Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

The 410 LEADER 0,!i, gives the Latest and Best War News.

Germans at aStandstill. 1 Germans at Slandstill. ] Great Austrian Offensive a Complete Failure. To take up our War Story of the Week trliere we left off, it is necessary to note that on Saturday the German offensive on the Western front was declared to he at a standstill, and that the position fchowod that the duration of the enemy's j offensive efforts were evidently diminish- ing with every successive battle, that the extent of the front of attack had steadily decreased, as well as the gains of ground which the enemy shll realisffl from the affect<? of his first shock. The question Where will the Germans strike next?" is as open at the middle of the weak as it was at the beginning:. Of course, minor events there have been from day to day, among these bein<_j at- tacks by British troops and the capture of fioiBo prisoners and spins. But. on Monday, we received the first part of the story of the Austrian attack against the Italians upon a 93-mile front. That attack opened at daybreak on Satur- day, oh a front extending from Astico to the sea. About 50 divisions and a great mass of artillery were thrown in by the Austrians, supported and led by some German troops, in an endeavour to ham- mer through the region of Seven Com- mune.s to the "Venetian Plains. On the British left of the Asiago Pla- tean, where the Italian line joins, the enemy made a U pocb>t" of about 1,000 yards on a 2.500 yards front, but from this he was promptly expelled. According to the official report the Austrian* claimed 10,000 prisoners, while the Allies claimed 3,000 prisoners; but after light- ing of the fiercest kind it became abso- lutely clear that this great Austrian oCen Rive had been a complete failure. Not a4- any point d'id the Auftrians succeed in breakintr through the Italian main posi- tions. The result was highly satisfactory for the Allies, and it should be noted that the British, on their sector, captured 350 prisoner", and altogether the Austrian losses were re-none d to be at least 5 to 1. I HELD IN CHECK. I Tuesday s story stated that the previous night's message showed that the Austrian's had reached the crest of the Montelle Height, an important position in the plain on the west bank of the Piave Otherwi-P they have made relatively little progress The battle, it may be added, continued furiomly along the course of the Lower Piave, where the Italians appear to be holding the enemy well in cfcecfer Ti» eiifeiay elainis to, have captured the much- disputed bridgehead of Capo Sile, about 15 miles east of Venice as the crow flies. Reuter's Special Correspondent, review- ing the battle on that date, said that after two days and two nights of desperate fighting, the Austrian offensive has achieved [no essential success. Held up. and then driven back after Sunday's fighting, the enemy hurled into the fray newdidsions to resist the Italian coun- ter-attacks. 1 -11 ITALIAN OFFICIAL. I The Italian official communique re- ceived on Tuesday wag to this effect:—On the mountainous front, and on the 310n- tello, the enemy did not renew his infan- try attacks during the day. Successful thrusts were carried out by our troops. ■ We, occupied several positions, capturing tmtchine-guns and some hundreds of pri- soners. Important actions developed fcouth of Montello, and along the Piave, in the zone between Zen son and Foasaifoa, but the enemy was everywhere stoppe,d I by our counter-attacks, and left in our I -Ilands,several hundreds of prisoners. At. tempts to cross the river between Maserada b-nd Pandelue were bloodily repulsed. On the Lower Piave other counter-offensive -'t, e cours-- fictions in the courso of development re- fruited in advantages for us. PLENTY OF RESERVES READY. I A Press Association message on Tues- day gave fuller details:—With the excep- tion of the Piave position the Italian tommand feels quite oomfortable about the situation. They have plenty of re- serves, and are confident they can avoid ftny serious danger. Mon tello is an impor- tant position because it is the shortest way to the plains, and if that is obtained tin* "whole Piave line might be turned. That "was the danger, but the position, though I Riving cause for anxiety, was not ex- t tremely serious. It was possible that the. Austrian advance there wouid bo stepped. Bo far it has been very s low, not more than four miles having been covered. The impression is that on the British front the Austrians suffered a severe defeat. There are reports that the Slovaks arc blowing up Austrian munition dumps. With the exception of the area around Montelio the situation affords rerlil satis- faction. Signor Arnaldo Fraccaroli wiring to the "Coniero deila Sera/' stud: The form id- Able Austrian assault is waided off, broken and resisted everywhere by a spirit of tuost admirable courage and heroic sacri- fice. The greatest hour for Italy has come, and her arch-enemy ustria for nce learns the heroism, abnegation, and Valour of which her traditional adver- sary, whom Aui-h-ia. ?'Ipug.oppre???? capable. T)i? first impetus ci thL? en?y in su?h a vast offensive ?? always bound to ,ive the attacking army some advan- ta?es? but these hare been HO small that the Austrian plans may '?T said to have failed from the first hour." SOME DETAILS OF THE FIGHTING. A well known British special etivre^pon- j dent, commenting on the iiur.t.!<<n, on Wednesday morning points out the fact that after 45 hours of fighting, instead ot T>eing at Verona, the Austrian troops were j ,V;till fighting on their first lines, and-thou- j eahds of them shall fight no mere. Ba-- Bano was not reached either, nor Slestre. Yet those were the first (lay's objectives. The few advantages gained on the right bank of the Piave were obtained by sur- prise. owing to the state of the weather, f.-bich prevented the pontoon preparations (If the enemy from being visible, and also In- the use of weeping and blinding ?accs. "During the first moments of the bomoard- ment pontoons were moved out. some loot- bridges thrown up, and pnepiv detach- ments were able to cross. The Italian re- liction was immediate, however. In the M-ction of San Dona-Srusila, where the marshes had favoured the. cnemv s first movements further progress was stopped rind the village of Croco was recaptured. Along nearly all the rest of the river lint- tho Italian troops firmly maintained flirir positions, defeating every enemy nt- to cross. Th& little cemetery of Zenspn was retaken. At Molino dclia Saga, in the section of Snlettuol. taking 'Advantage of the numerous islets, a Hun- garian battalion of the 96th .Regiment *:t: cops vied in crossing. A second battalion tried to cross, but was cut up. half the mm being tilled by concentrated fire or t .I .