The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser

A SHAM WHITE FLAG. To the Editor of the CARMARTHEN JOURNAL. SIK,—The meanness which has characterized the Government's treatment of Welsh Churchmen throughout the debates upon the Established Church (Wales) Bill, has continued to a. really intolerable climax, and the full "pound of (flesh" demanded by the Politicians is to be exacted from the already im- poverished Church in Wales at the very moment of the conclusion of the War. What will be, we be- lieve. for others, a time of National rejoicing over the victories of our armies, is for us to be a period of embarrassment and distress. Disendowment, that is taking from the four Welsh dioocses the sum of E157,000 a year (a principal of nearly four million sterling) is to take place upon the declaration of peace! But this is by no means the only blow now struck at us. We Churchmen are ordered, by Lord Beau- champ, to make immediate preparations for dises- tablishment. We are to construct forthwith our new Governing bodies, so as to be ready for dismember- ment and the complete overthrow of our ancient con- stitution and organization. Laymen like myself, who have given time and attention to the problem,-ojic by no means less difficult than the raising of the large sum of money required to carry on—are pre- vented from taking part in the work by being called up for military duty. We can attend no conferences, and the work already in hand is now wasted. We are prevented by circumstances from helping our Church to weather the storm. Our senior Bishop, the Bishop of St. Asaph, is serving as Chaplain with one of the Mounted Brigades, many miles from the borders of Wales. Many of the most trusted leaders of the Welsh Church are either on active servioe abroad, or with their regiments in English counties. The Government called us to a political Truce, nnd we trusted them,—in vain. Under cover of a, sham white flag they tried to wound our Church and we are prevented from retaliating. Welsh Church- men are as zealous as others in responding to the call of their country and are prepared to sacrifice all for its cause, but they cannot help remembering the Government took advantage of the national emer- gency to place upon the Statute Book a, measure of mean partizan vindietiveness against their National Church. They will remember it and never forget it. and when Mr. Asquith and his traitorous colleagues appeal for the suffrages of the people, the treatment of Welsh Churchmen must not and will not be for- gotten. —You rs <f a i tbful ly, W. ORMSBY Gorts. Sept. 17th, 1914. ————

A UNIVERSITY TUTORIAL CLASS FOR CARMARTHEN. [To the Editor of the CARMARTHEN JOURNAL.] ■SIR,—Tho University College at Aberystwyth, mainly through the inspiration of Principal T. F. Roberts, M.A., D.Litt., has decided to organize and establish four University Tutorial Classes in West \Vale.} this winter. The towns selected for likely places for Tutorial Classes are Anuuanford. Llanelly (2) and Carmar- then. Only 24 students are required to form a class. and those may be men or women over 18 years of age. The fee for the whole session of e4 weeks is a nominal foe of 2s. 6d., while all the books needed will be supplied gratis from the National Library of Wales. Most of the University Tutorial Classes already in existence in Wales have decided for the next session to take such topics as The present European War and the Balance of Power" and "Tho Economic Aspect of the European War." Mr. John Thomas, B.A.. the secretary of the school, will speak and explain the project at a meeting at the Council Chamber of the Guildhall on Tuesday, September 29th, at 8.30 p.m. All ure most cordially invited to attend and his Worship the Mayor, Mr. John Lewis. J.P., has kindly promised to take the chair. Carmarthen is happy in this opportunity offered to it by Aberystwyth College. The class, if founded, will be conducted by a member of the staff of Aber- ystwyth.—I am, etc., GWILYM DAVIES. Picton Place, Carmarthen, Sept. 22. 1914.

