The Western Mail

UNITED STATES AND SPAIN. DECLARATION BY SENOR I SAGASTA. SPAIN WILL RE-GAIN IlEft PRESTIGE. A Central Newi telegram from Madrid on I Saturday say": Your correspondent sought and obtained an interview with Senor .1gasta on the Pence Treaty between Spain and America, now practically concluded. The Spanish Premier preferred that a direct state- ment in his own words should he published, instead of in the form of an interview, and hafl r jthorised the following declaration —"Europe has remained indifferent to our spoliation. In their selfishness. the nations have only cared to, their own Colonial expansion. They do not know that Spain, weak to-day, can re-gain its old power by making the necessary efforts and weight in the balance of nations, by in- clining herself to one side or the other. We lihall work energetically to re-conquer our posi- tioll by means of good administration.which is the ha..se of a country's prosperity. Internal reforms will be the fIt part of my programme, and of the programme of every leader who is true to Spain. The Red Book about to he issued will contain proofs t,f the iniquity which has been Anally accomplished in Paris by the l" nited States Commission, and which is tht greatest shame in history. The close of the nineteenth century is marked by the brutal establishment of force, of might over right, as in the times of barbarism. All Spain fee:s. like myself, the terrible wounds indicted on her. God in time will avenge ns, for such crimes cannot remain unpunished. Nor will the hypocritical cover of hnmanitarianism under which the United States have obtained their ends prevent that punishment. The Philippines will be our first avenger. The American army there will he decimated by war and fever from the moment it will have to go out of the towns to fight the rebels. The treacherous tagalos native insurrections) will force the Americans to keep in the Philippines a large army and spend many millions in sending expeditions and in keeping up their fleet. We are deeply pained at the ga-sh made in our Colonial possessions, but by taking away the Philippines from us they have relieved us of a great burden. The first thought in regenerating and reconstituting our country is to put in force those means we have for keeping what we still have of possessions in the Pacific, Atlantic, Mediterranean, and on the ooast of Africa. We mean to prevent rapacious nations which covet our dominions from setting foot in those possessions. We hold it true that not even the united squadrons of the world would be able to conquer our peninsula. The nation, rising en masse, would defend itself against tho modem Colossi, as it did against the old. The re-constitution of our strength will not take so long as many people seem to think. If we have not to pay the Cuban and Philippine debts. we sha-II b., able to pay in five years the three thousand million pesetas (about 120 mil- lion sterling) we have spent in our Colonial warn, and wo shall also be able to wipe out other debts. Hot if we are loaded with the Philippine and C¡;ban debts our financial regeneration will takt much longer, perhaps twenty years. Of course, a Carlist war would upset all these calculations." THE PHILIPPINES. A Router's telegram from Madrid on Satur- day says:-A per-on who has recently arrived here from the Philippines declares that abso- lute ignorance seems to prevail in the United States as to the real state of affairs in the Philippines. He says the Americans will have opposed to them not only the insurgents, but also the rest of the natives favourable to Spain, who, stirred up by the rriests, will fight the Americans as the enemies of religion. More- over. in a short time the American troops wilt fall victims to the deadly climate. The Spaniards would have succeeded in re-estab- lishing their sway over the Philippines with the help of their native troops, but the American idea of creating native regiments is now quite illusory, owing to the hostile feeling prevailing in the islands. A Rente's telegram from New York on Satur- day says:-A telegram from Washington is pub- lished here to-day to the effect that the War Department, in accordance with the decision of the Cabinet, has directed General Otis to demand from Aguinaldo the surrender of the Spanish prisoners held by the insurgents.

SITUATION IN CHINA. DOWAGER EMPRESS AND THE I FOREIGN LADIES. A Press Association special telegram from 1 eking on Saturday ellys: -The controversy concerning the promised reception at Court of the ladies of the diplomatic body seems in a fair way towards settlement. The Dowager Empress has throughout the nego. tions shown every desire to conciliate the foreign Ministers, and has now consented to grant an audience to eight ladies, who are to be borne in chairs within the precincts of the Palace. Only the question of inter- preters remains, and as soon as the details of the ceremonial in this respect are adjusted the audience will take place. The Dowager I mpress further proposes to entertain the foreign ladies at luncheon, and the ceremonies to be observed on this occasion have already been agreed upon. Her Majesty. I am assured, has displayed the greatest anxiety to bring these matters to a successful i'l1e,

FRENCH CHANNEL I DEFENCES. A Renter's telegram from Paris on Saturday say-The "F,h. de Paris" states that since his return to the Ministry M. de Freycinet has devoted most careful attention to the question of the defence of the Channel and Algerian coasts. Hio Assistant Secretary has gone to Algiers to make arrangements for cavalry and infsuitry manoeuvres. The troops which will take part in these manoeuvre; will be provided with small quick-firing guns borrowed from the Xayy, Guns of a similar kind will be placed at the disposal of the 4th Battalion of Marine Infantry detailed for service on the French roasts. Twelve guns have already been placed in position at Ushant, Dunkirk, and Calaj, and others will be sent to Havre and the Gal- vados coast to serve as c, protection against any sudden attack.

THE AUSTRIAN JUBILEE. A Renter's telegram from Vienna on Satur- day says:—Reports arriving from all the pro- vinces of Austria announce that the Emperor s -labilee is boing celebrated with great festivi. ties. The towns have been generally illumi- nated at night, and there have been loyal demonstrations of eveiy kind, including the unveiling of a statue of his Majesty at Olmntx. ongratulatory telegrams to the Emperor hay' been received 'rom nearly all the Sovereign, and neudti of Mate* of the world.

TERRIBLE EXPLOSION AT A FIREWORKS FACTORY. A Central News telegram from Rome on Saturday says:-A terrible explosion occurred this morning at a small fireworks factori- wt Ariatio, near Avellino. The factory was entirely destroyed, and the owner, his wif. and four children were killed outright. Three e)ther children were so seriously injured that it is feared they cannot recover.

