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Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
9 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau
9 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
CENTRE MURDER CHARGE. '**O
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CENTRE MURDER CHARGE. O LANGE committed TO the ASSIZES. DEMONSTRATION BY A HOSTILE MOil. 4+ B .Vjije ,a early hour on Wednesday the Taff tn Nation at j^ontyprimi was besieged oy *Clted crowd waieiiing the arrival of; Of £ aia» with a view or gaining a glimpse wlc Lange, the alleged murderer of the 1><lllt r..Emlyn Jones, or the Lriagend Hotel, took reo Mr. Huriord, the station-master, Vithj Precaution oi not allowing anyone tiet Precincts of the station unless were produced, Still, at u.e time ther prisoner arrived—about 8.30 a.m.— are always a number of passengers on QQan ontypndd. Station awaiting the inter- Larf6 to the Ehondda and Merthyr. Chat„ge was brought from Cardiff Gaol in of Superintendent Thomas and Police- Smith, Cardiff, and awaiting his Co, were Police-sergeant Jones and Police. (U a"e Philiips and a number of plain «»rrj men. There was a great rush to the jj aSe where the man v,a3 in custody. 8te:e. Was at once hurriedly taken down the hin> atl £ i Put in a cab which was awaiting Tht: scene outside the station was an jiyj^a^ed one. The windows of the hotels and of ate houses adjoining, and along the line were occupied by eager and morbid VC. re the opening of the court at ten there was a multitude of people out- hut owing to the admirable arrange- made by Superintendent Cole those it business there were abie to conduct J Without difficulty. There was no hostile Titration. lla P6* of the ordinary business of the court tJ?11* been dealt with, Lange was brought cells and placed in the dock. He an apparently cool and collected I the aaoui'- but the occasional twitching of v Muscles of his face betrayed his internal l^Ottsness. was a ful1 -enc:h of magistrates, in- Alck8 1Ir- T- p Jenkins (in the chair), Richard Lewis, Dr. E. ftaunton |fuTl«e, Alderman W. H. Mathias, Mr. David jP^ae, and Mr. W. H. Gronow. OQ r- W. R. Davies (Messrs. W. R. Davies and Wi .citors, Pontypridd) prosecuted on IJ, alf poliee at the instruction of the jjeasury; and Mr. C. E. Matthews (Messrs. Grover and Matthews, Ponty- tb- watched the case for Mrs. Jones and family. magistrates' clerk (Mr. J. S. Davies) -!?g formally charged the prisoner that tb.o feloniouslY, wilfully, and of malice afore- «t did kill and elay one J. Emlyn Jonea lr^tre on September 11," the case for the ^°ution was opened. STORY OF THE CRIME. b. r. W". R. Daves, in opening the case, said ior appeared, on the instruction of the Direc- tj, 0f Public Prosecution, to prefer two 1^' r*e8 against the man in the dock, Erie ^osf6—°ne burglary, and the other a t})a, serious charge, known to the law aa 1 °f wilful murder. The story was within to ,Sry narrow compass. The proofs seemed >0 to be very simple and clear, such that BQ 1(* make it their duty to commit the pri- >a^ for trial on the capita; charge What *itu story? The Bridgend Hotel was £ *ated in the busiest thoroughfare *0a, the Ehondda, abutting on two y'1 and on Saturday night the streets tfad cr°wded. There would be considerable *bl at this particular house, and consider- in 6 taking of money They would have it jji that the prisoner wa-s not a eora- t0p stranger, and that he had been seen 11. Some days prior to this in the neighbour- 's and that he had been in the hotel, and :IlIa. there served with refreshments. The ijj pa £ ^r of this hotel was a man well known llj^OQtypridd, J. Emlyn Jones, and on the of the 10th of September he, with his t{0nIlJr' kept this house. There was, in addi- c t° himself and his wife and the baby, barman, whose sleeping-place was in the Some little distance from the bedroom t>0 by Mr. and Mrs. Jones there were tan armaids, Miss Richards and Miss Mor- rOad Leading to the back premises from the Jia(ji there were two large doors, locked by tllia 0c;k from the inside. They were locked Both these doors were very easily anc^ way access could be ob- into the house. On the upstairs floor fr^9, small closet, with a window 13ft. high tlle ground at the back and facing the ^Sht ?!nmediate!y under this window on the Jig in question was a ladder 14ft. long, against the wall, and whoever it was l1a."Ve entered the house that n'ght must lČ\<1Q. done so by means of this because it was fonnd soon after tioj^CTirrenee to be in quite a different posi- Gvejj.- rom what it occupied before in the tlj6 when the place was examined by t}¡is °^llarman. Any person having got into would, by putting his head out of 1 *l'mr window in the lavatory having «ijt?™^Fent aspect, ha-ro a clear view into the ^S-room at the back of the bar, and would jjj -'P tee everything that might be taking to q(le tbsre. And this was of some importance l>i ^r,ow• because about twelve o'clock that a local butcher, named Henry Rees brought the taking's from his butcher's "to the manager, John Emlyn Jones, at the both concerns belonging to the e company. The takings amounted to £ 32. rGone^ v:lc; placed on the table and 0y the landlord, and then put into aj to-tv ^hic-h he took 'nto the bar, presumably! 8a*e at the back of the bar. All of this bf, j dearly seen by anyone who might 4}>0ri).^e lavatory. The deceased went to bed two o'clock on Snnday morning, his: paving: preceded him about 11.45 p.m. Mr. J s- Jones plept in a bedroom having *«Hti °°r a-iar' anc* wafi their habit appa- y it was, at any rate, so on this par-; >a8 ar night—to leave the gas burning. This t^hjj. incandescent burner. In addition to there was also a night-light close to the the bed. About half-past three Mrs. heard a slight noise in the bedroom, waking up she saw a man crouching foot of the bed. She then naturally for and her screaming was the signal be man to come nearer to her and to couple of severe blows with an instru- >5S "^hich be had in his hand, and which Produced in court. 