Vauelerc plateaus. We were holding a front with no more tnan the few divisions which happened t.) be in line, which comprised two Bri- "tftrh divisions, and that the Germans out- numbered our men by five to one. SOME OF THE DETAILS. I Now, let us follow up the details: The position attacked was the long, narrow- topped barrier along which the Chemin des Dames runs from Hurtebdse to the head of the valley. The crest of the ridg- M a mere riband of shell-torn sand, in places Dot more than 200 yards across, and nowhere more than 1,000 yards in width. On either aide the ground drops so sharply to the valleys that infantry hall-way uy the ascent are practically safe from artillery fire. On the other hanct, the defenders of the ridge have un room to manoeuvre, and cannot retreat even a few yards in most place? without losing the crest. In the face of such an attack as that of yesterday it was inevi- table that they should recoil under the shock, with the result that the Germans remained in possession of the ridge. It is 3mportant to remember, also, that in an exposed position that has been drenched with gas for hours and then attacked in force it is practically impossible to or ganise a defence. IN GAS MASKS FOR HOURS. I Officers and men on our side had been wearing their gas maks for hours when the attack started, and could not remove them even for a moment. In such con- ditions it is almost impossible to give or understand orders. The battle becomes an affair of individuals or small units, who fight as long as they can when they must. The difficulty of maintaining a i"ition against an attack in such force had been foreseen by our command, and as soon as it was clear that the Germans had established themselves on the crest, the order was given to abandon the whole of the Cheniin des Dames and fall back to the Aisne. The retreat was executed in excellent order, the French and British retiring in liaison and without serious loss. A simultaneous attack on the French sector in the region of the Flemish hills seems to have had no more than a local objective, to wit, the recovery of the ground recently taken 'from the enemy by the French. The F*»eh bad t? »ctr^1-v Tttblíshed their line by the end <?f th morning. TUESDAY'S COMMUNIQUE. I On Tuesday evening the official com- munique said: Counter-attacks carried out early this morning by French and British troops successfully re-established our line east of .Dickebusche Lake. Seve- ral prisoners were captured. In the — enemy?s attacks yesterday morning in this sector and to the south as far as Locre, four German divisions are known to ha.ve been engaged. In the course of the fight- ing heavy losses have been inflicted on these divisions, and the Allied line has been maintained at all points. On the remainder of the British front there is nothing to report beyond artillery ac- tivity on both sides in different sectors." Commenting upon this news, the writer already alluded to, wiring from the Bit- tish Army position in France, on Tues- day. said: The tide of battle has flowed well away from what we have always re- garded as the zone of'the British armies, although it has oa-rried British troops along with it. The thunder of the guns has rolled down into a far-away mutter- ing, for. except to the north of Mount Kemmel, the enemy artillery has fa.llen comparatively quiet along the frowt of the original gun offensive. The four British divisions mentioned in the official commnniqno as having so stoutly withstood the first tremendous onslaught of .the enemy in the Aisne val- ley have already borne their full share in the desperate fighting since March 21. They are divisions composed of English troops, many English counties being re- presented in them. BRITISH, FRENCH AND AMERICANS I The counter-attack east of Dlokebusch. this, morning, appears to hare been quite successful, and the positions herealxnits have been practically restored a.s they were before yesterday's attack against the British ajid French. Storm battalions from no lees tfoan four divisions were iden- tified in this battle, eo that although it was only a local operation, probably aimed at recovering the ground whic-h the French took on the 24th inst., it was undertaken in considerable strength. There is great satisfaction amongst the British troops at the new. of the success- ful attack by the Americans near Mont- didier, in which they are reported to have taken more than 140 prisoners. BRITISH SAVE RHEIMS. This is how the Paris Petit Journal on Wednesday morning commented upon the fact that the British saved Rheims: H On both wings the French and British victoriously resisted the terriffic on- slaughts of the enemy, and barred his pas- sage to Soissoos and Rheime. It is pos- sible that the arrival of reserves will not be long in re-establishing the equilibrium in the centre. On the right wing the British divisions who were defending the sector between Jonchery (on the Vesle) and Briwont took every advantage of Fort Saint Thiarry, on the neighbouring heights, to resist all the attacks of Gen. von Below. The British maintained all I theoo positions in their entirety, and in- flicted heavy losses- on the attackers. Thanks to the stubbornness of the Bri- tish troops, Rheims was saved. After his success of the previous even' ng the enemy reckoned he could easily capture the city. He has still far to go." To summarise Wednesday's story of the war, it may be added that having driven a. deep salient into the Allied cen- tre south of the Aisne, the Germans were on Tuesday under the necessity of attack- ing on the flanks at Poisons a-nd Rheims, where the Allied troops were holding out on the heights. Some pj-ogresi*was made, more especially on the Sok-sons flank, our men retiring yard by yard and offering a stubborn defence to the assaults of fresh enemy troops TNcli had arrived over night. Soissons was evacuated after hard fighting in the streets, and some ground was also yielded in the centre, south of the Vesle, but further east, in the direc- tion of Rheims, we maintained onr posi- tions. By the end of the day the Ger- mans had advanced at the deepest point of penetration a distance of fifteen miles from their starting-point of Monday. They claimed that they had taken 25,000 prisoners." THURSDAY'S POSITION. I Having gone over the major points in this manner, we may close the week's chapter by referring to the notes in our editorial columns, dealing further with the subject, and conclude for the present with the French coiximuniquev- Paris, Thursday.—The battle continued Without cessation throughout the night. Our troops energetically hold the west- ern approaches to Soissons from which the enemy was unable to debouch despite his repeated attempts. Further to the south combats of ex- treme violence are taking place in the region of the Soissone-IIartennes road, and the Serches-en-Tardenois-Vezil front, where our troopos, supported by our re- serves, a.re opposing the enemy masses with untiring tenacity. To the right the Franco-British troops on the Dromillet-Chillons front, 'as well as bo the north-west of Rheims, broke up all assaults, and retain their positions. A telegram from Zurich says:— The 3w" il-I •trriHrern Gkrcmaiiy pub 1;11 a nouvfrom Headquarters which says the population should not; expect the ad- vance to continue a6 on the first day. The resistance, of the enemy is becom- ing desperate and violent counter-attacks have to be looked for. The transport of our artillery and munitions is also meet- ing with some difficulty. The paper adds that people should not forget the import- ance and gravity of the struggle.