CHURCH DESTROYED BY FIRE. The Press Association Belfast correspondent telegraphs that the Magdalene Church, Belfaet, was entirely destroyed by fire on Saturday night. k

A FRENCH COLLEGE AT KHARTOUM. AX ANTI-ENGLISH PROJECT. me runs correspondent of the "Observer" tele- graph* --Monsieur Francois Deloncle, formerly Deputy and a hUHY agitator in Colonial mattery wrill" to the "Temps" to-night that, in imitation of Lord Kitchener's scheme of the Gordon College at Khartoum, a ix, "P of Frenchmen have subscribed funds which will almost suffice for the establishment of two native schools, one at Khartoum, to be called the Kcole de France, the other at Fashoda. to be named after Marchand. According to M. Deloncle. Khartoum and Fashoda beinjt solely under the rule of the Khedive, the French enjoy there the same rights as the Kng.ish. He believes that the French insti- tutions which flourished at Khartoum pre- vious to the events of 1884 will be revived under the protection of the French Agent at Cairo and the French Consulate, which doubtless will be re-established at Khartoum before long. In this way, adds Monsieur Deloncle, France will be able to contribute to the moral and mate- rial development of the Egyptian Soudan. I may add that this enterprise is a purely private one, and has neither the support nor the approval of the Foreign Minister, who has always been opposed to the busybody ways and se f-advertising methods of Monsieur Francois Delconcle. There is no desire Oil Monsieur Deloassepart to continue the policy of pin- pricks against England, of which the above scheme is another ridiculous example.

THE NATIVE REBELLION IN I THE TRANSVAAL. A Reuter's telegram from Pretoria on Satur- day says:—The native rebellion in Magato- land has been broken and the remaining tribes have been dispersed with heavy loss. The Swazi allies assisted the Transvaal burgher. in clearing the moutit-,iins. No whites were killed. The burghers are now returning. Mpefu has fled to the Limpopo River.

CZAR TO VISIT VIENNA. A Central News telegram from Vienna on Saturday S'tys: -It has now been settled that the Czar shall visit the Emperor Francis Joseph early in April, when the period of Court mourning ends. The visit was arranged for at an earlier date, but was postponed by the death of the Empress.

THE LOSS OF THE CLAN I DRUMMOND. SURVIVORS AT LISBON. A Renter's telegram from Lisbon on Satur- day sap; :-Tho British steamer Holbein has arrived here with twenty-seven survivors of the crew of the Clan Drummond, which foundered in the Bay of Biscay. The men are being taken care of by the British Consul, and are lodged at the various hotels. According to their account of the disaster, the Clan Drum- mond, while crossing the bay, was struck by a huge sea. which carried away the bridge. The ship sank imn:ediate!y afterwards. The survivors took to the boats, and, after great exertions, succeeded in reaching the coast of Viieaya. whence they were brought off by the Holbein.

INDIAN FRONTIER RISING. A Press Association special telegram from Cnakdara, dated Friday, says :-A recon- naigsanee of all arm, was made up the Shamozai Valley to-day, a far as to the Seoghahbaba Falls, leading to the Nekju Valley. AU wa quiet. The Mad Mullah ;s reported to have retired to Bandai. A Press Association special telegram from C'hakdara, dated Sunday, says:-It is stated that the Mullah has now withdrawn his forces six miles up the river, to Sherjalam.

THE FUGITIVE STEAMSHIP I Bill ARDEN fi- A Central New., telegram from New York 6nz Srtt-urday says :-The arrival of the steamer Rriardene, which recently escaped seizure under a sheriff s warrant on leaving Queenstown Har- hour, has been awaited here with the greatest interest. When the Briardene reached New York Harbour this morning the captain and officers were beset by reporters, to whom the captain declared that he had acted within his legal rights in leaving Queenstown as he did. The papers, he stated, under which the arrest was effected were defective, as they ordered the arrest of the Creerdene, of Halifax instead of the Hriardene. of Newcastle. He entered a protest with the British Consul in the course of the day.

GnIAT FIRE AT FERROL. A Central News telegram from Cornnna on t eleven a.m., says -Early last even- ing a fire broke out in the Royal Arsenal at Ferrol. and quickly assumed enormous dimen- sions. despite the strenuous efforts of the naval and military authorities and the civilian fire brigade. At the moment of telegraphing the conflagration still rages, and the damage done so far is estimated at 4,000,000 pesetas.

MKINLEYS MESSAGE TO I CONGHESS. A Xieuter s telegram from New York on Sun- day sa,% s: -Aceording to the "Herald" Washington correspondent. President M'Kin. ley's forthcoming Message will recommend no fixed policy for the government of the Philip- pines, Puerto Rico, and Cuba, but will ask Congress to deliberate carefully before adopting u Colonial policy.

TURKEY AND CRETE. I A Reuter's telegram from Constantinople on Saturday says -Comment has been excited here by the fitt-t that in the formal notification made to the Porto of the appointment of Prince George as High Commissioner for Crete reference is made to the supreme rights of Turkey, while in various previous communica- tions to the Ottoman Government oil the Cretan question the Powers spoke of Sovereign rights. It i. undentoc j that, in replying, the Porte will confine itself to a protest.

MILL IN FLAMES. I A fire broke out at the Knapp Mills, Christ- last week, which completely destroyed the mill and a quantity of stock and gutted the large house adjoining the mills, which is occupied bi,-tlie miller and h's family. At first it seemed that the fire cou'd lie con- tined to the mill, but a fierce wind which was blowing made the Barnes spread rapidly. The house was Ltttelied. iliid two children were rescued with difficulty, -I

DAMAGES FOR LIBEL, SLANDER, I AND FALSE IMPRISONMENT. Mr. Justice Bruce on Saturday concluded the hearing of the action brought by Miss Kroughton-RoiHe. known proiu-sionally as Gladys Keith, an actress, to recover damages for slander, libel, and false imprisonment from Mr. and Mrs. Boyce, proprietors of the Com- mercial Tavern. Brandon, Suffolk. The defence was a denial of the slander, which, it was said Imputed immorality to the plaintiff, a deniai of the imprisonment, which consisted, accord- ing to plaintiff, in twing locked uo for two hours in the billiard-eoom of defendant's house, and a claim of privilege in regard to the lii )el, which was an allegation of theft of a cake of soap The jury found for plaintiff, who was awarded £100 damages and costs.