£i.d.4. .v_1t."1'¡,J;¡. drowned and tliosc who had crossed were captured. About 1,000 prisoners were taken, including one colonel, a major, and 30 other officer?. From Falze along the islets of Nervosa elements of tbrpc did- sions were able to cross and get a footing at the base ot Montello, but an Italian counter-attack partially drove them back and hindered their further progress. The total result of the two days' lighting was that the had lest thousands of killed and wounded, gained a few hun- dred yard". and been kept in cheek along the entire front. TI-ere i, a unique incident. A de- tachment of British cyclists accom- plished a heroic feat of arms. While moving from one i volition to an- other along a sunken road, running parai- It-, to the they suddenly ran into a vastly superior Austrian contingent, barring their way. instead of seeking safety in tlight before overwhelming numbers, the order- was given to dismount and advance upon the enemy with fixed bayonets. The men scrambled • up rhe steep banks of the sunken road to the rocks above, where the first rifle shots greeted them. The Austrian commander, oti seeing t'(> small numbers of the Bri- tish force, o.^wreo Lis men to charge, but the former Icaj, to their feet charging in their turn the oncoming foe. The two waves of bayonets met with a loud clash and a hand-to-hand Strug," le between the British and th- Austrians ensued. The Cyclists' splendid physique and undaunted 'courage stood them 'n good stead, and though the Austrians fought bravely, were soon fleeing and throwing away their rifles to escape with their pursuers at their heels.- A number or prisoners and numerous rifles remained in tlie hands of the British. OUR AIRMEN DELAY ENEMY'S I ADVANCE. The following report, dated June 19th, has been received from the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the British Forces in Italy:—There is no change to report on the British hUlll, I should like to draw particular at- tention to the fighting qualities dis- played by the following regiments in the battle of the 15th inst. :-Northum- berland Fusiliers, Sherwood Foresters, Hoyal Warwieks, Uxiord and Bucks Light Infantry. British and Italian artillery shared the great initiative and caused the enemy very heavy losses. The Royal Air Force, who were unable to operate on the plateau during practically the whole of the battle owing to the mist, delayed the advance of the enemy across the Piave with their usual gallantry. The number of prisj^tffg.t:iSiW?n by us now exceeds 1,000. Captured material now amounts to five mountain guns, 72 machine-guns, 20 flam- menwerfer, and one trench mortar, end fu-rther material remains to be collected. The number of enemy aeroplanes de- stroyed on the 17th inst. was eiglft. AMERICANS FORM A HUMANI RAM PART. Now, let us return to tho ston- as it affects the Western front, for on Wednes- day afternoon came 11:1 intimation that another new offensive was beins started by the Germans. And, in view of the suggestion inferred from the Kaiser's boasting speeches, it was expected that the British Army would ellm- more be the main object of attack, it is worth quoting from a Times war telegram (per Press As-,ociation ):- New York, Tuesday (received Wednes- day).—" With the American forces in British zone of operations is the latest and very significant line in the despatches "from Mnde ih American newspapers. Mr. Lincoln Eyre, the correspondent of "The World," who has been invited to see our trpops with the British says: A drive engineered by Ludendorff anywhere along the British front would be coun- tered to-day not only hy the British thcm- relves, who are in far better shape to hold their own than they were a month ago, but by our soldiers an well. Ameri- cans in the British area, in masses far denser than I would have thought pos- sible prior to my visit, are ready to form a human rhmparfc against the foe's en- croachment from the sea to the Somme, To quote an American General: General Pershing's men are building a solid wall reserve power between Germans and Calais and Boulogne.' The units in Northern France came hither direct from the United States. Their coming doec net affect in any way tho impressive total of troops wo have sent and are ^-ending to the territory of the French Arm v." Under e'?i?ti'? r'rransrement? the? strength of the American Expeditionary Force.. as a whole, is being increased so rapidly that it is passible to send aid to both our Allies without reducing the Quota that each has Iveen led to expect from us. American units, tactically under the British ITi«rh Command, constitute a considerable fraction of Sir Douglas ITaig's reserve. 1 venture to assert that should tjie need arise Sir n, Haig would move the Americans into the battle with the same unhesitating display of confi- dence in their abilities as General Foch j displayed in the critical moment a few weeks ago north of the Marne." GERMANS STRIKE TOWARDS RHEIMS. I 'HI hen the French official communique arrived on Wednesday afternoon, how- ever this was the textYesterday, about j 5 p.m., the Germans began a violent ar- | tilicry preparation on the whole of the iRheims front, from the region of Vrixny westward as far as east of La Pompelle. At 9 p.m. the enemy infantry advanced to the attack of our positions between thoKo two points. Our t i cons resisted Wit;1 complete success. The onslaught of the enemy, with our counter preparation fire, was severely tried. Between Yrigny and Ornrs the 'German tioop-s were j cheeked by fire, and were obliged to I fall back repeatedly t J their own line of departure, and were finally unab!? ID I reach our positions. In Fnvirna (P*nt- herv) in the environ of Plieims, violent combats took place, in the course of which the enemy suffered heavv- losses and was everywhere repulsed. To the east of Rhcinis the fighting also terminated to our advantage. The Germans, who had succeeded in penetrating a wood tot?° north oi il1cn-, were lr:iV('ll./JUtcf it hi-I our counter-attack. Thepr?onr."5 cap- t?r? in th? if?cn of ?hoims declared that the town, attacked by three divisions, was to be tak'\n at all costs during the night. ,I A further official report issued bv tHe, French at 11 p.m. said: There is nothing of importance to report during the day. Aviation.—On Tuesday, in spite of over- east weather, our pilots brought down or put out of action six German aeroplanes and ('¡t-)t on fire one captive balloon. Our bombing machines dropped ten tons of bombs during Tuesday night on the station, cantonments, and bivouacs in the ic?io?s cf ViHcr& FranqU("l Favorelles ad Fianes.  (

