The Cambria Daily Leader

p The Cambria Daily peader" gives later i news than any paper published in this dis- trict. i

— ? ^fCASTLECHN E MA/cf ? VO^VOOWP40=~A. V OLGA PETROVA Jt ?? In Four Fascinating Acts of  Sublime Drama, THE y C ETERNAL QUESTION. .g THE BUGLE CALL, <r A Thrilling Triangle Western Drama in Five Parte. Xjwon., Tues., Wednes.^

GREAT GERMAN RETREAT Somme Strongholds Yielded THE MIRAUMONTS, SERRE, PYS, AND THE BUTTE.. The week-end British, official reports, amplified by the news from special corre- spondents on the Western front, show that ireat victories have been won by our troops on the Somme front," particu- larly in that part more appropriately known ns the Ancre front. The following places have been officially ct unofficially reported won:—Serre, the Butte de Warleneourt, Vie two Mirau- aionts which stand on either side of the Ar.cre'i, and Pj Scri-a is on the northern-most part of this lighting front, about a mile above, and east of, Beaumont Haniel. The two Miraumonts are just beyond Giundcourt; Pys is a village a mile nearer Petit Miraumont; and the Butte de ariencourt—the scene of many stubborn fights last autumn-lips just south of thfl main road between Albert .,?d Ba?utne. .,j;d BajPyhilip Gibbs, in the D.uh Chro?Ido," says that this is the most notable movement which has taken place bince the autumn of the first year oi war. Miraumont was practically a bloodless victory. On Saturday night the Butte was captured, and the men in this area heard from the direction of Bapaume the 11c.ie of heavy pxplosioT1, as though a m- münHiot) dumps were being blown up. If this is 80, the Germans are for the first tinio since the Marne destroying tiieir own munitions on their way back. Most of tilt4 enemy's heavy guns have tKort withdrawn. Mr. Filson Young, m the Daily Mail," doubts whether the enemy thinks of hand- ing over Bapaume and the Ridge to us without a fight, seeing that they command a great stretch of his country to the east and north. It is more likely that, in arldition to shortening and strengthening his own line, he may wish either to ireaba a salient in ours or thut he may wish to embarrass and postpone our offen- sive by obliging us to consolidate and make good new ground at the last mo- ment. The enemy has relinquished post- tions to which he has clung all the winter. His withdrdwal is over a broad front; it is a Snal withdrawal and is still continu- ing. A THREE MILE RETREAT. I Renter's correspondent says: It is im- possible to gay from hour to hour just what the position really is. Tho dcpth to ,hich.thB.German retreat has tl(-" carried is leported as about three 1. tiles. 1 PETIT MIRAUMONT. Saturday's British official contained the following:— As the result of the. unceasing pressure of our troops the enemy to-dav vacated further important positions on both banks of the Ancre. We have made considerable progress south and south-east of Miraumont on a front of a mile, and have entered the village of Petit Miraumont. We have also advanced our line on a front of over oM ;nd a brtrf hnl?s south and ;-outh-c.i=? cf Scrrc. A GERMAN SHUFFLE. Tho German report on the point is as folic)ws: In the Somme region tho British have occupied some parts of positions full of mud, which we have abandoned." A FRENCH VIEW. Commenting oil the above, the "relit Journal" says:—The con- tinued pressure which the Britisli are CTcerersing in the sector on both of the Ancre has just brought them ti bril- liant success. The advance made is all the more gratifying since it was attained almost without los. It brings the British to the outskirts of the hamlet of SeITc and to the gates of tho village of Miraumont. The Germans, greatly disturbed at this check, the im- portance of which is undeniable, are try- ing to explain it away 'in their com- munique, but their explanation is ridi- culous. Their statement that Petit Mir- aumont was evacuated owing to the mud  e i miteli tc-o feeL)1,3 rendcriH? it untenable is much too i'?blc L,i be swallowed." SERRE. But the more important success is that at Serre. Jt was a position of great natural strength, standing on the plateau which lies north of the Ancie and extends in the direction of Hebu- terne. Serre was unsuccessfully attacked on July 1, the tirst day of the Battle of the Somme, as well as on subsequent oc- casions. A week ago, following the cap- ture of Graiulcourt and Baille-scourt, our troops worked their way up the plateau from the south-eastern end and thus beanthe outranking move which has now ended so successfully. The greater part of the plateau is now in our hands. THE OFFICIAL REPORT. The official news of tho capture, re- ported on Sunday night, is as follow6:- During the pad 21 hours the enemy has continued ground along the Ancre. M'eting with little opposition, a small body of our troops have pushed forward On, a wide front, occupying Serre village and several other important points fur- ther east.