SUFFOCATED IN COR: At Barmley lat week James Ni?.h fatmer. of the Banekek?nd Farm. Wor,- b, rough, made a shocking discovery m hi cow-house, where Abraham Miller Hold a youn* married labourer 111 his employ w.x found ntad under a tar? heap ° of Jum. which had fallen with the fltir of an upper giiiiKiry, and buried hi. ali, Soon after ;i? oI(-I?k on the fatal morning Hold was seen n ,n.lng

The Sirdar's Visit.—Stevens' are bringing out a I ncvelty. The '8ird*r"Cakes.on their introduction by Stevens. Confectioner, in London, iast week, were pronounced rnoit appropriate and doliciouc

DREYFUS DOSSIER. PRISONER'S COUNSEL TO EXAMINE IT. THE PICQUART PROSECU- TION. A Renter's telegram from Paris on Sunday says:—The "Matin" understands that the secret dossier will be communicated to-day to the Court of Cassation, and that Me. Mornard will also be authorised to see it. The "Petit Journal," on the other hand, says the secret dossier will be submitted to the Court of Cassa- tion only. According to the "Liberte," the secret Dreyfus dossier will be communicated to the Court of Cassation on Monday, and Me. Mornard, counsel for Madame Dreyfus, will be allowed to examine it. A Reuter's telegram from Paris on Saturday says :-The "Matin" crtates that the much talked of secret dossier does not contain any document which is likely to produce a sen- eation. "The iitme of Dreyfus," adds the journal, "does not appear in any of the documents, nor is there any description of a moral or physical characteristic corresponding to that of the convict on Devil's Isle. The perusal of the dossier, however, seems to prove that a French officer had relations with the military attaches of several Powers." The "Gaulois" states that, with a view to preventing regrettable indiscretions, the prosecution and defence had agreed to indicate by a letter the names of certain personages to whom allu- sion is made in the documents of the secret dossier. The "Radical" says it is informed that the Court, of Cassation has caused to be spized at the house of M. Jules Roche a letter of Major Esterhazy'g, which affords incontro- vertible proof of the closeness of the relations between that officer and Colonel Henry. In this letter, which is dated 1893. Esterhazy, says the" Radieal" offered to give M. Jules Roche, who was then reporter of the Budget of War, information regarding what was going on in the second bureau at headquarters, "to which," he added, "belongs my friend and debtor, Major Henry, who by that title is obliged to furnish me with information which I ask of him." The "Rappel" says it learns from a certain source that a prosecution will be instituted against Colonel Du Patey de Clam in connec- tion with the Dreyfus affair. DISTURBANCES IN PARIS. I A Central News telegram from Paris on Saturday evening says:-A great public meet- ing, which was attended by quite 4,000 persons, was held this evening in the Rue Cadet in support of the movement for securing the post- ponement of the trial by court-martial of ex-Lientenant-colonel Picquart. M. Duclaix, of the French Academy, presided, and amongst the many notable men present were M. Anatole France, the poet; M. Buisson, M. Mirabeau, and M. Joseph Iteinach, all of whom spoke in favour of the objects of the meeting, and eulogised the noble conduct of Picquart in sacrificing his own personal interests in order that justice might be done to an innocent man wrongfully condemned. A crowd of anti- Dreyfus partisans had gathered ont6ide the meeting-place, and when the audience poured into the streets they were received with howls and jeers. Numerous free fights occurred in the Itue Cadet, and the anti-Dreyfus mob were driven off. The victors then marched past the offices of various anti-revision newspapers, cheering for Zola and Picquart A great crowd of anti-revisionists was now attracted to the scene, and a somewhat serious fight took place, in which heads were broken by the score. Finally the police dispersed both crowds, and made a number of arrests. At the Sorbonne in the afternoon there was a riotous demon- stration by the anti-Semites, which was vigorously replied to by the Dreyfusites, and the tumult was continued until the great hall and its vicinity were cleared and the gates locked. POWERLESSNESS OF THE COURT OF I CASSATION. A correspondent writes to the London "Observer" thus:-Though the Court of Cas- sation may have powers of revision and repeal over the judgment of other courts in criminal affairs, it has absolutely no power to give effect to its decisions when they are in oppo. sition to the views of the Government or the Government's representatives, such as the Pro- cureur-General of Paris or the Prefect of Police. The Court of Cassation is a tribunal of legal interpretation, not one of action. The Pre. sident (M. Loewe) has no power to command the services of a single gendarme or police agent without the intervention and the assent of the Procureu of the Republic and the Prefect of Police. Tne authority of the court, it will. therefore, be seen, is purely nominal. In the Dreyfus affair this court, which sits as an examining tribunal, has the right of making any inquiries concerning the affair which is brought before it, but has no power of enfor- cing its decisions. It is for this reason that the Minister of War can refuse to produce the secret dossier, and the President (M. Loewe), although he is the highest judicial functionary in France, cannot compel him to do so. In the same way, if the court should to-morrow decide to send for Dreyfus from the lie du Diable, it would have no other means of put- ting its wishes into action than by making a request to the Minister of Justice, who would pass it on to the Minister for the Colonies. The latter might for "State reasons" or to secure public peace refuse to comply with the request, and the Cour de Cassation would be powerless to enforce it. It would of neces- sity bring about a condition of revolution if the Government refuses to administer the law, and would be a coup d'etat, in fact. Still, in France the exception proves the rule, and every Government, from the 18th Brumairo till the 4th of September, have ignored existing Jaws to create new rights. Under these circum- stances, it will be seen that the great authority of the Cour de Cassation is entirely subor- dinated to the wishes of the Government, and if Ministers are opposed to revision and to the truth being made known regarding Dreyfus and the other actors in this affair, then the Cour de Cassation is impotent. All it can do is to qumh the verdict as against Dreyfus him- I f. As. however, the prisoner was con- demned simply on the bordereau, if the ver diet were quashed on this ground, or for an illegality, such as the communication of secret evidence to the court-martial unknown to the prisoner and his counsel, then the military authority, which claims to have other proofs and new and more crushing charges against Dreyfus (e.g., the secret dossier), could re- commence proceedings against him-leaving out the bordereau this time-and Dreyfus would be convicted again on fresh charges by any other court-martial. This, briefly stated, is the extraordinary and ghastly posi- tion of this wretched man if the net that has been skilfully wound round the affair to pre- vent revision is not speedily broken down What a deplorable sight is such It country, where the highest in the land are now taking sides for revision, their numbers being added to by such names as Waldeok-Roussean* a possible future President, who was at the last vacancy only beaten by M. Faure by a few votes, and M. Poincarre. who, with M. Wal- deck-Rousseau. is known as the best juris- consults in Paris, besides the most eminent statesmen of the Third Republic!

THE PRESIDENT OF HONDURAS. A Central News telegram' from New York on Saturday sa.8 :-Advices from Honduras state that General Sierra., who graduated at the Wet Point Military* Academy, was elected President on the 19th ult.

The Sirdar • ViMt?-SteYtna' are bnnfinp o«t a n.!t:irh'sidt;ta:: th:i1n!UI br 8t.? n., Confectioner, in London, '&It week, were pronounced most appropriate and delicious MUNDAY 8 LIYKR PILLS act direct upon the liver. They contain no mercury, are suitable for all Agm and climate!, and without d,?ubt are the b?t Pills for Biliousness. Liver Complaints and Indigestion. Sold in B(,x?-. Is.. 2s. 6d and 4, [d.. post free, bv the Proprietor J, Mn.da,. Ch,mirt.. 1, High-street, Cardiff. ?A?OAlt?RCH.-Th? ''??era M?" mar bo obtained each morning from Xlii B. Bowea, Fott-emc? tMM f6

I KITCHENER AND KITCHENS. ("Tbo Sirdar has received hundreds of invitations to dine since his return to England "I I 'Twa the voice of the 8irdar, I heard him "mplain, They WON'T have any pity, 'I \IUST e-t i,?,ain. I am nn all night. And I'm longing for bed. o rest for a i'?"_ n, always being fed. In defence of the flag I would lay down my life. B'?t I cannot do battle fhith plate, fork, Mttknifp. Have mercy, ye Mahdis Of banqueting mood, Or I'll perish a Kitrhener Martyred by food. Punch.")

