Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
36 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
PEEPS INTO THE FUTURE.
PEEPS INTO THE FUTURE. HUNS REPLY TO THE ALLIED NOTE: CONFERENCES TO BE RESUMED. THE FEDERATION OF PARLIAMENTS. Some very important statements have been made in the House of Commons by Mr. Lloyd George, who will. it is expected, leave shortly for Paris. In regard to the Downing-etreet Confer- ence attended by the big Powers, he men- tioned that they were to be resumed at an early date to formulate proposals for the Treaty with Turkey and to dispose of Adriatic questions. One result of the con- ferences will be an i&sue of a French Loan in England "to remedy the fall of exchange prejumclal to France and Britain." It is reported that a Franco-British Alliance is now an established fact "with all bts consequences," and in conjunction with this that a sumcient permanent army will be kept in reserve for any contingency on the Continent. NEW FRENCH LOAN. In answer to Sir D. Maclean, the Premier stated that at the meetings at Downing- street of representatives of France, Italy, and the United States, Japan, and Great Britain, discussions took place on peace with Turkey and Hungary, the Adriatic situation; the future sittings of the Peace Conference; )Mid ratification of treaties already concluded and the execution of their clauses The economic and financial situation was examined in detail, and. in order to remedy the fall in exchanges prejudicial to the two nations, the British Government agreed to the issue of a French loan in England at a date, of an amount and on conditions to be &xed by agreement. RUSSIAN SITUATION. The Russian situation was also taken fully into consideration, and on this, ao on all other questions, the Allies were in complete agreement. The decisions were in full accord with the policy already announced in the House. It was decided to resume the Allied conference at an early date in order to for- mulate proposals on the treaty with Turkey and disputes and dimculties arising from the situation in the Adriatic. With reference to home affairs, Mr. -Lloyd George said that he hoped to make a state- ment on the Irish proposals, and thought the best courae was to lav the outlines of a Bill before the country this session, with a view to the introduction of the measure ( early next session. With reference to work at Woolwich, an order had been placed to construct 100 loco- motivea at Woolwich Arsenal. These will be for use <Mt railways in this country.. I PROFITEERING. I Sir A. Geddea stated that it would not be possible to introduce a Bill to amend the Proii tearing Act before the prorogation, but he proposed to introduce a short measure early next session. THE GERMAN NOTE. It is reported that the German reply to the Allied Note. which was handed by Baron von Leaner to M. Dutasta, gives way on all points raided, excepting that concerning Scapa. Flow, and that its reservations on this point are made with a view to keeping the negotiations open. In presenting the Note, Baron Ton Lersner explained some points in greater detail. He announced the arrival in Paris oi a delega- tion of seven experts, and the hope that the negotiation& jn connection with the Scapa Flow affair would be begun as speedily a-3 possi,ble. The Note states that Germany has not the slightest intention of not honouring her signature with regard to the carrying out of the terms of the Treaty, and, hnal'y. makes suggestions on the question of the compensation which Germany may agree to in reparation of the loss caused to the Allies by the Scapa Flow scuttling, which, it will be remembered, is proved to have been done with full cognisance of the Ger- man High authorities. I CHANCE FOR YOUNG BLOOD. In replying to a vote of thanks at the annual meeting of the Empire Parhtimcn- tary Association, Mr. Lowther, the Speaker of the House of Commons, remarked that he had been described in a book as the per- former with the chloroform bottle, who managed most successfully to chloroform every rising and enthusiastic politician, and I that he had brought them all to a dead level. He had always endeavoured to pick out and encourage all the younger men who came into the House of Commons and showed signa of particular intelligence. In regard to devolution, he hoped before many months that the Committee would be able to submit a scheme winch would be the nret step towards federation of the Par- liaments of the Empire.
TAILORS' STRIKE ENDED.
TAILORS' STRIKE ENDED. TWELVE THOUSAND EAST-END WORKERS INVOLVED. Envious nt the high prices charged by re. tail tailors who sold but did not make the garments, the London working tailors went out on strike. In some instances the men asked for as much as .816 a week. The matter was soon settled, however, an agree- ment being reached subject to confirmation by the Master Tailors and by the Garment Workers' Union. Masters are to work on proposed specifications, and negotiations will be continued to fix prices. The master tailors' lock out was due to their refusal to concede an increase of 25 per cent. to meet the extra cost of a 48- hour week. It involved nearly 12,OCO workers, mainly in the East-End. The Garment Workers' Union refuted the master tailors' contention that the granting of the terms will mean any increase in the price of clothes, and demand that the 48. hour week must be maintained without any reduction of pay.
MILITARY SERVICE.
MILITARY SERVICE. POSITION OF THE DEMOBBED EXPLAINED. In the House of Commons, Mr. Adamson Mked when those men who. on demobitisa. tion, were placed in the Reserve, would get their coinp)ete discharge. Mr. Churchill: When the Compulsory Military Service Act lapses, on April 30 next. Mr. Adamsoa: In the event of industrial trouble, meantime, these men could be called on? Mr. Churchill: Legally, yes; but I cannot conceive any set of circumstances which would render it likely. We have been through serious strikes this year, and the idea was never entertamed.