A LOUGHOR SOCIETY. < At the Swansea Police Court on Wednes- day, the True United Friendly. Society, Lough or, and John Morgan, secretary, were charged with failing to keep a. regis- ter of receipts and expenditure as required by the Friendly Society Act. to bp siil)- mitted to the registrar. Mr. W. J. Day appeared to prosecute, 8bd said a return each year showing the financial transactions for the year was to be sent to the registrar. The defendant secretary said there had been talk of dividing the lodge, and in this way the delay was caused. The Bench imposed a fine of £5 on the society, < £ 5 on the secretary, qiid 4,10 costs.

TO ALLOTMENT HOLDERS. Mr. Prothero, Minister of Agriculture, in a letter, says the Government have decided to introduce legislation to enable allotment-holders to retain their lund until autumn, :!JZO, at least, unless it is shown to the s.atisfaction .t the Board cf Agriculture that the land is required at an earlier date for building or other pub- lic purposes. Jn such circumstances will be compensation for loss of crops. Mr. Prothero adds: The Government recognises fully the social and moral :¡.d- vantages of the allotment movement, and they hop* to fake the necessary steps to establish it firmly :t; a. permanent feature labour national -e. ■ ■ > v

NEATH'S QUOTA. In connection with the War Weapons Week which is being organised at Neath, commencing on Monday next, a confer- ence was held at the District Council Offices, Neath, on Wednesday, convened by the Mayor (Aid. H. Morgan, J.P.), Aid. H. P. Charles, J.P. (chairman of the Neath and District War Savings Com- mittee), and Major W. Burrows Trick, J.P., M.B.E. There was a representative attendance present, over which Major Trick presided. Mr. Arthur Evans, local secretary of the War Savings Committee, announced that a Tank would visit Neath on the last two days of the week (Friday and Saturday) and would be placed out- side the Gwyn Hall. The quota expected from. Neath would be < £ 100,000. Aid. H. P. Charles, J.P., Raid he was afraid that the town had been already well-drained by the two previous attempts when they raised first nearly a million nounds and then nearly < £ 100,000 by the last effort. He criticised the action of the authorities by giving them only 10 days to organise this effort. Continuing. Ald. Charles said that people went to the cinemas night after niiht, spending their money. They said that they must be cheered up. He did not care for that sort of cl'Dering up, and he thought it would be f tk for these people to put their mones, to help t?e ?neu who were fighting for th?m. ?OheeM.) .??