I RELICS OF THE WAR SWANSEA EXHIBITION OPENED BY sm ALFRED MOHD The exhibition oi war trophies and mementoes, destined to be the nucleus ot the Imperial War Museum collection, was formally opened at the Deffett 1- ranei-s Art Gallery. Swansea, on Thursday after- noon, by the Right Hon. Sir Alfred Mond, Bart, P.C., M.P., in the presence of a distinguished company, including Sir Martin Conway, who is to be Director- Gcneral of the Imperial Museum. Aid. Ben Jones (Mayor of Swansea") pre- sided. It was a distinct compliment to the town that it should have been the first place in the Kingdom to be visited by the exhibition, and without doubt the POiilc of the large area of which Swansea is the centre, will avail themselves of the unique opportunity of coming into closer touch with the great war. Sir Alfred Mond. expressed pleasure at being able to snatch a few hour43 from. his duties in London to be with them. He was charged by the Cabinet over 12 months ago with the serious responsibility of forming an Imperial War Museum, which he hoped would at some future time be one of the greatest glorie-s of the British Empire. (Applause). The work in which he had been engaged, with the very able and assiduous assistance of his friend. Sir Martin Conway. who was director-General of the Museum, and a very able Committee, was of a very in- tere.sting character. They had had to organi se on a very large sca le, for this was a very large war. Anyone charged with t-uch a task realised what a world-conrfagration it was. It was not merely a question of f-ollccting trophies captured from (he enemy, though this assumed larg-p proportions. Ifhey had to illustrate every phase of military, naval, and civil activity in every corner of our great Empire. This meant a large number of sections, each of which would show a proud record. He could assure them there were many things that had to be hidden from us in order to hide them from the enemy, which would come as a revelation to many who had lived through the war in this country. The silent Navy, whose glorious deeds are only occasionally re- vealed to us, which are of transcendental interest, the various kinds of ships whicn had liecn employed during the war, ran into thousands. Improvements in naval engineering read like a fairy story. The implements which had been employed in circumventing the submarine Illenace baffled the imagination. Then let them take the development of the Air Service | and the improvements that had taken. place; they were remarkable studies of human ingenuity and human progress that the world had ever seen. Proceeding, Sir Alfred said he was very partial to the ladies—(laughter)—and the Mayor wns very partial to ladies. (LamrhterA For example, lie preferred his wife to himself. (Renewed laughter) He thought one of the most interesting sections would be the'women's section, the romm it tee of. which. wat>r presided over-,by Lady. Norman, and on y.hicli committee Lady Mond had beer, a member from its inception. They Would see all that the womcn had done from the start of the war. The people would see the great achievements of these strenuous days. They were collecting great numbers ot records, millions of photographs, thou- sands of posters—he believed they now had 22,000 posters, some of which were on the walls—shells, pictures, etc. They had recently added a very interest- ing item to the collection, a bit of the | Mole at Zeebrugge, and which they had put away until it could be exhibited. In the meantime it occurred t-o, the- War Museum Committee that the'people of this country should be Allowed to seo some of the collection as it was being formed. They, therefore, 'decided to <-s- j tablish these travelling collections, such as this one now visiting Swansea is order that the people of the country roum see tionic part of the war as it was proceed- ing. He was very glad to think that Swansea was the first town to a-sk for this collection- (hear. hear)—for Swansea was usually at the head of the rest of the country. They would find in the collection a great many things to interest them. If they looked round the walls they would see posters—American, in which the American men were asked to join the Navy; posters from the Colonies. German posters, Russian, posters from all the different countries. There were, also, Sir Alfred went on rhotograplts ü. positions from the air, and photographs of events at the front. These photographs brought the war home to them. They almost, brought it to their homes, "certainly to their exhibitions. The more the people of this 4;puntry saw of the war the better they would understand its gravity, -it., importance, what their her-uc j-ons were suffering at the front, am! the great issues for which we were fighting. 1 am all for people knowing all about the war," eaid Alfred, so far a.s thatsare things, of course, w tccit we cannot tell. It is impos- sible, but as much as can lie told should he told." produced a ?reatpr r{\i'\m' fv,i\ the people, ot this country, and of tf is town, ac- he l ad seen during these i long, weary years—than h have j the war pieced before it fully, He always''thought that the danger- in this country was when people thought things were going too well. Then they slaekel up.