LAMPETER ST. DAVID'S COLLEGE SCHOOL.—The above school was re-opened on Thursday after the summer vaca- tion. and we are glad to learn t-hat many new boys have joined. Free places have been awarded to E. R. Davies, Bryn-road Boys' School; D. J. Evans, do. E. ldris Evans, do. R. D. Evans, do. Entrance scholarships have been awarded to Gwilym J. Davies (£3), Bryn-road Boys' School; D. C. A. Evans (£3), Cellan Council School. CENTRAL CINEMA.—In addition to the splendid films shown at the above Cinema during the week, which attracted large audiences, the proprietors had secured the services of Mr. Jack Best and his com- pany, who carried out an excellent programme of songs, dances, humorous sketches, &c. ARMY RECRUITING.—Mr. J. Jones, Walter's Hotel, an undergraduate of Oxford, and Mr. J. C. Davies, London House, who have been granted commissions in Lord Kitchener's Army, left tnis week to join their regiments. Mr Cledwyn Jones, youngest son of Mrs. Jones, Eastfield, has also joined the army. FAIR.—The renowned fair at Ram, near this town, was held on Saturday, and as usual was largely attended, while hundreds of cattle were offered for sale. Dealers were slow in buying, and the prices were much lower than at recent fairs in the town and neighbourhood. However, a large number of cattle and pigs were sold during the morning. The following were the average prices;—Cows and calves j315 to JE17 10.>. yearlings, C7 to £10 10s.; two-year-olds. JE9 10s. to JB12 10s.: heavy pigs, 8s. per score. There was a good supply of small pigs. but not much demand, although the prices were lower than usual. SEWING CLASSES.—A large number of ladies have undertaken to sew and knit for the British army at their own homes. Mrs. Jones, mayoress, is at the head of the movement; and subscriptions for the purpose of buying materials are solicited by means of .) house-to-house collection. APPOINTMENT.—Mr. Stephens. B.A., Talybont, Cardiganshire, has been appointed an assistant master at the College School. Besides being an oxoollont scholar. Mr. Stophons is an all-round athlete, which is a very valuable asset in a publio school.

LLANFIHANSEL-AR-ARTH DISTRESS FUND.—The ladies of the district have been busy lately sewing- garments and collecting articles of clothing and comforts which, we under- stand, has been forwarded te Mrs. Newland, Dol- liaidd. for distribution to the sufferers in connec- tion with the war. PERSONAL.—We notice among the list of candi- dates who were ordained on Sunday last by the Lord Bishop of St. David's, the name of Mr. David Jones, M.A. (Oxon), Llanfihangel-ar-Arth, who, we understand, has received an appointment as ourate at Llandilo. Mr. Jones is well-known in the district, and his many friends join in wishing him success in his new sphere. He has only recently returned from South Africa, where he spent nearly three years as Tutor at St. John's College, Johan- nesburg, having previously been associated with St. David's College School, Lampeter, as a member of the staff of that institution. Mr. Jones has had a very successful career, and will, no doubt, prove very acceptable at Llandilo, especially with the sporting fraternity, as he is a lateh sportsman, and possessed of a genial disposition, which cannot fail to make him popular.

The Board of Trade announces that as evidence has reached them that. notwithstanding the prohibi- tion of the export of sugar from Holland by the Netherlands Government, German merchants are disposing of their produce and obtaining payment through Holland, the British Government has had to forbid the import of this produce through Hol- land.

LLDYD GEORGE'S GREAT SPEECH "ROAD-HOG OF EUROPE." Mr. Lloyd George addressed a packed meeting of Welshmen at the Queen's Hall, London, on Satur- day, and at one blow shattered Germany's pretence to any justification for this war. In the course of bis remarks, he said:— There is no man in this room who has always regarded the prospects of engaging in a great war with greater reluctance, with greater repugnance, than 1 have done, throughout the whole of my politi- cal life. There is no man either inside or outeide of thifc room more convinced that we could not have avoided it without national dishonour. We entered into this treaty, a solemn treaty, a full treaty, to defend Belgium and her integrity. Our signatures are attached to the document. Our signatures do not stand aione there. This was not the only country to defend the integrity of Belgium. Russia, France, Austria, and Prussia (hisses) they are all tuere. It NNas tiie interest of I'tur--ia to break the treaty, and she has done it (shame!) Well, why She avowed it with cynical contempt for every prin- ciple of justice. She says treaties only bind you when it is to your interest to keep them. What is a treaty saye the German Chancellor. A scrap of paper." Have you any five-pound notc about you? (laughter). 