MANCHESTER'S NEW DEAN. I
MANCHESTER'S NEW DEAN. I The King has approved the appointment c{ the Rev. J G. McCormick, M.A., hon. chaplain to the King, to the deanery of Manchester. The new dean is a son of the celebrated Canon McCormick. who, was a triple Blue and one of England's greatest cricketers. He is also proba.bly the youncest dean in the Church, for he is only 45 years old.
QUEEN OF SPAIN.
QUEEN OF SPAIN. The Queen of Spain, who haa left Lcndoa. trailed by the -Folkestone-BonIo? route. Se? o'the Royal famHy were at th? fatten to bid her farewed.
.PLUCKY SAILOR. -I
PLUCKY SAILOR. I Owing to fog the Fowey drifter Clara TM .n ?hero? near ?tten ???? Ptymouth, and ?? badly holed.The inrush Skater w? checked by ?ne cf the crew? who forced h? body. bound w?th ??? and old clothing, into the hole. For four hours, before the boat waa towed to har- hour, he remained up to his waist in water.
ASHORE NEAR THE NEEDLES. I
ASHORE NEAR THE NEEDLES. I A Brazilian four-masted schooner, the Calumet, which strand? M?? ???' Isle of Wight, nrst signalled for a doctor, -L ? and a? the captain was very ill. ?The ?? wli? feboat brought the captain ashore, and he wag taken tohbspital The ve?el is badly holed, but the crew stayed on board.
[No title]
F<.r a site of about 30,000 square feet in Ald?? ch the London County Council i. n?x. ing a ground rent of tll,050 a year. While motor' -cycling at Portsmouth, Petty -O?Jam??ndl? H.M.S J??. collided ?ith a motor-lorry and ? killed. FurU ductions in the cost ? cable? ?ram? tth Africa, Rhodes?, ?d Ea? Ifrica o?cted to be announced by the Eastern 'Vh Company early m th<- j mew vet-
IWEST INDIAN RIOTS.
WEST INDIAN RIOTS. POPULACE SETTLING DOWN TO NORMAL. The Colonial Omce haa i-"<Sued a report to the effect that the situation in Tobago seems to be settling down, and the conditions in Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad, are now normal, but there is unrest in the countrv districts. It may be recalled that the disturbance began on December 1 in connection with a strike of stevedores for better conditions. rhere waa some rioting in the town of Port &f Spain, but no serious destruction of pro- perty. It was reported that one death, prob- ably a black, had occurred in' Trinidad. The rioters in Tobago, a smaller island north- east of Trinidad, were nred on by the police, and the ringleader killed.
I FIRE AT FAMOUS CHATEAU.
I FIRE AT FAMOUS CHATEAU. I NEPOLEON m/s BEDROOM BURNT OUT. A serious fire has occurred at the historic :hateau of Compiegne, the country seat of bhe great Napoleon and Knpolcon III., practically the whole centre block being de- stroyed. The furniture and movable worka of art were saved owing to the energy of tnc museum staff, but the bcdrcou. 0: Napoleon [II., with its wonderfully decorated ceiling a,nd tuo adjoining council room with it,,4 beautiful carved oak panelling were burnt Mit.
I S!R R. BORDEN.
I S!R R. BORDEN. Canada is to lose its Premier, and accord- ing to latest advices from Ottawa Sir Robert Borden has decided to resign the Premiership of the Dominion owing to greatly impaired health. Mr. Arthur Meighen, Minister of the In- terior, is regarded ae one of the strongest men in Canadian public life, and it! almost certain of emotion to the post. At the same time Sir Thomas White is also mentioned α possible candidate.
ISOCIETY ENGAGEMENT.
SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT. The engagement is announced cf tlto Hon. Victoria Spencer, elder daughter of d iscount a.nd Viscounteaa Churchill, to Mr. Cecil Henry Brassey, 1st Life Guards, eldest son 3f Major Leonard Braesey, M.P., a.nd Lady Violet Brassey, of Apethorpe Hall, Peter- borough. Mr. Cecil Brassey is 23, and the Hon. Vic- toria Spencer 22 years of age.