- They braced up when things weiit badly. They wanted bracing lip. They had get to brace up. were now. he thought, at the serious stage oi the war. The position was better, hut it was by no means what he should call good, lie had never been a pessimist, and he was not a pOo-si.mifit to-day. (Hear, hear.) J have never doubted that we would win the war, and lie had as little doubt to- day. (Hear, hear.) But they would not win the war by saying that they would win. This war could be won only by everyone doing their utmost to make their wish a reality. They were all en- gaged to that end now. With that high spirit. great courage, magnificent devo- tiou which Swansea had shown ever, since the war started, in all dircdiolhg. it had nevn' Hugged, and he conceived it never would flag but would be intensi- fied until they had achieved the only result worth having after the sacrifices they had made—a victory of such clear- ness. such determination, that, at any rate for generations to come the horrors i of war should pass away from them. (Hear. hear). He understood that there was a move- ment on foot to establish a war museum of their own in Swansea. He was very heartily glad to hear it. He believed every centre should establish, at any rate, some r"(,eorci as perfect as possible of the dcod,s which had been made. Katur- ally, they could not expect in every locality to rival the com- pleteness of the Imperial War Mu- seum. B tlJ" fi ctions of local war museums were, to his mind, of a more intimate character. They wanted to have there the efforts of their own citizens, to obtain those illustrations of the actions in which their own battalions had fought, to keep a record and a roll of honour of t he men from that town who had gone* to the war. covered them- selves with distinction, and of those who had made the supreme sacriifce. He be- lieved the movement was growing all ove: the country. Birmingham was already contemplating quite a considerable museum of that character. He hoped that "in Swansea something similar would be done. D At the end of the war they would he able to find interesting material, but they should not wait. His (Sir Alfred's) experience on this job had been that every day some interestin relic was disappearing, something valuable was in danger of being lost. They had men coming back from the front with diaries or other matters of interest. But if these were not got now they would be lost. Get. what you can," Sir Alfred urged. Store it where you can. 0 Then after the war you will have something your children and your children's chil- dren will be able to go to see, to see whai their fathers had done." (Applause.) Sir Martin Conway (of whom the Mayor said that what lie d i(i not know was not worth knowing), said he thought there was a certain amount of haziness of mind among people generally as to what the Imperial War Museum was or what it was going to be. Indeed, he did not know that they should not admit there was a certain amount of haziness in their own minds alsa. for they did not exactly know what its future might deyelop into. But every possible phase of personal effort that had been made during the war should be reflected in the Museum. The direct war phases, of course, would include the military and naval operations Taking first the naval operations, much was hidden from them now. but after the war it should bo ehown—the apparatus of war, some conception of the ships used, models of the vessels and the guns used, and all apparatus. They should all be shown, j after the war. Then with regard to the military section, every general and army and corps headquarters bed a model of the ground in which they operated. These models would be highly valuable to the future historian, and every effort should lie made to preserve them. Then there were aerial and other photographs which would require a notable organisa- tion to bring together. Supposing they could have to-day a museum represent- ing the Napoleonic era. what a marHI- lously useful tiling it would have been. but there was no such record to Iw found. Ninety-nine but of every hundred would be unable, if asked, to give any idea of the guns, methods, transport arrange- ments, etc., of those days. Therefore, the Imperial Museum which could eauin the future "with something of the kind in re- gard to the present war would be of in- estimable value. Through the energies of Sir Alfred Mond they made certain of a museum which would secure all this representing not V>nly fhe pfrorts- of the men of this fcountry, but of the Colonies, and the result would show that the war had brought about in a very definite and concrete form the embodi- ment of the rallying of all sections of the coLimumty and of the Empire which had been brought about by the war. and would cement the brotherhood which had been revealed and cemented. and would combine to bind our Empire together in one great whole for generations after the ¡ conclusion of the war. (Applause.) Captain Hatcher. D.S.O., in proposing a vote of thanks to Sir Alfred Mond and Sir Martin Conway1, said he did not know much of the war generally, because he had been confined to one uortion of it- hunting submarines. lie had been con- fined to drifters, and he had been lucky — he had been in action. (Applause.) He had for two years been hunting men and driving them to their doom. He related spme of his experiences in the Adriatic, and how his men in drifters had fought against cruisers. He told the story of a man who was fevnd dead at his log, and all indications went to show that he had died at his log. He referred to the number of „ maimed and other Bit. Badge men in Swansea, and it looked to him as though Swansea had done more than its share. He felt that Swansea would have reason to be inter- ested in the War Museum. As to the Navv, after-war revelations would as- tonish the country. Although it is impossible to give it in detail, Capt. Hatcher's nlain. unvar- nished tale of the magnificent and heroic work of some-sections of the Navv which fOrnted as thrilling a story as has ever been told of, g-allan try and devotion to duty, and gave the audience a glimpse into the mai-vellous services for their country and for freedom which are ]),Pin, rendered in this great war by those, who keep incp^sant watch and ward over the. destinies of our Empire on the high i seas. Major Bertie Perkins seconded. The vote was carried with enthusiasm, and Sir Alfred, responding, referred to the thrilling and fascinating narrative of Capt. Hatcher. All we at home could do was after all «*>rT small beer to w hat these naval inefc had done. He had felt, in taking up the War Museum work it would he an unmitigated blot on the nation if w<> did not raise a fitting ■memorial to our heroes. A sheet of paper, a little ink. a streak of blood—and what What a history of heroism. Aid. Richard Start in, proposing a vote of thanks to the Mayor, referred to Aid. Ben Jones's indefatigable work as Mayor.