LORD KITCHENER'S VISIT TO CARDIFF. MAYORS THANKS TO THE PEOPLE. The Mayor of Cardiff (Alderman Thomas Morel. J.P.) has d03ired us to convey to the people of Cardiff his grateful and sincere thanks for the magnificent and enthusiastic manner in which they welcomed his Excellency the Sirdar, and his worship desires to express his keen appreciation of the warm support given to him upon so memorable an occasion. His worship particularly thanks those who so admirably decorated their premises on the line of route. The mayor is none the Jess indebted to those eminent gentlemen who came from all parts of the Principality to join with the in- habitants of Cardiff in doing honour on behalf of Wales to the distinguished hero. NO ACCIDENTS. It is a telling commentary upon the excellent police arrangements that, notwithstanding tho immense crowds which lined the route from the Great Western Railway station to the Park- hall, not an accident of any description oc- curred. PAIR OF WHITE OLOVES AT CARDIFF. Friday in Cardiff was a great and a memo- rable day. Saturday was no less remark- able in the police-court annala. and in the sub- ject matter it supplies for the future historian. There were no prisoners at the police-court. The entire absence of drunkenness and dis- orderly conduct in the streets, when contagious hilarity contributed so much to both, are cir- cumstances that will command unbounded admiration. Not a prisoner in the dock, and what a number of magistrates oil the bench— the mayor on the judicial seat for the first time, and in his chain of office, Alderman D. Jones, Alderman Jacobs, Councillor Thomas, and Mr, R. E. Spencer. This being the mayor's first appearance since his election to office, Mr, T. Belcher rose, and, on behalf of the solicitors practising in the court, cordially welcomed the mayor, and congratulated him heartily upon his selection as deputy-mayor of a member of the It; al profession—Mr. George David. The Hcad-constablo presented the mayor with a pair of white gloves, as the outward symbol of the town's inward good behaviour, and his worship made a suitable reply. INTERESTING SOUVENIRS. I During his visit to Cardiff Lord Kitchener signed for lIIr, James Howell twelve etchings representing the charge of the 21st Lancers at Omdurman and the Battle of Atbara. The mayor has purchased two of the pictures, and will present them to the corporation as a sou- venir of the Sirdar's visit. THE SIRDAR'S HOSTS AT CARDIFF. I The Sirdar s visit to Cardiff was (says the "Westminster Gazette") a flying one, the Sirdar arriving at 2.10 and departing at 4.45. Cardiff, in pursuance of its usual ambition to be regarded as the Metropolis of Wales, strove to give the occasion the air of a national celebra- tion, but there was very little that was Welsh about the day's proceedings, except the singing of the Welsh National Anthem, "Hen WJad fy Nhadau" ("Land of my Fathers"), in the Park- hall. As a matter of fact, the mayor of Cardiff comes from Jersey, the ex-mayor (who invited the Sirdar) from Yorkshire, its member is a Scotch Anglo-Indian, and mot of its chief capitalists, merchants, and councillors are Eng- lish or Scotch. CONQUERED WALES. Says the London "Daily News": Lord Kitchener conquered Wales yesterday as he conquers every community. As a speaker he more than satisfies Mr. Labouchere's ideal. Instead of occupying ten minutes he takes two or less. Dressing for dinner Mr. Gladstone took three minntes, five minutes when he dawdled Lord Kitchener never dawdles. He goes straight to his point. The point at present is the Gordon Memorial College Funil. He will get that, as he got Omdurman. by persistence. For the Cardiff people he had a bombshell ready. His Soudan railway, too, has been the means of placing orders for many hundred thousand tons of coal in South Wales. The Cardiff people like refe- rences to their coal, and if the Sirdar had only thought of praising up the Cardiff docks he might have drawn a thousand or two more Wales did not claim him for a Welshman, so an Irishman—one of a party of old soldiers who had a luncheon given to them in honour of the Sirdar—claimed him. "Bedad, did ye iver see a foiner Oirishman ?" said the old soldier, Lest that should settle Lord Kitchener's nationality, Cardiff made haste to confer its citizenship upon him, and claim him for gallant little Wales. LanD KITCHENER'S MOVEMENTS Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, on his return from Netley Hospital on Saturday, journeyed to Wilton Park, Beaconsfield, Bucks, the seat of Mr. Henry White, secretary of the American Legation, whose guest he is for the week-end The house party was a large one, including the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, Lord Rose- bery, and Lord tnd Lady Curzon. The Sirdar returns to town to-day (Monday). THE RIOTOUS PROCEEDINGS AT CAM- I BRIDGE. On Saturday the rice-chancellor of Cambridge University entertained at dinner the Corpoora- tion of Cambridge to meet the Lord Mayor of Birmingham. In proposing the toast of the municipal institutions, the Vioe-chancellor referred to the riotous proceedings which tended the recent visit of the Sirdar to Cam- bridge. They were, he said, all carried away by their enthusiasm for the hero of Khartoum and the avenger of Gordon, but that enthu- siasm took a regrettable form, which must nexer occur again. The university could pre- vent it, and the university would prevent it, CARDIFF QUAKER IN SACKCLOTH. SIRDAR DEMONSTRATION CON- I DEMNED. A number of persons met on Sunday after- noon at 10, Custom House-street, Cardiff, it having been announced that Dr. Charles Fox, the "Quaker," would give an address on "National Glory," with especial reference to the late visit of the Sirdar. Shortly after the hour announced the doctor appeared, clad in sackcloth. Seating himself in a chair, he pro- ceeded to deliver some strikingly original, if unpopular, ideas. War was said to be a "neces- sary evil." There was, however, no such thing as a necessary evil, the only thing necessary was good, though this was not now recognised The weather on Friday, he claimed, was evidence of Divine displeasure, and it was remarkable that, at about the hour of the cele- bration, a Cardiff pilot and his son lost their lives in the Bristol Channel—an unnoticed sacri- fice. The doctor protested against the empty formality of Friday s proceedings. What real "freedom" had the Sirdar been given more than he and we all had before? It was shame- ful that these presentations of "golden boxes, &c.. should be ma4e while th'? poor were starving to death. Worse, the highest authori- tative representative or Cardiff had publicly referred to the Sirdar as the "revenger of Gordon"! Now, revenge was an entirely un- ¡ Christian primipte. Yet it waa reported that even a bishop joined in singing "He's a j""Y good fellow!" It was most lamentable. The elements of true national glory were faith, mercy, justice, reverence, and truth. LETTER FROM THE SIRDAR. l )'rofeMor JoMett. of Ctont?rf. writes to thtj editor of the "Dublin Express" that, in repM? to an inquiry about the instruction propos B to be firen at the Gordon Memoria4 Coljl Lord Kitohoua h" writwa M foUow.  M college I have proposed will he conducted on purely secular lines, and have absolutely nothing to do with religious training or reli- fMoutpropa?andism. Our students will be mostly drawn from Mohammedans of the Sou- dan, and I am sure that any idea of using the I college for religious instruction would ruin Its utility." In his letter to Lord Kitchener Pro- fessor Josnett said: "Many cf us dislike reli- gious propagandism of any kind as heartily as we desire the progress of positive and civilis- ing knowledge among the peoples of the East."