RUSSIAN SUCCESSES. Minor Gains on Two Fronts. TO-DAY'S RUSSIAN OFFICIAL. 1 Admiralty, per Wireless Press.) Western Front.—Our reconuaisance party penetrated into the enemy trenc hes west of the village of Jablonitza, north-east of Koro- meos, and took 20 prisoners. Rumanian Front.—Scouting reeon- naisanees and infantry tiring are taking place. Caucasian Front.—Our scouts at- tacked by surprise the enemy p-ilrol ground in the vicinity of the western bank of Lake Van, and dispersed the Turks with heavy losses. We captured 4 officers and 38 rank and inc. ,UiFicers iiic't 3)S zi,ii d file.

OPPOSED BY LABOUR. Melbourne, l'eb. 2L-Mr. Hughes de- ciines to go to London unless an ex- • tension of the life of the Federal Parlia- ment is assented to by both The Labour Party, after a prolonged caucus, decide to-night to oppose this projXySiil to the utmost of Its power.

ARRANGED HIS FUNERAL. The fuueral has taken place of John Bartholemew Bally, a retired foreman platelayer, of Neath. About two years ago he made arrangements for his burial, selecting his grave at Llantwit, and erected an inscribed tombstone with the date of his death left blank.

WAR S LEVELLING POWER. "Ghastly and terrible as the war is, it has brought out the highest in human nature," eair] General Sir H. L- Smith Dorrien in unveiling a roil of honour at Christ Church, "Westminster, on Satur- day. "Thf names of men who have given up iheir lives will he regarded with pride by those who are enjoying pros- perity and happy homes." Sir Charles Waketield, ex-Lord Mayor of London said that a striking thing about the war was that the Eton boy and slum boy were in the trenches together—\r.d some of the  ??u !¡0Y had won Y.Co's.

FOOD STRIKE AT ESSEN. Amtni, February 2t.-Thc Dut?h ?<? ?-?ncr. the Iron and St?l fbror t.t"??'li?)K.s the icHo'vh)? from ?s -?? ?n? undent: The labour problen. the lls ,-Bl ?MQmise? conncctic.n with the people 6 ? '????hp r?tion?! provie?ns a1"- ?s?Sci?t for those who must exist cxclusir?y ?p?. tbem -he ?n- sequence s that the productive capa.ty ei the woi ^r§( on vrhoui so much den-T.ds, is diminished. The stat-, of affairs has cached such a point that the people are unable,to con till,le an £ j Writes have there- fore occurred with the object of obtaining yioro food and wagSS- There were strike^ iJl the mines long ago, but, happily for t^i5 industry, there has net been a big ,irike. Tne same conditions have been in the iron industry, ^^ecir.ily in the l:irge munition factories. rr:mdy meas ires have prevented a general t'ike here, but discontent remains, and pe'ret meetings of workers in various de- psft^ents ;n,d hctorif's are the order of day, .iti1 (qupnt strikes.

[ BOMBS ON BSVQUACS. I Successful. French Raids and II Bombaidmesits. TO-DAY'S FRENCH OFFICIAL. Yesterday, at the close of the even- ing, one of our detachments made au eruption in the German lines near Yille-Sur-Pourde. Numer- ous shelters were destroyed and some prisoners and material brought back. T\vo enemy surprise at;tac?s—the hrbt upo{í Oile 'of our trenches to the north of Beaulve (north-east and Soissons), the other mi one of our posts west of Avoncourt— faile.ci. We took prisoners, includ- ing one officer. There an intenriittsnt cannon- ading on some points of the front. AVIATION. During yesterday our pilots brought down 3 German aeroplanes. Our bombarding aIr squadrons dropped numerous projectiles on sonic bivouacs and a munition de- pot near Spincourt. Many explosions were heard, as well as on the aviation ground and hangars at Buzeney and the rail- way line at Ars-Sur-Moselle, the railway station at Boussewiller and Woeljling (region of Wissen- bourg).

