Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

DEFINITE ACTION. SIEGE OPERATIONS IN FLANBERS. The PS-ess Bureau on Sunday issued the following descriptive account communi- cated by the Eye-Witness present with the General Headquarters:— 17th. December. There is now some definite action on frur front to report. In conjunction with the French, who are also pressing forward, a movement has been started which has resulted in a small gain of ground. On #he night of the 13th-14th, to the south of Lys, some of the Indian troops rushed two German sapheads and gained possession of them. On Monday, the 14th. on our rigbt tho artillery of both sides, was kept employed. our guns taking the greater share ifl the action, and there was rifle fire all along the line. It was on the left that a some- what more important operation was initiated. Here, after a bombardment of the German position, our infantry pushed forward at a point to the west of Wyts- c-haete. We captured some sections of trench at a loss to the enemy of 120 killed and two officers and 60 men takes, prisoners. Beyond our left the Germans were also forced back eome distance along the line running between St. Eloi to the south- east of Ypres and Zonnebeke, to the north of the Ypres-Menin road. North of Ypres the Germans also withdrew at certain points. That night the enemy fired 250 sheik into Armentieros. Next day (Tuesday) there was no ad- ,Vaz" made by either side. To the north of Lys our artillery action continued and our infantry maintained the gain in ground made the day before. On our immediate left the French were opposed by stubborn resistance, but made no further progress during the night. Near Gi vouch y, an assault was carried out in three bodies against the German gaps. Two of these attacks were Eiuccesa. ful and our troops retained possession of a certain length of each sap. In thi> centre a minor attack against a German trench was also successful. Beyond our right the French gained some ground. On Wednesday, the 16th, the Germans started what looked like an advance in foroe against our right, but it did not develop, and in the centre sapping opera- tions alone occupied each side. On our left we maintained ground won on the 14th. and to the north of us the French made some progress, capturing some 400 yards of trench on the north tIf the Menin-road, from which we were driven by the Prussian Guard on the 11th October. On Thursday, the 17th. nothing hap- pened on our right, but it was notierablc- that the enemy showed signs of being in expectation of an attack by manning his lire trenches in force. In the centre sap- ping continued, and some of our heavy guns obtained several hits upon a German howitzer battery and what appeared to be a headquarters. On our left our action wap confined to that of the artillery, the infantry not advancing beyond the line they had gained on the 14tli. In this quarter of the field two German soldiers, who had crawled out of their trenches to throw hand grenades, were both blown up by a premature burst of one of these missiles. Beyond our left, up in the north, a German counter-attack on the Itight of the 16th—17th near Lombartzyde was re- pulsed and the Germane were slowly forced back east and south of Nienport and lost about 100 sailors and marines captured by the French- From a prisoner captured on the lfth, it has been ascertained that both the Twenty-Third Regiment and the Jagers suffered enormous losses on the 4th November. The same man described the 5th of November as a terrible day. and mentions that he had never before seen such mud as that in which the Germaaa were operating and that the troops were suffering very much from the water in I the trenches. The shelling that he went l through on the 14th of this month, he states, exceeded all his previous experi- ence. We havft reason to believe from pvidencf,, of prisoners that many of the Landwehr are heartily sick of the war, and resent the harsh treatment of tiieir officers. They have been per- puaded that the British ill-treat their prisoners, and but for this some would be willing to surrender. The Germans appear to be discarding their helmets, the Pickleliauben, with which they have for fifty years been associated iu the eyes of the world. Aluo —probably for the purposes of conceal- ment—they are covering the red hands of their forage caps with strips of grey cloth. Many variations in their uniforms are now to be seen, some of the troops wmrin, their peace clothing, which is of brighter colour than the grey service qres. There is evidence that certain of the units facing us are much under strength. The opposition now being encountered resembles to some extent that met with by us in the beginning of October, when we first reached the Franco-Belgian frontier, and before the Germans brought tip their full force and assumed the offensive. It has one great difference, however, and that