Llais Llafur

WHÃT AMERICA IS THINKING. No Symphathy with Germany. DOOM OF THE ARROGANT MILITARY CASTE Germany's bid for American sympathy has been a miserable failure. In spite of her faked war news and her partisan version of the events that led to the con- flict, there is throughout the United States an utter absence of sympathy with the War Lord and his blood and iron policy, and a firm faith that the war will prove again that he who takes the sword shall perish by it. The ex- extracts given below are a true index cf American, opiiiic;it THE CRIME OF LOUVAIN. He who wills the end wills the means, is an old maxim; but rarely has it been applied with the machine-like consisten- cy exemplified by the German military .autocracy. Louvain is only Zabern writ large; the finger-print of the militarist, with his ruthless motto of Thorough, is on the one as plainly as on the other. It is the profound realisation ofthis fact which above all other things accounts for the almost utter absence of sympathy with Germany in this conflict. We can only pray for a hastening of the -day when all that is best in the German people will re-assert itself as of old, and when the long reign of an arrogant and ruthless military cast? will be looked back to by the countrymen of Schiller and Goethe as a nightmare that never can return.—"New York Evening Post. ABSOLUTISM MUST FALL. Everywhere the tyrannies, the op rec- ti ions of the past are sources of national weakness to the oppressors. On the other hand, j tice, where England has shown it. has become a, source of strength. The free Colonies are springing to the support of the Mother-country, filled with her own determination to fight to the last ditch, to exhaust their resources if needful, to .give their last drop of blood to defeat the common fCoc. If, as Winston Churchill insists, this is a war of repre- .sentative Parliamentary government against absolutism, there can be but one .end. Absolutism must fall.—"Brooklyn Daily Ea.gle." GERMANY'S PLIGHT. Looking seaward, the German prospect is even more unattractive. "Our future is on the SEa," said the Emperor years ago, and now, while his great battle fleet lies helpless in Heligoland, English cruisers the world over are sweeping up his commerce and merchant marine, Japan is filching his Chinese- colony, Eng- land has taken German Samoa. and the pushes of German land in Africa are doomed.—"New York Evening Sun." LONG AND BITTER CONTEST. Russian and British resources will in- crease, while those of Germany and Austria-Hungry will diminish. When the first rush of the German onslaught is over the Allies, with ample reinforce- ments to draw on, can settle down deter- minedly to a. long and bitter contest in economic and military endurance.—"New York Tribune." TO OVERTHROW THE KAISER. It is the grim- resolve—battle after battle while the German forces wear down and the ranks of the Allies are reinforced and renewed-which makes this war of nations not a struggle to save Paris, not a struggle to save France, lut a war to the death to overthrow the Kaiser and destroy the militarism which now threatens all Europe.—"New York Press." SECRET DIPLOMACY ON TRIAL. I Austria is growing more and more sure that Germany muddled matters by pre- cipitating conflicts with Belgium and Great Britain, and Germany is shifting the blame upon Austra for not listen- ing to Russian protests, instead of mak- iag war against Servia without counting the cost. Secret diplomacy is as much on trial as Militarism and Kaiser- ism. Its detects ca.nnot be covered up with jewels and ribbons. Patriotism will prompt the brave to fight to the death since war has broken out and the land is in danger, but it willnot induce men to forget the secret plotting and "planning that forced on the wa.r and bum?ltd in the job.—"Evening World. BLUNDERING BERLIN. I Before Bismarck went to war with Austria in 1866 he was careful to isola.t.e Austria diplomatically in order that Prussia might be sure of a free hand. In 1870 he did the same with France. But in 1914 Berlin diplomacy has succeeded in isolating Germany and Austria and leaving them friendless. A month ago to-day the Kaiser ccnfidenfly expected a short, quick, decisive war. To-day it is apparent, that the conflict has only begun."—"New York World. NOT WAR, BUT MURDER. I When an armoured airship iiies ovar. a aleepijig city in the dead of night and drops deadly bombs on the inhabitants, slaughtering women and children, it is not war, but murder, and a nation whioh tolerates such usages in warfare cannot expect much of the world's sympathy when it." small but death-dealing engines .f. war are smashed by somewhat larger engines. > The fir sit British naval vic- tory was notable, and it will not be for- gotten.—"New York Tines." BRITAIN IN THE PACIFIC. I The raising of the British flag over Savaii and Upolu islands in place of the German is of great importance in ito .bearing on the Pacific situation. Unless Germany should be able to dic- tate the tor-nw of the treaty of peace which must some day eome, Great Bri- tain will supplant Gremany as the neigh- bour of the United States in Samoa. This prospect should at least allay the fears of Japophobista in thi* country lest the German flag in Samoa would be sup- planted by the Rising Sun.—"New York