SUFFERED FROM FITS I I SWANSEA MAN WHO WAS PASSES GLASS A. Aid. T. Merreils presided over the Swan- sea Recruiting Tribunal on Thursday. A Grade 11. man, previously employ (Id as a linotype operator, asked for exemp- tion on the ground that serious domestic hardships would ensue if he were sent to the Army. One brother had been killed, another permanently injured, and a third had been totally discharged. His mother was partly dependent upon him. The tribunal, after considering in pri- vate, adjourned tiie case for a month for the man to finid work of national impor- tance. Time had been previously al- lowed for the man to find work of na- tional importance, and he had been taken on at his present employment, after hav- ing one time left it for work in munition factory. They did not consider his pre- sent work of national importance. A single man, who had had an accident which gave him abdominal trouble, itad who also suffered from fits, said he was passed Class A for observation." Aid. Merreils: Did you toll those who examined you the facts? Applicant: Yes, Sir. He claimed he was unfit for service on medical grounds, and domestic hardship would ensue, as he was the sole support of his widowed mother. Adjourned for further medical evidence. At Neath Borough Tribunal on Thurs- day, the president (Aid. H. P. Charles, J.P.) referred to the recent proclamation under the new Military Service Act, and said it was a scandalous shame that con- scientious objectors, whom he character- ised as skunks and cowards," should be protected by a clause giving them the right of appeal, denied to other men who might have legitimate grounds for appeal.

SEAPLANE TRIP. Sir Alfred Mond, M.P. (writes a London correspondent)" has spent the last few days inspecting various extensions of works on the south coast carried out by the department of which he is the head. On Saturday Lady Mond and he took a flight in a seaplane and found the ex- perience most enjoyable and exhilarating.

PARK MYSTERY. An open verdict was returned nt the inquest. conducted by the Swansea Borough CoToaier (Mr. J. C. Morris at Swansea on Wednesday, on the body os Emily Roe (611, of 25, Recorder-street, Swansea, which was found in the pond at Brynmiil Pa.rk, Swansea, on Monday afternoon.

DOCK GATESMANS DEATH. Death from injuries accidentally rt- ceived was the verdict returned at the inquest at Swansea on Wednesday on the body of Thomas Arnold (ti.V), of Dock House, Britonferry, a foreman at the Britonferry Docks, who was knocked down by a train and fatally injured at Britonferry on Monday afternoon.

SHEEP TRESPASSERS. At Aberavon on Monday, the Cvnon Colliery Co. were charged by Supt. Ben Evans with not keeping a dangerous dog under proper control. Evidence was given that the dog, which was kept on the com- pany's farm, attacked sheep owned by a neighbouring farmer. The defence was I that the sheep were trespassing, and the Bench. dismissed the case.

A GAME OF NAP." At Aberavon, on Monday, Win. Miles, Thomas J. Miles, Richard Williams, Mor- gan Mathiaw, David Francis and Daniel Samuels, all of Cwmavon, were charged with gaming with cards on Cilcarn Moun- tain, Cwmavon, on Sunday.—P.C. Rogers spoke to seeing tho men playing nap." He gave and captured the'" kitty" of 2s. 6d., mostly in halfpennies—Defen- dants were lined Sfts. each.

AMBULANCE WORK. I The Pantyffynnon G.W.R. Ambulance I Class, who, in a rccent examination se- cured 100 per cent, paase*, received the awards at the han d? of Mr. T. M. Evans, M-A., who congratulated both the mem- bere and the lecturer (Dr. D. R. Price) I upon the happy result, and announced I that in three consecutive ambulance competitions the team, captained by Mr. W. A. Jones, had come out winners..

COMBED-OUT COLLIERS. Before the Ammanford magistrates on Wednesday afternoon, Walter Jones. 13, Maesgwyu, Pantyffrnnon. and John Lewis Koes, Trcedyi hiv,\ Garnswllt, were charged with being absentees from the Forces. Both were combed-out colliers. By arrangement with Mr. Dd. Jennings, the N&tioiial Service representative, the ^djcKirned to June and I the dcf''nctapts let out on bail, themselves 1., eych.