1 am not calling for them (renewed laughter). Have you any of those neat little Treasury JB1 notes.' If you have, burn them; tney are only scraps of paper. What are they made of? Rags. What are they worth? The whole credit of the British Empire. This doctrine of the scrap of paper, this doctrine which ia superscribed by Bernhardi as treaties which eerve only as long as it is to its interest, goes to the root of public law. It is the straight road to bar- barism, just as if you removed the magnetic pole whenever it was in the way of a German cruiser the whole navigation of the seas would become dangerous, difficult, impossible; and the whole machinery of civilisation will break down if this doctrine wins in this war. We aro fighting against barbarism. There is only one way of putting it right; if there are nations that say they will only respect treaties when it ie to their interest to do so, we must make it to their interest to do so for the future. What are Germany's excuse^? She said Belgium wag plotting against her, Belgium was engaged in a great conspiracy with Britain and with France to attack her. Not merely is it not true, but Germany knows it is not true. What is her other excuse? France meant to invade Germany through Belgium. Absolutely untrue. France offered Belgium five army corps to defend her if she was attacked. Belgium said, "I don't require them. I have got the word of the Kaiser. Shall Caesar send a lie?" All these talcs about conspiracy have been fanned up since. The great nation ought to be ashamed—ought to be ashamed to behave like a fraudulent bankrupt perjuring its way with its complicationti. Belgium has been treated brutally, how brutally we shall not yet know. What had she done? Hun- dreds of thousands of her people have had their quiet, comfortable little homes burned to the dust, and are wandering homeless in their own land. What was their crime? Their crime WM that they trusted to the word of a Prussian King. I don't know what the Kaiser hopec; to achieve by tfeis war. I have a shrewd idea of what he will ,zet; but one thing is made certain, that no nation in future will ever commit that crime again. SERVIA'S CASE. But Belgium is not the only little nation that has been attacked in this war, and I make no excuse for referring to the calic of the other little i-iation- the CMC of Servia. The history of Servia is not unblotted. What history in the category of nations is unblotted? The first nation that is without liin let her ca,t a stone at Servia. If any Servians were mixed up in the assassina- tion of the Grand Duke they ought to be punished. Servia admits that. The Servian Government had nothing to do with it. Not even Austria claimed that. The Servian Prime Minister is one of the most capable and honoured men in Europe. Servia was willing to punish any one of her sub- jects who "had been proved to have any complicity in that assassination. She promised not to sym- pathise with Bosnia, promised to write no critical articles about Austria. She would have no public meetings at which anything unkind was said about Austria. That was not enough. She must dismiss from her army officers whom Austria should subsequently name. But these officers had just emerged from a war where they were adding lustre to the Servian arms—gallant, brave, efficient. I wonder whether it was their guilt or their efficiency that prompted Austria s action. But mark, the officers were not named. Servia was to undertake in advance to dismiss them from the army: the names to be sent on subsequently. Can you name a country in the world that would have stood that? Supposin,f,r Austria or Germany had issued an ultimatum of that kind to this country, "You must dismiss from your Army and Navy all those officers d i. m' whom we shall subsequently name! Well. I think T could name them now. Lord Kitchener would go; Sir John French would be sent.$bout his business: General Smith-Dorrien would be no more; and I am sure that, Sir John Jelliooe would go. And another gallant old warrior would go-Lord Roberts. RUSSIA'S FIRM STAND. Then came Russia's turn. Servia is a member of her family, and she cannot see Servia maltreated. Austria knew that. Germany knew that, and Ger- many turned round to Russia and said, Here, I insist that you shall stand by with your arms folded while Austria is strangling to death your little brother." What answer did the Russian Slav give? He gave the only answer that becomes a man. He turned to Austria and said, You lay hands on that little fellow, and I will tear your ranish. empire limb from limb." And he is doing it. That is the story of the little nations. The world owes much to little nations and to little men. This theory of bigness—you must have a big empire and a big nation, and a big man—well, long legs have their advantage in retreat. Frederick the Great chose his warriors for their height, and that tradi- tion has become a policy in Germany. Germany applies that ideal to nations. he will only allow six-feet-two nations to stand in the ranks; but all the world owos much to the little five-feet- five nations. I am no apologist for Russia. She has perpetrated deeds of which I have no doubt her best sons