ENGLAND'S CANAL SYSTEM. I
ENGLAND'S CANAL SYSTEM. I How few people know very much of the canal systems in this country! Many think that the railways bought up all our canals, so aa to avoid competition. The fact is. however, that out of our 3,907 mites of canals the railways never owned more than 1,376 miles, or a little over one-third. In England the trouble is that our canals arc too small. The average English cRnal is not more than 4ft. or 5ft. deep--irhich is nothing like enough to float a large, modern deep-laden barge—while the locks, as a rule, are not more than 70ft. long and 8ft. in breadth. France has some 5,000 miles of waterway. which will carry barges 126ft. long, 16-1-ft. wide, 6ft. draught, and 300 tons burden. Belgium's canals are on an equally generous scale, and, as for Holland, pretty nearly evervone has a canal at his doer, with the result that in these countries coal, peat, timber, bricks and the like can be moved about at one-third the English price. It is said that at present no lees than 435 milea of our canal system are derelict, with not a barge upon them. In some places the channels are so silted up that a row-boat cannot pass. The tow<paths are overgrown with grass, and their only use is for fisher- men. "? Fourteen vears ago a Royal Commi?icm w:M appointed to deal with our canals, but nothing was done.
j TAPPING THE WIRE.I
j TAPPING THE WIRE. I I CEARGE OF ATTEMPTED BLACKMAIL. I A telephone operator who ia accused oi tapping the wire, and afterwards demand ing tIOO from a subscriber, has been sen< for trial at the West London Police Court en a charge of attempted blackmail. The accused is George Henry Beyer, oJ 20, Buckenham-square, New Kent-road, wht was employed at the Western Exchange Cromwell-road. I A JUMBLED CONVERSATION. I It was stated for the prosecution that Beyer had apparently been tapping the line, with the result, that he jumbled up a. busi- ness conversation which Mr. Small, a Ken. sing'ton merchant, was having with a dif- ferent message from another subscriber Subsequently he wrote demanding £100. On receipt of that demand, Mr. Small com- municated with the police. A detective disguised himself as the pro. eeeutor's chauSeur, and, driving to the prisoner's house, handed him £50. Two other detectives, who had observed the pro- ceedings, then arrested Beyer. The latte: at the station made a written confession. In court Beyer said that he and another operator concocted the plan. They received a complaint from the pr<xsecutor about a call not having been attended to.
( ALL ABOUT INCOMES.I
( ALL ABOUT INCOMES. SOME INTERESTING FACTS CONCERN ING TAXABLE EARNINGS. Speaking before the Boyal Statistical Society, Mr. J. Allen said that the general result of the war on the distribution of the national income is that a much larger share now falls to the wage-earner. Somer- set House estimated the "taxable income" (above -&160) at '£951,000,000 in 1913-14; foi 1918-19 it reckoned taxable income (now in. eluding incomes above £130) at '£1,970,000,000. The income of the super-tax class (above X3,000 a year) was estimated at .E244,000,000 for 1914-15, and .E374,000,000 for 1919-20. Whether the whole national in- come, which was reckoned at J62,400,000,OOG before the war, had increased in similar proportions could not be ascertained, but presumably it had not. Continuing, Mr. Alien said that incomea from property had been changed funda- mentally by the war. Holders of mortgages. debentures, preference stocks. Government or corporation loans, or ordinary shares in railway, gas, tramway, electricity, water, and banking companies had lost half their real income and about two-thirds of their real capital.
I DRAPERY COMBINE.
I DRAPERY COMBINE. I DEBENHAMS TAKE OVER HARVEY NICHOLS. It is announced that the share capital of Messrs. Harvey NichoLs, drapers, of Enightsbridge, London, amounting to more than tISO,000. has been purchased by Messrs. Debenhams, Limited, of Wimpole- ttreet, London. Messrs. Harvey Nichols* business At Enightsbridge will be carried on under the old name ajid in exactly the same manner. Messrs. Debenhams, Limited, has an au- thorised share capital of C6,000,000, of which more than half has been issued. There is also a debenture capital of a million sterling. The business has been continually expanding since the company was formed in 1905. The old firm of DooenhamB tivai founded nearly 130 years ago.
I IMPUDENT ROBBERtES.1I
I IMPUDENT ROBBERtES.1 .E6,000 WORTH OF GOODS AND JEWELS CAPTURED. I Gooda to the value of .64,000 have been etolen from the premises of Messrs. T. War. wick and Co., dealers in jewellery, china, I and antiques. South Melton-street, W. The robbery took place just before the premisca were opened for business, the thieved making use of duplicate keys. In connection with the big Paris hotel jewel robbery, Scotland Yard are said to have made arrests. It was reported that jewels worth j62,40Q were stolen last month from a wealthy foreign woman, Mme. Rodriguez, at the Grand Hotel, Place Vendome, Paris.
I FEMININE FRANKNESS.
I FEMININE FRANKNESS. Lady Cooper, the Lady Mayoress, was pro. cent at the ringing of carols at the London County Council schools, Swan-street, Minones, E., when the headmaster re- minded her that one of the carols had 1'ecn e,p-d by her father, Mr. Thomas Cram,) ton. Turning to the Lady Mayoress, ha eaid, "You must have heard that 50 or 60 years ago. She replied, "Yes; I wa.< 56 last btrth. day."