It is now suggested that the motto on the Prince of Wale's crest .should lie changed from "Ich Dien" to the En "^isn "I serve." Why not channe l it Lc lite

I WAR AND THE LAND HOW SWANSEA VALLEY WORK- MEN MAY LESSEN THE EVILS OF DISTRESS. It is tiseless at the present moment to attempt to prophecy how long the war will last, but this we do know— war of any magnitude brings in its train dislocation of trade, poverty and hardship for many. We who stay at home, against our wills, have many duties to perform. We may not have actually to fight against the enemy, but we are called upon to fight against the consequent evils of the struggle in which we are engaged, and, by making the most of the opportunities we have, do all in our power to minimise those evils. Many such opportunities are provided to us by our land, if only we are prepared to talce the fullest possible advantage of them, and it is the work of the Allotments and Small Holdings Association of England to help in every possible way in making the land our most valuable national asset. MEN OF THE NORTH AND MID- LANDS CULTIVATING ALLOT- MENTS. Take the Swansea Valley where coal and tinplates reign supreme. Is the land as fully cultivated there as it might be r It is a great industrial area, but there are other great in- dustrial areas where men cultivate the land and are all the better for doing so, particularly in a. time like the pre- sent. Miners in Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire and Derbyshire are good gardeners; shipwrights at Barrow-in- Furness; artizans in Birmingham; cycle makers in Coventry,—all know the benefit of allotments, and I am anxious that the men of the Swansea Valley should also benefit from such knowledge. An allotment, properly used, is a sensible recreation after heavy toil, a health resort in its fullest sense, and a partial insurance against the evils of unemployment. It is a matter of pro- found interest to me' when visiting cer- tain parts of England to lie told that "South Wales is our best market for garden produce," which is undoubtedly true, but such a statement makes one naturalhj ask Does South Wales do as much as it can towards satisfying its own requirements from its own land? I do not wish now to labour this point, but I do want to urge the men of the district for whicih I am writing to con- sider how far they can go to the land for strength to help them to bear the weight of our national struggle, which is bound to fall upon them. A QUESTION WORTHY OF FEDERATION ACTION. This js a matter, in my opinion, worth the consideration of the great South Wales Miners' Federation, which does so much for its members when under the surface, and might do, a great deal for them when on the snr- face. I am profoundly interested in the condition of the miners of Great Britain, and should like to know that they were all well housed, and possessed of good gardens which were well culti- vated. I can see no reason why their Federation, in fact why the Trades Union of any other set of industrial workers should not take a very active part in making a reality of existing legislation. And particularly so at the present time. We cannot do much for 1914, but now is the time to get ready for 1915. I shall gladly answer all communications. GEORGE STREETLY, Secretary, Allotments and Small Hold- ing& Association of England, Ltd., 55, Temple Row, Birmingham.

COMPENSATION FOR THE RAILWAYS. GOVERNMENT 'S AGREEMENT WITH THE COMPANIES. A Board of Trade announcement states that the Regulation of the Forces Act, 1871, under which the Government took possession of most of, the railroads, provides that full com- pensation shall be paid to the owners for any Joss or injury sustained, the amount to be settled by agreement or, if necessary, by arbitration, The Government, it is announced, have agreed with the companies that the compensation shall be the sum by which the aggregate net receipts for the period during which the Govern- ment are in possession of them fall short, of the aggregate net receipts for the corresponding period of 1913. If, however, the net receipts of the companies for the first half of 1914 were less than the net receipts for the first half of 1913, the sum payable is to re- duced in the same proportion. This sum, together with the net re- ceipts of the railway companies taken over, is to be distributed amongst those companies in proportion to the net re- ceipts of each company during the per- iod with which comparison is made. The compensation will cover aJl special services, such as t hose in con- nection with* military and naval trans- port. ————— —————

TEACHERS WHO GO TO THE FRONT. '"he Glamorgan County Association of the N.U.T. has circularised each member pf the Glamorgan County Council urging that every teacher who joins the Forces. should have a guaran- tee that his or her post be reserved, land that there be no loss of salary, increments or promotions.