are ashamed. But what empire has not? And Ger- many is the last empire to point a finger of reproach at Russia. But Russia ha& made sacrifices for freedom- great sacrifices. She sent her sons by the thousand to die for Bulgarian freedom. What a.bout England? You go to Greece, the Netherlands. Italy, Germany, and France, and all the^e lands, gentlemen, could point out to you places where the eons of Britain have died for the freedom of these countries. France has made sacrifices for the freedom of other lands than her own. Can you name a single country in the world for the freedom of which the modern Prussian has ever sacrificed a jingle life? A DIESEL MACHINE. God made man in his own image, high of pur- pose, in the region of the spirit. German civilisa- tion would recreate him in the image of a Diesel machine—precise, accurate, powerful, with no room for the soul to operate. That is the higher civilisation. What is their demand? Have you read the Kaiser's speeches? If you have not u copy I advise you to buy it; they will soon be 0111 of print, and you won't have any more of the same sort again. They are full of the clatter and bluster of German militarists-tho mailed fi-t the shining armour. POOR OLD MAILED FIST-ITS KNUCKLES ARE GETTING A LITTLE BRUISED. POOR SHINING ARMOUR-THE SHINE IS BEING KNOCKED OUT OF IT. There has been nothing like it since the days of Mahomet. Lunacy is always distressing, but sometimes it is dangerous, and when you get it manifested in the head of the State, and it has n f become the policy of a great empire, it is about time—( A Voice: To put it away)-tfia;t it should be ruthlessly put away. The new philosophy of Germany is to destroy Christian itv--tickly sentimental ism about sacrifice for others, poor pap for German mouths. We will have the new diet, we will force it on the world. It will be made in Germany—(laughter)—a diet of blood and iron. What remains? Treaties have gone; the honour of nations has gone, liberty gone; what is left? Germany! Germany is left-Deutschland uber All. That is what we are fighting-tha tclaim for the predominancy of a civilisation, a material one, a hard one, a civilisation which at once rules and enslaves the world. THE ROAD HOG. Have you followed the Prussian junker and his doings ? You know his pretensions. They give themselves the airs of demigods, walking the pave- men, civilians and their wives swept into the gutter. They have no right to stand in the way of a great Prussian soldier. Men. women, nations have all got to go. But this is all ho has got to say: We are in a hurry. This is the answer he gave to Belgium Rapidity of action is Germany's greatest asset." which moans, 1 am in a hurry, eiear out of my way." You know the type of motorist, the terror of the road, with a 60-h.p. car, who thinks the roads were made for him. Anybody who impedes the action of his oar by a single mile is knocked down. The Prussian junker is the road hog of Europe. Small nationalities in his way are Hung to the roadside bleeding and broken; women and children thrust under the wheel of his cruel car; British ordered out of his road. All I can say is this. If. the old British spirit is alive in British hearts, that bully will be torn from his seat. Were he to win, it would be the greatest catas- trophe that had befallen democracy since the days of the Holy Alliance, and its ascendancy. They think we cannot beat them. It will not be easy. It will be a long job. It will be a terrible war. But in the end we shall march through terror to triumph. There are half a million of young men of Britain who have already registertii their vow to their King that they will cross the seas and hurl that insult again-v British courage against itt; perpetrators on the -fields of Fraliee &ud Germany. We form our vision by the tropical growth of prosperity. May I tell you in a simple parable what I think this war is doing for us? I know a valley in North Wales, between the mountains and the sea, a beauti- ful valley, snug, comfortable, sheltered by the mountains from all the bitter blasts. It was very enervating, and I remember how the boys were in the habit of climbing the hills above the village to have a glimpse of the great mountains in the dis- tance, and to be stimulated and freshened by the breezes which came from the hilltops and by the great spectacle of that great valley. We have been living in a sheltered valley for generations. We have been too comfortable, too indulgent, many perhaps too selfish. And the stern hand of fate has scourged us to an elevation where we can see the great everlasting things that matter for a nation, the great peaks of honour we had for- gotten, duty and patriotism, and. clad in glittering white, the great pinnacle of sacrifice pointing like a rugged finger to heaven. We shall descend inro the valleys but as long as men and women of this generation last they will carry in their hearts the image of those great mountain peaks whose fingers are unshaken though Europe rock and sway in the convulsions of a great war.