IFRENCHMOTORROADS.i FRENCH…
I FRENCH MOTOR ROADS. FRENCH MOTOR ROADS. The French Roads Board has decided that next year a start will be made witlh the ton- struction of two special motor roads between Pa.ri6 and Lyons. One of them is to be de- voted to heavy lorries, and the eecond will be reserved for swift motor tramc. If these roads prove to be successful the French Government is contemplating an ex- tension of the system of motor roada throughout the country.
I &750 FOR BROKEN LEG.
I &750 FOR BROKEN LEG. I Mr. Albert E. Hobbs, builder, of Henlay- on-Thames, was awarded =e750 damages at Sussex Aseizes against Sir George Lewia, the London solicitor, for inj uries received in a motor car accident. Sir George Lewis has a bouse at Rotting. dean, and it was stated that his chauffeur, who Was driving the car to meet Lady Lewis, ran down Mr. Hobbs near Brighton Aquarium, breaking his leg.
DOGS AS DETECTIVES.1
DOGS AS DETECTIVES. 1 An epid&mic of burglaries has broken out dn Nottingham, where the police are using specially-trained Airedale terriera in track. ing the criminals. Five houses in one street were recently broken into the same night. The robberiea are aided by the fact that the city is plunged in darkness after 11 o'clock.
[No title]
At Mildenhall (Suffolk) ls. ]d. each is I being paid for rabbit skins, and 2e. to 2s. 6d. for hare skins. White on his way to preach at All Souls' Church, Clapton Park. the Bishop of London narrowly escaped injury when his car skidded. One wheel of the car was smashed, and the Bishop had to continue the journey on foot. Owing to the plague danger in Constanti- nople, the closing of all restaurants, places of amusement, schools, and churches, and the suspension of underground railway and tram services is imminent. Deptford Borough Council is buying a re serve of coal for utie in emergency. In an action at Lambeth it was stated that a dog had eaten a ekirt which had been lent as a pattern. Mr. Isaac Meaehem, the well-known South Sta&e mining engineer, and Wesleyan local preacher, who has died, on ouc occasion left the pulpit and woke up a sleeping member of the congregation, admonishing him for inattention i
AMRtTSAR I !)!STURBANCES.
AMRtTSAR I !)!STURBANCES. GENERAL DYER EXPLAINS TO ) INQUIRY COMMITTEE, t 2,000 KILLED AND WOUNDED In explanation of how rapid fire was opened on a mass meeting of 5,000 people at Ajnritaar in April last, Brigadier-General Dyer said, "I looked on the crowd as rebels, and I considered it my duty to nre, and 6re well." The Disorders Inquiry Committee before which the General waa giv!ng evidence Further learnt from him (says the "Times of Fndia") that he went to Amritsar with 100 British and 250 Indian soldiers in response to a call for help. Lord Hunter, the chairman, asked whether there was any other course, and General Dyer replied:— "No. I looked upon it as a duty—a very horrible duty." General Dyer said the shooting lasted ten minutes, 1,650 rounds being nred. The number of killed waa between 400 and 500, ind about 1,500 were wounded.
THE ALIENS BILL. I
THE ALIENS BILL. I AMENDMENTS MADE IN THE LORDS. I When the Aliens Restriction Bill was coa. eidered on report in the House of Lords, an amendment, moved by the Earl of Onslow, was agreed to. This limits the exclusion of enemy aliens from this country for ten years, by providing that such persons who temporarily left this country aftfr the pass- ing of the Act and enemy aliens with a British-born wife or chitd might be allowed to land and remain. Lord Phillimore regretted that enemy aliens were to be treated different from other aliens. The report stage was con- cluded. The fundamental alterations made by the Lords were considered at a meeting of M.P.s at the Commons. It was unanimously felt that clauses dealing with fleportation of former enemy aliens should be restored to the Bill and that the Government should move to disagree with the Lords' tUnend- men.ta
WOMAN'S FRAUD.I
WOMAN'S FRAUD. I I DREW TWO SEPARATION ALLOW- I ANCES. **A pubJIc scandaI." was the description given to a case at Enfield, when the wife of & soldier was sent to prison for three montha for separation allowance fraud. In May, 1915, the husband enlisted, but subsequently deserted. Notwithstanding this, the wife in October, 1916, was granted 31s. a week separation allowance. In May, 1918, the man joined the R.A.S C., and a second allowance of 28s. to 36s. 6d. was granted the wife, who drew both allowances a.t different post oSices.
BOY BURGLAR-I
BOY BURGLAR I LEFT HOME TO FOLLOW A CAREER II OF CRIME. An extraordinary storv has come to light through the perpetration of daring bur- glaries in Perth. Dundee, and Glasgow, which have been admitted by an English lad, William Noble Gardner, aged 16. Gardner, whose crimes were committed while the inmates of the houses were asleep, confined his work to the bc<st districts of Glasgow. He always carried a loaded re- volver. It was stated that he came from Kent. The value of the property he stole wa? estimated at .£342.