PENNY CONVERSATIONS ON THE TELEPHONE. POPULAR EXTENSION OF POST- OFFICE FACILITIES- Our London Correspondent writes :1 learn that the scheme of penny telephonic conversa- tions, which the postal authorities have for some time past had under consideration, definitely matured on Friday last, and will be found to he of much greater scope than was at first hinted. Briefly, the authorities at St. Martin's-le-Grand have decided to make a bold attempt to "nationalist" the telephone, in the broadest sense of the word. Not only is the fee for three-minute conversations to bo reduced to Id.. but the rental charge is later on to be brought down from the present sums to 12 bs.-possibly even less. By this means and the proverbial "customary attention to business" it is hoped that almost everyone will in course of time be induced to rent a telephone, and thus contribute to the Post Office purse. The first a)teration-that of penny conversations—will come into vogue on April 1, the commencement of the financial year, and should certainly prove a boon to the general public. Inquiries made locally failed to elicit any further information, but we have ample reason for believing that the facts given above are absolutely correct.

EXPLOSION ON A BRITISH STEAMER- SIX MEN KILLED. A Renter's telegram from New York on Sun- day says: -The steamer Alamo was leaving here la3t night for Galveston when a steam pipe exploded, killing six men of the engineers' department.

A GLASGOW TRAGEDY. On Saturday night Annie Leyden, otherwise Mason, aged twenty, and her husband returned to their house in South Stirling-street, Glasgow, both being the worse for liquor. Two hours later the landlord found the couple lying under- neath the bed, the woman quite dead and the man in a dazed condition. Examination of the body showed that the woman's neck was broken and the head badly bruised, presumably the result of kicks or blows. There were people in an adjoining room, but they state that they heard no sound of a struggle, The husband has been arrested.

AN AMERICAN TORPEDO-BOAT. A Central News telegram from New York on Saturday say¥; :-The new tioroedo bout Farragut. in her speed trial at San Francisco yesterday, using one of her engines, reached a speed of 32 knits.

"M. DE ROUGEMONT." It is stated that M, Louis de Rougemont has taken, before a commissioner for oaths, the following statutory declaration relative to his adventures as published "I, Louis de Rouge- mont, do solemnly and sincerely declare that the accounts of my adventures in Australia as published are absolutely true. And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believ- ing the same to be true and by virtue of the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act, 1835."

AN IRISH CHIMNEY CORNER. A daring moonlight outrage was com- mitted at Rathben, two miles from enagh, last week. The house of Mrs. Flan- nery, an extensive landowner, who recently buried her husband, and has only an aged male and female servant living with her, was fired into, over a dozen shots entering the building. Mrs. Flannery and the servants saved their lives by huddling into the chimney corner. Several bullets and pei'ets were found embedded in the wall of Mrs. Fiannery's bedroom and in the inner walls of the other apartments. The raiders decamped on the approach of parties from the town, who were attracted by the shouts for mercy of the unfortunate inmates. The male servant was wounded.

DEATH IN A SEWER. Two workmen employed by the Manchester Corporation, while working in a tewer on Saturday morning, were overcome by the foul gas and suffocated. The dead body of one of the men, M'Oregor, was recovered four hours afterwards, after many gallant attempts. The body of the second man, who is named Hodg- son, has not yet been recovered.

SIR WILLIAM HA.RCOURT S SON TO BE MARRIED. I M marriage has been arranged between Mr. ?iLs Vernon Harcourt, elde?t son of the Right J?. Sir W. V. Harcourt, M.P., and Mary J K^^nly daughter of the late Mr. Walwr H. N.? York, and North Mymmg Park,

ed PHILLIPS'S U. 6d. TEA? It I tthe Tea Blending Art. and i* L the so-eaed "finest t<M."

AFRICAN SUPERSTITION PAINFUL REVELATIONS BY A LADY MISSIONARY. Miss ftlessor, of the United Presbyterian Mission at Old Calabar, was a passenger in the Elder-Dempster liner Oron, which left Liver- pool on Saturday, and hud with her four black children, whose "a-es reveal a painful part of West African history. Miss Slessor has now worked for twenty-two years in Old Calabar. The children are aged respectively two, three, five, and sixteen years, and each is one of twins, appointed at one time to die. in accordance with the superstitious custom prevailing in the Niger Coast Protectorate. In the course of an interview with Reuter's Liverpool cor- respondent, Miss Slessor said all twins born were, according to native laws, to be put to immediate death, and it is only those who have been rescued by missionaries and placed beyond the reach of native power who have so far escaped. The children on the Oron were four of these. Altogether Miss Slessor has herself saved the lives of fifty-one twins. When twins are born they are at once taken from the mother, and if no one intercedes they are taken by the feet and head, and have their backs broken across a native woman's knee in the same way as one would break a stick. The bodies are then placed in un earthenware receptacle, and taken to the bush, where they are devoured by flies, insects, or animals. Sometimes the little victims are put in these receptacles alive, and are then eaten alive, in the same way. The mother becomes an ont- cast. If she does not at once take her own life, siie has to flee to the bush. If she ventures near a town or village, she must see she does not remain on the path when any other native is coming. Her presence, according to their superstition, would defile the place for others. í"1he must not drink from the same spring, must not touch anything even belong- ing to her own relations, and there is little cause for wonder that she takes away a life which has become a living death. Miss Slessor is accompanied on the Oron by Miss M'Intosh, and together they are going to estab- lish a home for these native twins. The native superstition is that the birth of twins is the result of whitchcraft and devilry. Formerly the mother, as well as the children, was put to death. The intervention of white missionaries and traders has saved her life, but, as she is a despised outcast whom none of the natives dare even speak to, her existence is simply a prolonged agoiiy. On Reuter's representative pointing out that the country was a British protectorate. Miss Slessor said, "It is really impossible to at once put an end to the horrible native customs There could not be a better Governor than we have at present. Sir Ralph Moor and Sir Claude Mac-Donald have he:ped us all they can We don't want them to kill natives to make them abolish a shocking practice. We hope by saving the children and bringing them up like other children, to show the natives that they are wrong in their belief. It is their religious belief that makes them kill the chil- dren."