-———- -———— FATHER AND SON KILLED. I While patrolling the Park Mile branch of the Great Western Railway, between Newport, Mon., and Bassaly, R. H. Hancock and his son, were knocked down and killed bv a Brecon and Morthvr Railway engine. They belo-r^'cd to

BETTER PAY SCALE FOR RECRUITS. I NATION'S INTEREST AND DUTY I ALIKE The nation is asking for recruits—and still more recruits. And the youth of Britain is responding gladly in its thou- sands. There is no need for conscription; no need either for the form of disguised conscription, which seme panicky em- ployers have been disposed to put into practice, by forcing men to enlist under threat of losing their employment. On the other hand excellent men are being lost to the Army for the simple reason that they cannot afford to leave their dependents to starvei on the totally inadequate pay and allowances at present made. There is a growing agitation for a much better scale of pay for recruits. The nation can afford it, and ought to afford it. Moreover, even capitalists can un- derstand that the shortening of the war is the only real economy. LIBERAL M.P.'s APPEAL. Mr. Joseph Compton lUckett, M.P., puts the point well in a. letter to the pres-q "It is well known," he says, "that a very large number of recruits who have so far responded to the call arc quite young fellows. We anticipated that the younger men would arrive first, filled with the adventurous ardour of youth, for they have fewer responsibilities. "But now we have to draw upon men in the prime of manhood, often married, and well employed. Their reasoned patriotism is assured, but their personal sacrifice is great. For these men the pre- sent army provision is not enough, and they object to full back upon organised charity of any kind. From contact with them I am persuaded that the only hesi- tation which checks an instant response is the inadequacy of the allowance for their families, and the risk of disable- ment or of death. SOCIALIST VIEW. From the executive of the British Socialist Party comes a manifesto in which the same point is pressed. "The British Socialist, Party," it says, "while working consistently in the in- terests of peace, has always maintained the right of nations to defend their national ex i stence by force of arms. Re- cognising that the national freedom and independence of this country are threat- ened by Prussian militarism, the party naturally desires to see the prosecution of the war to a speedy and successful issue. But it declares that the, Government must cease to rely upcn methods of cajolery and starvation to secure re- cruits. The workers are called upon to enlist, but no adequate provision is made for their inivea or dependents. Neither are recruits offered proper rates of pay, guaranteed employment, or iasurance against disablement if and when they return from the war. "The Government and municipal authorities are delaying the provision of work or assistance to those thrown out of employment in order to compel them to enlist. Employers are discharging their workpeople with the samo object in view, while' only ineffective 'moral' pres- sure is brought to bear upon the loungers of the well-to-do class. Every able-todied citizen, high and low, rich as well as poor, should be trained and armed for purposes of home defence."

BOY WHO BEAT THE KAISER. FIGHT ON ILFRACOMBE BEACH 36 YEARS AGO. How he once had a fight with the Kaiser in the old English style and beat him is related by Mr Alfred R. Price, hotel proprietor, Ilfracombe. The fight took place in August 1878. The Kaiser, then nineteen, was on holiday with iliis tutor and others at Ilfra- combe. Mr Price was then fifteen. "I was well paid to keep it out of the papers," said Mr Price to a press- man. The Prince had had his morning bathe in the sea, land while waiting for the return of his tutor and others, who had gone for a stroll along the shore, he began to amuse himself by throwing stones at the bathing machines. These belonged to young Price's father, and the boy told the Prince to stop damaging his father's property. "Do you know who I am ?' demanded the Prince. "I don't care who --r)m are," replied young Price. The Prince promptly kno-oked the bov down with a blow on the nose, aimed with his left. The Devonshire lad got up and fought furiously for twentv minutes until the German party ar- rived and separated them. Both were marked, but the Prince had the worst of the fight.

HOME-MADE NOTE. I BAD JOKE BUT NOT A FORGERY. Arthur Lloyd (32), music-hall artiste, was found not guilty at the Central Criminal Court, on the direction of Mr Justice Atkins, of having in his pos- aession on August 23 a forged J31 Trea- sury note. Counsel for the prosecution said that the note was tendered bv the accused at a bar in Brixton. The landlord re- fused to change it, and the accused replied that he had never meant it to be changed. "It's only a joke," he said. "I made it as a memento of the war. It took me three days to måkè." This statement he repeated at the police station. The judge said the prosecution failed to prove that the -61 note was intended to be taken for genuine. The joke was. a very bad and stupid one. He sug- gested that the "note" should he handed over to the authorities for safe custody.. The accused agreed to this course, and was discliarged.

