The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser

Saturday. A BATTLESHIP SUNK. BOMBS ON METZ. The loss of the battleship Formidable was an- nounced by the Admiralty yesterday afternoon. The Formidable was sunk 'on New Year's morn- ing in the Channel. It is, so far, uncertain whether the loss was due to a German submarine or a mine. Seventy-one survivors are at present announced to have been saved by a light cruiser and landed. The admiralty message adds that other rescues may have been made by other vessels. The full ship's conraanv numbered about 800. Active fighting continued in the Argonne forest, and some advantage was secured by the Germans. They claim to have taken 400 prisoners and six machine-guns, apparently in the woods of La Grurie. The French report states that our Allies were repelled at certain points to a distance of about 55 yards. East of the Meuse the Germans .-macte six unsuccessful attempts to recapture tho trenches taken on Wednesday to the north-west of Flirey. French airmen have made another raid over Metz and Arnaville, and bombarded the railway stations. It is stated in Warsaw that six German Army Corps have apparently been withdrawn from that part of the Eastern front. There are indications that the Russians are preparing to make an attack across the Vistula on the German line of communi- cations between Lowitz and Thorn. It appears, therefore, that the brunt of the fighting may be transferred from the Bzura to this quarter. Fresh evidence comes from Belgium -of the short- age of copper in German arsenals. Copper objects of all kinds were being seized three weeks ago from factories and houses. The advance of the Russians into the Carpathians is confirmed bv the Austrian officials account. Satisfaction has been expressed in the United States with the British reception of the Govern- ment communication on the subject of ronlra- band exports. There is general confidence that an agreement satisfactory to both countries will be reached if promptitude is shown in considering the American complaints.

Monday. BATTLE OF THE BZURA. GERMAN CORPS .WITHDRAWN. The latest messages from Petrograd indicate that the fierce German attacks on the line of the Bzura river have iailed. On Thursday night two further ussaults were delivered near Vitkovitza, and were successfully repulsed. Infantry attacks have been succeeded by a heavy cannonade from the large howitzers and bomb-throwers. It is to be inferred that General von Hindeiiburg has had to abandon for the present his attack, and is en- deavouring to prevent the Russians from deliver- ing a counter-attack while he re-forms his decima- ted Army. The necessity probably accounts for the withdrawal of six German Army Corps re- ported from this section of the front. The Russian General Staff reports a stubborn but successful battle still in progress on Friday against the Austrians in Galicia. Up to the time when the message was dispatched, the Russians report the capture of about 3,000 prisoners, including 68 officers, with .four guns and six machine-guns. An advance and the capture of two villages is also re- ported from Bukowina. The Admiralty have published a list of 18 officers and 183 men saved from the battleship Formidable. A cutter containing another party of survivors reached Lyme Regis la re on FriTlay night. Thirty-five officers are reported still missing. A renewed attack of our warships on Zeebrugge is reported from the frontier districts of Holland. It had previously been stated that the damage to the gates at the mouth of the canal had been re- paired, and that submarines were once more using the port. The Day of Intercession was observed yesterday by all the Christian Churches. The Archbishop of Canterbury delivered an impressive sermon to a preat gathering in St. Paul's. The King and Queen were present at the service held in the parish church at Sandringham. Machinations on the part of German agents are afoot in America to represent the Allies as re- vengefully prosecuting a war which the German Government would gladly escape. Much publicity is being given to a statement from London that Germany has now abandoned the hope of victory. The object of these designs is to alienate the sym- pathy of the American public from the cause of the Allies, especially by imbuing financial and commercial circles with the idea that only the un- generous disposition of the enemies of Germany prevents the early resumption of normal trade re- lations.

Tuesday. FRENCH SUCCESS IN ALSACE. AFRICAN PORT BOMBARDED. A severe artillery engagement, Petrograd reports, is in progress all along the front on the left bank of the Vistula. The Gemans are still battering at the Bzura line and losing heavily through the re- pulse of each attempt. On the Rawka, north-east of Bolimow, a similar effort was made to carry a Russian position, and here, too, enormous losses attended its repulse, which wa3 due to the fire of several batteries and to a counter-attack with the bayonet by the Russian troops. Petrogrd I"also reports the progress of the battle against the Turks near Sarykamsch in the Caucasus. Here the Russians arc fighting under excep- tional conditions of trying cold and deep snow." But their spirits are good, and the ardour with which they fight has had its results in the various successes mentioned in Monday's Russian com- munique. TheçTnrks tell a very different tain about this battle. According to them it has re- sulted in a decisive victory for their Army, which is said to have taken thousands of prisoners, many guns, and large quantities of supplies. Two British warships, H.M.S. Fox and H.M.S. I Goliath, have bombarded the troops occupying Dar- es-Salaam, the povt of German Enst Africa. All the enemy's vessels in the harbour were entirely disabled and a. number of prisoners were taken. r>—— -wA l.;l1M --A 12 wounded. German newspapers show that under the auspices of the Prussian Government, a limited liability company is being formed to buy up stocks of corn, and to hold them until the middle of May. and to hold them until the middle of May. The Stock Exchange were reopened yesterday for business under stringent restrictions. The ses- sion wasluite successful, with pressure to buy rather than- to sell. There were nearly a thousand trans- actions in about 370 securities.