FIVE SACKS OF POTATOES. 1 George Henry Williams (15), Main->st., Neath, was at the ioeal court on Monday lined llfs. for stealing live bags of poto- toes. the property of the Great Western Railway Co. It was stated that defendant took a cart to the station and removed the bags from, a vail. He said they were for a certain local dealer, who. however, had had the whole of his consignment. Mr. Rupert Lewis pro-secuted and Mr. Shipton defended.

NEW SCALE OF RAT!ONS.. It is officially stated that a new scale of rations for German prisoners of war, combatant and civilian, has been issued. 'J'he scale is based 011 the recent state- ment of tho. Fond Controller, and has beün approved by him. These are the weekly rations previously enjoyed by German prisoners compared with the Food Controllers allowance: — Germans..brKish. Bread loflb 41b. Meat 'iAlb 2«lb. 4eat .I   Sugar 14oz 12oz.

EARLY LITF-RATURE. Dr. E. Prys Williams delivered a lec- ture at the Swansea Library on Saturday on Early Literature of Ireland." He showed the singular kinship with Welsh literature. This was most marked in the illustrations the lecturer brought to the notice of his hearers. The first lecture of its kind delivered in Swansea, it was highly appreciated by the audience. Among those present were \1,. R. J. Roberts, M A., Mr. Ivor Thomas, H.M. lt»p'»tor of School-s, and Dr. D. Rhys p*, Swansea's popular librarian. J

'01 LAND W. j 11 I- !i  I SEVEN BIG DUTCH STEAMESS I -IBRPEBOEB I -1' (' F Seven Duti-a .Vaips, sailing from Fai- mouth, have been wantonly attacked without examination by a German fcub- marine. Three of iUc-m have certainly gcne down. Another has b&cn towed iato port. The 1'<t may still he afloat. ,'111 the cr,ws have ?on;:md?d., ?o lives see in to have been lost, and there is no mention of casualties sustained, f The submarine which attacked the Dutch hips is s^id to have been the U 3. The crews appear to have been given warning to leave their ships in five min- The oil Thursday evening. An extraordinary explanation has been issued by the German Legation at The Hague, says that onlv "relative security was guaranteed to vessels sail- ing from Falmouth Oil February 22. If 11 thi v h? thi y had waited till March 17 absolute *:vurity eoild have been, promised them. Comment in Holland is exceedingly bitter. SAILORS REACH LONDON. Several of the sailors from the torpedoed 11 f.ÜpS were n London on Sunday. The tale they had to tell was not a cheerful one, nor was it a very connected narrative. They had been afioai. in open boats for over 15 hours, and during this time. hall, suiTcrcd a good deal from exposure <0 a bitter wind. Their bo its, too, were washed by seas occasionally, and as they i I had been given only five initiates to get' into them they were not adequately pro- j vidod wit-* warm clothing and oilskin co,ts. LATEST S:NKINGS. Latest sinkings reported are:— • British stctmer Dorothy, 3,06 tons, i Trawler Frolic (-37 tons), Grimsby. i — ■

AMERICA WAITS. i Wm- To See if Her Rights Will Be Trampled On! I 'tho Times Washington eorrespondcnt, I' The decision of the United States, says  c???ct: be lon delayed. The country is wnitin to see whether Germany will ? trainp!? on its ri?ht.? 'as she is traMpIing UDan tbo&o of Holland. Meanwhile the inaction of the President is much criti-x cised, but the W est refuses to get excited by the detention of shipping in American ports.