LLANNON NOTES On Monday evening the Crü¡ss Hands Sewing Class .for the wounded sailors and soldiers held its first meeting. About a hundred attended, and all were enthusiastic for the succc-ss of the class. The ladies in charge of the arrangements are :-Mrs. D. F. Davies, Gwernllwyn; Mrs. D. M. Jenkins, Westlea: and ^>J.IS. W. Lewis, Awelfor. Tho local corps, under Sergeant-Major Brown, continues to increase. About 50 of the members have joined the Regular Army. In connection with the corps, a rifle club has been formed. Through the generosity of Mr. C. E. Cleeves, managing director of the New Cross Hands Collieries, a rifle range has been erected in the Public Hall, and Mr. Clee ves has also presented the club with six rifles. I On Thursday evening, the members turned up in full force for the opening of the range. The open- ing ceremony was performed by Mr. Cleeves, who fired a round of five shots. The officers and men then had their turns There were some excellent shots amongst them. Shooting will be carried on every Thursday evening. The Mining and Evening Continuation Classes in the district will be commenced towards the end of the month and beginning of October. A good number of new pupils from Cross Hands and Tumble will attend the Llanelly Intermediate School for the next term. From Llechyfedach School alone six candidates who won free place t'cholarships and three candidates who won Bursar scholarships will attend. Arthur Brown, son of Sergeant-Major Brown, Bryngwili, has passed the junior examination of the Central Welsh Board, with distinction in two sub- jects. Miss L. J. Lewis, daughter of Mr. D. Lewis. Rhcidole, has passed the senior examination. Sergeant Roblin, from Pontyberem, has taken up his duties at the Tumble Police Station. A series of daring burglaries have been com- mitted in Crogs Hands and district during the last few days. Amongst the places entered was Glen View, the residence of Mr. George Rees, cycle agent. A postal order (value 8s.) was stolen, together with some electric batteries. The burglar seems to con- centrate his attention on business premises, and several were entered on Thm'sday evening.

DREFACK WAR COXCERT.-On Wednesday evening, the Bap- tist Chapel was crowded, the occasion being a con- cert towards the Vale of Teify Bed attached to the Welsh Hospital. The chair was taken by Mr. John Hinds, M.P. Accompanist, Miss May Jones, Pwll- cornol. The chapel had been decorated for the occasion by Mr. E. Powell, C.M. (secretary), assisted by Miss May Lewis, Meiros Hall, and Mrs. Powell, Emlyn House. It is gratifying to learn that the proceeds amounted to well over E30. The follow- ing programme was gone through ;IIen Wlad fy Nhadau." B. T. Jones, Kilgerran; "Dearest Heart," Miss Bessie Lewis. R.A.M., Aberavron; humorous recitation, Miss Rees, London The Maniac. B. T. Jones; penillion singing, E. Rees, Nnntypoptv: duett. D. Thomas and Tom Jones; "Ton i'r Bryniau," Male Voice Party (D. Jenkins, "Sailor's Grave," B. T. Jones (encore, "Ittchcape Bell"); "Widow's Prayer," Miss Rees (encore, "Little Jim"; "Plant y Cedyrn." Tom Jones and D. Thomas: "Baner ein Gwlad,' D. M. Williams, Llanybyther; penillion singing, E. Rees; "Hen Gadair Freichiau fy Mam," Miss B. Lewis; "Dewrion Feibion Gwalia," Male Voice Party. A vote of thanks to the Chairman was proposed by the Rev. E. J. Davies, Bangor Teify, seconded by Capt. Lewes. Llysnewydd. A vote of thani-s to the artistes was proposed by the Rev. D. Jenkins, Penboyr. seconded bv Mr. J. Lewis. J.P., Meiros Hah. and carried with cheers. Finale, "God Save the King," led by Miss Bessie Lewis. The highest credit is due to the energetic ladies who sold tickets so We ll

CILRHEDYN WAR FUNDS.—A public meeting was held at Cape". Evan Schoolroom on Thursday. 17th inst.. for the purpose to collect, sub criptions towards the war fund. Mr. W. J. Evp- C3 was appointed chair- man. Several addv sses were delivered. The motion passed war- to mnk< a house-to-house collec- tion. Tlip Clawddcor-'i P p1 i t Chapel decided to collect subscriptions towards the fnn¡l-. The Capel Evan Ambulance Class has decided to hand over the money which is in hand to the Red Cross Society.