Wednesday. Glf\AT RUSSIAN VICTORIES. TURKS 1>EFEATEL> IN CAUCASUS A crushing victory over the Turkish Army in the Caucasus is officially reported from Pet.ogra Two amy corps have been routed, and the whole of the 9th Corps is stated to have surrendered, in- cluding the general in command and three com- manders of divisions. The remainder of the Turk- ish force is in flight towards its own frontier. The Turkish forces have been advancing in two columns, one from Ardahan, to deliver a flanking attack, while the other made a frontal attack fror" Sarykamysch. The Ardahan coiumn is separated from the wreck -of the shattered army corns by the Sanganuk hills. h Important gains have been secured by the French in Alsace, where the capture of Steinbach is now officially admitted by the Germans. The French have also established themselves in the hamlet of Creux d' Argent. to the south-east of the Col du Bonhomme, in the Vosges. More active fighting took place on Monday near the Belgian frontier and northward. North of Arras the Germans claim to have blown up a trench held by the French, and to have held it against counter-attacks. This is proSably the same engagement as that reported in the French official dispatch, which adds, however, that ttic trench was promptly recovered. Further advances have been made near the village of St. Georges. The Germans have been pushed back from their trenches to a distance of from 200 to 600 yards. The Belgian artillery is stated to have silenced the German guns at various points. Cardinal Mercier, Archbishop of Malines, has' been arrested by the German military authorities. Cardinal Mercier took the bold step of issuing a pastoral letter to be read in all churches in Belgium, in which, while counselling Belgians to abide by the terms of surrender made in each locality to the Germans, he repudiated the existence of any right by which the Germins control Belgium. It has been arranged between the British fie! Germ on Governments to exchange prisoners of war incapable of bearing arms for the future in the war. Through the mediation of the United States Government, this proposal was made by our Govern- ment on December 10. Its acceptance by the Ger- man Government was announced on December 31, and arrangements to effect the exchange are in progress. The Board of Trade announce that the prohibi- tion on the exoort of ten will be immediately re- moved. Exporters are warned, however, that they will be responsible, under penalty of prosecution, for ensuring that none of the tea exported by them finds its way to an enemy country.

Thursday. THE CAUCASUS VICTORY. ZEPPELINS OFF CALAIS. TRIBUTE BY LORD KITCHENER. Messages from the Caucasus confirm the thorough characted of the defeat inflicted by the Russians on the Turkish forces. The First Army Corps, de- feated at Ardahan, was reported yesterday to be attempting to rally near the Chorok river, but to be almost completely surrounded. Its retreat appears to be cut off by roads deep in snow. The battle continued for 48 hours with great despera- tion, after which the Turks, finding the situation hopeless, surrendered in masses. A fleet of three eppelins were sighted yesterday morning between Cahis and Gravelines. They were supported by aircraft, apparently acting as scouts. Lord Kitchener delivered yesterday in the Houso of Lords a statement on the progress of the war on land in various parts of the globe. He re- viewed the situation in the West since the middle of November, after which date several German divi- sions were transferred to the Eastern font near Lodz. A tribute was paid by him to the "cheer- fulness and resource" of our tro'ops in the trying Ic conditions of the winter campaign. These have been minimized as far as possiole by a regular sys- tem of reliefs in the trenches. Lord Kitchener re- ferred to the pescnce of a fine Canadian regi- ment" among the reinforcements—largely consist- ing of Territorials—sent out during the last two months, and spoke with aoprt-ciation of the good work done by the remainder of the Canadian °con- tingent to fit themselves for the front. With regard to recruiting, he reported that it has "proceeded on normal lines." He sookp with appreciation of the results already obtained bv the canvass of the Parliamentarv Recruiting Com- C' m- mittee, and also of the effectual influence of soldiers returned from the front. Lord Kitchener made an important statement on the supplv of officers. The deficiency has now been made good; 39,100 officers have been appointed to the Army since the be- ginning of the war. Lord Ctir-zon expressed the opinion that Lord -r Kitchener had been "very economical in his in. formation" on the operations in Asia nad Africa, and pleaded with the Government to g-ivp more tads of the progress of the campaigns. He criti- cized the aoparent want of plan in the operations in East Africa, and emphasized the necessity for re- cruiting on a much larger scale.