TEACHERS AND A BONUS. I Uncertificated teachers petitioned the Neath Education Authority on Tuesday to continue the ti war bonus irrespective of the recent decision t» increase the minimum to £ 65 per annum. The Clerk (Mr. Arthur Evans) caid he wanted the committee's decision before he paid the bonus, because he was not quite sure whether the bonus was merged into the increase. On the motion of Aid. H. P. Charles, it was decided to defer the matter until war bonuses generally were docided upon.

NEATH'S CANDIDATE. I A meeting of the Executive Committee of the new Liberal Association for the Parliamcntarv Didsioll of Neath was held on Saturday at the Liberal Club, Neath, Alderman Hopkin Morgan, J.P., C.B.E. (Mayor of Neath), presiding. It was unanimously resolved that Mr. J. Hugh Edwards,M.P. for the Mid- Glamorgan Division, be adopted as the Liberal candidate. This resolution will be submitted for confirmation to a full general meeting of the association on June 8th, and Mr. Edwards will be asked to address the meeting after his adoption. Mr. Edwards has held the Mid-Glamorgan seat since December, 1910. The Labour Party have adopted Mr. Ivor Gwvnne, Tinplate Workers' Union. of Swansea.

The convalescent soldiers at the r Laurels Hospibl, eath. were enter- tained at the Constitutional Club, Neath, by Mr. Cooper, of Britonferry, and a con- cert party consisting of Mrs. Seymour, Mrs. Pain.f Little Dolly Seymour, Mr. Harry Moore. Mr. A. Shuffkbotham, Mr. Vcnabie*?, Mr. W. Smith, Mr. Stan- bridge, and Mr. Evans. The accom- jfttiiifiti wwo Mrs. :e.iVQ¡1jo tfx, fctaMhii

THE VOLUNTEERS. CALL TO CRADE 2 MEN OF 35 AND UPWARDS It is officially announced, with reference to the appeal to Volunteers to undertake special service, that this will be made to all Volunteers of 35 years and upwards who are Grade 2 men and who are efficient. It is intended that all such men who come forward, and who w-e at present exempted, either temporarily or condi- tionallv, from military service, shall not suffer from acceptance of this special duty. It has been decided that during this period the exemption shall be in suspense, and fdjall become operative again when the man has completed his two months' service. Further, the tiiiiinal-, will be advised that should a DJau after his period of service apply for a renewal of his exemption his application shall in no way be prejudiced by tho fact that he ba-<" given two months' spedal service. Definite instructions as to procedure for the formation of the new body are expected to be issued in the course of the next few days, and enrolment will then begin. The pay and reparation allowances 6f the Volunteers will be the same as in the case of the Regular Army.

LUSITANIA CRIME. On Thursday morning 100 officers and men belonging to the United States forces went in processional order to the Queens- town Cemetery and decorated the graves qi the Lusitania victims with garlands and flower's. The ceremony was an ex- ceedingly impressive one. Among those present were the American Consul and Vice-Consul, the chairman and town clerk of the Urban Council, the agent at Queenstown of the Cunard Company, and other prominent people in Queenstown.

GAS ENGINEERS. .H Port Talb<< £ on Wednesday the members of the Wales and Monmouth- shire District Institution of Gas En- gineers and Mamgers held their half- yearly meeting, under the presidency of Mr. J. Moyford. Britonferry. Mr. R. G. Cliti- v. of Swansea, was sleeted president for the coming year. In propping him, the retiring president said it, would be a distinct advantage to the Institution to have one of its ablest members in the chair. He was the man- ager of a large works, and would be able ti give them advantage or extensive ex- perience.—Mr. Clarry said he would do his best to follow the footsteps of the oast piesidenfs. Messrs. A. J. Bond (Aberavon), and J. H. Canning iNc,rl)ort) were elected viee- presidents, and Messrs. H. Barker (Llan-' elly), E. Talhot), and W. Jackson (Neath), were placed op the counci l. i