THE WAR'S PROGRESS The Great Battle of the Aisne. Destruction of Rheims Cathedral. Local War onews. Friday. THE TIDE HAS TURNED. KITCHENER'S SPEECH. It is clear from to-day's news that what at first seemed to be a hurried and even disorderly retreat by the Germans has been arrested by them. That is to say that they have been able to find time to make use of the advantages offered to them by the nature of the country over which they were retreat- ing, to retrench themselves in strong positions, What this means is probably that at the beginning of their retreat from Pari", developed into almost a panic night. and that, if the Allies had had suffi- cient forces at their disposal they would have been able to carry out tne pursuit with the same tremen- dous vigour as the Germans used in their forward march through Belgium and into France. That is to say that what almost was a panic flight could have been converted into a gigantic rout of the Germans—something tha.t would stagger Europe." But we had not the necessary numbers and material to do that, and if this war drags on for many months and perhaps even for years it will be because Great Britain thought that she did not want largo armies. Lord Kitchener yesterday made an important statement on the military situation. It was a very important statement and, coming from a man so sparing of adjectives, must be very encouraging both to the Empire and to the troops which are fighting for it. The main points of his speech were as follows:— Hearty tributes to Sir John French and to the armies of France, Belgium, and Russia. "The tide of war has now turned." Wo have good grounds for quiet confidence, but the struggle is bound to be a long one." Six British divisions and two cavalry divisions j are now in the field, and will be maintained at full strength. Further Regular divisions are being organised from units withdrawn from oversea garrisons, and in addition there are the Indian divisions and the Dominion divisions. Four new armies are being formed out of the new recruits at home. Two are now collected at the training centres. A third is being formed on new camping grounds. In addition, several local battalions are being raised. The Territorial Force is making great strides in efficiency, and will be ready before many months n to take a share in the campaign." Territorials have already left for Egypt, Malta, and Gibraltar. It is hoped to find sufficient officers from those coming forward and from the non-commissioned officers in the Regulars. The chief difficulties are not of personel, but of material. By the spring we shall have armies ready to take the field which will be well trained and will prove themselves formidable opponents." At the close of his remarks Lord Kitchener said: I have to announce to the House that the Govern- ment have decided to increase the separation allow. ances made to wives of soldiers, both Regular and Territorial. No change will be made in the amounts contributed by the soldier out of his pay, but the allowances made from Army funds will be so increased as to bring the income of the family up to a higher standard (hear, hear). I will not trouble the House with the figures affecting the higher ranks, but will give those for the rank and file. For a wife without a child, the income rises from lls. Id. to 12s. 6d.; Wife and one child, the income rises from 12s. lOd. to 15s.; I Wife and two children, the income rises from 13s. 7d. to 17s. 6d.; Wife and three children, the income rises from 16s. 4d. to 208.; Wife and four children, the income rises from 17s. 6d. to 22s.; and so on, increasintr bv 2s. for each further child. I, GERMAN ALAPM. News from Germany coming through Denmark shows that the Germans at home are beginning to realise that they are in a position of peril. One correspondent says:—"It looks as if the haughty, victorious smiles were dying out on "the Berliners' lips. Rumours of victories no longer come so freely, and the flags formerly flying day and night are now lowered." II Saturday. BATTLE OF THE AI SNE GERMANS AT BAY. Fighting continues in the same position, and has continued there for nearly a week. The war correspondents of various papers publish very interesting records of sections of battles and inci- dents in them, but there is no definite news of pro- gress. There is no doubt a tremendous conflict is going on at the north of the River Aisne, and the Germans are making a stand which ie undoubted- ly formidable. It looks as though the Allied armies are face to face with a tough problem. Occasionally the enemy has made fierce attacks upon the allied armies; he is making repeated attempts to break through our lines, and if he I succeeded it would mean a serious tiling for our armies. Fortunately the wall of steel which faces the enemy is invincible, and these counter attacks by the Germans, although they cause