't'h TEEEIBLE DEATH-STEUGGLE. ^OfjGe, Roise caused by this and by Mrs. s s fcreamiwg woke her hl1.<:band, ^saii he got out of bed. At this the T)y jl nt left the side of the bed occupied th 1'8. Jones, and came round to the foot Vjj. e bed and attacked Mr. Jones. The bed Of S a. full-sized one, occupied the middle e room, having a clear srpaee on three fill.cl;' Mrs. Jones then got out of bed and took Part as she could in the struggle that Mr. Jones and the man got out of ^&ai ,room into the passage, and there the gas wa« lit. The passage was a very t}e °ne, and the men were straggling. The **Onf>aSe<^ laid hold of the bani»ter, and Mrs. Of h s tried to get the man to get go his grip husband. Mrs. Jones left the two men second and went to the back-door to it, and called out for "Jnck." the cellar-1 bedroom above The man there- ano^T^ither because he realised there was man in the house or for some other —imrrtediately made his escape. While on"a^e«i Mrs. Jones heard a thud as if bU €oi}e trad fallen downstairs. What took teji e, ,n that moment of time no one could togV "Qt it -was more than probable that what the Place made one man the murderer and a, ». °ther man the corpse The police, with aj-fJ^^Ptitudc that did them infinite credit, Vg^teji the prisoner on the Taff Vale Bail-, within a short distance of Pontypridd. C. capless and bootless, and had in his in ^ssio-B a knife, which would be produced h,gj0lart, and with which probably the blow tIle 0ecsi struck which caused the death of by tv°r man- was, undoubtedly, ca.used ^bis very man. WIDOW'S EVIDENCE. 1( WIDOW'S EVIDENCE. '1./9..Jones, who looked very pale, and was th«Fa? in deep mourning, eaid that she was *oM^lck)w of the late Mr. Emlyn Jones, land- lotb. of the Bridgend Hotel, Pentre. On the 12.J0 this month she went to bed at about • The baby was already in bed. She left ^sband and the hotel staff downstairs, bedroom is the first room on the right of the, ^otel, the bedroom window overlooking: °'cl 3"ard. Her husband came to bed at two 5^ on Sunday morning. The gas was lit: bedroom, the burner being an incan- one. The light enabled her to clearly everything in the bedroom, was also a night-light on the lo'r^ng-table. The dressing-table was at the ttle bed opposite to the window. She not (y&y whether the bedroom door was d0 r• I)t v;as not her custom to fasten the On the night in luestion the door was locked. At about 3.30 on Sunday morning beard a slight noise in her room. She otened her eyes and looked towards the foot he e bed, where she saw a man looking at trough tile footrail of the bed. The Wrae iu a crouching position. The foot- ^V"aS brass and fairly open, and she a clear view of the man. She noticed jhoJ"- wore a cap. Seeing the man she Ped out and shouted to her husband. epj.611 gbe called out to her husband the man itij»atlg at him with an instrument. In Ptrik- at him he struck her on the side of the 5, °n the left temple, and the blow caused which bled freely. He again t}jee<^ a second blow, and she averted! to lofw with her elbows He seemed I 'light11? anywhere, and this caused a ,VOTlIl(i. The instrument was covered lya*»ex. [Thio ia^mnent, which was here handed to the justices turned out to be an old file with a spike at one end, and the broad end flattened out and sharpened like the point of a. joiner's chisel, but much thicker.] Witness. continu.ing. said that her husband then jumped out of bed, and prisoner went round to meet him at the bottom of the bed. She saw accused strike her husband with the instrument produced The two men then closed, and a struggle ensued. Her husband, who was struck with the instrument several times about the body was doing all he could to defend himself. Prisoner was much more powerful than her husband, and got him down over the bed in a leaning position. The baby during this time was in bed, and witness was protecting it. Witness then closed with prisoner and tried with all her might to pull free her husband, who was pinned against the wall behind the door. The accused appeared to be trying to choke him. Witness pulled prisoner's arm, and with the other hand opened the door and con tinned screaming. They got out to the landing. The Chairman: Did Lange speak at all? Witness: Not at all, sir. Continuing, witness said that the struggle continued on the landing, and her husband got hold of the banister. Witness ran and opened the attic door, and shouted Jack, Jack," and he answered twice, and as he answered her she heard a thud on the stairs. Witness said, Come down quick, some f)-ne is j here murdering us." The thud sounded as if some one had fallen downstairs. Hearing the noise witness returned to her husband at once, and found that the man who had a-ttaeked them both had erone. She found her husband catching hold of the banister, from where she helped him to the b-adroom.. When they got to the bedroom door Mr. Jones fell to the floor. Jack, the cellarman, came running down stairs with a revolver in his hand. He said, "Where is he; which way has he gone?" Witness made a statement to Jack, and remained with her husband. Some little while afterwards she called out to Jack for some brandy, some of which she gave to her husband. It did not revive him. Jack then took her husband up, and witness went to! the barmaid's room. The Chairman: Did your husband say any- thing to you? Witness: No, sir, he was in agony. I Proceeding, witness said that 6he sent thel barmaid for the doctor, and remained with her husband until the doctor arrived. She afterwards went to the coffee-room and called for help, and oa returning she