PREMIER'S VISIT- I Aberavor: does t,<;t want to lag behind Swansea and Neath. At the Town Conn- cil J. M. Smith J.IV presiding. Councillor T. S. Goslin (deputy mayor) retcrrtf'd to the visit of the Prime Minister (Mr. I). Uoyd Ueorgp) to Neath National Eis+edd- fod. and moved that a sp?'ial meeting of ith? Council should he cailed to discuss tli(, qii(-stion of conferring upon liini the i fieedom of t" e h>p<>ugh. Mr. Percy Jacob seconded, an 1 general I members supported, and the motion was approved.

V.C. AT PONTARDAWE. A presentation meeting took place at the Pontardawe Inn, Pontardawe, on Wednesday night to Sergt. George Phil- lips, son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Phillips. who is home on leave after four and n half years' service in Gallipoli, Triiioli. and Palestine. He was accompanied at the meeting by Sergt. Dan Collins, V.C.. D.C.M.. of Merthyr. Mr. Dd. Morgan presided, and thE Treasury note wais pre- sented to Sergt. Phillips by Mr. Charles Owen. A numlipr of speeches followed. Both heroes werj given a rousing recep- tion.

I INTERNED BARON < SENSATIONAL STORY OF LADY VISITORS A remarkable court-martial took place at l'ontcfract Barracks on Tuesday, in which the quartermaster at th Loft- house Park (.Wakefield) Internment Camp, Lieutenant Albert Canning was charged with various breaches of conduct alleged to 1:-5 prejudicial to good order at the camp, and with disobeying the commandant ot the camp, Lieiit.-Co lone. G. S. Hainee. The evidence given by the commandant vrae. to the effect that a discussion arose at the officers' mess on May 16th on the subject of the visits of Mrs. Leverton Harns, wife of a member ot Parliament, to Baron Leopold ion Plesseh. Mr. Can- ning said to him: You have only to be k baron in this camp to get preferential treatment." Witness taid, By wliomr" and Mr. Canning replied, By you. You are always breaking the regulations." Mr. Arthur Willez, for the defence, asked, Is it a fact that in regarn to these ladies' visits to Barou Hill Plessen, and in regard to two other prisoners, a parently of the German aristocracy, that they got special permits from the Home Office to visit these men?" Witness: Yes. These orders came be- fore 1 took command of the camp. Witness added that he had hunted high and low for the orders, but had be.-n un- able to find them. Mrs. Leverton Harris came to visit Baron von Bleesen with « special order. Witness described how the Home Office had written to him, This lady is the wife of an M.P. and has applied for special facilities to tfie effect that she is not supervised during her visit to Baron x-oh Illfss-en. She wishes to see him j alone." Witness refused to grant this permission, In answer to a questiun, I' wnneas stated that, these visits 01 special privilege were granted to the Baron after he had been discovered with a tunnel out uf his hut trying to escape. It was turther stated that the War Omce had been ic- formed ct the visits of Mrs. Loverton Harris, who is alleged to have t a k- 0eu parcels con(a"iing contraband goods to prisoner. "Isib without being aut ho- rised had also been paid to Count M-t- tcrnich and Count Nettenblad. The defendant was found not guilty and was acquitted on all charges. Mrs. Leverton Harris writes with re-, feienco to the court-martial proceedings at I)ontefi-ii(-t on Wednesday as follows:— I Save known Leopold von Rlessen's family for many years. His mother and her sisters, who by birth are halt English and baif Austrian, were friends of mine, and the boy, until the war broke out. was an undergraduate at Oxford. The boy's aunt, who was an American, and resides at Washington, askcll me w hen she re- turned to America from England to see the boy. occasionally, and during the last Lour years 1 have seen him exactly four times, an official always being present. Once, suggested that such pre- caution .was unnecessary, I was told by the commandant that the rules must be adhered tgu .^fjd, of course* 1 at «ncf acquiesced." As far as I know. the only privileges granted me were that as I had had a long journey, I was allowed to see the boy. at a different hour to that fixed for visitors, and to stay a little longer than the usual limited time. Even nv small lunch basket, which I had to take into camp owing to the short time avail- able between my trains, was opened in the presence of an officer. Tiie statement that, my maid was ever in camp is quite untrue, She- has never accompanied me there."