J MANSION DESTROYED. Hazel beech Hall, Northamptonshire, belonging to Mr. C. Bower Ismay, the well-known owner of racehorses, wat; de- stroJed by fire on Saturday night, but the stables were saved. The damage runs into many thousands of pounds. Mr. Ismay and his family were absent. I

j BROOKS & BISHOP BEATEN, i Boxing kt Newport cn-'Saturday, Will Brooks tAberavon) lest on points to rry Shea. The same evening Arthur Bishop (Caerphilly) was defeated in ?imiiar fashion at Barry hy Charlie Stone (Tafls Wem. At Maest&?. Emlyn Evans (Cwm- park) d(>feat Jack John (GIJneorI'gL I The latter, though much the lighter man, put up a game show. ¡

A NEW ERA. I A large meeting of farmers at Notting- ham un ?-aturd?y cntbus'asticaliy adopted a n,olution a resolution in support of tho Prime Minister's policy. Mr. Tom Potter said that a new era had dawne:l for agriculture. Fanners had been tno;;t generously treated by the Government, and it was their bounden duty to re- spond and prcduce every ounce of food possible.

PEN WH ICH EXPLODED. I One of the latest exhibits at the museum cf enemy methods ot warfare at Petrograd is a pen given to a Russian: S lieutenant by an Austrian sergeant who bad been taken prisoner. When the lieutenant was removing the old nib the pen exploded, blowing off one of his lingers and wounding liim in the leg. Reuter.

j A NOVEL ADDRESS. I On Saturday evening, at Tonypandy, Lard Rhondda- handed over to Colonel Hepburn a motor ambulance car sub- scribed for by the local inhabitants. Mr. Jack Hughes presented an address of con- gratulation to Lord Rhondda on his ele- vation to the peerage and his appoint- ment to the Local Government Board. The address, which was executed hy Mr. R M. Bowen, analytical chemist at the Glamorgan Collieries, was unique in that the ink used was derived from the tar ex- j' tracted from coal at the. Glamorgan coke f ovens.

J RESPECTED SWANSEA LADY. At n morning. amidst every manifestation of profound sorrow and respect the remains of Mrs. Hac-hel Huck, wife of Mr. Edwin Ruck, manager ot the English Crowu Spelter orks. were interred. The funeral was private, but a large number of gentlemen attended to a respect to one who was so highly esteemed. The mourners were .-—Messrs. E. Ruck (husband). W. Ruck. A. Huck, B. Ruck, E. Ruck vjunr.), C. Hawcs, B. Hawes, H. Da vies, F. Williams, A. Hideout, Ten wees', Wells, A. Leharne, B. Rees, W. t Williams. C. Fender,- and Denny. The following gentlewen llf the English Crown Spelter Works "et "c ii as bearers: Messrs. C. Richards, R. liar- T. Crocker, W. Rees, J. Poot and U. Lowen. Tito Hev. M. H. L. Williams (St. Gabriel's), oiliciated. Some l>eautiful flowers wore sent from: Husband, Wallace and May, Arthur, Mollis and Family, Bert, Lily, Vera. and Baby Boy, Eddie and Lily, Sisters Mary Ann, Lizzie and Maggie, the chairman and directors of the English Crown Spelter Co., Ltd., office staff of do., works statf of do., employes of do., the staff and employes of the Crown Compositions Co., tha staff of 4, Berkeley-street, London, Mr. J. Decys Mr. H. Teuwens, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Rideout, Mr. and Mrs. J. McAlluxa, Mr. and Mrs. T. I)avies and family, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wells, Mr. and Mrs. W.' M. Radford, Mr. and Mrs. H. Davies, Mr. and Mir-. 1". T, Williams, Mr. and Mrs. W. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. It Bowen, Mr. and Mrs. G. Weston, Mr. aj-d Mrs. G. Gustavus, Mrs. R. G. Evans, CounciUor and Mrs J. U. LM, and Mi\s. H. M. Ivuuekey.