found her husband on the bed in dreadful a.gony, and crying for fresh air. She was not there when he died a few minutes later. The doctor attended to her wounds. The side of her face and the side of her night-dress were covered with blood. Witness was then handed a cap, and, after examining it, she said that it had never belonged to any inmate of the Bridgend Hotel; neither had the brown shoes, produced. Mr. Davies: Are you able to identify the man who appeared at the foot of the bed that night? Witness: Yes, anywhere. Mr Davies: You have seen him at Ystrad. Witness: Yes, and I sea him in the dock now. The Magistrates' Clerk (to prisoner): You listen to what I read. Prisoner: Very good, sir. The magistrates' clerk then read over Mrs. Jones's evidence, and asked prisoner if he had anything to ask. Prisoner (in a low voice): No, sir. THE CELLARM.A.N'S STORY. John Henry Carpenter, oellarman, living at the Bridgend Inn, said that after closing time on Saturday, the 10th inst., he examined the premises with his master. He retired at about 1.30, his bedroom being in the attic, one flight of stairs above the room which was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Jones. To get to his bedroom witness had to go through the scullery, and he bolted the door on the inside, and also the door at the foot of the attic sta rs. j After he had been asleep for probably a little more than an hour he was awakened by Mr. and Mrs. Jones calling out "Jack. He did not hear Mrs. Jones open the attic door, but I he heard her call, and replied, 1 CS, yes, I coming." When he had put on some clothes he ran down, carrying in his hand a revolver, j He saw Mrs. Jones standing in the middle of the landing in her nightdress, and she was covered with blood, which appeared to be flowing from the wound which she had on her head. Mr. Jones was lying in a corner of the bedroom. He was groaning and muttering, but what he said could not be understood. Witness raised him into a sitting posture. Mrs. Jones went into the bedroom, and witness asked her to take care of Mr. Jones while witness had a look around the house. He made a search, but saw nothing of any man. He found the sliding panel of the bar-door open, the door itself being locked. While looking through the bar he heard Mrs. Jones call for brandy. He gave the brandy to Mr. Jones's nephew, and went upstairs to the bedroom, and saw Mr. Jones where he had left him. Mrs. Jones then asked for someone to fetch the doctor. This witness did, accompanied by Miss Richards. He immediately returned, and found that the police had arrived at the house. The police had by this time put Mr Jones on the bed. He asked the policeman to lea-ve Mr. Jones, as he (witness) would attend to him, in order that the policeman might see whether the murderer was in the house. Witness then supported Mr. Jones on his left arm, where he expired in about three minutes. On Satur- day night the window of the lavatory was shut. There was no catch to the window, which was closed. On the Sunday raorning the lower half of the window was lying in the yard at the bottom of the ladder. On Saturday night the ladder was lying on the floor and leaning against the wall, but by Sunday morning the ladder had been placed against the window-sill. Witness was the sole male occupant of the house besides Mr. Jones,' and the cap and boots produced did not belong to either him or Mr. Jones. Prisoner, in a firm voice, said he had no questions to ask # Miss Kate Richards, a niece of the deceased, who lived at the hotel, said that about 3.30 on the Sunday morning, she heard her aunt screaming terribly. She was calling "Em, Em." Witness did not hear her call for Jack, and as soon as she heard the screams she rushed to the bedroom door, where she met her aunt coming in. Her aunt was in her nightdress and bleeding, and witness shouted for help. Then she went to her uncle's bedroom, which was on the same landing, and saw the deceased in a sitting posture on the floor. Jack was not in the room. Going back to her bedroom, she opened the window and called for help. She then went out to some men who were approaching, and by the time she returned to the hotel a policeman had arrived, and was holding her uncle, who moaned piteously, on the bed. She had seen the p-isoner in the bar of the hotel several times during the week before the tragedy, and had served him with drink. He was always alone. William Rees Davies, 196, Yetrad-road, Pcntre, manager of a. butcher's business, said he went to the hotel every Saturday to pay to the deceased the week's proceeds of the business. On the day of the tragedy he went, about a quarter-past four, and saw Mr. Jones in the sitting-room'. He was waiting for Mr. Jones in the sitting-room j immediately behind the bar, where he handed Mr. Jones the money taken in the shop, amounting to JE32, which he carried in a paper bag, and which was counted on the table and placed in a bag by Mr. Jones, who left it on the table for a few seconds. Mr. Jones (the deceased) afterwards took the money towards the bar. He had a little con. versation and then left, a full light being in the sftting-room at the time. The blinds were not drawn. There was no person pre- sent other than Mr. Jones when witness left the Bridgend Hotel. THE AJtEEST OP PEISONEE. The evidence of Police-constable Wood, who arrested the prisoner, as given at Ystrad Police-court on the occasion of the inquest, was then read over to him and re-swom. Inspector Williams stated that he saw Br. Thomas at the Bridgend Hotel, and the doctor told him that the landlord (Emlyn Jones) was dead. The barman, John Car- penter, informed him that someone had entered the house and had murdered his mas- ter. Acting on instructions from the superin- tendent, witness received Eric Lange into custody