Llanelly Star

= Fighting to the Last Ounce. Brussels, Friday. I visited the Hospital of St. Jean this horning. The wounded, who were all Belgians, had sufficiently recovered from the fatigues of their journey to talk with Ine, but their stories were exceedingly fragmentary. It is evident, however, that the struggle round Liege has been inconceivably fierce, and that the Bel- gian troops are showing heroic bravery, fighting to the last ounce and without l'l'st, while the Germans were constantly rpnt>wing their attacking line. Such Prisoners as have arrived are compara- tively fresh. The medical staff, which indoles English doctors, is working splendidly. Brussels, Aug 7. The Germans acknowledge having 25,000 casualties. The rumours that the 8ivilian population of Liege had fired on the Germans are untrue.

I The Financial Situation. In the House of Commons yesterday the Chancellor of the Exchequer made a statement as to the financial situation. He said that everything was working smoothly, and appealed for lenient treat- ment for all who might be involved in financial difficulties through the war. The Bank of England yesterday re- ceived £ 5,600,000 in gold. Of this, R2,500,000 was brough t by the Carmania which reached Fishguard on Thursday night from New York. There is no sign whatever of panic, and trade is rapidly resuming its normal condition. The Bank Rate is to be reduced to-day to 5 per cent.

Germans confiscate a Train. 0 A telegram from, Brussels to-day says that the Germans have confiscated the train on which Baron Von Schoen, Ger- man Ambassador in Paris, was being conveyed without payment to Germany.

-—— 11 i 0 German Wrath against Englishmen. Englishmen. Englishmen returning from Berlin bring almost incredible tales of the wrath of the crowds in the German capital against) them. This treatment of Englishmen was openly inspired by the Press, and the police appear to havei made no real at- tempt to check it. The French Ambassador in Berlin was also subjected to inconceivable insults. He was sent against his will to the Danish frontier given no food, placed under an armed" guard when the train neared the Kiel Canal, and compelled to pay C200 in gold-his cheque being re- fused—for the special train provided by | the German Government.

1250,000 in a Day. A most encouraging start has been made with the National Relief Fund in- augurated by the Prince of Wales to deal with distress caused by the war. Although the Prince's appeal for the establishment of the fund was published only yesterday morning, by evening over t250,000 had been ^subscribed. The first subscription to the fund, of which His Royal Highness is treasurer, was from the Prince's own regiment, the 1st Life Guards, which sent £ 18,000. Small subscriptions as well as large will he gratefully received. The Prince said yesterday in his ap- peal "A £ such a moment we all stand by paal "At ?ii(?h a momenIt we all stand by one another." Envelopes should be clearly addressed to "National Relief Fund," Bucking- ham Pa lace and every subscription will be acknowledged by a receipt from- Buck- ingham Palace.

IN THE NORTH SEA LLANELLY STEAMER PASSES THROUGH THE FLEET. The Llanelly steamer "Jason" arrived at the G.W.R. dock yesterday from Antwerp, being the last English boat to leave the port. Mr J. P. Perrins, Swan- sea road, who was on board, gave a "Star" representative this morning a thrilling account of the passage through the North Sea. "The pilot came aboard on Monday night and refused to take us down the river, but Capt. Jones insisted on his doing so, pointing out that if we were to be stopped, it could be done at Flush- ing. When we reached Flushing we saw four big German liners being stopped by the Belgian authorities and captured as prizes of war. When about 30 miles out we encountered the German battle- ship "Zeeland." Had war been declared at that time between Germany and England, you can guess what would have happened to us." | 91 WARSHIPS. I In the North Sea a thrilling spectacle awaited us. We came right in to the British and French fleets, numbering, I counted them carefully, 91 in all. It was a staggering display of strength that made one prouder than ever of be- ing a Britisher. "The 'Franz Joseph,' a huge German liner was unfortunate enough to get into the hands of our sea greyhounds, and is now a, prize of war." At Dover another amazing sight arrest- ed our attention. It was a practically solid line of steel stretching from Dover across the channel to France, composed of the navies of Great Britain and France. Down at Portland again, we met the Channel Fleet, in which are in- cluded some of our largest Dreadnoughts "The feeling in Belgium is intense. When the Belgians heard that Britain was determined to back them up, a great wave of enthusiasm swept over the country. Inspired by this, they have put up a magnificent fight against the Kaiser's 'invincible' legions. As English- men we were treated right royally and from every shop and cafe you can see the Union Jack flying."