PENYCLYN SALE. We bog to draw the attention of our readers to this sale of one of the best Herds of ack Cattle in the County of Carmarthen, which takes place on Thursday next, the 14th January. The Auctioneers intend to make an innovation in the conduct of the sale, and to adopt a system in vogue in Englan j, namely, by selling the implements, crop, and fur«i- ture in the morning, and the live stock in the after- noon. The sale will commence punctually to tho mmute with implements, at 10:33; an interval for luncheon at 12.30; and the sale of live stock will commence exactly at 1 o'clock. The sale is held in cor.sequence of the death of the late Mr. Jone, of Penyclyn, and is by order of his Executor. The Auc- tioneers expect a large company, and beg to inform the public that the foregoing time-rable will bo strictly adhered to. I

Estd. 1859. Tel. Central 314. To] e,-ra ms -"Godfrey, Music Sellers, Swansea GODFREY'S FOR Pianos, Organs, AND Player Pianos. The only Actual Manufacturers in the District. Our Celebrated Bijou Model, Full Iron Frame, Full Trichord, Check Action, 17 Guineas Cash or 8/6 monthly. Absolutely Unrivalled ORGANS from 9 Gns. Cash. PLAYER PIANOS from 47 Gns. Cash. Send for Illustrated Caf.alojnc and Jull particulars. Godfrey CO.) Ltd. 22 ST. HELEN'S ROAD, SWANSEA,

LETTERS FROM OUR DEFENDERS Through the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Griffith Davies, Albion House. Llandyssul, we are able to publish the followiilg interesting letters from their son, Air. Fred Davies, who joined the First Aus- tralian Expeditionary Force, and writes from Raboul, German New Guinea, or rather British New Guinea, as it should now be called. Writing on the 20th of September he says:- We returned this evening from Williamshaven. It was a beautiful trip of 400 miles each way. When we arrived there, the Berrima, accompanied by three battleships, went into the harbour. A few- officers went ashore lirst, and explained the situation to the German residents. They told them that the other towns had surrendered. We had no trouble, and 300 soldiers were left there to garrison the place. The residents had to give up all arms and ammuni- tion in their possession. It is the prettiest, place we have ever seen. In the haven are dozens of small islands covered with cocoa-nut, banana, and palm-, trees, under the shade of which the natives live in their little huts. On some of the islands are lagoons, and (lotted over the place are large bungalows, the homes of planters. The place is a most picturesque one. There are hundreds of natives here, and they are all very innocent. We had a delightful run on our return trip. the sea was as smooth as a pond. The whole of the coast-line is one line of fine scenery. Among oher interesting sights we passed an active volcano, as well as several which were active-a fe-v months ago. I cannot say what we shall be doing during the coming few days, but we may stay hero for a couple ccf months to garrison. We do not expect any more trouble." On the 4th of October Mr. Davies writes follows:- "We have been here doing garrison duty for seven days. but we have no idea how long our stay is to be. We enlisted for military service for a term of six months. Of this period two months have gone. Things are quiet here at present, but not settled. Rn boul is a nice town of tropical fashion. On our arrival here wo found the place deserted, all business at a standstill, stores, etc., closed and boarded up. Most of the Germans had to take up arms against us. and had gone inland. The majority of them have been taken prisoners and sent to Sydney. Over a hundred were sent on one ship, and others have gone in small batches. It will be some time before bus:- ness returns to its normal state. There is huge trade to be done here in fruit, cocoa-nuts, rubber, etc. No doubt this will prove a wealthy addition to Britain's possessions. Last night we went. out to a native village to see their corroboroee. They worship the I moon, and hold this ceremony every night while the moon is up. In the centre of their village is a compound at the t.op of which were the pienninmes (children) doing a wild dance to the music of the beating of a tin can. In the middle of the compound were about 150 natives singing (an awful row) and dmc-ing around four men who supplied music from tubes made of bamboo. They had their arms around each other, but which row and "then flung widely about1. Some few yard- from this lot were about 150 more men dancing and running abouf with axes and spears, singing terrible ballads, the music which only consisted of some three or four notes. The men have their ilaces painted for the occasion, and have their hair decorated with feathers. Some cf '.he musical instruments were long. hollow .wooden ones which appeared to have been made out of trunks of trees hollowed oil*, and richly carved. Each end of the,e ,iicer contrivances is covered with tl-- skin of some bird. and when beaten with the palm of the hand sounds like a big drum with rather a pretty note which varies according to the size of the instrument. You can imagine what an interest- ing sight it was to see all this in the bright moon- light. The village is pretty and hums like a dead rat. In the whole town of Raboul at, present there are not more than 14 Germans. They cleared away and left their homes and everything just as they were. It was the best thing they could have done for us. for instead of having to camp in tents, all the soldiers are living in the houses and make use of everything. For example, the A.M.C. took posses- sion of one of the best houses in the town. We have beautiful beds and excellent furniture with every convenience,—shower baths, etc. In the kitchen we •found complete' stores of everything, which made nice additions to our military rations. In the yard behind the houses are 14 ducks and 8 hens. so you can see we are far from starving. We have four black servants who do everything except cooking. This we do in turn ourselves. After cooking (one man's job each day) we sit at table which the coon lays with lovely table cloth and silver spoons, etc. The black servants wait upon us, and wa,h up and clean the house, pump water for our bath, and run about doing