on suspicion of having burglariously entered the Bridgend Hotel, and murdered the landlord. He took the pair of boots downstairs and gave them to prisoner, remarking, Here are your boots. Put them on." He at once caught hold of them, and put them on his feet, and it was noticed that they fitted him all right; and having been given his cap, prisoner was conveyed to Ton Pentre Police- station by train, and there examined by Dr. Thomas, who found two wounds on the left knee, about Hin. apart, one an inch long and the other half an inch. This was to the hone. Dr. Thomas attended to his injuries. Witness examined him, and found scratches on his nose and a patch of blood on the right side of the face and top of the head. On his coat there were several patches of blood, especially on the top. His stockings were dirty and worn through, and his feet were dirty and appeared to be in pain, being covered with gravel rash and small cuts. He charged prisoner with burglariously enter- ing the Bridgend Hotel between eleven p.m. on the 10th and 3.30 a.m. on the 11th. Prisoner, in answer to the charge, said, "Yes; I went there for money, but could not find any in the bar." Prisoner was then further charged that he did unlawfully and with malice aforethought kill and murder one Emlyn Jones at about 3.30 a.m. on the 11th of September by stabbing him in the left breast with a knife or some other sharp instrument. Having been cau- tioned, prisoner replied:- PRISONER'S CONFESSION. Yes, I went for money, but could not find any in the bar. I went upstairs, and entered the bedroom. It was lit up. My said, "You go in," and when I was looking for the money she waked up and shouted. 1 then hit her with the bar, and he woke up, too, and caught hold of me. I struck him several times flat with the bar. We had a struggle. Both of them tried to stop me. I left the bar, and rushed out the same way as we came in—over the ladder, head first. My mate, Harry, must have been behind, as I heard somebody coming after me. I don't remember taking the knife, only to open the window before I came in. I only hit him with that thing in paper. The prisoner further said:- I am a fireman of the screw steamer Patricia, that came to Cardiff on Friday with timber. I know nobody in Cardiff. Whilst taking his description on Monday, the prisoner said: Boss, I told you a lie, that I came to Cardiff in the screw steamer Patricia. I came from Liverpool a week or so ago. Witness went on, in reply to Mr. Davies, to say that he had made an examination of the lavatory window. The window faced the river, and there was a second window in the lava- tory having another aspect and look out. From that window it would have been easy for anyone to see all that was taking place in the side room behind the bar. Dr. Thomas, of Pentre, repeated the evidence he had given at Ystrad on the occasion of the inquest as to the nature of the wounds on the deceased. On being shown the knife witness said that the death wound might have been caused by it. It was of English make, having the Sheffield mark upon it. Some might call it a dagger, although others would term it a painter's knife. COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. The Clerk then formally charged the prisoner, who replied, "I have nothing t<* say." Lange was then committed to take his tria) at the assizes on the charge of "Wilful murder." LANGE KEMOVED TO CARDIFF: EXCITING SCENES. Being market day, and owing to the large influx of visitors to the town, it was not expected that the accused man would have been removed to Cardiff the same day. About three o'clock, however, Lange was conducted to the Taff Vale Station between Police sergeant Morris and Police-constable Griffiths, and guarded by between fifteen or twenty stalwart members of the county constabu- lary. The procession was quickly sighted, and waa immediately surrounded by a large crowd, who mobbed and hissed the man in custody. Scenes of wild excitement followed, and so large and rough did the crowd become that it was with the utmost difficulty Lange was got to the railway station. On the way a woman was so badly squeezed that she fainted, and had to be carried to a neigh- bouring hotel. Arriving on the platform Lange was taken to the booking-office to avoid the violence of the crowd, who forced their way into the station. A large number of people who had failed to gain admission to the station at the proper entrances. climbed up the woodwork at the rear of the bookstall, which, not being a very firm struc- bookstall, which, not being a very firm struc- ture, was in danger of being damaged. As it was, one of the windows of the book- stall office was broken. When the train due to leave at 3.11 steamed into the sta-tion it was with the utmost difficulty that Lange was piaced in a compartment, and it was not before he received a blow from one of the crowd. The train was whistled off with- out a moment's delay, and as it passed out of the station the crowd hurled execrations against the man, who, throughout the whole scene, maintained a callous demeanour. Upon his arrival at Queen-street Station, Cardiff, Lange was hissed by a. small crowd which had assembled. He was driven rapidly to the gaol.
THE ADOLF BECK INQUIRY
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THE ADOLF BECK INQUIRY FIRST MEETING OF THE COM- MITTEE NEXT MONTH. It is understood that the small committee appointed to investigate the circumstances of the convictions of Adolf Beck will hold their first meeting in October. It will rest with the committee to settle its own mode of pro- cedure and to decide whether the inquiry shall be public or private. It is certain that arrangements will be made to duly inform the public of all that concerns them, even though the press be excluded from, the Bit-; t'lu*.