EGYPTS PREMIER.I
EGYPTS PREMIER. I ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION FAILS. I An attempt on the life of the Egyptiar Premier. Youseouf Wahba Pasha, has beer made at Cairo by a student, who is a Copt (native Christian) like the Premier himself He threw two bombs, which exploded but injured nobody. The assailant was arrested, three revolrert being found in his possession.
WOMEN BLACKMAILERS. I
WOMEN BLACKMAILERS. I The events of the past few years have un doubtedly created a marvellous change in our social life, and never before were girl and women so daring and reckless in their dealings with strange men. Never were so many men victimised by pretty, unacrupu. lous women, who use their beauty as a bait for blackmail. In many cases the victims are so afraid of the exposure that they insist on the matter being hushed up after employing a private detective to free them from the clutches of the crook, who thus e<scapes eeot free to carry on the game elsewhere. In oM case a girl of eighteen, the daugh- ter of well-to-do parents, disappeared. She was ultimately found in a West-End night club, associating with a beautiful, daring unscrupulous eiren. The girl had met her at the night club, and the woman had led her to excesses m drink and drug-taking, which made her ashamed to return to her home. Threatening to betray her to her people, she extorted from the girl all her money, about <E300. Sad to relate, the pretty, callous, design- ing woman is always looking for the well-to- do unsophisticated youth, and is very active to-day. She lives at the best hotels, has a flat in town or a bungalow by the river, and always seems to have plenty of money. To the innocent young man who falls a victim to her charms she appears quite respectable. The inevitable happens. She either intro. duces him to card parties at her flat and so fleeces him of his money, or so infatuates him that he is indiscreet enough to send her passionate love-letters. The latter is the favourite game. When he tries to break away, she holds the letters ever .his head and threatens breach of promise and publicity. In the end he has to pay a heavy price for the letters.
I-! -I IBETHLEHEM'S STAR.I
I I I BETHLEHEM'S STAR. I I When Jesus was born in Bethlehem it waa ;he boast of Rome that "Miliarium A.ur€um," the Golden Milestone, from which ier great military roads diverged, marked ¡he centre of the world. To-day that stone s in' fragments, while from the star that narks in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem the place where Jesus was born md commemorates the star that shone in I ;he heavens o'er Bethlehem on the first Christmas night, radiates the influence that uplifts mankind, civilizes the world, and 'nakes all men brothers.
CLUB W!NDOW..I
CLUB W!NDOW.. One wonders if, when the New Yeat iawns, there will be found a great rush of klo,ooo a year men, which Sir Albert Stan. toy, London's traffic king-, tells us it is al. mot impossible to iind. Sir Albert, who is Dnly 44 years of age, was at 17 earning &360 a year and at 20 11,000. Those were the days when he was manager of the Detroit tramway system. Work all th< time, with a big element of luck," is his de. finition of his life. He is fond of the etory &f the waggish ticket-collector who, when asked by a nervous old lady as ahe went through the Severn Tunnel, "Do you think it is safe?" replied: "Don't be afraid, madam. Our company has got you into thu hole, and we're bound to see you through." Probably this collector is worth £1,000 as a repartee expert' The hawkers to be seen at Christmas art always an interesting section of the trading community. In regard to this, one might observe tha.t Mr. Gordon Selfridge, the stor< king, has not much to learn in the way of commerce, but if he ever happens upon an &ld Ira-veiling hawker who was met the other day by a brother journalist, he might pick up a wrinkle or two. This scribe made a small purchase, but commented on the poor. ness of his stock. "You'd make more if you had a better display," he said. Have a walk through Selfndge's one day, and you'll pick up some ideas." "Selfridge!" retorted the hawker. "'Oo's 'e to boast about? Why, I sells wot '€ can't git rid of! At this time of year one's mind usually ? turns to theatres, and speaking of theatres naturally reminds me of box-omces. Well, here is a ITttle box-omce incident which oc- curred some years ago at the Criterion Theatre. It was during a short season, and the ipanaoer for the company then appear- ing was in the box-cmee. trying to pacify a gentleman who complained that he' was seated behind a big post. "You told me it was a good seat when I booked it," ex- claimed the man. "So it is," replied the manager. "It is most comfortable. "But I can't see anything'" said the man, angrily. "There's a big post in the way. I particularly asked if there was a good view, and you assured me there was." "There is," answered the manager, "-of the post." The Premium Bond debate in the Com- mons has brought to light the fact that Swiss bankers, who not Infrequently probe the world's financial secrets with uncauny accuracy, received hints recent'y of a forth- coming Entente bond issue, guarante'A by the British and French Governments jointly. While It was expected that the issue would be on a premium basis—hence, chieny, the interest for Switzerland-it was understood that this depended entirely on the