odds and ends. The meals arc good and consist of: Breakfast, porridge, bread and butter, bacon and eggs, or stew. and fruit with cocoa or black coffee. We get a light lunch at mid- day consisting of salad (plenty of cucumbers, onions and paw-paw), and a good dinner at night. We draw daily from military rations, tea, sugar, coffee, meat (cold storfge). rice, bread (town bakery), and butter. In the house we found custard powders, jellies, tinned fruit, biscuits, etc., in large quantities, while in our hospital stores (huge stores brought in ease of a long war which did not happen) we draw condensed milk. prunes, tinned fruit, cordial waters, sago, rice, bovril. etc. Outside our house is a verandah with most comfortable wicker chairs, while the Germans left us also a large quantity of cigarettes. .,1:" light articles in the shape of white coats and trousers we have borrowed for the time being. The officers are quartered in the late Governor's house, where I believe they get a good time. We are all most comfortable and quite happy." MAJOR W. S. ANTHONY. Major W. S. Anthony, son of Mr. John Anthony, Cilveithy, was in the Army Veterinary Department in India. He left there on outbreak of war under it sealed orders. Hi" brothers are Harry and Owen; formerly in Pembroke Yeomanry and later in Gloucestershire Yeomanry which is attached to 19[., Hussars. Both hold commissions. On the 1st of December he writes as follpws to his father, through whose kindness we are able to pub- lish his letter:— I left Bombay on November 9h, and when sealed orders were opened we found we were going to fight the Turks in this part of the world. We lay in the Euphrates River for a few days. and then landed and had two sharp fights with the Turks, an(- as only two brigades were engaged, our casualties were heavy—484 in all. After the second fight we halted, but had to do a long night march in here as the place was being looted and a general massacre of the inhabitants was rumoured. We have been here a week and our future operations depend on cireumstance-s and orders from home. It is a -curious kind of country, and not by any means suitable for the movement of troops. Everything here depends on the river. Its banks are fringeJ with date groves which makes it a fine spectacle. These date groves are nourished by creeks dug into the desert and into which the water rises at the tides. Beyond this fringe of dates is tho Arabian Desert, The creeks are so deep and muddy, and they extend so far and ramify to such an extent that movement on fooresback in the dates is very restricted, and the result is f*na ta boat is by far the best way of getting about. We got hero on the edge where the date groves meet the desert and the mirage was something to remember if only for the inconvenience it caused—it would rise in front of us at a distance of only a few hundred yards and beyond which we could not see. The army is under cover as far as possible here—I am living at the German Consulate. The Germans were made prisoners, and sent off fa India and 11 of the Head Quarter's Staff arc in the house. The Germans have very handsome furniture and lots of drink, but the dirt and stench is frightful. We took possession of their papers, and it is amusing -.J-) note the lies they published -rnc&-riiin.- us. When we were only a few miles away they spread the report about that we had been defeated and were returning to India. It is a land of old and sacred memories—the reputed site of the Garden of Eden is less than 40 miles away. and the ruins of Babylon and Nineveh are beyond that. Th". Turks, of course, took away the horses, but we captured a few—one nice grey mare is close by. and a very nice bay filly foal is in possession of an officer. We have had no newspapers or letters since we left India, but I suppose they will reach us in time. I should very much like to know how everyone is, and I trust you are all well. PTE. T. JONES, OF CARMARTHEN. In our war jottings column last week it was stated (hat Pte. T. Jones, son of Mrs. Jones, 21, Spilman- I t street, Carmarthoin, was missing. Information has since come to hand that he is a prisoner of war, and the following extracts from a letter written by him from Germany will be of interest to our readers:— I am at last writing these few lines hoping you are all quite well. I expect you had given nJP un tor lost, but thank goodness I am still alive, and have been here for three weeks. I could not write sooner as I had no paper, but a friend of mine snared me some of his which had been sent him. I suppose you guess how I am situated. I have nothing except as ,1 stand. I could do with plenty more -food. Could I trouole you for a fow~ trifle?. It won't cost you i.nything for postage, as voti can mark it prisoner of war.' Send me some. tobacco and cigarette paper, writing paper, cocoa, sugar, butter and cheese. I suppose you know what I mean, but anyhow send something eatable, and you wont lose by it later. Drop me a line wham sending so that I may know it is coming. We are all cer- J tain of getting our parcels here. I shall be glad to get home. Our regiment has gone to the dogs.— hardly anybody left. When writing do not mention anything about war. Hoping you will have a jolly Christmas and a Hannv New Year. No doubt I shall have a lively Christmas. Appended to the letter is a footnote. P.S.—Don't forget some of your cake."