THE SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' FAMILY ASSOCIATION. At a meeting held at the Town Hall last night, the following were chosen as members of the Llanelly committee of the above Association :— President: Lady Howard; vice-presi- dent, Mrs. Trubshaw; treasurer, Mr. W. Griffiths, Metropolitan Bank; committee representing Llanelly, Dl. Williams, Esq. J.P., Coun. Thos. Jones, F. R. Nevill, Esq., W. Y. Nevill, Esq. Tumble, Mrs. Waddell; Llangennech, Mrs Morton Evans; Pembrey Mrs G. Ganions "ïI- liams; Hendy and Pontardulais, Mr. R. Sampson. The secretary of the above committee is H. W. Spowart, Esq.,Town Clerk.

I HAGGAR'S THEATRE. Mr. and Mrs. Will Haggar have re- ceived an excellent welcome on their re- turn visit to the Theatre this week. They have brought with them a very powerful dramatic company, and through out the week large audiences have been delighted with their performances. To-- night the powerful drama entitled 'Jealousy,' or 'A modern Othello,' will be staged, and We are assured that a good crowd will visit the theatre to-night' Next week Mr. and Mrs. Haggar will present another programme of all round excellence.

Inexpensive Fancy Drapery.11. Palto and Co.'s Opening Day, Saturday Next, at Lucania Buildings (facing Town Hall)

I A Red Cross Appeal. I HOSPITAL AT LLANELLY. Promises for the following will be very gratefully received by the secretary, Llanelly detachment, British Red Cross Society, Vera Buckley Roderick, Goodig, Burry Port, for the Red Cross Clearing Hospital, which is being arranged for in LlaneliV:— Sheets, blankets, pillows, pillow cases, towels, round towels, kitchen cloths, and the loan of single bedsteads and invalid necessaries. Any ladies wishing to join the detachment are asked to send in their names to the Secretary at once.

NOTES OF THE DAY. I From our London Correspondent. With a clear conscience. I War has come in spite jff all our hopes and prayers. But as the Prime Minister said on Thursday, we go into it with a clear conscience. No one who has read the despatches that passed last week and the week before between London and Berlin and between London and St. Petersburg can have any doubt in his mind where the responsibility for this tremendous conflict lies. Most assuredly it does not lie with England. On the contrary, Sir Edward Grey strove, ar- gued, entreated, battled with all his soul for peace until the last minute of the eleventh hour. And but for German impatience and rashness the war would have been limited to Austro-Hungary and Servia. It is the German Emperor and the German miliary caste—not the gracious, simple-minded intellectual music-loving German people^-who have lit up this colossal conflagration in Europe. V German Policy. I German policy under Bismark was very unscrupulous, but it was also very crafty. The successors of Bismarck have all his lack of scruple, but they have none ofl his cunning. Only a blundering diplo- macy would have precipitated a war on issues in which the moral opinion cf the civilized world is solidly arrayeu against Germany and in circumstances which have left her without a friend ia Europe, except her .veakened ally, Austria. Italy, the thirst power in the Triple Alliande, has ostentatiously stood aside, And neither German allurements nov German threats will induce her to abandon her neutrality. Germany has therefore to bear almost alone the tremendous burden of a gigantic war, in which France, England and Russia are ranged against her. She is fighting with terrific energy, but the odds are against her. A Prodigious mis-calculation. I German statesmen counted confidently on British neutrality. They believed that a Liberal Government, strongly attached to peace, would never go to war. More- over, taking the jargon of our Tory press as gospel, they thought that Great Britain was on the verge of civil war over Home Rule, and could therefore be ruled out of account. It was a prodig- ious mis-calculation. England's inter- vention has staggered the Germans. They are proud, and justly proud, of their growing over-sea trade. It is now at the mercy of the British Navy. The flower of the German mercantile marine has been captured and is lying in British I harbours. As for the German Navy it I does not come out into the open sea. Belgium's Magnificent Haroism* I Another German miscalculation was to ignore the resistance of Belgium. The German general staff is unmatched in what may be called the mechanicism of war. But idealism is beyond its power of comprehension, and it cannot gauge the soul of a people. The Germans thought their army would be able to traverse Belgium unhindered. They counted without the Belgian people. As. soon as the Germans violated. Belgian soil the whole manhood of Belgium leapt to arms and fiercely opposed the advance of the invaders. This small nation has with-stood the first onset of the German legions with a magnificent heroism that has electrified the world. The battle of Liege will ever be memorable in the an- nals of the Belgium. A nation, whose brave sons are ready to sacrifice their lives rather than see it lose its indepen- dence, can never be robbed of its- liberty. Carman Plans -Upset.. I The unexpected resistance of. the Bel- gians has upset the German plan. That was a swift and staggering blow at the heart of France, delivered before Russia had time to move. Belgium has given France time to perfect its organization. French troops have been invited to co- operate with the Belgians on Belgian soil. This may still further retard, the German advance. Moveover the Belgian resistance has had the effect of mobilis- ing- agalhst Germany the moral forces of the civilized world; and these still count for something even in war. Germany will put up a great fight. Her organiza- tion is superb; her generals are past- masters in the art of war; her troops are brave. But the forces ranged against her are too powerful for her. If as some people belive, the French Army should prove a far tougher obstacle than the Germans imagine, then Germany will be in a decidedly bad -way.