THE WORKING WOMAN IN I POLITICS. I WOMEN AND SOLDIERING. By Marion Phillips, D.Sc. (Econ.). General Secretary of the Women's Labour League. What should we women do about re- I cruiting ? That is the question that we cannot keep from asking at the pre- sent time. And it is hard indeed to answer. Many of us try to reply that we hate the whole idea of war. and that we cannot feel that is right to send our sons and husbands to kill other women's sons and husbands, or be killed by them. We abhor the. destruc- tion that war brings both upon those who take part in it and those whose homes it lays waste. AVvi cannot think without shuddering of the poor home- less women and children of Belgium and Northern France, and now of Atistiia, and Eastern Germany,. Wherever the troops mine to pursue their work of killing, we know that homes will be lost and terrible suffer- ing ensue for those so absurdly called the non-combatants of war. Yet it is useless for us to talk to- dav of non-resistance, unless we face the possibility of withdrawing our navy from the seas and cf leaving the troops in France and Belgium, some of them our own troops. without further support. Here is the situation in which a policy of armed peace for Europe has brought the nations. We are at war. and we cannot stop it until the nations are ready to make peace. But let us have no illusions about this neace. It will be useless to us if it is not made on a new basis. Let us determine to end this hideous state' of an armed camp in Europe and let the close of this war be the signal for the real peace, the peace which is only possible in a United States of Europe, all except- ing arbitration as the natural means of settling disputes a.nd putting aside the arbitrament of war. We cannot achieve such a peace un- 'less we hold to the sacrifices we have already made of blood and treasure amd are prepared to follow them up by making more, to make them good, indeed, by backing them up. Such a peace cannot be realised un- less we are prepared to see this war through to the hitter end. And that means that more men must go to Franc-eand enlistment must continue. Yet there comes to many a woman a feeling of horror that she who can- not fight herself should lift her voice to urge others on to do so. True, and it is hard; but if we- try our best to tell the truth about the causes, con- oealing nothing of the hideousness of war, but urging men to go forth de- termined to end it, we are but doing a kind of duty which a cruel civilisa- tion has forced upon us. We women have not to bear even a full half of responsibility for the world that has been built up about us. Bui: We are bearing a heavy burden because the world is still only half-civilised. If we do not share the hardship of the trenches, it is women at least who are bearing the worst of the horrors of war in France and Belgium. And, indeed, the lot of anxious women left behind is hot much better than that of the men who in a wonderful comradeship of I danger are doing the fighting* But one thing we should all fight to secure, and that is national recognition of those who defend national existence. The only justification, for our fighting is that national existence demands it. Then the nation must pay its debt, so far as it can be paid in money to the men who go to the war. But these men think not of themselves, but first of those for whom they 1ha,ve been the breadwinners. For these the nation must make honourable provision, not giving them the bitter bread of or- ganised and patronising charity, but the maintenance due to them by those for whom their men folks give their lives. Every wife, child, or mother, brother or sister, who has been depend- ing on the soldier's earnings, would be protected from hardship by a reason- able weekly wage. No one can in justice claim that it is the dutvj of every man physically fit to volunteer for service in the Army. Every man has the right. to decide that question for himself. He must balance the service he can give to the com- munity at home against the risk of his life abroad. He must realise whether or no his conscience allows him to kill a fellow man. There are some to whom non-reaistence is the only right course to take, and as individuals they are bound to follow the light as they see it. Let us think no man a coward whose bravery is of the moral kind which makes it necessary for him to champion an unpopular cause rather than to take the path which seems right because the majority of people are treading it.