WAR JOTTINGS Mr. and Mrs. John Jones, 17, Magazine-row, Car- marthen, have now received official notification of the death of their son. Corporal David Jones, I Company, 1st Rifle Brigade, 11th Infantry. h. Bertie Lewis, Morfa House, Carmarthen, who has secured a commission in the Carmarthenshire Battalion, 15th (Service) Welsh R,egimei)t, teft Carmarthen on December 29th to join his regiment '3 at Rhyl. Lieut. J. Bowen Davfes, who lately gave up nis practice as barrister at Swansea to join the Pern- broke Imperial Yeomanry, has left Carmarthen, where he was stationed, for Norfolk. Lieutenant Davies is well-known in the. district of Llanfihangel- ar-arth, being the son of the late Dr. Davies, Llan- dyssul. Last week, we announced that Pte. T. Jones, "D" Co., 2nd Welsh Regiment, was missing. Wo are pleased to say that we have since received' a notification from his sister, Mrs. W. S. Roebuck, of Sheffiefd, that Pte. Jones is a prisoner of war, and extracts from his letter will be found in another column. The Rav family of Carmarthen has responded well to the call for men to -serve their King and Country during this terrible war. No less than nine have joined the Colours, viz.:—David Ray, Johnnie Ray, Si Ray, J. Ray, D. Ray, Dan Ray (sen.), Dan Ray (jun.), J. Ray. and Tom Ray. This is a verv good record for a fa-nilv. Mr. Arthur Watson, elder son of Mrs. Watson, Lammas-street, Carmarthen, left Carmarthen on Monday last for London to join the Public Schools Battalion. Mr. Watson, urevi-otis to the Christmas vocation, was a student at the University College of Wales, Cardiff. Mr. Richard Morgan, the landlord of the Leigh Arms, Brynamman, is showing a keen sense of patriotism. To every person from Gwaun-cae- gurwen who enlists he gives a body-belt, a woollen scarf, and a pair of mittens. The gifts are not cheap, shoddy goods, either, but are. positively, best that money can buy. Well done! Sapper Evan Davies, who is at the front, has sent home for Fafc keeping the Christmas pre.sent.s re- c-e ved from the Queen, and including Christmas cards, box of cigarettes, pipe, &c.. also presents from the General s wife. These gracious gifts are evidently much valued by our Tommies at the front. There were also some grim i^elics—one being a bulle?- which had been within all ace of ending his career, also a, piece of shell used and other re- minders of the struggle going on. The inhabitants of Llansawel are glad to find that out- more native has joined the ranks, in the person of Mr. William Richards, son of Mr. John and the kite Mrs. Richards, Bailytow, Llansawel, Mr. Richards having joined the 11th R.W. Fusiliers, who are now stationed at St. Leonard-on-Sea. Ail were glad to see Mr. Richards home on furlough over the advent of the New Year, and to see him looking so well and so ful! of the military spirit, which is so limited in our parish nowarlavs. Llandovery has received numerous visitors in the form of gentlemen in khaki durimr the holidavs. Amongst them were Pte. J. Elias Morgan. R.W.F. (who has been on sick furlough): Pte. David Hughes, li.F.W.; Pte. Charles Frost. 9th Welsh; Pte. Johnny Pearce, P. T. Y.: Pte. Dennis Morgan, 4th Welsh (sick furlough); Pte. Lott Hughes, 4th Welsh (sick furlough); Pte. W. R. Thomas, 4th Welsh (sick furlousrh), and Pte. Malgwyn Evans, who is orderly to Lieut. E. Lewis. Among the brave lads of Llanllwni that serve in Kitchener's Army, Jack Dudley, the son of Mrs. Margaret Dudley. Abergiar. is noteworthy. In his career in defending his native country, he stands -out conspicuously prominent. He has been out in India, and now again we hear the sad news that he has been wounded by tho Germans. His mother had a letter from him stat- ing that he hid h"(>n woundod in the head. anrT that lie is in hospital in Rouen. It is also rotated that he is not in a hopeless state, and our sincere wish is. that his recovery will be satisfactory. We also wish to fee .Tack visiting his native place once more after the conclusion of this tumultuous neriod. Bravo. Jack. TTo is a credit, not only to his mother, but to Llanllwni. and to our dear Wales. He shows that, the Cvmry are resolved not to stop until the "Men of Harlech" will march info Ber- lin. singing the undying "March of the Men of Harlech.

THAT "THIN RED LINE," A DESPATCH RIDER INTERVIEWED. Corporal A. Courtnay Snow, Roval Engineers, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Snow, Penllwyu Park: Carmarthen, who is a despatch rider at the front, arrived home on Mon- day unscathed and in the best of health fori a furlough of seven days. He joined on the 10th August, and proceeded to the from earl V in September. Like most soldiers Corpl. Snow is not of a 1 garrulous nature, yet when inter- viewed by a JOUHNAI representative he wiI. liingly related brieflj some of his experiences, a few of which are in- serted below. HE brought home a German Guard's helmet, a French shell case and the time fuse of a German shell which had not exploded. His experiences started at Yprvt, where he, lilo all others, had an exceedingly hot time. Most of their- work has been carried out by night, and they encounter great difficulties in the execution of their duties. Occasionally when in the firing area they have to ride without lights, which is rather danger- ous, a:- there are so many holes in the roads caused by bursting shells. On one occasion a comrade of his-, wiien ha was riding with a light was suddenly greeted with a couple of shells from tho enemy who took him for being at the head of a convoy. During t..e shelling of Ypres he himself, while riding through the town, had a very nar- row escape. As he was motoring through, a shell struck two houses converting them into ruins, and covering him with debris and dust. In the streets there were holes large enough to bury waggons, and at the Hogue Chateau, where a shell had dropped, they buried three horses in the hole, and there was sufficient room for a fourth. Whenever their bicycles brokr, down they commandeered any- thing they could utilise in order to carry out their orders. At one place he had to obtain a horse, and as he had never been on horseback before he did not find it very pleasant, but eventually successfully accomplished his duties. All the French he said, treated them very kindly, and the warmest friend- ship existed between the soldiers. One night he was somewhat startled when rudely awakened by a tap on the shoulder by a French soldier, and all he bad to say was "Good morning" and "Good- night," the only words he knew in English. He then went away with a broad smile on his face. At Ypres, after the Prussian Guards had broken through their lino, they, as despatch riders, had to travel in two's in case one of them should be sniped. Tho roads all along are in a very bad state, and waggons stuck and abandoned by the roadside is a common sight. They were usually billeted in houses, but many a time had he slept in the boxes and on the stage of a theatre. A large number of the churches have been transformed into jjaruges. everything having been put aside except the altar, which are