Choral Triumph LLANELLY CHOIR ON TOP AT MAESTEG. The Llanelly Royal Choir, under the experienced baton of Mr. John Thomas, achieved a great triumph at the Maesteg eisteddfod on Monday, carrying off the chief choral honours. They were award- ed 184 marks, Brynamman coming second with 182. Commenting on the fifth choir (Llan- elly), Dr. Williams said that in the I chorus a particularly massive opening was heard, but he would have preferred the tempo a little quicker. However, there was no denying the effectiveness of the rendering, and he was quite will- ing to excuse a little slackening in the tempo under such circumstances. The bass in letter "A" were impressive, but the tenors were not convincing. The sopranos and altos responded more nobly. At the poco a poco piu animato a firm grip was maintained and so was the interest up to the "Amen." from this point the rendering gave him con- siderable satisfaction to the end. The part song, "The sea hath its pearls," was opened with richness of tone and delicacy of attack. At the middle of the second section the aceent should have been slightly more pronounced. This, however, WM the only apparent weak- ness in this section. There were move- ments in the singing which were gratify- ing to listen to. More particularly was this the case during some bars in the last page.

Soldiers and the Insurance I » IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT. ] The calling up of insured persons who are in the Army Reserves and Territor- ials will materially affect their position as regards insurance from the moment they are so called up. We are asked by the Welsh Insurance Commissioners to state that in all four countries health insurance contributions of army reserves and territorials during embodied service will be at the reduced army rate of 3d. a week, ltd. of which will be deducted from pay. They will be paid on special army B. cards supplied by Military Authorities. As regards ordinary cards for current half-year reservists should fill in the name of the Society and Branch if any and deposit cards at Military Depot in the box provided for the pur- pose. Territorials should send their cards to their secretaries writing across them the word "Territorials." Cards left in custody of employers should be kept until further notice unless claimed by the man. During embodied service any claim to maternity benefit should be made by the wife to the approved society or in the case of deposit contributors to the Insurance Committee in the ordinary way.

.n. Food Dealers Must I Not Overcharge. IF THEY DO YOU MAY INFORM BOARD OF TRADE. I THERE IS NO SCARCITY. Every member of the public who dis- covers that any tradesman is charging increased prices for food is requested by the Government to forward his name and address to the Commercial Department. Board, of Trade Offices, Gwydyr House, Whitehall, S.W. This will guide the Government in the drastic action they will undoubtedly take should they find that any attempts at extortion are being made. There is abundance of food in the country, and supplies will continue to come in. Small shopkeepers should not pay any increased prices demanded by the middle- man, and they should not put on prices to their poor customers. Every halfpenny charged additional for food now is robbery, and the public must see to it that they are not robbed. The Board of Trade department has been formed for the purpose of seeing that the public are not swindled' by (avaricious1 merchants