heavy losses to us. are tremendously destructive to them, News from the Eastern theatre of war shows that the whole of the Austrian army has been practically shattered by the Russians. Parliament was prorogued yesterday under cir- cumstances of unusual enthusiasm and excitement. There was an extraordinary demonstration at the close when all the members, at the suggestion of Mr. Will Crooks, rose in their places and sang "God Save the King. News continues to arrive of barbaric acts com- mitt.ed by the Germans. The latest atrocity was at Senlis. Writing of the matter the "Times" corres- pondent gives the following graphic description:— JirRDEH. Bitt-cr was the price exacted for this recklessnecs! The trouble began on Tuesday of last week whea, exasperated beyond measure by the insolence of the invaders, a brave tobacconist declared to a couple of PrutRlall". "I serve men. not bullies." He followed his words with a blow delivered fiercely from the shoulder. The infuriated soldiers dragged him from his shop and hurled him on to his kneens in front of the door. His wife rushed out shrieking for mercy. Mercy As well ask it of a stone! A shot rang out. Another. Man and wife lay dead. I Immediately the news of this murderous act flew throughout the town. Windows on the opposite side of the street from the tobacco shop were thrown open. Shots were fired. One of the soldiers fell, wounded. Then, realizing what they liad done, the inhabitants closed themselves in again, terrified of the result. Their fears were well founded. Outraged and furious, the conquerors marched instantly to the house of the Mayor—their hostage—and arrested him. They conveyed him without a moment's delay to the military headquarters, where he was im- prisoned for the night. On Wednesday morning a I Court-martial sat to decide his fate. A few minutes later this brave man paid for the indiscretion of his people with his life, dying splendidly. THE TOWN SHELLXD. And then the Huns fell to on the bloody repast prepared for them. Great guns were turned on this town of living men and women und children. Shells crashed into the houses, into the shops, into the station. At Chantilly, seven kilometres away, the amazed inhabitants saw a great column of black smoke curl up into the air; they guessed the horrible truth. Senlis was burning. From the shattered houses men I and women ran wounded and terrified; children screamed among the ruins of their homes. But the bombardment went on till the principal street in the town was shattered, till the railway station was reduced to a few charred walls, till the exquisite tower of the Cathedral bad been smashed and broken—though happily not demolished. The work. however, was interrupted. At midday the glad tidings were heard:—"The Turcos are here." The Germans heard with terror. Then those gallant fellows—those warriors against bricks and mortar—lost not a moment in fleeing from the scene of their shame. Within the hour broken and blazing- Senlis was relieved and rescued. The Turcos pursued and severely punished the enemy. DAMAGED 'ATHXDRAI.. To-day these streets are terrible to look upon. House after house has been shattered to pieces— broken to a pile of stones. One of the small turrets of the Cathedral has been demolished, and a rent has been torn in the stone work of the tower. The station is like a wilderness. A mansion house has become a smoking ruin. The brutality of the act is written in letters of hate upon every street. These men were not soldiers, but bulliwards Senlis is a place of the dead. The few inhabitants who remain gaze in bewilderment—out of which is coming forth, however, a lively wrath—on the down- fall of their homes. I saw one of the priests attached to the Cathedral viewing the work of destruction with deep horror. A woman spoke to him. His eyes filled with tears. She had a child by her side. Her home lav in the dust before their eyes. Comins out of the town I witnessed, too, a terrible sight. The funeral of a little boy who had dared to point a wooden gun at the Prussian soldier—a little child of five years. The battle of the Aisne is waging even while I write; the menace of the Huns is not yet removed from this fair land. Still a deep anxiety niust re- main in every heart-for, as a fine old Frenchman said to me yesterday, "It is a fearful thing to know that your own country is invaded." But I renchmeai are showing themselves worthy of their heroic tradi- tions. They rest calm and strong, secure in the faith that the hour of liberation cannot now be far I off." Monday. GERMANS' HORRIBLE VANDALISM. AMERICAN OPINION. According to a French official report printed te- day upon the great battle of the Aisne which is still continuing, some slow progress has been made on their left, by the Allied troops, and the German attempts to break through have been repulsed. In the centre the French have