FIRE IN A DEATH CHAMBER AT NORT. SHROUDS OF A CORPSE IGNITED BY A CANDLE. The Newport Fire Brigade had a call on Sunday night, shortly before half-past nine, to No. 60, Fairoak-avenue, where a fire had broken out in the front bedroom. The house had been occupied by Mr. James Cunningham a marine engineer. Mr. Cunningham had recently died, and in accordance with the custom of the Roman Catholic Church, of which ne was a member, lighted candles were placed round the body whilst it lay in the shrouds. It is supposed that one of the candles over- turned and fell npon the clothes, which were ;ct on fire, and ignited the carpets and win- dow blinds. The room was ablaze in a short time, but the fire brigade had little difficulty in extinguishing the flames once they set to work. The hod)" was not burnt to any extent.

LIBEL BY THE "WIDE I WORLD MAGAZINE. HEAVY DAMAGES FOR A SHIP- OW-NER. At Liverpool Assizes on Saturday the appli- cation by Mr. William Price, shipowner, to restrain the proprietors of the "Wide World Magazine" from i8Sumg further copies of the Christmas number containing an article entitled, "The Voyages of the Molehill." on the ground that the article is libellous, again came before the court .-Counsel on behalf of the publishers of the magazine Messrs. George Newnes (Limited), apologised, and left it to Jus- tice Hicham to say whcher damage., should be given to Mr. Price.His Lordship said the libel was a serious one, and awarded Mr. Price £503 damages, with 100 guineas eosts.-I. the article complained of it was stated that the ship was rotten and the crew drunken, and counsel for Nlr. Price fcJi-d the name Molehill was a thin disguise for Mohill, the name of a vessel belong- ing to Mr. Price which was lost in 1894.

RAILWAY CONCESSION TO RELI-I GIOUS BODIES. We have been informed on good authority that at the last meeting held of the Railway Clearing House the managers of the principal lines decided to grant to religious bodies the same privileges as have hitherto been extended only to race committees and theatrical com- panies. This concession will prove of great convenience to a large section of the public.

SINGULAR DEATH OF A MAN IN EAST DENBIGHSHIRE, On Saturday morning the East Denbighshire ooroner received particulars of the death, under rather singular circumsUuioes, of a man named Frajnk Hollin, aged 60. It neoia that the deceased was walking to his home at Windy Hill, when, probably on acconnt of the slippery state of the road due to the froet, he fell ou his head, and erysipelas set in. He waa removed to the Wrexham Infectious Hospital but succumbed. I

MUMBLES.—The "WeaKm Mail" 1, on ut. mch m-ing 4t the following .cld: Mr.. W, H. Jone», The Diuuu ?)tt?y?r. Orrin, at?tioner. Ac.; Mn. &Wth. Nnwnni and Mr*. E. J ohA. News&Mt, &e. 6129?;