THEFT OF FOWLS. William W GrifHths, h is wife Hannah, and sister. Margaret Jane, of Bryndulais- row. Seven Sisters, were at Neath on Fri- day charged on remand with stealing two live ducks, value 1;). the property of Thos. Williams, Front-row, Onllwyn; and four live fowls the property of Mor- gan Ellis, Front-row, Onllwyn, value 35s.; line live fowls, the property of David Morgan, Orange Villa. Onllwyn, value 50s. Griffiths and his wife were further charged with stealing one sheet and four pillow ca/es from a cloth es line in the garden of Wm. Jc>mes Williams, Seven Sisters. > Inspector Gill and Sergt. ppoke !/> visiting Seven Sisters and searching (he prisoners' house, and finding evi-I dences \of the theft.—Defendants pleaded guilty, and asked for leniency. Supt. Ben Evans said there bad been a regular epidemic of fowl stealing at Seven Sisters and Onllwvn. Since November 25 ot last war no less than 66 fowls and five dncks had been l-eported missing from the neighbourhood, and in the majority of c?eea they t?iongpd to poor people. j' Hannah Griffiths was apnt?nced to fonr months' imprieonment; William Griffitlijs? three month? impri&onmpnt, and Mar. garet Jane Griffiths was fined 93.

STARVED TO DEATH. American's Sad End. An extraordinary ease of apparent sell- starvation was told to the Swansea Borough coroner (Mr. J. C Morris) at the inquest on Tuesday on the body of Alfred Sim-i (36), which was foua.1 between the timbers at. the north end cf the West Pier early on Saturday. The dee* 8*>ed had been lodging with a Mrs. Alai.r.ing at Xo. 70, Rodney- street, Swansea, for-about two years, and worked a.t Messrs. I'arry and Eorke's, L»td.. hide and skin works. He was poesessed of a, religious mania, and after going upstairs every nigiit he would pray and cry for a considerable time. Mrs. M-aniiiing became afraid of him, and gave him notice to qtiit. He left the house on May Uth, aud w? nol aeen afterwards. A.n that be would eat w3tlnead. He .\vael always saying that the world was coming to an end, and tha' he could not get the people to believe W lie was a good work- nan, but would J..t!\r mix with the work- ing men near him. and at times lie would fall on his knees in the mud and etart pray. ing. He was earring ample wages to pro- vide himself with proper food, but he said that bread and wrltrr was sufficient for him.. Richard Rice, 21, Fdgeware-road, Swan sea, a pilot's assistant, eaid he was on the West Pier at 4.20 a.m. on Saturday when he saw the body of deceased lying between the tim- bers. He tried to pull it out, but could not. He then obtained help, and after removing a number of thick boards was abje to reach the body, which was warm and quite dry, and had not been in the water. He (Rice) presumed that the deceased had been sleer- ing beneath the pier and had died while crawling out. A waistcoat and jersey were found under the pier afterwards, the material in the waistcoat being identical with that of the coat and trousers worn by deceased. Dr Trevor Ev.ms, who held a post mortem examination. caià that the body was very thin. There were no siciis of disease, and there was no food in the stomach. He at- tributed death to starvation and exposure. The Coroner, in summing up, said that perhaps the deceased did not try and ob- tain new lodgings, and went to sleep under I the pier, where he stayed until death. The jury returned a verdict of death from exhaustion following starvation self-im- posed. I

p, The Press Association says that David Greenwood sentenced to death for the murder of Nellie Trew, at Eltham Com- mon, and whose execution was fixed for Friday, has been reprieved. Owing to the travelling restrictions, the Baptist Union of Wales will this year not hold the usual gathering of ministers and 4elegates. There will lie only a Council get ting at Llanwrtjd in the early daya Scari&aber. w. o