covered in. Many of the churches have been destroyed by the enemy and themselves, an they are used as sig-nalling stations. At one place called Kanell tho Germans had only succeeded in hitting a cathedral once after a. regular bombard- ment of three weeks. He attributed this to the bad timing of the German shells, which, he said, strew the ground but had not exploded. The cathedral fell during a storm about a week ago. He confirmed the unofficial reports of the truce on Christmas Day. and said that two Germans who had entered the English trenches and found how kind the English were, refused to return, mid were made prisoners of war. Some of the trenches are flooded with water, and boxes tarred at the bottom are now being provided for the soldiers, so that their feet are quite dry. Very often one sers from the road, said he, what appears to be a hav s!a,-k, but a- vrv close inspection reveal* nn Entrlish biff I gun. which has been concealed so as to elude the c-ncmv. At rhe outset the lieutenants w—<' being quickly picked off, but now they did not wear their customary long coat, leather belt, and sword, but a Tommy's kit, and carry a rifle, the only dis- cernable addition to the ordinary kit being brass stars on the ihoulder. The supply of Christmas pudding he described as perfectly wonderful, and as a matter of fact, he said they had pudding at nearly every meal for about a week before Christmas u;) to the time he left, and they had enough in store to suffice another week. There was one thing about a motor cycle, he said, which was very con- venient, and that was its noise. He then gave his explanation, and said that it prevented them from hearing the whizzing bullets and shells, and the only thing they saw was the scattering of earth, but then the danger had passed. Despatch riding I during the first few weeks was more dangerous, as the French sentries were not accustomed to the English, and if the latter failed to pull up tho 'I French did not hesitate in firing on them, and many gat shot by their own men. He had kept Princess Mary's Christmas Box, which was a neat little box containing a photograph of Princess Mary, a Christmas card. cigarettes, tobacco, and a pipe, I while the non-smokers were presented with sweets and a. khaki writing pad in a waterproof cover. From the King and Queen they received CV.-i t mas card with their photographs, and inscribed as I follows,—"With our best wishes for Christmas: I 1914. May j God protect you and bring you home 8a{p." The regiments, as they returned from tho trenches, are quite contented, their only reque.-t being for more soldiers. Had the soldiers" thai are now training in England been available at the out- set, he was confident there would be a different aspect on the war long before now. A German officer told him at Ypres that he was surprised that it was only the "thin red line" that kept back the masses of Germans, and had they known that, they would have broken through. He paid a high tribute I to the bravery of the Germans, who. he said, came I on in square masses singing and shouting, while were being mowed down by the hundreds and I still they came on. He had known the Germans I to have done acts of extreme kindness, and he n- stanced one when a motor cyclist got injured and ¡ was captured, and was later found on the road having been wrapped in an overcoat and straw bv the Germans who had had to retreat.

SOLDIERS' CLUB AND RECKEATiOK ROOrS On Saturday next, the Assembly Room:, will be opened for a Soldiers' Club and Recreation Rooms, and a Patriotic Smoking Concert for the Soldiers stationed at Carmarthen will take place in -tho evening, at which well-known ladies and gentlemen of the town will sing. The need of this step has been increasingly felt for several weeks, and there will be general satisfaction that, through tho generosity of Sir Owen and Lady Philipps and others, .the public spirit of the directors of tha Assembly Rooms, and the support of the Mayor, this need has been suitably supplied. The large room and the two other rooms on the first floor will be arranged for entertainments, games, writing, reading, and refieshmenfs. and the rooms will be opened till 10 o'clock in the evening, while tho troops are at Carmarthen. The Clubs downstairs, through the kindness of their Committtees. have already been made available for the use of tho soldiers. The rooms upstairs will be in the charge jyf Sergeant-Major Wea ,<s. Games of all kinds are needed, and the Committee will be grateful if friends, who are disposed to help in this way. will send games any time after next Saturday fnoor.l to I Sergeant-Ma.jor Weaks at the Assembly

CARMARTHENSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL A meeting of the Carmarthenshire Main Roads Council was held at the Guildhall, Carmarthen, on Wednesday. Mr. D. Evans. Manordaf, presided. THE LOUGHOR BRIDGE. I A dis6u«sion arose over the report of the sub- committee of the Carmarthenshire and Glamorgan- shire Joint Committee as to thp erection of a new bridge over the Lou.ghor—a bridge which would have one end in each county. Mr. Nathan Griffiths said that there was a serious matter to which he wished to draw attention. Motor vehicles weighing 8 to 10 tons were going over the1 old bridge daily. The Surveyor (Mr. Gomer Henry) said that there was a notice on each end of the bridge prohibiting the use of heavy engines over it. Mr. Mervyn Peel said that he supposed it was the police who ought to see to this. This was a serious matter in the case of a bridge which might collapse at any moment. Mr. John Lloyd moved that the matter be re- ferred to the Joint Committee. There was no greater responsibility upon Carmarthenshire than upon Glamorganshire. Mr. W. N. Jones aid that the Joint Committee meets on Monday. It was decided to call their attention to the matter. FLOODS STOP COLLIERIES. A letter was read from the Llanelly Rural Dis- trict Council complaining of the flooding ■ f a road in the neighbourhood of Ponthenry. Mr. W. N. Jones said that in the neighbourhood of Pontvberem 40 or 50 men working at. three different, collieries were unable to go to their work. He would point out that that was a loss to the rate- able value of the county, for the rateable value was calculated on the number of tons turned out. The flooding of the road was a loss to the coliierv com- pany. to the royalty owners, and to the colliers. Mr. Drummond moved that the matter be left to a committee to deal with. such committee to have full power to do the work if they decided or a scheme which would not cost more than £ 60.