ooe hew war BREADI 15 PER SEMT. DILUTION OF WHEAT PERiiTTEB j Foilaviing on the Prime Minister's ) stacciiicnt on the restriction of imports eotoes an order on the further dilution of war bread. VVhc-aten flour is to bo more coarsely filed fO as to contain 81 per cent, ot the grain, while ttii admixture ot oth-ir substances becomes compuh-xuy to the extent per cent. and is admissible up 15. Xcw ingredients allowed are muiEC-semolina, rye, or beam., in addition to rice, barley, maize, and oats specified in the earlier Order, 'ihis will be what may be called War Bread Mark ill. The public have UéceptNt Mr. Lloyd George's announcement with equanimity; there has been no panic, and except in isolated caws, as at Liverpool, no efforts have been made to lay in stocks. There was a record rise in wheat prices on Saturday, Cambridge leading the way with 8is. WARNING TO FOOD HOGS. Lord Dovoapoit desires to repeat the warning given by the Prime Minister in hi*, speech on Friday last dealing with the restriction of imports, that no speculative I! buying or cornering of food supplies with a. view to raising the existing level of prices will be permitted or tolerated. Should any euch attempts be made the Food Controller will immediately take the necessary steps- to protect the interests oi tho consumer. Lord Devonport will confer in due course with the various trade interests affectcd. This warning was issued by the fooci controller on Saturday night.

ASSURANCE AND WAR. Flowing Affairs of the 11 Peari. The lifty-third annual report cf tho Pearl Assurance Co., Ltd., tho directors call attention to the exceptional condi- tions prevailing. During the yvn-VfM war claims were paid, calling for £ 152,403 5s. 7d., which makes the total war claims paid Is. lkJ. With 7,000 meu serving the Colours the company has con- tinued to provide financial assistance to the dependants. "he comply's holding of War Loan stock has increased to £1.457,I!J3, while this has since been ,)C,de, to. The total income for the year amounted to £ A,564,843 2s. 6d., an increase over last year of .£:?G9,7û;3. In the ordinary branch the premium income was £ 648,350 ts. 4d., an increase of «C19,185 h. (id. over last year. This makes a total income of 4s. ad., an increase of £98,8ili Os. 7d. as compared with last year. Claims am«nntini» to £ !,<>] 2fS39 ms. 9d. were paid, making £ 19.590,865 tbo total sum to date paid in claims. The funds 'now amount to?l].?4,971?5F..?d.. an increase of jt'l,005,061 ISs, 7d. over 1.?1 V?-.

MR. F. S. PARKER. Death of Respected Swansea! Towrisftiaft- 1. The death took place on Sunday, at his residence, Hensleigh, iCaton-crescent, Swansea, of Mf Frederick Sidney Barker, aged 6fi years. Deceased was a well known Swansea figure, and was much r^spoct^d in commercial circles, i especially 011 the Swanscu. Metal Exchange, at which he was. until very recently, a regular at- tendant. For some years past however, deceased had enjoyed anything: but robust health, and latterly lw had been an acute sufferer. Some years agu he took a prominent part in local amateur theatricals, and apjxvired with great suc- cess in the works produced at the Theatre Eoval, the. old Drill Hall, and the Bijou Theatre at St. David's Catholic; School- room. He was the tirst manager of the old Pa lice Mu«-ic llall in High-street. and amongst those who appeared there whilst the ,hall was under his regime were Marie Llovd, Bonnio Kate Harvey. Harry Lauder, and numerous other artistes who have since made themselves famous in the music hall world. Deceased leaves a widow and grown up family, for whom the greatest f-ympathy is extended in their sad bereavement. i

W A R-SAV iN G 3". I Mr. John Erlwe.rds, Chairman of the I'ontardawe Central War Saving Associa- tion, together with Mr. J. W. Thomas, B.A.. attended Betbesda Chapel, Ynys- meudw, on Sunday evening, and eplained the objects of War Saving Association. It was Jecided by the members to form a w,is ite A?.ocintion. branch o' lth-,

WELSHMAN TO THE RESCUE. Mr. Philip (iibÜ(,3 the following i.i the Daily Chronicle Six prisoners came trudging back from the Ravine, with 1\ a slightly wounded man :? an escort. On the way back they found themselves very lonely with him, aud passed some rifles lying in their wl- They seized the rifles, and fcreoToe fighting men again, until a.1 little Welsh oiffcer met them, and killed! every one of them with a revolver.. |

THE GARRJSON CONCERT. The soldiers of the Swansea Garrison j Hospital were entertained on Saturday by Co!por'3l C?st.€rr the Gwent Glee Society. CO!por31 C:1S(rr presided. The following artistes took part: Miss Beatrice Jenkins. Miss Nancy Harman, Miss Hntchings. Miss Saul, Mr. Sidney Jor,s, Mr. W. Kibble white, P.C. Price, Mr. Roger Thciuas, Mr. W. Wil- liams, and Dd. Rees. Choruses were also rendered by the Glee Singers.