A SHADOW OF THE PAST THE DANCERS SECRET P.B. AND, MAUD ALLAN — — — LONDON, Wednesday. At the Old Bailey on Wednesday Mr. Noel Pemberton Billing, M.P., sur- rendered to his bail to answer a charge of publishing a false and defamatory libel on Miss Maud Allan and Mr. Jack Thomas Grein. The defendant conducted his own case, and at the opening said he would like to lodge a formal protest against the judge, Mr. Justice Darling, taking the cuse. His Lordship said the fact that Mr. Billing took an unfavourable view of him could be no reason why he should not take the case. By the came process defendant might object to other judges. Counsel for the prosecution said MisS Maud Allan's character was doubly con- cerned, because instead of being content with a plea of not guilty defendant had chosen to put a plea on record in which he said the statements he now made about Miss Allan were true. Continuing, counsel outlined the case for the prosecu- tion. I' Miss Maud Allan entered the witness- ing. and said she appeared several times before King Edward and Queen Alexan- dra. and had danced all over the world. Cross-examined by defendant, Miss Allan said her present name was not that by which she had always been known. Her other name was Una Maud Allen Durrant. Mr. Billing said he deeply regretted he would have to put a question. The Judge, after a discussion with counsel for the prosecution, allowed this question to put, and in reply Miss Allan said she was a sister of William Henry Theodore Durrant. Mr. Billing: Was your brother executed in San Francisco for murdering two joung girls, and outraging them after death ( Miss Allan (addressing the Judge): I don't know whether the question is ad- missible in its entirety. The Judge (to Mr. Billing): You had better split it up, Mr. Billing. Mr. Billing: Was your brother exe- cuted in San FranciscoP Miss Allan: Yes Mr. Billing: What was the crime? I Miss Allan: You have tioalU what the crime was. The Judge: What, for the murder of two young girls? Miss Allan: Yes, my lord. Tho Judge; And for outraging them after death? Hiss Allan: That is. ] think, a false statement, my lord. Mr. Billing: That was proved at the trial, mv lord. The Judge here reproved Mr. Billing for interjecting the remark, saying: "You niiist not make a statement, but ask questions." Mr, Billing asked witnees whether the two bodies were found in a belfry of a church Miss Allan replied that tihe did not know. In the course of further cross-exami. nation, Miss Allan denied that her style of dancing was a German art, and eakl she was trained in music in Germany, but she had never studied dancing in her life, and had never had instructions from anyone but herself and works of art. Asked if she had mixed with the highest social circles, Miss Allan said she had visited Lord and Lady Dudley, and danced there before the King and Queen. She had visited Downing-strect as Mrs. Asquith's gue^t, but did not ditnee there. Mrs. Asquith had never been in -her dress- ing room at the Palace. Asked why she accepted the speaking part of Salome from Mr. Grcin when she had lytherto confined herself to dancing, Mies Allan said it was her ambition to become an actress as well ae a dancer. She did not admit the play was one having for ite motive sexual paseions. In re-examination witness said she con- sidered the I)aragrapli complained of and the heading an attack upon her honour ac; a woman and upon her chastity. She thought fit a caddish thing to do. Miss Allan'# case was concluded and the heating was adjourned. The trial of Mr. Noel Pemberton Billing, M.P., on a charge of publishing a false and defamatory libel concerning Miss Maud Allan and Mr. J. T. Grein, was resumed at the Old Bailey on Thurs- day. Mr. Billing opened his defence and sub- mitted that there was no case for the criminal Jibel law. Giving his decision Mr. Justice Darling said there was evidence to go to the jury, and he must rule that the alleged libel was one which justified a criminal prose- cution. Mr. Billing said he was anxious for Mr. Grein to proceed '•■-I.li hie Asked by Mr. Justice Darling whether he proposed to give evidence himself Mr. .Billing replied that he did not. He would call evidence. Mr. Billing then read his plea, of justification, in which I ho eaid the German authorities, to fur- ther their hostile designs upon this coun- try, had for some years past, by means of I "pis and secret agents, compiled a list of men and women of affairs politically, socially and financially, and of other position and occupation, with particultirs. having regard to their alleged moral weaknesses, which would render such persons easy victims to pressure, and en- able them, under fear of threats of »x- posure, to be forced into conduct agree- able to the wishes of German agents in this country and their supporteff; in Germany. That list comprised the namee of 47,000 pensons, or thereabouts, and the presen- tation of the tragedy of Salome, con- ce.ived and written hy Oscar Wilde, would jarticularly attract many of the persons whose names appeared in the list. All that had been said of Miss Allan was that she had appeared in a performance which wa-s calculated to appeal to this of person. lie said it would be 1]. cessary for him to prove that Miss Allan had, of her own free will. undertaken to portray 'on the English stage a part I which was not only revolting, but calcu- lated to do an immense amount of harm to the public life of this country. This tniv of play, concluded Mr. Billing, must be stopped. He then caHed Mrs. Eleanor Villers Stuart, who said she had been closely J allied with military life for some time. Witns was asked by Mr. Billing ?hethpr she had teen the book referred to in the article as having been compiled by German agents. S-he said she had. and the statements he (Mr. Billing) had read to her in the article were true in substance and in fact. In reply 40 his lordship, Mr. Billing fa a wad tu msi UvIusmU. j r