taken 1,000 prisoners and in Lorraine the Germans have retreated behind their own frontier. Another act of barbarity has been recorded against the Germans and that is the bombardment of Rheims.. Rheims is a town about half way between Boulogne and Pans, and is famous for its glorious Cathedral, one of the finest Gothic buildings m Ut» world and one of the greatest works of art m exist- ence. There is hardly anything in richness of sculp- ture and architecture and historic value to equal this structure, but the hordes of the Kaiser have reduced it to cinders. The Germans bombarded the town without any military reason; that is to say th»t, there was no object to be gained by them in injur- ing the town or giving a single shot into it, except the mere gratification of unbridled savagery which could hardly be expected from the lowest, and most degraded race of fanatics in the world. Yet these "cultured" Germans deliberately made a target of this beautiful Cathedral, and as a result the build- ing has been destroyed for ever. This is another impious crime and one of the many which the whole world must see is paid for to the uttermost farthing. It goes to ohow that the German nation it merely a population of Atheists who hold in contempt all that is dear not only to art and beauty, but to Christian- ity. While the Kaiser is committing these horrible acts he is actually dictating terms of peaoe Hfce Central News Correspondent at Washington writes as follows:— The German Ambassador here has stated that Germany is willing to call the war a draw and to make peace on the basis that Germany in Europe must not be dismembered. It is stated at the White House that President Wilson has virtually abandoned his aJCe endeavours and has decided to await a definite expression from one of the belligerents. He feels that it would be iyi- consistent with American neutrality to press any of the belligerents to make overtures. The "New York Herald." in a leading article headed "The Futulity of Peace Talk," says:— "othin is more certain than that the efforts of German diplomacy to use the United States as a cat-spaw to prompt its efforts to place Germany in the attitude of the most peaceful of belligerents is doomed to failure. "As in duty bound, President Wilson forwarded to the American Ambassador in Berlin an inquiry concerning Germany's attitude towards oeaoe pro- posals. The episode furnished Germany with an opportunity again to protest that it was a lover of peace, which is what Count Bernstorff and his oo- ( workers are seeking, and which will fool nobody. ) "The people of the nations that have been dragged into war against Germany believe that the one issue of the great contest is the fate of the Prussian lniK. tc.rism that dominates Germany and has long been a menace to Europe. The armies of the Allies will fight until they crush this militarism. The "Tribune" says the true object of the Triple Entente would not be obtained if it did not, compel Germany to guarantee European pea by ceasing to rattle the sword in the scabbard. "Germany should also be made to pay for ber brutal disregard of international treaties," says the "Tribune," "The righteous judgment of the ciru- ised world will not be. satisfied unless Germany pays fully for her outrageous treatment of Belgium, and the Allies are justified in fighting on until Germany realises that she must make substantial compensation for the havoc she has caused. "-Central News. The British auxiliary cruiser Carmania, after an action on September 14th off the East coast 8f South America, sank a German armed merchant cruiser, supposed to be either the Cap Trafalgar or the Ber- lin. The action lasted an hour and three-quarters. The Cap Trafalgar was one of the newest German liners. The German cruiser Konigsherg has disabled the British gunboat Pegasus in Zanzibar harbour. The Pegasus, after destroying Dar-es-Salaam and doing other very useful work. was at anchor, overhauling. The German cruiser Emden appeared in the Bay of Bengal on September 10th. and lias captured six British ships., of which five were sunk and the sixth sent into Calcutta with the crews. The front of the battle extends along a distance of more than a hundred miles, and it looks as though it were going to develop into the biggest struggle, tha. this great conflict has known. So far it has been fought with tremendous vigour and great des- peration. not only on the part of the enemy but also by the Allies, who have to face the very strong en- trenchments made by the Germans on the hills North of the river Aisne. It looks as though the Germans had received con- siderable re-enforcements which shows that they are feeling the danger of their position. They are hampered by the existence and vitality of the Bel- gians at Antwerp. There are so active and danger- ous to the enemv in that district that the latter are