—This was agreed to. A SILENT HERMIT. A letter was read from Mr. T. Williams, who leads the life of a recluse at Dafen, near Llanelly. He said that he again enclosed a. claim for £10(1. He had previously sent the letter. he supposed it had not. been received. He knew that there was a. godd deal of tampering with letters going on at the present time. His house had been damaged to the extent- of £100. and if tho police were unable to afford him protection he thought he should be compensated for the damage done. Mr. W. B. Jones said that it would be cheaper to buy up the whole house. It was noti worth more than je70. OWNERSHIP OF ROADSIDE WORKS. A letter was read from the Llanelly Postmaster asking for the permission of the Council to erect a shelter hut for. a postman on a piece of roadside land near Halfway, Llandilo. It was decided to grant permission. Mr. Dudley Drummond said that the Council had no property in the land. It was the property of the adjoining landowner. The Chairman—What is our usual custom'/ r. Drummond—I don't know; bu, I know you have no legal right to grant this. The Chairman—We have decided to grant it. Mr. Drummond—I don't mind what you do. You have no right to grant easements over property you don't possess. PENDINE SEA WALL. A letter was read from the Whilland Rural Dis- trict- Council asking for a grant towards the sea wall at Pendine. It was decided to make the grant subject to the Surveyor approving of the work. ROAD TOO NARROW. Mr. Herbert Jones, carpenter, Pontybercm, Ap- plied for permission to erect a. workshop on a piece of roadside waste near the village. 1 The Surveyor (Mr. R. W. J onc said that tho metalled portion of the road was only 13ft. wide. The Council decided not to grant the request. LLANELLY TRAMWAYS. A letter was read from the Board of Trade stating that they had decided to appoint Mr. McCas-sie as referee in the dispute between the Council and the Llanelly Traction Co. THE "CENTRE OF CIVILISATION." Mr. W. B. Jones took exception to a recommenda- tion in the report, of a sub-committee that the In- spector for the Eastern Division should live at Llan- dilo. He thought, that the inspector ought to live at Llanelly. Mr. W. N. Jones said that the proper place for the inspector would be Ammanford which is the centre of civilisation. It was decided to adopt the report. OUT OF ORDER. Mr. W. B. Jones had given notice of the follow- ing: (1) That, the old main road from Forest, Llun- edy. to Tycroes, Llanedy, be taken over by ire County Council: and (2) that the present district road from Pembrey village to Burry Port be mained. Both motions wore ruled out of order, as there is a resolution on the minutes against the further maining of roads. £100 FOR RHYDYCYMERAC. Mr. D: E. Davies moved, Mr. Mervyn Peel seconded, [1 nd it was unanimously agreed, that u. errant of one-third of the cost, not Exceeding JB 00. be given towards Rhydycymerau bridge.

GERMANY'S SECRET METHODS ADDRESS BY THE REV D. POWELL RICHARDS. The Rev. D. Powell Richards, M.A., F.&.A.S., speaking at a recruiting meeting held at Trelech, said that it was not a rcligions nor a political meeting, and he did not speak as a clergyman or a politician. It was a patriotic meeting. He spoke to them as a British citizen,—a citizen of that- great Empire on which the sun never sets,— an Ernpu-e which comprises within its compass peoples, of many races, many colours, many languages, many religions, but which is the prido and boast -of its subjects wherever they are to be found. It is an Empire which is held together, and cemented not by brute force, not by sword and bloodshed, but bv the ever-deepening sentiments of mutual admiration, loyalty, respect, and affection growing between her children and the Motherland, who has established her dominion and holds her swuv on the eternal principles of justice, truth, honesty and freedom! An Empire which for thi" very reason,—that she is held together by moral forces, is the greatest- civilising agency which she world has ever seen. They met that night as patriotic citizen's because the British Empire was in great and immi- TIHlt danger. Its existence was threatened by tho German Empire,—the best-erganiscd but the most unscrupulous and most reactionary Power in rue world. Under the shadow of this great peril they laid aside their political differences. and their sectarian controversies so as to stand together, shoulder to shoulder with one heart and one mind, to face the danger which threatened them, and tn defeat and destroy the cunning and treacherous foo which had been for so many years plotting to encompass their ruin. This danger was not a thing of sudden growth. For a quarter of a century— ever since the present Kaiser put on the imperial crown of Germany, his one great aim had been the destruction of the British Empire. While publieiy ptofessing the warmest friendship and admiration for ns and periodically accepting our unstinted hospi- tality, the German Emperor and his advisers never cased to plot and conspire against us in. secret, The ramification's of the conspiracy spread in many directions all the world over like a. loathsome sea-monster spreading its huge ten- tacles far and wide, until its unsuspecting victim was well within its grasp, then closing relentlessly round it. crushing the life out of it and rapidly ps-imdating it into its own organism. So Kaiser Wil- liam hoped to treat the British Empire. It is -only very recently that even the Government of tho country, to say nothing of the public general! have realised the danger. The large majority do not even yet realise its magnitude and its terriblo possibilities. If they did there would bo no need of recruiting meetings such an this. Mr. Richards next dealt with tho a art on-: deep-laid schemes of Germ-nv to g" n mastery over Great Britain, to undermine its in- fluence. and to destroy its prestige, and illustrated