Tragedy in the Bay. + SIX MEN DROWNED WHILE BOATING. Fears are entertained that six young men have been drowned while boating in Carmarthenshire Bay. A party of young visitors hired a boat at Burry Port late on Thursday evening for a little time in the outer harbour, and they went into the Channel irrespec- tive of the warning given of the strong ebb running and the heavy sea. Shortly afterwards they were observed to be in difficulties, and Watchman Groom, to- gether with three others, went to their assistance. Unfortunately, the effort was unsuccessful. The sea was choppy, and it is presumed that such a small craft could not possibly live in such a sea. At daybreak on Friday the tug Falcon went in search of the missing boat, but could find no trace of it. The boat belonged to ex-Coastguard Thomas Davies, who hired the boat to a I man named John Hughes, residing at Gorseinon road, Burry Port. Later in the morning Wm. Morgan, of Priory street, Kidwelly, was found in a boat at Penclawdd in an exhausted con- dition. He stated he was one of a party of seven men who left Burry Port on Thursday night. After crossing the bar in Carmarthen Bay the boat capsized, his six comrades being drowned. The names of five of the missing men are:— John Hughes, Forse road, Burry Port. John Evans, Glyn Neath. David Morgan, Pontypridd. Dd. Jones. Gorse road, Burry Port. John Hubert Davies, Aberdare. The other missing men also belong to Aberdare. A thorough search has been made on the beaches on both sides of the channel but, up to the present, no trace of the missing men has been found.

Webley 's Auction Rooms STATION ROAD. LLANELLY, ':4 ontinuous Sale  Sale? !T of the who!? of! the superior Household Furniture, along with part of a Bankrupt Stock of a Furniture Mahufacturer, will £ be held Next Wednesday, Aug. 12th, Sale at 2 o'clock.

FOR I FOR Travelling TRUNKS TRY J. JAMES, Stroot LLANELLY. I

Latest War News Germany Seeks Armistice. Loss of 25,000 Men. It is officially stated by the War Office that the commander of the German "forces attacking Liege has asked for an A- t. Armistice. None of the German troops succeeded in getting into Liege, and the forts are intact. The Germans acknowledge a loss of 25,000 men. News has reached the House of Com- mons that the Germans acknowledge that they have lost 25,000 men before Liege, and they asked for an armistice of "24 hours, probably to remove their dead And wounded. The Belgian Legation in London yes- terday evening stated that they have re- 'Ceived official advices that the Germans have asked for a 24 hours' armistice.

German Patrol Cut Up I 0 The French cavalry at Noureny, near Nancy, captured a German patrol, while at Lanwepur, the infantry surprised an- other patrol, killing officer and men.

I FRENCH TROOPS IN BELGIUM. 1 It is reported to-day from Brussels that the French Army is now in Belgium and that the vanguard has advanced well into the country. These troops are the advance column of the five French army corps which the French offered to send to the help of Belgium.

Exorbitant Prices 1 — IND GNANT PROTESTS AT LAST NIGHT'S MEETING. Following upon the town's meeting held at the Town Hall last night, a meeting of protest was held against the action of some shopkeepers in raising the prices of commodities. Lady Howard who had presided over the pre- vious meeting was voted with acclama- tion to the chair. 1 I Nathan's Warning. I Ald. Nathan Griffiths, speaking with considerable feeling, said it had come to his knowledge that in some shops, prices had been raised 200, 250, and even 300 per cent. (shame). There was no neces- sity for this, and the workingmen of Llanelly were not going to stand it. He had the unpleasant duty that afternoon of going round the shops on behalf of his fellow workmen, and warning them of the consequences of such action. Give honour to whom honour was due. He had seen Mr. Thomas Jones, J.P., who told him that he had not charged a penny more on any of his stock nor did he intend to (applause). He also saw Mr. Arthur Davies who explained that his customers had only paid ordinary prices, but to non-customers he had charged 10s. a sack more in the case of flour. This was not a matter of profit or loss, it was a matter of life and death to the people (applause). He also went to see Liptons—the Army contractors (laughter), and he warned the manager, vr ho was a persona] friend of his, and a very tidy chap (laughter). The manager however, told him that he could do nothing without the instructions of his firm. "Well," continued Mr. Griffiths, "I told him-wire to your head office and say it is dangerous (cheers). What we want is to s see the tradesmen showing- the same spirit as the employers of labonr xfho !iad promised that the fami- lies should not suffer (applause). I have spoken to Lady Howard on this matter and about the protest we were going to make, and, her Ladyship said- I am willing to lead the procession around the town to warn the shopkeepers against increasing prices (loud cheers). That is a Mayoress to be proud of (re- newed cheers). No words could be too- emphatic in condemnation of those who sought to make their fortunes out of the misfortunes of the people. Share and Share Alike. I Mr. Dd. Williams, railway signalman, said that the working men of Llanelly had agreed that it would be safer to be on the plains of Belgium fighting the Germans than to, be a tradesman in the streets of Llanelly charging 200 per cent profit on the necssaries of life. We had not the least intention of being beaten by the Germans, and were determined that while our brothers were fighting our battles, the food in this country should be shared and shared alike (cheers). He could endorse what had been said as to the action of Mr. Thomas Jones. So far as some of the others concerned, he was glad that they had changed their policy, because last Thurs- day week they were actually charging 4s. and 5s. extra for every sack of flour (shame). It was only fair to say, how- ever, that there were scores of shop- keepers who were acting honourably, and who were determined to assist the fami- lies of those out of work. It was to be hoped. that the tradesmen would act in the same spirit as the employers. 'But,' continued the speaker, "we don't want to receive money from Mr. Dan Williams and the other directors to transfer it to the' pockets of tradesmen making huge profits (cheers). We will get, no doubt a large sum of money, but we want to see that we shall get value for every penny spent. We are not going to stand tradesmen making huge profits out of the miseries of their fellow men (ap- plause) Whatever the consequences will be, we will see that they are not going to do it. If the worst came to the worst, God help those who are respon- sible for it. If little children went with- out food, if they died in misery and want, as God was above them, they would have to take the consequences (ap- plause) Lady Howard's advice. I Lady Howard said that the speeches they had just heard reproduced what had been said by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. He was responsible for the finances of the country, and he had as- sured them there would be no panic. No doubt they would all be poorer after the war was over. but there was no need to encourage any feelings* of panic. It was to be hoped that the warning would be taken by those to whom it applied. No doubt there was good reason for issuing "the warning. But the tradesmen com- plained of were not Llanelly men; the real Llanelly tradesmen were all right (cheers). The working men had the remedy in their own hands. They should not deal with the people who charged extortionate prices. The Mayoress went on to explain that Sir Stafford was ab- sent owing to a family bereavement. His elder brother was buried that day. Upon the motion of Ald. Griffiths, a vote of symp.athy was accorded Sir Stafford and Lady Howard. A vote of thanks to her Ladyship for presiding, brought the meeting to a close.