British Parliament. A bond issue of sorta, und for a huge total running into eleven figures, was foreshadowed as practicaDy decided upon. Yet where is it now? Among the Revenue omcials there ia trouble, and matters have gone so far that a "down pen movement is threatened. But what of the Post Office'i Here skilled work- men in the engineering department arc the poorest paid in London for the class of work. The most a telephone electrician of the G.P.O. can receive is .E3 13s. 5d. per week, whereas the wages for similar work in pri- vate employment would be .64 5s. The War Omce, Admiralty, and Omce of Works all pay the standard wage. and the Air Board go one better by paying their etectriciana from £4 10s. to .65 a week. But like Mrs. Somerset House, the G.P.O. ignores such mundane matters as salaries, let alone the telephone system. It is reported that in a Paris cafe eat an American naval officer who wore five little l V h t a6ke d an stars on his uniform. "What," asked an Englishman, "is the meaning of those stars?" "Oh!" said his companion, a French omcer. "they signify the number of days he wat. in the war! Ahem! Carlton, the popular conjuror, who has been called the "Human Hair,' in iuo hook, "Twenty Years of Spoof and Bluff,' te))° how a' certain music-hall star, being dis- satisfied at the way the orchestra played his music, got a none too fresh kipper and dropped it inside the baas viol In a fow days that orchestra was the sickest orchestra in England. The smell was some- thing awful It was close weather, and the theatre was a bit close, anyhow They pulled up the boards They even tore up the drains. But they didn't succeed in locating where the smell came from For all I know the mummined remains of, that kipper, now of course no longer smella.ble, ia in that viol yet One wonders who is the optimistic genius who is writing "God send you back to me on the backs of apparently every Treasury note which passes through his hands. It is said that the War Office has been considering radical changes in the Army's dietary. Nothing has been settled, but an eminent dietist is to make the rounds of the home service depots and hospitals this winter. It may interest housewives to hear that, in the opinion of this very noted authority, "the best food, happily, is by far the cheapest. Is this the clarion that has awakened Whitehall? If so, the W.O. should be warned that it will be wise, in this in- stance at any rate, to resist its proverbia! ability for "messing matters." And whilst on the subject of "messing" and muddle, the most amusing stories are told in regard to the Food Ministry. One reason is that so many changes have been made in the past twelve months that half the men in power at present know little or nothing of the organisation which is at their service. One important official the other day made a bet with another omcia! that National Kitchens had all been closed. This was on the very day that the present Food Minister was advocating extension of the National Kitchen system in an i- iportant speech. Evidently the general intelligence which these omcials crm claim is more amazing in its absence than in its posses- sion. < < It is possibly correct to say that Mr. Wells is the most widely-read novelist in the English language. He certainly is one of the most highly paid. It was before the days of his present fame that he compared the writers of old with new men in the following manner. He was being tacldsd by a friend who argued that modern authors had too easy a time. "You modern writers do not work so hard as the oid ones," said his friend, "and you are paid twen'ty times as much as you ought to be." "You labour under a misapprehension," retorted Wells. "The chief difference between the old authors and those of to-day is simply this: the old die, and their works live; our worka die, and we live—as best we can
[No title]
A bluejacket who used a carpenter's tool brush when. shaving died from anthrax. The value of imports of toys from Ger- many was sul.<;tantiaUy greater for Novem. ber than in September, said Sir A. Geddes, but he could not at present prohibit the im- portation of all toys. Sixty-eight ex-warders of Wormwood Scrubbs Prison, who were dismissed in con- nection with the recent police strike, met at Shepherd's Bush and decided to sever all connection with the Police Union, "both nioralty and nnanciaUy."
OTHER MEN'S MINDS.I
OTHER MEN'S MINDS. I I do not think British shipping can b( <seriously threatened by any Ration.—Mr. W L. Hichens (Chairman, Cammll, Laird). I ANOTHER WAR! I Mr. Lloyd George is going to lead a join attack of all the monied interests agah.s< I the Labour Party.—Mr. Arthur Hendereon. i MEN AS MEN. I Al men should be considered as men, with similar aspirations, ambitions and capaci. ties for suffering and enjoyment.—Sir Vin- cent CaiIIard. I HIS TRIBUTE. I Marshal Foch's first words on the eigntng of the Armistice were: "It is to the British Army that we owe this victory. "Genera i Sir D. de Lisle. BE CHARITABLE. I Do not be too hard on the Arm y now that I the war is over—Mr. Churchiltj MOTOR ROADS. I It would pay all mechanical transport to have a specially-made road, even if tolls are I charged.—Lord Montage of Bcaulieu. ———— IDEALISM. I Every man, woman, boy or girl should have access to a healthful occupation and Christian fellowship.