LLANELLY MAN'S APPEAL. The Carmarthenshire Appeal Tribunal, si t ti ng at Llandilo, announced their decision, which they had reserved, in the cas;) cf .'I'hoinas Thomas (41), Station- road, Llanelly, who claimed the right of appeal. The man's application for exemption had been dismissed by the Borough Tribunal at Llanelly. and he joined up in May. 1916. but as he was only classified C 1 he was sent home to await the calling up of his class. When called up in November lie made another application, but the local tribunal held they had no jurisdiction in the matter and refused to hear it. The County Appeal Tribunal said they had decided to treat the application as one for re-hearing, and referred the case back to the Llanelly tribunal. They held that the local tribunal were right in declining to entertain the application, and pointed out that the present decision was based on the assumption that the application was intended to be one for re* hearinsj. i

POTATO PRICES MAXIMUM CHARGES AND NO CONDITIONS Two new orders affecting potatoes wore issued 011 Monday. The food potato pr ices order follows the lines announced by Mr Lloyd George in his to ter on the eve of the 1U1. ib. maximum re- tail price: Growers' Maximum. Till March 31 £ 9 a ton. After that da!e e]O a ton. Shop Prices. Till March 31 Hd. lh. A tier that date 1 (L lb. Other Sales. After ihat date. £ 11 10s. a ton. (Plus cost of transport). The purchaser is projected by certain rules governing sales: Shopkeepers may not charge for de- livery c,r [ûr bgs or other p,t<:J;agc". No seller shall impose or attempt to impose any condition relating to any other article. SEED POTATO PRICES. A now seed potato order Ii- r.-i;n;iun: i prices for small quantities: K eta it Sales. Up to i cwt. lb. (lvcr J cwt., the iu y_; mum,. plus transport charge and a ton on sales up to 10 cwt., and of £ 1 as, a ton up to 4 tons. The unconditional sale clause also ap- pears in Cnis order, which take-3 effect from last Saturday. The previous order fixing growers' maxi- mum prices is revoked, and new mnxi- ;nU!J1:õ. are now fixed giving the growers higher prices for the lower qualities of seed. A SCENE AT PONTYPOOL. A farmer'-? wi;G cau:+d a ft'sturb?uce at Pontypuol ma?et on aturduy by asking id. per lb. for potatoes. Pontypool experienced a potato famine for several days last week, and when this j extortionate demand was made to a.work- ing-class woman she reminded the owner of the potatoes that the Government price W) 5 1 (l. pc rIb. "I would rather give them to the pigs than sell them at that price," the woman is said 'to have retorted. "I nm going to have some for my kids," the would-be pur- chaser declared, and she proceeded to help herself. Sympathisers assisted her, and ;i, til(I melee potatoes wpre thrown about the market, eggs were smashed, and much pro- ducRd-?ma?cd. i,, ;cene tn d se7,zp d The po?ce came on the scene and seized what, remained of the potatoes :md do?fd them out in 4-lb. lots, disposing of them at Hd. per lb.. while the woman struggled in vain to regain possession of them. PRICES AT SWANSEA. It is said that persons were abroad on Saturday at Swansea ofRciaHy obtaining full particulars regarding the prices charged, and in many caaes where the maximum of l td. was exceeded, 'making i purchases.

NATIONAL SERVICE. Forthcoming Great Meeting at Swansea. Arrangements are actively proceeding for next Friday evening's great, meeting at the Alhert Hall, Swansea, when Mr. Arthur Henderson. M.P.. the Labour member of the War Cabinet, will explain the National Service movement. The Mayor of Swansea (Aid. Dd. Davies.) will preside, and the Right Hon. Sir Alfred Mond, Bart., M.P. (the Borough Mem- ber), Mr. T. J. Williams, M.P. for Swan- sea Dist-rlcf). and Mr. John Williams. M.P. for Gower, will be lwe-sent. There is every likelihood of a record attendance and I-lio gathering will inevitably prove one of the greatest meetings held in tho town for several years.