A GIRL'S PITIFUL PLEA .——— -——— I' WHY SHOULD I CO TO A PRISON CELL?' • Why should they put me in a prison .1 refuse t0 y0. 1 have done noth- ing." So declared Elsie Smith, a young munition, worker of Mumbles, atter a further roniand had been ordered by the Swansea Bench in the charge prcterred against her. The charge sheet bore the fcUvrk word iiiiiiie; but Mr ,C. W. later, who appears on the fcirt's behalf, at a later stage indicated Iftrt .he I-v: not tc-fore the Court ell the capital charge. It wiil be remembered that Elsie Smith accompanied htr lover, William Ernest Bartlett, a ycung soldier, to Lurgland Bay on the night of April 5th, and in the early hours of the following morning P«jrt!ett's body was found on the be;ich. The Coroner's jury found that. Bartlett had committed suicide during temporary insanity. As soon as the case was called on Satur- day mqrning, Lotaeren, oi the Coun! Constabulary, asked tor a fur- ther remand for a week Mr: Slater, asked it L' had any ob- jection, reiiiarkcd: I we will be able to go on with it n xt w ck." Supt. Letheron: I think 6o; by a week to-day. 1 am incommunitaticn with the Director of Public Prosecutions, and he has asked for further information. The chairman (Mr. J. 11. Kosser) then ordered a remand rntil Wednesday week. Mr. Slater consented to this course. Elsio Smith (.excitedly): Mr. Slater, may I have a speak in the matter, p l ease ? Mr. Slater: No, no; don't you speak to anybody but me. It was then that Elsie made her plea. with eorue emotion, as to her continued ircarceration. and eventually the chair- man suggested that Mr. Slater shoulo j take his client to a private room. At this •tagff the yoiwng girl was in tears, and a soldier in hospital blue—understood to J bt-, her brc r.her-in-law—stepped to her' side. lintil this time she had sat at the side of t.he court, but had now moved to the solicitor's table. I.at,or, M r. Slater returned to the Court and asked permission to make an applica- tion. "I know the nature of the churge," he remarked; "technically, of course, it is of a serious character." Mr. Slater then asked the llcncli to allow the girl to be taken charge of by her brother-in-law There was no danger of her not appearing. If it haj been the capital charge," he added. I should net have mads the ap- plication, but I think under the circum- stances 1 may ask you to allow her bail." Supt. L^theren so id he niii-t oppose the application at th" present time. Communi- cations were still going on with the Pub- lic Proseentor. -I,lr. t o not V,f.;It t(y-n r 'aiiy- thing about the ease, but I do ask you to accede to the application for the sake of the health of the girl. The Chairman said he did not think they would be granting bail until they had something definite frem the Home Office. If Supt. Lctheren had any news by Wed- nesday, tho application could lie renewed.