ODDFELLOWSHSP. I The half-yearly meeting of the Loyal St Thomas Lodge of the I.O.O.F. (Manches- ter Unity), hold at the Ivv Bush Hotel. St. Thomas, Swansea, was presided over by the Grand Master of the Swansea Dis- trict (P.G.S. J. Clement). Mr. Thomas J. Williams, M.P. (Swansea District), and also Sir. Morgan E. Rees and Mr. Hubert W. Harris were initiated honorary mem- bers of the lodge, Bro. Wm. Evans, P.G. lld trustee, being lecture master for the occasion.. Bro. T. J. Williams. M.P., spoke on the war. P.G. J. H. Tet, (tru, tee) and P.P.G.M. Rees Rees (C.S.).also addressed the meeting. The musical part of the programme was carried out by V.c-srs. Y'illiams. Griffiths, Hughes, and Bridges, 'file accompanist was Mr. X17 iu. Thomas, and they performed their part in gooo 'vie.

ECHO OF BILLING CASE. Mrs. Eileen Villiers Stuart, a witness for the defence in the recent trial of Mr. Pemberton Billing, M.P., was charged at Mardehone on Wednesday with bicamously marrying Cuptnin Pcrcival Grandison Yilliers Stuart at Birkenhead on July 2Sth. 1917. hnr husband. Pcrcival Douglas Bray, being still alive. A police officer stated that when he informed de- fendant that he was going to arrest her for bigamy, she replied: That is per- fectly correct. I did commit bigamy, but I did not know until five day, ago that my first husband was alive. It is not so much of a shock now as it would have been before the trial at the Old Bailey." The accused was remanded for a week, hail being granted.

GRADE 3 MEN WANTED. An important conference of members of Advisory Committees and Tribunals has just been held at the Fnjon Oiffces, Llan- dIll). under the presidency of Tr. Hobert MattllH; Llandebie. An address was delivered by Sir Herbert Morgan, who emphasised the great need of securing a large number of men by June 30. Steps were being taken to get the quota- from the mines. There was a great need for Grade Ill. men. Ald. Lewis s,1.id it was very hard linos on the farmers now that they had put their crops in to have so many nieii taken away. now were they going to get their crops* in in the absence of an adequate supply of labour?

VIENNA RIOTS. Amsterdam. Wednesday (received Thursday).—The Burgomaster of Vienna has informed Von Siedler that in view of the reduction of the bread ration he de- clines to guarantee order in the capital. His demand for dried vegetables, to make up for the lack of bread, has been refused. Accord i ng to reports from Germany, serious riots occurred in Vienna on Wed- nesday against the reduced bread ration. The mob broke into a number of bakeries, and the residence of the Premier was stoned, as was also one of the wings of the Hapsburg Palace. Cavalry regiments are being rushed into the town for the purpose of restoring order. It is probable that martial law will be proclaimed.—Exchange Special.