16 MISSING.1 16 MISSING. Rome. Saturday.—Berlin reports that of the 50 .submarines that put to sea on Feb- ruary 1st no news has been received of 16. -Exchange.

EARL S ESTATE FOR SALE. Lord Normanton is about to sell his Ruehall Estate, between Newbury and Devisee, covering about 4,6090 acres. The property includes half a dozen villages.

0 PWLLHELI'S FR!DE. I Mr. Lloyd George wa6 on Saturday re- j elected president of the Pwllheli Liberal J Association, Alderman Maurice Jone?, 1 who pH'sided. voiciHg' ?hc members' pride in having the Prime ?inis?r in that posi- j tion.

MR. GERARD IN SPAIN. MR. GE.RARD IN SPAIN. Madrid, Feb. 2}th.—Mr. and Mrs. Gerard were presented to the King to-day by the United States Ambassador in Madrid. Mr. Gerard was in conversation with his Majesty for about two hours.— Renter. Mr. Gerard will leave on Sunday night by special train for Corunna.—Reuter.

MORE TRENCHRAIDS. Sunday evening's British communique says:— Our raids continue, and the following 1* contained in the Sunday night report (which also chronicles artillery activity on the Somme"— A successful raid was carried out by us yesterday east of Yiorstraat on a front of MO yards. Our troops remained in the German trenches for an hour, and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. Several dug-outs a mine shaft, and three machine guns were destroyed by is. We captured 55 prisoners and one machine-gun. During the night the enemy's positions were also entered by II, east of Armen- tieres. A hostile raiding, party reached our trenches early this morning north-east of Ypres under cover of a heavy bombard* merit. The raiders were inii-uidifxtely driven out rrifh loss.

IS-OA?S WMJMME I L 1 "íl T ¡ Leader Office, 4.50 p.m. Splendid British victories are the salient point of to-day's news. Official reports from France show that we have taken Miraumont Petit and Serre. It is officially stated that in addition we have taken Miraumont, Pys and the Bin to de Warlencourt. The enemy is said to have yielded ground to a depth of three miles on this portion of the Somme front. We Jiave also won four lines of trenches on the Tigris, and have effected a cross- ing of the river in the rear of the enemy. Holland is incensed at the sinking of seven Dutch sefamers. Lord Devonport has repeated his warning against gambling iu foodstuffs. The dilution oi wlieai in Hour to the extent of 15 per ccrii. is permitted. Niax-Iiiiiiiii potato p'ricei and conditions of sale are fixed.

Nt i PEMS?EV SENSATION, _?,?. j Child's Body Found in River. The t'cmbrcy PoHcc uu Saturday after- noon dragged the River Cwendraeth, and found the body of a baby girl, about nine l,iiiii(i the of a bai)v girl?, Ill k) T!)? bod\ was wrapped m rags a11d | brown paper, and there was ai?o a Hg' stuiia in tlw pared. --1.. —

RESCHSTAG SCENE. Dofencier of Silence Called aj HypcGYËte. Hypocrite. I Amsterdam. Monday.—The Vorwaerts'" reports a lively scene duriiig Saturday's sitting of the Reichstag. After ihe closure of the debate a member complained that lie was prevented from speaking. lierr Friedberg (National Liberal), re, plying to Herr Hoffmann (Sociaiisf minority), remarked -—" No speaker is entitled to speak at his own time." Herr Hoffman repliedYour inten- tion is to prevent the people from learning ths truth." Freidbcrg replied You are an habi- tual slanderer," In the commotion that ensued a deputy shouted: When a man loses his reason he becomes insolent. Herr Hoffman, you are a hypocrite."—Reuter.