tho methods in connection with Education, Commerce. Spying and Secret Service. Strategic Railway Con- struction. Mahomedan intrigues, etc. Bn;, of all the schemes, said Mr. Richards. our greatest danger lay in the develop- ment of the German Navy. The insular position of England made the command of the see, tnlbn- lute necessity for our national existence. With her Navy dejgroyed or inferior to that of the enemv, Lngland would bo starved to submission in a very short time, and would soon cease to be reckoned among the great Powers of the world. Mr. Richards here gave a very interesting ex- planation in connection with the design -on a penny. He remarked that on the old pennies were to be seen Britannia holding the trident 11l her liana by the seaside, and a lighthouse close lay. Tins, lie said, was a symbol that Great Britain did Hot want to hold the trident for aggressive pur- poses, but in order to look after the safety of shipping. Some bungler at the Mint, had recently de- leted the lighthouse from the modern pennies. Germany made many excuses for increasing her Naval programme, and made every effort to allay the suspicions of this country, and to iuti us to sleep until she was quite ready to strike the blow. The Emperor William's letter to Lord Tweed- m-outh in 1907 was quite characteristic of the Ger- man methods, and in the light of subsequent events it is a most cunning and treacherous atnemnt to quiet our uneasiness so that tho Emperor William might have a free hand to mature his plans. Ger- many hoped that Britain would keep out of THIS war, although at the same time the true goal of German ambition was tho destruction of the British Empire. Why? (1) Because of commercial rivalry, and (2) With a view to Colonial expansion. But the real ultimate reason is this,—Germanv and England represent two distinct and opposed iclclk politically and religiously. This was a war of ideals,—between free institutions and despotism, between industrialism and militarism, between pro- gross and reaction, between Christianitv and b»r- barism. England on the one hand represented a power— tne power which believed in political liberty ami national autonomy, where the press was free, nnd where, the rulers were responsible to public opinion. Germany on the other hand was a country where public -pinion was still muzzlel or powerless, where the press was fettered bv the state, where tho masses were still under the heel of an absolute government, and a despotic bureaucracy, rin,, was therefore a war of ideals, and it was abso- lutely inevitable. If it ended in victory for Germany, civilisation would be thrown back couple of thousand years. The true significance of this gigantic struggle can- not be properly appreciated until we realise tho t, emendous issue at stake. In reality we are fight- ing not for. trade objects, or territorial expansion, but for the existence and permanence of Christian civili- sation. The question to be settled is this.-Is human progress—is civilisation for the future to proceed on christian lines or on barbarian line, Are the "Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount," and the Golden Rule to remain the bases of our in- ternational, as well as our private and social inter- I course in the future, or not? Germany has given her answer already in no uncertain voice. No," Fava Germany, "the great aim of the State Is MiSHT nt any cost; having secured that, all her actions nmst be right, I For who is there to correct or question them? The Ten Commandments become obsolete whenever inconvenient; the Sermon on the Mount is fit only for a race of fools and weaklings,—if {.< I ncii_for the German superman: The 'Golden Rule is merely a qualification for the lunatic asylum! Truth, chivalry, honour, integrity, righteousness. these have no existence except at the will and for the convenience of the State: and whenever tho interests of the State may so demand: they must bf- discarded and sacrificed without scruple or rom- pnnctíon, This is no exaggerated account of Germany's con- duct, policy, and creed. Consequently, quite apart from the conflict of commercial and territorial in- terests, this war was ab-olutely inevitable. On Germany s side it had already been waed fur it rpiarter of a century. To-day however we have, reached the climax. —the final stage of the struggle. The present time may be a little pre- mature from a German point of view. Germany would have preferred to choose he" own time for making war with England. When ready she would strike hard, suddenly and to the death, without the faintest, hopps of our recovery. Hilt. I thank God. Germany was not allowed to chooso her own time for attack upon the British Empire. We enter the struggle with powerful allies, r.n,} hope to come oui of it victorious. But whole of our strength he put out to gain dwt. end. We must listen to the voices of experts patriots like the hero just departed—Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener, for the danger threatening us is great, imminent and terrible. Mr. Richards next dealt with the result nf a possible successful invasion, and quoted Belgium as -an example of the tender mercies we might expect from Germany, and ended his timely re- marks with an earnest appeal to the youths "Of our land not to hesitate in answering the call of (TUty- If they only realised the danger which threatened homes, their women and their country, and all that- they held dear in the world, they would not hesitate for a moment what to do. They would g-o at once to the nearest authorities and "ay —Give me a rifle and teach me how to shoot. I now realise the true significance of this war. 1 appreciate the privileges and bl«ssinsr-s whirh God has bestowed upon me as a British citizen. I recog- nise, rny responsibilities and my dutie" and I ant ready to lav down my life so that future generation's of mv fellow-subject* may enter into their nrorier inheritance of justice, truth and liberty; and -o that the influence of Christian civilisation mv- he Widened and deepened in the world throuvb -he example and inspiration of the British Empire." Printed and Published for tht Proprietors by LEWIS GliRS at the Carmafther Journal" Printing Works, 8. Kinsr Street, Carmarthen.