ICARDIFF MUSICAL FESTIVAL.…
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CARDIFF MUSICAL FESTIVAL. PERFORMANCEOFTHE'HYMN OF PRAISE.' fSAMSON AND DELILAH' IN THE EVENING. [By ZETUS."] With the double incentive of brilliant sun- shine and the official presence of the Mayor and Corporation of Cardiff, the fourth Musical Festival—now, happily, designated with an air of permanent dignity as the Cardiff Triennial Musical Festival—was auspiciously initiated at the Park-hall yesterday morning with a performance of Mendelssohn's Hymn of Praise." Members of the fire brigade formed a small, but heroic-looking, guard of honour for his civic worship 'Alderman Jenkins, J.P.), who was accompanied by the town-clerk (Mr. J. L. Wheatley) and the chief-constable (Mr. W. McKenzie), all three being duly arraj^ed in official attire. The mayor and corporation were received by Mr. Robert Forrest, D.L., chairman of the festival council, and Mr. E. W. M. Corbett, J.P., chairman of the executive committee, by whom they were escorted to seats immediately in front of the orchestra, Save for three shields bearing the Prince of Wales's plumes, the Red Dragon, and the Arms of Cardiff, which hung on a scarlet background stretched along the front of the orchestra, there were no emblems, musical or otherwise, to give historic service to the occa- sion Everything was tinctured with an air of earnestness such as a musical festival of lofty ideals presumably calls for. So far as the streets were concerned, it was evident that if the town has its festival the festival has not the town, for, beyond a flag or two in the neighbourhood of Queen-street, there was nothing to show that for a few brief hours art and commerce were going hand-in-hand with each other—the former the soul and the latter f the frame of human existence. Art is long, so long, indeed, that, in propor- tion, the Cardiff Triennial Musical Festival has scarcely more than commenced to breathe. Yet, as a mere four-year-old, it is already an institution of wondrous vitality. The very obstacles that threatened its earliest days were as incentives to the band of earnest, stubborn enthusiasts who, it may be fairly assumed, have at length taken the last ridge of prejudice and re-placed indifference with sympathy and opposition with respect. In the ecstasy of the moment when, like yesterday, both morning and evening, the success of the performances filled the Park- hall with enthusiasm, there is danger of mis- calculating the real measure of distinction gained when taken, as these things have to be, with what the rest of the country is doing. The spirit of eclecticism revealed in the building up of the programmes certainly places Cardiff in the forefront in that impor- tant direction. A policy which rejected "The Messiah" altogether from a place in the scheme and substituted "The Hymn of Praiee" appears, however, in the nature of a strong step followed by a weak one. Festi- vals fulfil one of their highest functions when the works presented are beyond the I Dr. FREDERIC COWEN, Conductor. full attainment of the choral and orchestral societies which sustain the musical life of the nations from year to year. Now, "The Hymn of Praise" is a beautiful miniature well within the scope of hundreds of societies of both kinds. "The Messiah" is not, aithough it is popularly thought to be. Its slavish employment not for its own sake, but for its commercial value, is in the nature of sacri- lege, so that its omission from the pro- gramme redounds to the credit of the com- n it tee. Excepting the two orchestral num- l;ejs—Tschaikowsky's "Air and Variations from the Suite in G (No. 3)" and Mr. Edward German's new "Welsh Rhapsody"-there was an absence of purely festival matter in the opening programme yesterday morning. 1 mean, of course, that no element of choral or other superiority-festival superiority- was called for in works like "The Hymn of Praise"; Mozart's motett "Splendente Te Deus"; or the chorus from Handel's "Solo- mon," "May no rash intruder." The performance of the familiar work- which was, of course, preceded by the National Anthem—was delightful in most ways. It was sincere in expression and in the moderation of its aims, and successful in it-3 suppression of anything tending towards sensationalism. The chorus is good, even excellent; but without ultra-distinction. There is room for a better adjustment of the balance of parts, the basses particularly lacking sonorousness. In spite of the need of a better foundation, the general timbre is re- fined, though in the extreme heights the sopranos—otherwise admirahle-wero not, perhaps, invariably beautiful. The pofther- choral passages found almost perfect expres- sion, whilst the few striking climaxes in the work were realised quite finely by the com- bined forces. Dr. Cowen's tempo, especially in the symphony, appeared to he slower and less elastic in its changes than usual, and the orchestration occasionally lost colour in oonsequence. The soloisis were Ma.dame Blauvelt, Miss Gertrude Drinkwater, and Mr. Ben Davies, and if only for his dramatic "Watchman" passages, the popular tenor made the inter- pretation memorable There are times when Mr. Davies sacrifices vocal finesse through the exigencies of the score in other directions, but the results, perhaps, justify their means. Madame Blauvelt, who found a most artistic second soprano in Miss Gertrude Drink- water, sar g the first soprano music with great acceptance, not the least of her claims to a4miration being the unaffectedness of her style and the clear- ness of her phrasing. Miss Drinkwater had little to do, but it was done with exceptional vocal grace. Altogether, The Hymn of Praise" was so disposed of as to raise the highest hopes for the rest of the festival, the enthusiasm of the audience being of no superficial order. After a short adjournment Mozart's motett, "Splendente Te Deus," ca.me as a pleasing choral and orchestral contrast. This was followed by the first of the four novelties to be heard during the week-Mr. Edward German's "Welsh Rhapsody for Orchestra." The composer—still one of the most modest and retiring of men—was loudly applauded on taking his place at the conductor's desk. When it is said that he has constructed his rha-psody on Welsh melodies it will be understood that it loses in I originality what it will probably gain in popularity among instrumentalists and listeners. The four sections of the piece are: —(l) "Loudly proclaim" (Allegro Maestoso); (2\ (a) "Hunting the Hare" and (b) "Bells of ^'nerd^pv" CPresto Scherzandol: (3) "David of the White Rock" (Andrmte con espress); and (4) "Men of Harlech (Finale, Alia Martial. Of these the most gratifying section is the third, and the least satisfying the fourth. The latter, indeed, so far from developing the "Harlech" theme in any definite manner, is just a clever orchestral pot-pourri, com- pounded of the first phrase, which never emerges into anything approaching finality of purpose. Regarded, however, as an achievement in fanciful and strenuous orches- tration, the "Welsh Rhapsody" is in Mr. Ger- man's characteristically erudite vein, but that, is scarcely sufficient to giye it perma- nent festival dignity. The composer's recen- tion was of the most demonstrative kind, the delight of the audience with the composition being manifestly thorough. Madame Blauvelt followed with Handel's TTftty. but. tiresome, air, "Street Bird." from "II Penseroso," in which Mr. D. S. Wood shared honours as flautist. It was delight- frilly sung. Another unnecessary number— the concert being too lontr-was the chorus "May no rash intri-,der," which was givpn with adequate rest, after which the orchestra Ktr^ifk the most modern of notes with a fine Tv»rformRnce of TschmVovskv'g "Theme •with Variations" from Suite No. 3 (Op. 55>— a stirring antidote to the relatively subdued iovs of Handel. Mowar+. and Mendelsohn. There was an audience of encouraging dimen- sions con-mared with the morning meetings of past festivals.