I SWANSEA EAST MR. T. J. WILLIAMS AS LIBERAL- j LABOUK CANDIDATE The first meet in.; 111 connection with the Swansea bust Liberal and J^ibonr As- sociation, which was held at the Liberal Cjiib, Swansea, on Saturday, was a com- plete success. The executive meeting, which was hold prior to the council meet- ing of the Association, was presided over b, Councillor G. Hill, St. Thomas, and among other matters under discussion as ttic recommeinlaton tor adoption by the meeting i t a candidate for the new division. i ii" executive, upon the motion oi Air. M. E. Roes, Pentre- ehwyth, and sccordcd by -Air. J. E. Gethm, Landore, unanimously decided to friibmil the name of Mr. T. J. Williams, the present sitting member for Swansea District Mr. I). Harris, J.P., Morriston, presided ONCI. a later meeting. Mr. W. T. Morris (secretary), read the minutes of previous gatherings, II, hich were adopted. Upon the suggestion of the chairman Sir, Williams was tele- phoned the re-silk and in about id min- utes he and Mrs. WiUiams appeared at the gathering, and were repeatedly c h eered. Mr. Williams thanked them very much for the honour of having been adopted as i candidate fc-r the new division. During his term of office as member for the Dis- trict he had done his level best. Duties et members of Parliament to-day, eaid Mr. Williams, were different to what they were in pre-war days, and he had verv often to work as much as 12 and M hours per day. Although coming to prac- tically a new division he would be sorry to part with old associations, yet he was known to practically everyone in the Swansea East constituency. Referring to the Prime Minister, the syieaker said that Sir. Lloyd George was in those times holding the future of our generations in the hollow of his hands. Sacrifices were great, hut victor^: would be ours. 'l'he following resolutions were passed, t he firt of which was submitted by the chairman That the members of the Swansea East Liberal and Lahour Asso- ciation place on record their great and sincere appreciation of the m:j!ljíie('nt I eervices the Prime Minister has rendered and is rendering to the British Empire in the terrible crisis through tvhich we are passing, and pledge themselves to do all that lies in- their power to support I him in his most difficult undertaking." Proposed by the Rev. í'cnar Griffiths;- That; the members of (he Swansea East Division Liberal and Labour Association cxpress their sincere thanks and entire satisfaction with the action taken by the members of Parliament for Swansea and for Swansea District, nt. Hun. Sir Alfred Mond.Hart.. and Mr. Tlios. J. Williams, in supporting the Prime Minister and his colleagues in tiie Government against the recent attack which ira> made en them in the House of Commons The follow iny meiuliers were added as vice-presidents. St. Thomas, Mrs. J. Scldon; iiatcu the. Rev. 11 Pryse Wil- liams; Trebocth, the Rev. Peter Jones. Upon the proposition of Mr. J. Mathews, and seconded by Mr. W. Clement, a voto of thanks was accorded to the chairman, I

NEATH AND PONTA.RDAWE. j A meeting of the Labour section in the new Neath and. Pontardawe Parliamen- tary constituency was held at the Elysium S'.van>Mi. on Saturday, tu consider the- nominations of candidates. Since the previous meeting, two additional nnmrs. it vras reported, had been added to the list, which now is as ii.,Ilows:Itr. Ivor Gwynne. IS nominations; the Rev. Her- bert Morgan, 6; the Rev. Rliondda Wil- liams, 1; Mr. W. Gurrier. 1 Sir. Johnny James, 1; Sir. D. 1)1. Davies, I.-The dele- gates decided that the selection be made through a ballot vote, and that nomina- tions be invited no to and including the 29th inst.

ABERAVON MEDALLISTS. An ntere ting ceremony took place at the Municipal Buildings. A beravon, on Wednesday night, after the Town Council meeting .when two local soldiers who have won the M.M., were given presentations. The Mayor of Aberavon (Aid. J. SI. Smith, J P.1 presided, and on behalf of Aberavon townspeople -escntH to Sergt.-Slajor Percy Slorgan, of the Welsh, a silver cigarette, care and a wallet of notes. In handing the gift, the Slayor said that on the eve of an offensive, when his superior office- was mortally wounded, Sergt.- Slajor Slorgan t, command, and, after severe fighting, they reached their objec- tive. S.-M. Slorgan, an Aberavon boy. en- iisted year ago, and has served :?fyears o i active service. The other recipient was Lieut. n. Barnes. Tudor-street, Port Talbot. Lieut. Barnes, who was formerly a sergeant in the S.W.B., was awarded the :\L1. for gallant conduct in attend'' g to wounded under heavy shell fire at Serre in Starch, 1917. On behalf of Port Talbot residents. Mr. John David, Port Talbot, handed him :1 beautifully-engraved t loving-cup. Congratulatori sp eeches were made by Messrs. Percy Jacob, #W. J. Williams, T. S. Goslin, Lieut. L'-wcllyn Brooks, and j others, atvl t' two men suitably replied.

THIRD CLIMB-DOWN. At Wednesday s meeting of the Neat a Board of Guardians a further letter was j read from the Registrar-General relative j to the proposed division of Margam sub- j district for the purpose of births and :!fath rpgitrution. T)i4L? P?-egi.-trar- era! pointed out that the Guardians must have misunderstood the context of the previous letter, and it was' not intended t;, .convey the impression that the ap- j ;>ointment should be .x)stpont-d. but he- fore the praposed division could take place it was necessary that an order fihould be obtained from the Local Gov- ejnment Board. Before long an inspect- ing officer would be sent into the dis- trict. and it did not appear that th« pre •»<nt temporary arrangements caused inconvenience to the public. Mr. L S. Ellis: This is the Registrar- General's third climb down I should like ro know what replies have been received from the local memlx-rs of Parliament on th matter. I The clerk (Mr. Edward Powell): Mr. T. J. WiMiams said it was a matter for Mr. Muuh Edwards, and when I spoke to Mr. Hugh Edwards cn the matter he pro- mised to see the Re*;i«t rar-General. I have ill(" wired Mr. Edwards asking him keep the appointment, and I have not had rply yet. The chairman (Mr. Levi James) and the clerk were appointed a deputation to rroceed to London and lay the matter be- fore the Registrar-General and the Local Government Board. <