TOWN TALK. A plate of false teeth was found on Aberavon beach during the holuhus. Nobody was attached to them. -:o In the coat collar of a man whose wife applied at a local police court for a separation order, for alleged cruelty, was the badge God is Love." — :o:- P S. David Evans, of Neath, who ar- rested a man with three bottles of whisky under his arm, must confess thut his prisoner had a good spiritl —— Giving his a.djudication on a soloist at Cw-mtwrch Eisteddfod on Saturday, th.) adjudicator said: She makes good 'l 0: her lii)s-I mean in singing." *7 JO r— •he Museum is becoming quite a popular place of rest and consolation lor 11 lose H ho loae the train to the Mumbles and have an hour to wait for the next. — :0 A Port • T. albot gentleman has excellent, prospects of outdoor tomatoes. The secret i" thai there is a bakehouse the bed is right up against the -1,0- l prisoner who had been remanded in | custod;. asked the Neath magistrates to deal leniently with him because, U6 he put it, "I've been in the boxes for a wt-ekJ" — :0 Seme of the cliff paths in and beyond | Mumbles are in rather a parlous and such repairs as are possible in tlx.e days should be carrie d out at the earliest possible moment. 0: Three out of five Aberavon county magistrates sitting on Monday sported button-h qe*-twc, the white flower of a blameless life, while the Mayor added a patriotic touch. He hlttl red, white and blue. football teams are the rage now. Judging by the fine sprinting of Port Tá!- hot lady clerks to catch the Saturday mid- (i-,t.v train to their country retreats, there is good material for a Port Talbot busi- ticss ladies' team. -:0:- A Mumbles man bemoans the fact that "i< did not sell a pedigree dog the other day. He was offered £15 for it, and re- fused to deal; a week Liter the- animal met with a fatal accident. And it was insured for only ILI. — :o Judging from the appearance of some of the gardens and plots, Swansea Valley folk will not be short of garden produce this year. The pride which some of the amateurs up there take in their gardens would do credit to any professional. -010:- To the war experts must now be added the Rev. R. J. Rees, of Alltwen, pacifist and military authority. Probably he has never heard a gun fired in the way of real business, but he knows-he knows— that victory by fighting is out of the question -:0:- One of the funny incidents of the race between Ammanford miners froju tlll) Llanellv railway station to the medit il board room last week was the sudden pull-up caused by tinworks girls, who Mopped the boys to ask them-" Have you coughed?" — rO DyfnalIt," who is well known in the Principality both as a preacher and adjudicator, (lo-.s not receive a warmer reception in eisteddfodic circles than from the people of the Swansea Valley, whpre his adjudications are invariably re- garded as models of fairness and intel- ligent analysis. —o — Looking well, and wearing a genial smile for all the old friends and acquaint- ances who met him in the street, Mr. Charles Henry Glascodine, the Deputy Clerk of Arraigns of the South Wal,-i Circuit, was in Swansea for a few hours on Wednesday. 0: So closely gardened is one part off Swan- sea now that cat-lovers are particularly careful that their pets are in for the night. Some prowlers are missing, and dark threats on the part of gardeners whose patches have been messed up are connec- ted with disappearances. It was at a Birchgrove concert, .A young lad had played the piccolo in such a masterful way that the chairman got up to remark that the lad was only nine years of age. Proudly he asked "What will he be when 18 years old?" And a young lad shouted: A soldier in the British Army." — -O:— Port Talbot people ,uv discussing the prospect of a triangular fight when, the general election comes. William Jen- f r kins, the miners* man, is still showing fighting qualities, as his friends consider h* has been manoeuvred out of the can- didature by the I.L.P., whose pa-ty many as four votes to one ocloeat' If a man is a trade union- ist. a co-operator, a member of a club and other. kindred societies, lie is allocated one vote forah body to which he belongs. Talk about plural voting, indeed I. — :o:— He was against this war not only on political grounds, but on religious and ?spiritual grounds," said a <mug pacifi6t at Ystalyfera. as it had been the ineanc, of putting temptation in the way of thousands and millions of young men that they knew nothing about." Yes, and we may add, as well, that it has put real religion—unselfishness, patient uncomplaining, and charity~into' these thousands and millions. We do not omm- gest that war breeds saints but at least it makes men who magnify Christinn attributes. — .O r— When the Marseillaise is scng or played, wo stand up as a matter of eonrse. Very well! When The Star-Spangled Banner is given we do likewise. Very well. When the Belgian iren, we aleo rise. Enough said I -"If iL I*nd tried to blare out the German anthem, we should throw bricks at the band. Quite right. But why can't we be decent in Swansea, capital of Welsh Wales, w hen Hen Wlad fy Nhadau" is played? Ladies and gentlemen of old Abertawe! We put it to you—do not in- sult your own glorious strains, as of course you do when you sit them out. — »:— The Welsh members of a regiment on the East Coast formed a choir, which. proved very popular in the town. As an encore at one of their oonoerts they gave Sospan Fach and a very important local dignitary, mistaking it for the Welsh National Anthem—and with, greater respect for Wales than we show for our country in Walee-rose and stood at attention. He was followed by the rest of the audience. The choir, how- ever, kept serious, nntil on finding their, mistake, the members of the audience began stealthily and unobtrusively to ■ take their seats one by one. Thein the strain proved too great, and Uok tine pk*« eon £