THE EVENING MEETING.
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THE EVENING MEETING. "SAMSON AND DELILAH." The choice of "Samson and Delilah" was, altogether admirable, for it is precisely one of those hybrid works whose very nature pre-clude-s them from representation in English theatrical surroundings. It is. more- over, beyond any but a highly-trained orchestra, so tha.t it may be cited as a good specimen of a work of a purely festival cali- tro- Its melodies charxap and dramatically Mr. ARTHUR HERVEY Mr. EDWARD GERMAN :fr HARRY EVANS COMPOSERS OF NEW WORKS AT THE CARDIFF MUSICAL FESTIVAL. sensuous basis are undeniably strong, and it would conceivably make a fascinating opera. could it be divested of its associations. Another large audience attended for its performance at the evening meeting—the attendance, indeed, throughout the day seemed to inspire all the officials with a light seemed to inspire all the officials with a light step. "Samson and Delilah" is leas of a choral than an orchestral and character work, The soloists wore Miss Muriel Foster (" Delilah "). Mr. Ben Davies (" Samson "), Mr. Ffrangcon Davies (" High Priest "), Mr. Ivor Foster (" Abimelcch "), Mr. David Hughes (" An Aged Hebrew"), Air. A. Dunlop (" Philistine Messenger"), Mr Harold Green (" First Philis- tine "), and Mr. Harry Miller (" Second Philis- tine"). With the single exception of "Delilah" there is not an abundance of grateful music for the soloists, apart from what is purely dramatic or in narrative. Miss Foster evidently finds Saint-Saens's solo matter in this work cone">nia1. for she in- variably sings it with unction and grace. The other artistes, notably, perhaps, Mr. Ffrangcon. Davies, did justice to the needs of — MARQUESS Of BUTE (PRESIDENT). Mr. GETHIN LEWIS (VICE-CHAIRMAN' Mr. R. FORREST (CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL). Mr. D. W. EVANS TCHA'RMAI+OF MUSICAL COMMITTEE) Mr. H. J. SIMPSON (VICE-CHAIRMAN). General LEE (HON. TREkSliaERI. Mr. EW. M. CORBETT (CHAHUAH OF EXECUTIVE). Mr. W. A. MORGAN (SECRETARY). I SOME OF THE OFFICIALS OF THE CARDIFF MUSICAL FESTIVAL. the sentiment, and the chorus, especially the ladies, sang with ease and understanding. But the moving power of all in Samson and Delilah" is the orchestra, which gave the highest account of its abilities. The chorus- trainers of the day's works merit the highest recognition, and Dr. Cowen, doubtless, went contentedly to rest. MR. GERMAN'S CAREER. Edward German was born at Whitchurch, Shropshire, in 1862, and is one of tho most distinguished British composers of the present day. His works have a natural characteristic, as distinct from, yet combined with, the purely classical. His musica: j talent showed signs of development at a! very early age, increasing year by year, and. having made himself a fairly proftcient per- former on the violin, he became a member of the local orchestra. It was the conductor of this society who persuaded his parents to I allow him to adopt music as a profession. Mr. T. L AYLWARD Madame CLARA NOVELLO DAVIES Mr. J. E. DEACON THE CHORUS TRAINERS OF TH E CARDIFF MUSICAL FESTIVAL. and in January, 1880, he accordingly went to Shrewsbury to study with a local pro- fessor for a few months before entering the Royal Academy of Music, becoming a student of that institution in September of the same year. He studied the organ under Dr. Steggall, but finding that his organ study interfered somewhat with his other studies (violin, pianoforte, and composition), he decided to abandon the organ and make the! violin his principal study. The wisdom of this decision soon asserted itself, for at the end of the first year he won the prize violin I bow offered by the Academy, and afterwards both the bronze and silver medals. He was ultimately appointa-d sub-professor of the violin, and his works were often included in the programmes of the Academy concerts. His ambition, however, was to become a com- poser. His first success in this direction was in 1885, when he won the "Lucas Medal" for his setting of the "Te Deum Laudamus" for organ and chorus, and he now determined to abandon the violin and devote his time solely to composition.
DREAM OF GERONTIUS."