QUEEN AT NETLEY. PRESENTING MEDALS TO SOUDAN INVALIDS- LORD KITCHENER WITH HER MAJESTY. Her Majesty, dewpite increasing infirmities and weather which was gloomy and threaten- ing, on Saturday Journeyed to Netley to pre- &ellt medals to the Ick soldiers from the 8oudan, it being her third visit in the year. Her previous visit in the summer to do honour to the Chitral heroes was made under much more favourable circumstances, but there was nothing lacking in the enthusiasm of her recep- tion. The Queen, accompanied by Princess Henry of Battenberg and Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein, set out from Windsor about 11.30 in the forenoon, travelling by the com- fortable new route entirely on the South-Wes- tern Railway, thorough Guildford and C,)tham to Netley. Every possible precaution for the safety of the Royal party was taken, plate- layers and reserve signalmen being stationed at brief intervals along the whole of the route. The Queen arrived exactly at half-past one. A fair crowd of visitors from St. Denys, South- ampton, and Eastleigh thronged the gaily- decorated station, and a detachment of boys from the training shop Mercury acted as a guard of honour, their band being also in attendance. Landaus were in waiting, and during the drive of a mile to the soldiers' hospital a little rain fell. The sun, conspicuously loyal. as tiMial, came out, however, just as the Queen's carriage pu.led up. Lord Kitchener, a soldierly figure in the undress of a major-general, had pre- ceded her Majesty by a few minutes. Her Majesty, with the aid of her Scotch footman in correct Highland attire and turbaned Indian servants, alighted a few minutes before two. She was received at the entrance by Major- general Xa,h and a group of onkeN, including Colonels Notter, MacLeod, Blennerhassett, Chester, and Stevenson. Mis, Norman, general superintendent of the Army Nursing Associa- tion, was also pre.,ent. A sloping platform covered in red baize, and gay with white chry- santheinums, and otherwise ornamented with shields and flags, made the ta&k of alighting more easy. Her Majesty, dressed in severe blark-as also was the Princess Beatrice— seemed more feeble than usual. She at once entered an invalid chair, and was wheeled to the reception com- mittee. Not more than 300 people were present, and out of respect for the age of the Queen these did not cheer, but waved handkerchiefs. Her Majesty, with many a smile, bowed grateful acknowledgments. The Queen was first conducted along the main cor- ridor of the ground floor, where convalescents other than those from the Soudan were paraded, each man holding his card or regis- ter, which contains a record of his name, injury, and diet. The Queen, in her chair, was then conveyed upwards by a lift to the first floor, where there were in like manner paraded the convalescents from the medical division, together with such of the wounded from the Soudan as were able to leave their wards. The former class are recovering chiefly from enteric fever, debility, dysentery, and like ailments. They were paraded in order of regiments and seniority, twenty men of the 21st Lancers being formed up on the right of the line, then the Koyal Artillerymen, and next the Guards. These like all other patiellt, at Netley, wore the usual hospital uniform of light blue serge with red ties; another element of colour was the scarlet cap worn by the nurses, and in several of the wards seasonable flowers, chiefly chrysanthemums, were dis- played, but beyond this there was no decora- tion. After having visited six wards in the medical division, the Queen was taken a floor higher up t-o the surgical division, where ,he visited an equal numher cf ward-. H«»r Majesty had her chair moved up to many of the beds, and exchanged a few simple sym- pathetic words with the sufferers. Thi, honour was highly appreciated by them, and they would gladly have told all that but it was communicated to the roprCi sentatives that her Majesty wished them rmt to pnblish any of the conversation* between herself and the bedridden soldiers. The first of them she spoke to was Corporal Grey, of the 11th Hussars, who has been under treatment nearly two years for paralysis. There are in the hospital no fewer them 850 patients, of whom .136 are in the surgical division, 425 in the medical division, and 40 so far advanced in convalescence that they are fit for duty and awaiting their discharge from the institution The total aliready quoted includes 215 from the recent N'le campaigns, but only 35 of the,e were wounded in the Sondan. The remainde- Mitfered mostly from th«.» effects of fever It will thus be seen that a laree proportion or the patients come from other Quarters of tho world, inclndinpf one ncsrn soldier from Sierra Leone, six or eipht sufferers from Indian fron- tier engagements. one from Mashonaland and two or three from Crete. As soon as her Mnievty. in her chair, ha i passed along the corridors and was engaged in visiting ;he wards the ordinary medals for Fervice in the Soudan were presented to the men on parad- by the Sirdar, their former commander-in- rhief. As, t here were 180 of these medals to be distributed, it was impossible for Lord Kitchener, in the available time, to fasten tho medals himself upon the men's jackets, but he handed them over to the recipients with one or two KRicious words of recognition A, there were still a few minutes to ..pare after the Koyal party had visited the selected ward;, a.n opportunity was taken to visit the operating-room, where the Queen was shown something of the way in which the Ronteen rays are now applied in surgical treatmen- At half-past three the Queen her viMt driving back to the station to take train .or Windsor. A more considerable crowd had meanwhile gathered in the roadway, and e;(- vent t. ringirig cheers as the carriage flew hy. SOME INCIDENTS. A little incident occurred at Netlev Station I on the Queen s arrival which caused Quite a little flutter in a small heart. Her Ma jest v was waiting for it minute in the entranc" admiring the gay surroundings, when theve approached timidly a ymall named Griffin from the training-chip Mercury, from who.- deck there had come a juvenile guard of honour. In his hand was a beautiful bouquet of white chrysanthemums, intermixed i, 1, green, and tied with a white satin sash. Th" floral token the boy presented in such a and graceful manner that the Queen hent r"r- ward, and asked, "Miere, my lad. do yoti come from?" The bearer of *he. bouqun hesitated, and then gently replied, "If y.) please, your Majesty, I am one en the tram- ing ship Mercury." Do you hfcve a good time?" asked her Majesty. "First rat., ma'am." answered the little man. bright- ening considerably. It was noticed that the Mercury bouquet occupied a pr)- minent position in the lap of the Princes Beatrice during the remainder of the Journey. The Sirdar, who travelled in the Koyal train escaped, at first, that notice to which he, of late, has been so accustomed, but his height could not pass unnotioed for long, and the crowd shouted wildly aA Lord Kitchener drove off in front, of the Queen. As the Royal party approached the hospital a lady cyclist es«aved to cross the road with her machine to improve her position, and bad it not been for the quick intervention of a policeman an accident might nave occurred. Tile crowd—not a very large one-that lined the square fronting the hospi- tal cheered lustily, but it was noticed that the Queon, who appeared to be slightly unwell and tired, kept her face awav from the people She alighted at the bedecked entrance with considerable trepidity; her features were tightly drawn, and her face somewhat pa'e. and it was evident that the Roval visitor had undergone no small self-sacrifice in again visiting Netley. But the face soon brightened when, tho usual reception concluded, her Majesty was wheeled along the corridor past the row of biue-smocked convalescents who stood xa?utin? her. Miss Norman, the daugh- ter of Sir Henry Norman, and superintendent of the Army Nursery Corps, a most able nurse and holder of the Egyptian and Red Cross m?Jats. was plied with quetion by the Queen regarding this and that Roldier-had he im- proved since last the visitor came? What did he eat? What did he Where was his home? and so on. Both in the medical and surgical ward, when the special ca-ses were arranged, her Majesty gave words of com- fort, solace, and peace. On one poor rof. ferer's brow, a member of the score of the 21st Lancers, her Majesty' gently laid her sma'.1 white band and brushed back the hair of the youthful soldier. Ho was recovering from a serious dysentery disease, which brings down the strength practically to a minimum Among the qumtion? put by tbe Queen to a soldier was "Do you -tti) read Dickens? How far have you got?" When in presenting the medals the Sirdar e?pre?ed the hope that in the very near future the men would be a#ain nerving under him in the "outfan one enthuoiMt cried out, "And another Omdurman, yer excellency." But the Sirdar only shook his head and replied, "One is I enough, my friend." A little incident n. per- h&ps, worth mentionin&" which occurred WI the Queen drove away. Borne boyi who were play- ing football in a field the Queen p_ed actually went on playing as the ca,rie. d rll by. Three visit& in a year were evidently .,aning. less to them. THE QUKEN AND THE X RAYS, Her Majesty WM plaidly greatly impressed I by the X-ray experiment to which she "as unexpea,edly invited as she was about to lea e I the hospital by Colonel Stevenson, the l?r? fessor of snrgery and controller of the X-ra., apparatus Her Majttty ploeeiy UupecWt the apparatus. Inquired minutely into its use 111 surgical rases prevailing, in the hospital, and concluded by allowing an imprint of her own Royal hand to he taken by the professor. It ia understood that an excellent rennlt was obtained, and that copies will be forwarded at the earliest opportunity to the Royal Patitem. This is the first time the Queen has allowed her hand to be "Rontgened."

CARMARTHEN BOROUGHS THREE RADICAL RICHMOXDS IN THE FIELD. On Saturday night a joint meeting of the executive of tho Liberal Associations of Llan- elly and Carmarthen took place at the Llaoelly Literal Club for the purpose of considering the nominations for the Liberal candidature. There was a large and representative atten- dance, 26 coming up from Carmarthen. making with the 46 Llajielly delegate? pre. sent a total of 72. The proceeding* were private. Mr. Joseph Maybery, J P., occu- pied the chair, and it announced that three nominations had been received, vis., Mr. Owen Phiiipps, brother of Mr. Wynford Philipps, M.P.; Mr. Alrfed Davies. of Hsmp. stead; and Mr. Thomas Hughes, J.p., Llan. elly, the Deputy-grandmaster of the Man- chester Unity of Oddfell.wa.-It was decided that the meeting be adjourned to that day two months, and in the meantime each of the three nominated candidates should addren the executive at Llaneily and Carmarthen, giving his political views.