TO CONTROL FOOD. I Athens, i eb. ;Epaminondas Chari- ¡ laos, the new Greek Food Minister, was 1 sworn in this afternoon. Nothing J-, known here regarding the raising 01 the blockade.— Renter. 11

THE PAEMiE[i'S UNCLE. Mr. Richard Lloyd, of Criccietli, uncle of the Prime Minister, ie etilL far from well. Mr. Lloyd George is kept, daily in- formed of his condition. Mr. Lloyd, who is now well advanced 4 in has lor more than half a century been the tih-N paid joint-minister of tlie Church of the i Particular Baptists at Criccieth. -_+- '0_

ON EVE OF WEDDING. Sericus Accident to Ex-Patient of Mumbles War HcspUai. News has reached Muiubh' iviat. Corpi. W. Reay, who had been a patient at Vic- toria Red Cross Hospital. Mumbles, for some months—and who was discharged a few werks ago—has met with a aprMU? accident near his home at Newcastle-en- Tyne. As he was alighting from a train he slipper and fell under the wheels, his 1PI; being severed. Corpl. Reay was a very genial fell-nv. and during his stay at the hospital had made himself exceedingly popular. He wa- the possessor of a good tenor voice, and had Eõllll on several occasions at the weekly concerts. Whilst at the Mumbles he had been keening company with a local young Indy. and their wedding was to have taken place to- morrow (Tuesday).

THE POWER TO CLOSE. The general commandin-g has issued an order for the Western Command, which includes Wales, Cheshire. Shrop- shire. Herefordshire. Monmouthshire, Cumberland and Westmorland, and the Isle of Man, giving power to close licensed premises' where the amount charged either generally or as respectinf members of his Majesty's forces exceed the maximum 1 mentioned in the order. The prices given compared with those in London, are as ic,llows.- t Wstrn. (.. >mmd. Lndn. I Breakfast 2,(1 Luncheon 2.6 3;'H Tea 1- 1/6 Diuner 4, 6 5 1; 1 Supper 3/0 Inclusive terms in the Western Com- mand are. to be 12s. litl. a day as the maxi- mum. or Hls. tid. when lunch is not I included. I

SWANSEA CHILD SCALDT-D. I Samuel Godgin, aged ti, of 10, Mansei- sheet. Swansea, was admitted to the Hos- pital suffering from scalds on the legs and arm, caused through the overturning oj a: saucepan of boiiing water.

=:c:c-o,-o,o;. SWANSEA GUNNER'S MARK;AGE. I L The marriage t<K>« puu-e at 01. tauio Church, Waluen, LondoD, oa Saturday I' iiist ot (}«nu}'r Ralph Kingdon, R G.A., y Miss Evie Saunder.-s Prior to joining the colours Gunner Kingdon was foreman at Messrs. 1 hornet I and Chivers, provision merchants, Cambrian-piaee. Swansea, and II resided with his father at 30. Rosehill-ter- raoe, Mr. W. King do 11. shop manager for Messrs. C. ii- J'luss and Co., Ltd., Pros- pect-place, Swansea.

He had heard it said, observed the Rev: T. Lewis, M.A., B.D., Principal ot Brecon, at Walter-road Church, Swansea, I on Sunday, that Great Britain had not yet come to a proper frame of mind tor victorv. lIe feared that turning to God was the neglected factor in our life. At 1 he. iaquest on Monday on a number of ictims of the Great East End explo- sion, the jury returned a verdict that the victims died, from shock and injuries, and that death was due to misadventure. In the Prize Court on Monday, applica- tion for bounty was made on behalf of the officers and crews of H.M.S. Amphion. and flotilla of sixteen destroyers in conrlection with the sinking of the mine-layer Konigin Luise. Commander Andeison said the shots were in this case were the first shots in tlie war.

I i < .■ v KUT CAPTUREDt Great News From Tigris Mr. Bonar Law in the House ot Commoi this afternoon that Kut h been captured. ANOTHER NAVAL RAID. Enemy Craft Bombard Broadstairs and Margate Sir Edward Carson a; nounced in the Commons t, day that enemy dest.roytc bombarded Broadstairs an Margate early this mornini One woman and one chU were killed and two injurec and two houses were dan a?ed i I' I r ,j; ?'?.- ?- ) •• "v* V .? ? '?'' • v. I I i r « V .t, ¡  It