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DREAM OF GERONTIUS." Elgar's noble "Dream of Gerontius" was in itself sufficient to draw a great crowd to the Park-hall on Thursday. The audience was a deeply appreciative and sympathetic one, and it followed "The Dream" from beginning to end with absorbed interest. Tne noble poem set to music as noble by Edward Elgar was written by Cardinal Newman in 1865. It is not anything like so well known as his" Lead, Kindly Light," although the latter comprises but three stanzas, whilst the Dream of Gerontius may best be described a,s a flight of genius, clothed in stately English to occupy with a transcendent theme the pasting of a devout soul from earth to its reward beyond the grave. The poem contains passages of the greatest beauty and pathos, whilst in it occ 'rs the wdl. known and admired hymn, Praise to the Holiest in the height," which was such a I favourite with the late Mr. Gladstone. Dr. Elgar set "The Dream of Gerontius" to music in 1930 for the Birmingham Festival,, and we believe to-day's performance was the first in the Principality. The part of the pious "Gerontius" was most ably and devoutly taken by Mr. John Coates; that of the "Priest" by Mr. Ivor Foster; that of the "Angel" was splendidly interpreted by Miss Muriel Foster; whilst from Mr. Ffrangcon Davies came a finished rendition of the part taken by the "Angel of the Agony." About a score of voices acted as the chorus of angelicals in the second part, whilst the whole orchestra was under the baton of Dr. Frederic Cowen. Dr. Cowen, on stepping to the front, had a most cordial recep-1 tion, and his efforts and those of the fine body of musicians, both vocal and instrumental, were warmly applauded and highly appreciative. Perhaps the most tender and touching portions of the "Dream" are found in the first part, where the death scene of the saint and the details of his dissolution are worked out with the touch of genius. The weird surroundings, I the drifting of the lonely soul out into the unknown, the hopes and the fears, are admirably portrayed. In the second part the disembodied spirit is soothed by its guardian angel, conducted into the presence of its God, and then consigned to Purgatory, there to abide awhile. Farewell, but not for ever! brother dear. Be brave and patient on thy bed of sorrow; Swiftly shall pass thy night of trial here. And I will come and wake thee on the morrow. After an interval the "Dream of Gerontius" was followed by the rendering of a tone poem In the East," composed by Arthur Hervey, specially for the festival, and conducted by the composer. Mr. Heiwey was at the last Cardiff Festival, where he produced his tone pictures. "On the Heights" and "On the Marsh." Two Sea, Pictures by Elgar fol- lowed, rendered by Miss Foster, and "Tod und Verklaerung" (" Death and Transflgura- tion"), a tone poem, by Richard Strauss. .Mias HENRIETTA COWEN Miss MAGGIE PURVIS Miss MARGAHET SAMBROOK Mr. HAROLD GREEN trlr. HARRY MILLER Madame BLAUVELT Miu MAUD L WAITE Misa ADA CROSSLEY Mr. BEN DAVIES. Mr. DAVID HUGHES MissAGNbS NICHOLAS Madame GERTRUDE DRINKWATER. MittMUtUEL FOSTER Mr. JOHN COATES Mr. FFRANGCON DAVIES. I Miss ADELA VERNE I Miss AMY EVANS I Miss MARGARET LEWYS Mr. A. DUNLOP Mr. IVOR FOSTER. THE PRINCIPAL ARTISTES AT THE CARDIFF MUSICAL FESTIVAL I
GREAT BATTLE EXPECTED !BEFORE…
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GREAT BATTLE EXPECTED BEFORE MUKDEN. It now seems certain that a battle will take place before Mukden. Leaving 25,000 men to guard Liao-yang, the Japanese are advancing in force. The Russian position is all the banks of the River Hun, and for some time past General Kuropatkin has been constructing defences. He has nn immense force at his disposal, and all reports agree in stating that he is resolved upon oixcrmg a deter- mined resistance.
BATTLE IMMINENT, SEVERE FIGHTING…
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BATTLE IMMINENT, SEVERE FIGHTING BEFORE MUK- DEN EXPECTED. MUKDEN, Tuesday. A battle is imminent. The Japanese are advancing with eight, and porsibly r.ine, r divisions. The tail millet crops have nearly all beer, harvested and a better field of fire over the flat plains is thus secured. The River Hun forms the Russians' direct front. The majority of the Japanese troops are now on the right bank of the Taitse. Twenty- five thousand men have been left at Liao- yang. The weather is cold, and there is no rain. PARIS, Wednesday Evening. The Mukden correspondent of the "Temps" telegraphs that the great battle before Muk- den, which cannot be long delayed, will be fought along the line of the Hun-ho, and will cover a very extensive front. TOKIO, Wednesday. The impression is growing that a general engagement before Mukden will take plaoe shortly. General Kuropatkin is evidently preparing to offer a determined resistance, and is entrenching himself strongly, and is constructing fresh defences. lie has an immense force available. The opinion is expressed here that Tie-ling would be a more favourable position to defend, but that the Russians do not wish to suffer the loss of prestige involved in the abandonment of Mukden. Both armies have rested, and, having recovered from the effcous of the battle of Liao-yang, are in condition to fight aga.a. The weather is favourable for operations. The roads are drying, and the Japanese are speedily restoring the railway. A party of foreign attaches recently came from Liao- yang to Tokio in a week. They were dragged for a hundred miles in open trucks by coolies. The army is forwarding the rolling stock. cars,.and engines which it has captured, and a service will toon be thoroughly organised with Liao-yang. The taak ol transporting men and supplies to the advance base at Liao-yang thus becomes simple. There is much speculation as to the extent of the autumn and winter campaign. It is generally thought that Marshal Oyama will continue to press General Kuropatkin until the winter falie, and