SEAMEN AND THEIR WAGES. THE POSITION AT CARDIFF. Although the seamen did not meet with a complete success on Friday, they were a* firm as ever on fc-aturda.v morning in their demand for a kS a month all-round wage for seamen and firemen. There were only two vessels in want of crews, the steamships Aries and W lister, and the captains of both vessels paid the rate demanded and picked their crews from among the crowd of Union men outside the Shipping Office. In the case of a weekly boat a few men were engaged to fill up vacant berths at 30* per week. The sailing vessels Lilian Morris. Isal>el Browne, and the Port Logan are still in want of crews. The captains, however, have not made any further effort, to secure them, the weather, probably, having a great deal to do with this. Many owners at the docks are engaging their crews abroad at £3 and £3 5s. per month. PROBABLE SETTLEMENT AT GLASGOW. Tho Central News correspondent at Glasgow telegraphs:-Mr Havelock WKson, M.P., has been interviewing a number of Glasgow ship- owners privately during the latt few days. As the result of the interchange of views, it is confidently stated that an arrangement wiil oe come to this week which will lead to » speedy termination of the Glasgow dispute.

MABON'S DAY LAID ASIDE. GOOD TIMES AHEAD IN THE COAL TRADE. Mabon's Day, which was sick even unto death iast month, is likely to be decently buried t,o. day, and hundreds ef thousands of people throughout (South Wales and Monmouthshire will heartily exclaim "Rest in peace, while the v orkmen may erect a memorial monument of the shining "black diamond for which the coalfield is so famou.ven in Khartoum. 80 far a/oj can he gathered the end hag actually come, and Mabon's Day will be no more, for it seems that, in all the larger collieries, at any rate, there has be*n no arrangement to observe the holiday. The feeling on this head is confi. dent now, and the prospects of the coal trade are, consequently, vastly improved. A general opinion prevails among the men's leaders that we are on the eve of good times. In addition to the 5 per cent, granted, the men are now given the 2J per cent, gained by the sliding- scale, and it is anticipated that the next audit will declare a further advance of 5 per rent, in the wage-rate. In several of the collieries work is somewhat slack just now, but it is understood that the employers are holding out for better prices before entering into hil" contracts, and the rosult in the immediate future will be a steady rise :11 price*. The workmen have now settled down to >nb-tantial work, and the out- nut in the great majority of the collieries is very gratifving. Men seem to have no time even to tulfc of the abolished holiday, and it is not likelv that many of them will lose a "turn even to attend the fuurral of the old favourite.

ORGANISATION OF THE TIN- PLATE WORKERS. | DISCONTENT WITH THE PRESENT rIOX. IMPORTANT MOVEMENT AT LLANELLY. Owing to the disorganized tate of the tin- plate workers of Llaneily, a small deputation waited upon fr, Hodge, the general secretary of the Steclworkerv' Vnion. to isk him whether he could not do something for then', and on Saturday a general meeting was held at the Alcxandra-ltall. Llaneily, to receive the report of the deputation and to decide upon the bc*t course to pur-ue in the future. The chair was occupied by Mr, Thomas Hughes .J.P, and there was a fairly representative audience, including lir. Thamas Phillip*, general secre- Ltry of the I'nion. and Mr J. H. John, who was editor of the now defunct "Industrial World.Mr. Morgan, a member of the depu- tation then gave a resume of the interview with Mr. Hodge From this it appeared that Mr. Hodge refused to have anything to do with ths tin-plate worker* of J/anelly as long as 'be Tin-olate Workers' I'nion was in existence. While there was an organisation in existence bcn.ring that mine, neither he nor his execu- tive woul,1 have anvthing to do with them. and, further, even if the Tin-plate Workers' T'nion did die of inanition, it was a question for the executive of his I'nion whether thl* would receive tin-plate worl<er« into their a reformed t'nion for that particular trade -A discussion followed, in which on* speaker de'eribe-i the prespnt Tin- platers' I'nion as tottering, and another that it had one foot in the grave, and. if it wa« dying, let it die and be buried, and thev could go in for another Vnion.-The Chairman impressed upon the meeting the supreme need of caution in their deliberations. This was a matter affecting their whole future, and one that must nothe-rushed. He suggested that another meeting of the district be called, at which the question could be further l ltimately the suggestion of Mr Hughes wan adopted, and it was decided to hold the meeting on Saturday next.-A committee of twelve wa* appointed to make the necessary arrange- rnents and to prepare for the taking of a ballot of the whole district, if so decided.

MINERS' AGENCY AT DOWLAIS. THE SELECTED CANDIDATES A "Peciai meeting of the combined lodge representatives of the Dowlais district of col- li.,A new organisation "a. heid on Saturday night at the Clarence Hotel, Dowlais, to further consider the appointment of a miner*' agent. Mr. William William*, checkwe gher. occupied the chair-A. arranged, the following four candidates, selected out of sixteen appli- rants for the post, appeared before the mee t. ing. name.j Mr. John Davie*. H:rwain; C un- cillor Thomas Thamas, Cvfarthfa; Mr Thima* Andrews. Treharris, Pnd Mr. John Morgan. Pont- V'wmmer.—After deliberation, it was hesolved that no further reduction in the number be made, and that all four aspirants for appoint- ment should address mis* meetings of th- cnl. liers, to be held at Dowlain. Vochriw. Bediinog. and Pontvwaun on suitable dates forthwith The exertion will be made by ballot of the col- liery workmen employed at the Dowlais Com- pany's pit.

MR. WILLIAM BRACE AT NKWRRIDOE. A special meeting of Celynen Colliery wor*- men was held on Saturday evening at the Beaufort Arms Hotel. Newbridge, under the I presidency of Mr. Lewis Hughes, chairman the workmen committee, to hear address from Mr. William Brace and Mr. Willn-n Abraham, M.P. The latter gentleman wok. however, unable to be present through tndij position—Mr. Brace 'Urged upon the men the importance of unitv and organisation.— The Celynen men, it may be mentioned, 111. decided to work to-day (Monday

MINERS MEETING A T CAERPHILLY The monthly meeting of the executive council of the South Glamorgan Miner*' Amoriation was held at the C-tle Hotel, Caerphilly on Saturday —It was reported that the district comprised nearly 2.000 members, who have already been affiliated to the central fund

1, Ht?e You Tned PHTLLIPH'8 I& M TEA Tt it a Triumph ?f the Tt? B)*n<hM AM "d i. Aftiactly nypmor to tke eo-ctlled lsw Mm.