—Marquees of Tavi- stock. AN INSULT. I To suggest that young men and young women are tempted through drink at music- halls to immorality is an- insult.—Sir A. Bodkin. UNALTERABLE. I If I had to wage the war over again, in the same circumstances and with the same knowledge of the enemy position, my deci- sions would be exactly the same.—Hinden- burg. NOT FINALITY. I We are by no means justined in regard- ding the victory we have won over might I as nnai or decisive.—Canon Carnegie. YOUTH AND DANCING. I Young people are quite determined to dance, and 1 am not prepared to quarrel with them on that score.—The Bishop of Peterborough. CARE OF THE BLIND. f The blind must be removed from the care of the GO overlapping charitable associa- tions, and looked after as a matter of right. —Mr. W. H. Sugden, M.P. HASTEN JUSTICE. ) To, delay justice is in nineteen cases out I of twenty to deny justice.—The Lord Chan- cellor. I WAGES AND LIVING. I I Average increased wages do not quite com- pensate for the increased cost of living.— Sir Auckland Geddes. I THE THISTLE AND ROSE. I Both in Scotland and in England I havo felt more than ever how indissoluble are the tie-; which now unite our two countries — President Poincare. SWELLED HEAD. I A landlord with one house is the worst possible landlord for grinding the last penny out of the tenant.—Dr. J. S. Crone (WiUee- den). OUR HIDDEN COAL. I So vast are the coal seams under th& Forth that they would yield 6,000,000 tons annually for 500 yeaM.—Mr. A. S. Cunnuig- ham HIS LIMITATION. I Mental arithmetic is beyond me, and ap. parently butchers need to be more than judges of meat.—His Honour Judge Craw- ford. AN ANALOGY. I The Anti-Dumping Bill has no more to do with the Paris resot.utione than the cow with the crumpled hern had to do with the house that Jack built.—Mr. Asquith. OVER "WILD MEN." J f Undergraduates in universities, both ancient and modern, are leR3 amenable to discipline than schoolboys.—Bishop Well- don. OUR LOSS. I If we had been self-contained as to food euppiv, and Germany less self-contained, the war wouid not have lasted half so k)Kg.— Lord Bledisloe. DIVORCE. I I doubt whether cases that end in Divorce Courts are more than one-fifth of cases of actual misconduct.—Lord Sands (Scottish Supreme Court Judge). THEIR ANCESTRY. I I know a churchwarden who was ar- pointed by men who claim to be Church- men, but who were draped from every public-house in the parish.—Rev. W. E. Wibby, Walsall. STOCKED! I In the district of Loudon I represent many people are not housed, but ware- housed.—Mr. Jack Jones, M.P. OMEGA. I The battle of the Falkland Islands w:)!. the last old naval fight we shall probaLly see in history.—Admiral Sturdee. PLACE AUX DAMES. I We hear a great deal about a League <"f Nations. I would prefer to trust a League of Ladies.—Lord Downe. THE HUSTLING HUN. I Production in Germany almost every- where reaches the pre-war standard.—Herr I Schmidt (Minister of Public Economy). UNIVERSAL CONCHIES. I Nothing will finally make war Impossible but the refusal of individuals in any circum- stances to take part in it—Dr. W. E. Orchard. INVOLVED. I I would rather brighten a little chi!d'< face than be a D.D. What is a D.D worth when it ia on your tombstone?—Rev. Mark Guy Pearse.
[No title]
After being closed during the war, the Victor Hugo Museum, Paris, has reopened. Mis<s Eliza Le Brun. who enjoyed good health untit a few days ago, hue died at Jersey, aged 101.
Christmas Chatter.
Christmas Chatter. OBSERVING CHRISTMAS. Christmas, the festival which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, is observed by the Protestant, Catholic and Greek Churches on diversified dates in diSerent parts of the world. The festivities of th< day may be traced to the ancient rites cele- brated in Scandinavia, Rome, Greece and Egypt, where the pagan people feared, a., the days shortened in the darkest month oi the year, that the sun was dying, and ob- served a time of rejoicing when the sun be gan to stay with them a little longer each day. The leaders of the early Christian Church endeavoured to adapt the harmless feature! of the heathen sun festivals as a conciliation to those who had broken with their old be- liefs and vowed their allegiance to the new faith. But despite their eifort at control Christmas resulted in orgies net to bt countenanced by the Christian Church Revelry continued in England until, somt years after the arrival of the Puritans it America, the Roundhead Parliament abolished Christmas for twelve years, and in America the Court of Massachusetts fol lowed suit. But Christmas must be kept and it was later re-established in more sant fashion by law in both countries, becausf the people were unwilling not to keep th< festival. MISTLETOE IN CHURCH. Drnide regarded religiously the nMstIctoe which they called "All heal" and offered i on their altars. They decorated for ther festivals with all kinda of green plants. rht church adopted this cn.stom, but the mistle boe was purposely omitted by reason of it figuring in pagan religious rites. Another reason given is that in older times its use wtis abandoned in churct iecorations because it Fet the young folks t< "eading the marriage service, and holly wag substituted to indicate the dark monotone of matrimony and the many thorns wit! which is was beset. CHRISTMAS COLOURS. For hundreds of years holty has been usec for Christmas decoration. It grows in al most every country. The choice of OUt