I I WEDDING BELLS. l P ALTO-SIL VERSTEm, The marriage took place on Wednes- day last at the Hope Place Synagogue, Liverpool, of Mr. Lewis Palto, draper, 19, St. Helens road, Swansea (and for- merly of Llanelly), to Miss Lawrie Sil- verstein, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs feilverstein, 26, Seymour street, Liver- pool, The bride, who was beautifully at- tired in a efeiam satin dress, had as maids Miss Mary Silverstein (sister) and Miss Annie Landy, Llanelly. The cere- mony was performed by the Rev Raphael Lovitch. Mr. and Mrs. Palto, Station road, Mr. R. Palto, and Mr. Isaac Landy were present from Llanelly. After the ceremony, a reception and dance was held at the Marlborough Hall, Hardman street. Later in the day the happy couple left for London for the honeymoon They were the recipients of a long list of presents.

Relief Measures. TOWN'S MEETING LAST NIGHT. A public meeting was held last night at the Town Hall with a view to resusci- tating the local branch of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association, and the Mayoress, Lady Howard, occupied the chair. Mr. F. R. Nevill, Mr. Dan Williams, and Mr. Joseph Holmes, who are connected with some of the larger works of the town, said they proposed asking their resepctive boards ofx direc- tors to take over the responsibility of assisting the wives and children of the men in their employ who had been called upon in connection with the war. The announcement was received with great cheering, and Lady Howard remarked that this would enormously lighten the work of these who intended to carry on the work of the society. In view of the generous help promised by the employers it would not be necessary for the present to appeal for snhsfrihtimn on +), -1 w* vavruo J oa UUV V D- ready had in their fund £208, left since the Boer war, and this would be suffi- cient to go on with. Mrs. Gwynne Hughes, Tregyb, the president of the County Society, also spoke, and it was decided to resuscitate the local branch, with the following offi- cers President, Lady Howard; hon. sec., Mr H. W. Spowart; hon. treasurer, Mr. William Griffiths.

I' LLANELLY CINEMA. All the patrons of this cinema have been delighted with the holiday pro- gramme submitted by its genial manager "Clarke's the man." Next week a pro- gramme of all round excellence will be presented. Amongst other special films. for Monday to Wednesday, a very sensa- tional picture will be shown, viz., "Horrors of War." This is a very powerful story of which no one should miss. There are also other capital items in a varied series of interesting pictures.