will then strongly guard his advance line until the spring. A renewal of the attack on Port Arthur on newer and more aggressive lines was expected this week. It is predicted in well- informed quarters that the reduction of The fortress will be accomplished within ten days or a. fortnight. The authorities maintain their attitude of silence. The publication of small lists of casualties in the Naval Brigade operating on land is the only official refer- ence to the siege of the fortress. The list of spoils from Liao-yang continues to grow. General Kuroki reports the capture of four miles of railway rails and 200 tons of coal. TOKIO, Wednesday. The lists of the booty captured at Liao- yang which have been published have given considerable satisfaction. Correspondents at the front report that a force of the enemy, having apparently only three guns, directed their attention during the night of the 16th and 17th instant to Yen-tai Station. They Sred ten shells, but met with a speedy repls^, and soon retired. Outpost affairs are of fre- quent occurrence, but the Japanese succeed in driving back these small detachments of the enemy. At noon on the 17th, however, the Russians made a more vigorous movement. A force of about six battalions attacked Pintaitzu, which is about 33 miles north-east of Liao- yang. After a hot fizht of three hours' dura- tion the enemy were repulsed. They werc compelled to retreat from the positions they had taken up, but were not pursued for morf than 38 minutes. In the engagement the Japanese had one corporal killed and 50 men wounded. The Russian casualties are -not known, but they left four dead. Later. Amid indescribable hardships the Russians a're hastily strengthening their defences at Mnkden, whilst at Tic-ling they have erected 'I e n a. walling seventeen feet high on the east and north sides. Along the unwaHed sonth side of Tip-ling they are constructing for- tresses and digging ditches, which extend a distance of no less than 25 Chines.? miles. The Russian commissariat is finding great difficulty in providing sufficient food for the troops. DISPATCH FROM KUROPATKIN. ST. PETERSBURG, Wednesday. General Kuropatkin has sent the following telegram to the Emperor, dated yesterday:- There is no change in the position of the army. On tho 19th inst. a movement of a. detachment of the enemy was observed to the east of the Dalin Pass. On the afters c-cu of September 20 the enemy twice made an attack on a posi- tion occupied in the pass by our detach- ment, four companies being sent tor- ward to turn our left flank. Both attacks were repulsed, and the turning movement was checked by our cavalry with the machine guns which were attached to it. TOKIO, Wednesday, 4.55 p.m. Marshal Oyama, telegraphing on Septem- ber 20, says:- Our column at Ping-tai-tse was attacked on noon on the 17th by two bodies of the enemy. One, consisting of at least four batta- lions of infantry, eight squadrons of cavalry, and eight guns, advanced from the direction of Fushun; the Olùer, con- Eisting of one battalion of infantry, some cavalry, and six guns, advanced by the Mukden highway. A sharp engagement ensued, and lasted till three p.m. The Mukden force ap- proached nearest, but begun at four p.m. to retire north-west, our artillery firing on them for about 30 minutes, and inflicting heavy loss. The enemy's larger force gradually withdrew, one part stubbornly resisting, but they were finally repulsed at Eeven p.m. In a telegram of to-day's date Marshal Oyama Eays:- The force which attacked our column on the 17th in the vicinity of Ping-tai- tse comprised seven battalions of infan- try and two batteries. A portion of the force was still rear our front on the 18th. but the main body is apparently at Hai-lang-hai and Feng-chi-pan.
WATERLOO VETERAN.
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WATERLOO VETERAN. SURVIVOR OF THE BATTLE AT CARDIFF. How many now living can reThember the battle of Waterloo, on Ju^e 18, 1815? All the heroes who took part in it as fighting men have long since, passed away. One of the bugler boys (perhaps the on'y one) still sur- vives to tell th" tale of thoee stirring times. That little bugler boy, John Vaughan, now a glorious weather-beaten veteran, was in Cardiff on Thursday, and left by train at ten o'clock He is a tall, stately individual, still with a martial bearing and firm of foot for his years, with long hair and a flowing white beard. He carries with him his clasps and medals, which bear out the authenticity of bis statements, alio a. printed placard authorising him to sell pencils and other merchandise. The scene on the Great Western Railway platform was a very animated one, the ser- geants of the Weish Regiment, on their way to a pic-nic. at Symonds Yat. happening to he there, with some civilians, including Alderman Carey and Mr. W. J. Tatem (Peny- lan). Many were the questions the old man had to answer, and many, too, were tho gratuities he received. With flashing eyes, he described those deeds of long ago that he described those deeds of long ago that are now recorded only upon the cold pages of history.
ENGINE-DRIVER GO^S IhAD
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ENGINE-DRIVER GO^S IhAD THREE PEOPLE KILLED IN A COLLISION. Near Ferrara on Tuesday an engine-driver, who was in charge of a light engine, wae suddenly seized with madness. He sent his eugine forward at full speed, and after going a short distance met an express train. There was a terrific collision. Several coaches were wrecked, and three people were killed and fifteen injured.—Central News. A Renter's message from Ferrara on Tues- day, timed six p.m., saysIt has now been ascertained that seven persons were killed in the collision, four being railway servants and three travellers, one of whom is a cap- tain in a cavalry regiment. The second vic- time is a lady who has not yet been iden- tified, while a third is a young girl. Sixteen mamns were injured., six of them dauserouWX.