Christmas colours, red and green, has n< doubt come about from these colours -whict Nature provides at the Christmas season it. the hoMy and poin&ettia. CHRISTMAS WEATHER. The eleet beats fast on the casement pane- The icicles freeze together, And sharp winds 'blow </er the mounds c} enow, For 'tis right good Christmas weather! The sleet beats fast, and the sharp win& blowe, Over the gorse and the heather, But my Lady Bountiful, out she goes In the right good Christmas weather. What cares she for the sleet and the wind And the snowflakes light as a feather? In furs well clad, her heart is glad, For 'tis right good Christmas weather! Yet many must suffer, too well she knows When want and cold come together; So my Lady Bountiful, out she goes In the right good Christmas weather And wherever she steps a warm light glows Over the gorse and the heather, And hearts that were sad are hearts madt glad In the right good Christmas weather! —George Weatherly, CHRISTMAS GAMES. BritIat-Savarin, the great gastronomist. said'that ''to invite a person tu your houst is to take charge of his happiness whi!e u-i- der your roof." We will invite our friends this Christmas-time—we will take charge d their happiness for awhile, and as we fee' that the responsibility is a grave one, wiL lay our plans for their gratification before hand. Foremost amongst Christmas diversions u the game of "Snapdragon." A number oj raisins are put into a large, broad, shallow bowl, and a little brandy or other spirit K poured over the fruit. "The 1'ght. in the room are then extinguished, the spirit ignited, and the bystanders in turns plung< their hands through the flames a.nd en deavour to' obtain possession of the fruit This game has been played at Christmas from time immemorial. Some games which are rather boisterous in their character, are known to everyonf and need no description. Amongst thes< are "Blind Man's Buff," "Pu"s in the Cor ner," "Treno.her," "Blind Postman,' "Hunt the Slipper": and "The Elements," or "Air, Earth, Fire, and Water." "Pro verbs," too, is a old game. When 'is played, one member of t!Ie com p any goet' OUt of the room, and the rest fix upon r wpU-known proverb. Th? banished gwes. rpturus, and a:;ks cnch person a questjon who in repty is bound to bring' in one worc of the proverb in its proper order, aitd th< questioner tries to nud out from these an swers what the proverb is. A very amusing variety of this game is called Shooting Proverbs." The guests each appropriate one word of the proverb as before. The on< who is trying to gness the proverb comet in, steps into the middle of the room, anc calls out in a commanding voice, "Mak( ready! Present! Fire!" At the wore "Fire!" all the company shout their ow[ words at once, and the proverb is to b( guessed from the sound, which is a. 'ver\ confusing one. "Trades is a very amusing game. It this, each person chooses a certain trade and one member of the company who is. named by the rest makes up a, storv, in the course of which he introduces an" account of his shopping excursions, and calls hap- hazard upon the representative of each business to name some noun which belongs to his trade. Thus: a butcher is to name a certain joint of meat, a grocer some article of grocery, and so on. No item is to bf mentioned twice, and if there is any at- tempt to do so, or if there is any hesitation in naming something suitable. a forfeit muat be paid. When the story is well told, a good deal of fun may be got out of thip game. THE CHRISTMAS TEEE. The ancient Teutons, who were sun-wor- shippers, thought that the spreading' of a great tree was 'symbolical of the sun rising higher and higher in the heavens, and the decoration of our Christmas trees is sup- posed to be symbolical of the sun tree. The lights represent the flashes of lightning overhead; the apples, nuts and balls sym- bolise the sun, moon and stars; while the, little animals represent the sacrifices made. to the sun god. In another endeavour to give a new meaning to heathenish customs, the early Christians put a new interpretation upon- the tree itself a.nd attached new meanings to its decorations. The fir itself, with ita lights, represented the Christ, who was the beginning of a new life in the midst of the wintry darkness of heathendom—the tree of ? life, the light of the world. Purely Christian symbols were introduced: the, angels, the anchor, crons and heart, the star of the east and the golden threads, catled Lamctta, which represent the hair of the Christ Child. Under the branches cf the tree lies the Babe in a manger, watched over by His parents and surrounded by efbeep and oxen." z I-
[No title]
H.M.S. Resolution has arrived at Ply- mouth to give Christmas leave. The Atlantic Fleet, it is stated, will leave early in the New Year for a three months' cruise in the Mediterranean. All Russian officers in Rumama are to be deported, &ays a Moscow wu'ck&g mes&age.
StOO.OOO FOR YM.C.A. I
StOO.OOO FOR YM.C.A. I The Young Men's Christian Association which since the Armistice has incurred !ia' bilities of .6750,000, has received from Dr John R. Mott. general secretary of 'the I'.M C A. of North America, an offer o) .&100.000 immediately. A further -ElOO.OOO h promised provjding outstanding debts art cleared off. Dr. Mott. in his cab!egram. says the gift is made in recognition of the services ren. dered by the British Council of the Y.M.C.A. during the war.