THE GRAND THEATRE, SWANSEA. RETURN VISIT OF THE ARCA- DIANS." Readers should bear in mind the im- portant engagement at the Grand Theatre Swansea, shortly. Mr. Robert Ceurt- neidge, is bringing his first-class com- pany in the "Arcadians," which has been a magnet in musical comedy in London for several years. Among the" members of the caat are Mr. Dan, Agar, Fred Evison, Miss Patricia. Mungrave, Miss Naxcy Buckland, and Miss Gwen Clif- ford. The orchestra -will be enlarged, and the "Arcadians" will be presented under the best possible conditions. The box offioe at the theatre ifi now, gpen for ) patrons' convenience. I

| ARREARS OF RENT IN I WAR TIME OPERATION OF THE NEW ACT EXPLAINED. a <■ I Much interesting legislation, includ- ing the various moratoria, has been caTled forth by the war, but from the point of view of the ordinary citizen the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act is the most important Act placed on the Statute Book during the past eventful month. Its object is to relieve debt- ors, tenants, mortgagors, and certain policy-holders from the consequences of default in making payments which are or may become due from them. After August 31, 1914, no execution may be issued upon any judgment made before or after that date, and no distress may be levied except after an application to the court appointed for the purpose. Further, no landlord in a -N- exercise any right of re-entry, no rnort- gagee may foreclose or realise any security. a.nd no deposit or policy of insurance may be forfeited, except after an application to the Court. Mort- gagees who were in possession on Aug. 31. may. however, realise their securi- ties. If the court is of opinion that time should be given to the defendant because of circumstances attributable, directly or indirectly, to the war, the court may, in its absolute discretion, make an order staying the execution or deferring the operation of the other remedies mentioned for such time and subject to such conditions as it thanks fit. The provisions as to distress, re-entry, foreclosure, and forfeiture will not ap- ply to any money payable in pursuance of a contract made after August 4. 1914, with the exception of rent not excec-ding;050 per annum. The only policies of insurance to which the Act relates are those not exceeding £25. The premiums must have been paid for at least two years prior to August 4. 1914, and must be payable at no longer than monthly intervals. The Act also provides that if a debtor against whom a bankruptcy petition has been pre- sented proves that his inability to pay his debts is due either directly or in- directly to the war. the court may stay the proceedings for Mich time and under sue conditions as it thinks fit. The Act does not apply to pawnbrokers' pledges or to debts due from Germans or Alisti-iaiiz to British subjects. To I give four examples of how the Act will operate:— (1) If Smith owes Jones, his land- lord. a quarter's rent which Smith is unable to pay owing to losses caused by the war, or through having lost his employment or to having had his wages reduced for the same reason, Jones will be unable to distrain upon Smith's goods, or to eject him from his house. without first applying to the court, who may give Smith time or make such other order as it may see fit. (2) Brown owes Thompson £ 500 on a mortgage, and Brown cannot pay his interest. Thompson threatens to fore- close or to st1! the property. He can- not proceed without applying to the court, which, if Brown can prove that he is unable to pay owing to the war, may grant him relief. (3) Robinson has a policy of insur- ance for J320 on which he has paid the premiums for two years. He is unable to keep up the premiums owing to the war. The policy cannot fc-3 for- feited until after an application to the court, on the 'hearing of which time may be given. (4) Thomas has purchased furnitui'e under the hire-purchase system. Owing to the war he cannot keep up his in- stalments. The vendor cannot take possession without the leave of- the court. Applications under the Act may he made to the High Court( or, where the value of the subject matter does not exceed £ 100, to the county-court. In the following cases application may also be made to the police-court :-Ap- plications to distrain for rent where the yearly rent does not exceed £ 20; applications to forfeit a policy to which the Act applies; applications to seize furniture under the hire-purchase sys- tem on which the original lia bility did not exceed E20. The court may at any stage of the proceedings order that the case shall be heard in private.

-———— 4iiw ———— CAPTURE OF SANATOGEN I WAR ON PATENT OF GERMANS SERVING AGAINST US. The first step in a particular attempt to capture that part of German trade represented by the very valuable patented and trade-mark articles has began, and is worth the closest atten- tion of British manufacturers. This pioneer adventure is being taken by the British Milk Product Company, of which Sir William Taylor, lately Surgeon-General to the War Office, is chairman. The object is to secure the market for "Sanatogen," a patent medical preparation having an enorm- ous sale in the United Kingdom and the Dominions, chiefly owned by Johann Ahraham von Wulfing, wtio. with his two sons, is serving against the British in France. Since the Board of Trade license to work a patent owned by an alien enemy will, it is expected, be revoked at the end of the war and full rights restored to the original owner, the British Milk Products Company has not sought a license to manufacture "Sanatogen," but is placing on the market "Sanaphos," a preparation guaranteed by Sir William Taylor and Mr S. A. Vasey, consulting chist to • he "Lancet," to be superior to the German product.