TOWN TALK. The new ration books are only foi -lu-ration." —: o: — At the present time a match in tim box is worth two in the Oval. -:0:- A Mumbles man is very proud of IIi.! apple crop. He has two trees, and thE total crop is one apple. — ;0:— Aberavon—Port Talbot is at the moment enshrouded in smoke. Haven't got over the tank achievement yet. — It; One Port Talbot soldier on leave says he mey as well take on an insurance book. He has so many colls to make. —: O. — An Abercregau defendant, taking, the oath at Aberavon Police Court: t #wear that the offence I shall give," etc: — :0:— Swansea Bay may possess aflePA of motor fishing boats in the not-far-distant future. Brother Cod is in for a bad time. C* A Chatham sailor has had his sou chris- tened Zeebrugge. Perhaps (saya lJOtl- don Opinion ) the baby was born with tr mole. — X> Can't I make a speech now," remarked a defendant at Pontardawe cn Friday when he thought that tho oher bide had said a good deal. -:0:- Major W. B. Trick, of Neath, claims to be an allotment holder. In perches he has wnder cultivation something lift 2,"u, Some spade wo-rk. — Local musical enthusiasts are bueily engaged in practising the hymn-tunes to be sung by the united choirs at Neath during eisteddfod week. -:0:- Neath magistrates were called upon to decide on Friday whether t'Jl'"o-pe-n'orf!l of chips constituted a hot meal. They did. and the decision c^-ried with it a .ten bob ™ ? fine! jj .1 —:o. — r-'s One could not fail to notice at' th* West Glamorgan Appeal Tribunal on Wednesday the number of applicants who put in medical certificates for heart trouble. — :0- No master how big a man may be. th" odds are that there's a woman somewhere in the world who is capable -of muki.'vg hin: feel small."—Mr. Charles Davies 4t Manselton. o: — A Britonferry man's excuse for not tak- ing out a licence for his poodle was that tile pour little doggie was very, very ill at tiie time, und he expected it to die at a ay moment. Bow wow An Ammanford pacifist never misses f.B opportunity to extend the right hand of fellowrhip to his German comrades." while alluding to his fellow-workers a? c!,d,?." A worthy comrade of the Hun. forsooth! forsooth! One Tank incident at Port Talbot high. amused the Bank of England One lady had handed in a bunch o, notes, and the official proceeded to .tear the corners off, as usual, but she rushed to stop him — :0:— The real push and go man has been discovered at last. When accused by his wife at Neata Police Court that he hg.1 never done any work, he poetically ex- claimed: Oh, Rosinia, didn't I pueh the perambulator to Morriston!" o: A Neath commercial was in great glee last night. He had just told his newest story to some Swansea confreres, and for.the first time in his life was not told he had brought chestnut6 to Swacsea. Ca^tellnedd is evidently getting -up-to- date. — ;o• A man in the Swansea district, aged 66, has had notice to report himself for military duties. As this is the second time for him to be t ailed up." he thinks his services must lie required for some extra special duties. -0:- WAre told that American bactn-new arriving in this country has been harder cured and packed in salt, eo that it will keep louger. Judging hy the flavour of the baton we have been having from the States this past twelvemonth, we should have thought there was nu salt left to naek any more in v The world's greatest tragedy links it&" for a brief space with the world.'6.gt. est love story. On the slopes of Morito- bello, the chief danger point in the Aft- trinn attack, stands the old castle f Montecchi—Shakespeare's Montagues, th« progenitors of Romeo. -;0:- There was a dramatic meeting in HlgU- street one day this week. A Swansea,, soldier, who had been wounded in France, was being removed to a local hospital. He was a walking case," and just as he was emerging from the titation he rati into a near relative, who was hurtying to catch a train. Tremendous things h$fi happened since they last met. —o:— Last Sunday a local man had for his dinner his own potatoes, his own pe-ad., his own cabbage, and his own chicken. That's very nice. of course, but when'on^ hears the tale of the exploit in beating the U-boat repeated for the umptioth tame one is- inclined to reply in terms other Gian those -if congratulation. —: o: — A writer in a London journal says that the sw -et little village of Bishopston is 'known far and wiue tor the antiquity of its church, which dates back to the 16th century. There is a fingubirly Ijl^tejx^t-^ ing old coffin lid—?u;fposed to be that of a boy bishop—fixed to the south WaR.OL)t. the tower, the three intef-twining oords- being probably emblematic ct the tioix Trinity. Within the uppermost loop ate twp hirJs drinking from a vase. Tins was a very early syinty.il, frequc'^V. ampl es having been found in the cflta- comne. at Roirie. -:n. Just over two years ago a Swansea m' (weil-known in the We~t End of th? I (own) was in training with his regirapnl I in Catford, and as there wa-s every likaii- Illood of him going abroad almost im- medIately. he thought lie would like to .send his wife a little keepsake. He went to a jeweller's and asked him to engrave his name and regiment on a sbiilicj, which the shopkeeper promised would be ready the following day. The tame night the soldier was drafted to Mesopotamia, whore he certainly never expected fo" hear of the shilling again. However, the jeweller must have put the coin in cir- culation. for some time ago a London gentleman wrote to the man in Mesop." stating that, the engraved coin having come, into his possession, he had written to the War Office and ascertained his address. Laet week his wife received tlii ("