A ypung W7elshman. Mr Rees D. A :wung 'Ve1shman. 1\-11' Rees D. Rees, a native of Aberdare, is a can-, didate for the Attorney-Generalship of Colorado. He is the son of the late John and Hannah Rees, of Abet. daTe, who conducted a prosperous ranch kr I many years at Kansas.

| "THE HERALD — 'tAl # The NEW Halfpenny Weekly Paper. For the present the "Daily J Herald" will not be pub- ) lished after to-day, Sept. 19. During the War the best of the Daily will be given in The Herald which will continue the Fight for the Workers in the same Spirit and with the same policy. I Every Saturday===0ne Halfpenny 12 Pages of Live Matter and Cartoons.

EGYPTIAN PEASANTS' HOARDS OF GOLD. I There is an interesting reminder of the far-reaching effects of the existing financial chaos in the story in the "Times" concerning the scarcity of currency in Egypt. I Ordinarily, about the middle of I August, by reason of the sale of cotton bills, gold begins to be shipped to Egypt to move the cotton crop. As I the crop varies so does, necessarily, the amount of gold that is despatched. The value of the crop in recent veara has been from £ 30,000,000 to C35,000,000, but manifestly gold to this amount is not sent. The total shipment annually is over £ 7,000,000. J The amount, however; which is re- turned when the balance of trade is against Egypt, apd she has. to export gold to pay her debts, depletes her store of gold coin and bullion, but the sum despatched from London in any A-ear to Egypt always exceeds the total amount exported by. Egypt to this and ether countries. The deficiency is never accounted for by the currency available at the hank*. It is so regular a feature that there is no question that considerable sums in gold are secreted annually by the Egyptian peasants. There must be now I several millions of gold so hoarded. ACCUTE CURRENCY PROBLEM. %go-  The early-autumn drain has been stopped, as we know, and the problem of currency is acute. It is believed now that this stringency wi)J compel I the Egyptians to melt their jewellery Ilml bring forth the hidden treasure. While it is too much to expect that the peasant will show a sudden attach- ment to banking, it is plain that if the present crisis should encourage him to ¡' have more confidence in banks it will tend to a considerable economy in the use of gold. I In this habit of secretin or gold the Egyptian is not singular. Much the same happens in India, where gold and silver ingots are treasured and orna- mentation in the precious metals is carried to a great length. We hove not seen any mention of currency scarcity in India, but if the war should last long enough to check the outflow of gold to the East there might be the same experience. I It would be idle to imp.<rine tbnt India and Egypt alone regarded the precious metal with mo-e affection tb"n bank credits. Each war alarm on the Continent of Europe has seen hoard iws; instituted on a larpre scale, and this hoarding: on the occasion of the laet Balkan war had pronounced financial effects. The remr that specie mlfYtlt not be forthcoming t-ook a decided form only a few weeks aeo, even in this country. The difference between Europe and the East, however, is that in Eurooe it is spasmodic and due to intelligible fears as to the breakdown of credit in the East it is a ^vai t tb11 it AA-ell-night ineradicable.—"The Daily Citi zen.

BOLTON BY-ELECTION. I Bolton Labour party has selected Councillor Robert Toothill. secretary to the Trades Council, as Parliamentary candidate for the vacancy caused by the death of Mr A. H. Gill.

"Conductor" inquired the nervous old ladv. "which end of the car do I get off ?" "Either end, madam." re- plied the pslite conductor, "both end's etop,,T

WAR-TIME PEACE TREATIES. The Peace Commission Trentv be- tween the United States and Great Britain was signed on Ttuesday bv Mr Bryan and Sir Cecil Spring Ri.-e. Similar treaties with France, Simin, and China were signed. The treaties (which originated bi:f.re the Avar) have still to be ratified by the Senate. They provide for a, perma- nent International Commission of In- quiry into disputes which diplomacy. fails to settle. The Cammiwiou can start an inquiry on its own ititiative and will make reoommendations, its powers not being final. Th* idea, in Mr Bryan's words, is to give public opinion time to "cool off." It is pointed out here that most of the disputes between neutrals and I)elli- gerents concern tiie seizure of skips cargoes ,in which matters the Com- mission will be able to intervene. Tues- day's signing was accompanied bv ap- as t-lie treaties have long been the apple of Mr Bryan' piiciilot pye.