is that the enemy ia in much greater force, and his positions are much stronger and better organised than they were two months ago. Then an advance by either side implied movement across enclosed and very difficult country, am it does still, and for us it meant thp. attack of skilfully but hastily fortified str-in,- points or villages held to a large extent by cavalry and .lagers with a largp proportion of machine guns. What we have in front of us to-day is Bo longer a succession of isolated points. There are still such points and some are the same, but they are stronger and form part of a practically continuous defensive zone, consisting in sonie cases of several lines of cunningly-sited and carefully-constructed works. This zone really amounts to a maze of fire trencher and obstacles. Every known form of obstacle ip used, the entangle- mentg- to select the most common- varying from loose coils of wire to securely staked networks of from iS I inches to nearly 6ft. in height and of different width. These measures of defence are only such aA are to be ex- pected from troop. who are well trained and have ample resource and time. And there are, of course, ways hi which they can be overcome. But where theae methods are applied the rate of advance is necessarily slow. and when it is reported in laeouic terms that ground has keen gained at a cer- tain point, topographically the gain may amount to only a few yards. Tactically, on the other hand, the pro- gress implied by even such a small step forward may be important, for a trench, < cluster of trenches, the edge of a wood, a building, a village, or a knoll may have been reached, the pos- session of which will facilitate further I operations. Siege approaches, such as saps, help the attacker to advance under co\ er and so to minimise loss, but they do not and cannot obviate liability to surprise recep- tions of the nature indicated, when one,- the enemy's works ere gained. The only certain methods of preventing this is by proionged.bombardment with high explo- sive shells, till the trenches, mines, and machine are reduced t* scrap heaps, or W them and blow theiu into the r..

| "THREE OPEM DOORS." I "THREE OPEN DOORS." I I SULTAN OF EGYPT'S VIEWS. The new Sultan of Egypt has been ex- pressing his views to a correspondent of The Times. 1 havo been disappointed/' he said. in common with many others, in the result of the revolution in Turkey. Ignor- ance and rash ambition have brought the country to a sad pass, and 1 deeply regret that a handful of adventurers should have peen able to drag the Anatolian peasaflt'T, most of whom are good, honest folk, into a war which the country as a whole neither desires nor approves. The conduct of the suzerain J'ower has compelled Great Britain to proclaim a Protectorate over this country. Now, the British Government has invited me to accept the Sultanate. 1 have accepted it, not iight-he?rtedly. but with a full sem'c of my responsibility to fulfil a sacred duty, and in the hope that I may be able to render service to my people. 1 have never been a Pretender to the Throne. I am not an 'arriviste.' I had no need to be. for I arrived 5!) yearti ago. But I am a believer, and my faith has taught me that I am here to work for the good of my country. To attain this end, 1 believe that I shall have the I support of the British Government. Since the suppression of the Arabi revolt. I have been convinced that Egypt, in common with other Eastern States, had need, not of European quantity, but of European quality, in order to direct its progress. For what England has done for Egypt we cannot be too grateful, and that Egypt has not progressed more rapidly (I speak of civic progress and education in the true sense of the word, not of railways and canals) is not the fault of the English, but of the anomalous situation of the country. To Egyptians three doors were open —the door of the Khedivial Palace, the door of the British Agency, and tho door of the Egyptian Government. Can you wonder that a people lacking political experience and education often lost its bearings and took a course contrary to its true interests? The following telegram from his Majesty the King to his Highness the Sultan of Egypt is published:— On the occasion when your Highness enters upon your high office I desire to convey to your Highness the expression of my most sincere friendHhip and the assurance of my unfailing support in safeguarding the integrity of Egypt and in securing her future well-being and I prosperity. Your Highness has been called upon to undertake the responsibilities of your high office at a grave crisis in the national life of Egypt, and I feel con- vinced that you will be able, with the co-operation of your Ministers and the Protectorate of Great Britain, success- fully to overcome all the influences which are seeking to destroy the inde- pendence of Egypt, and the wealth, liberty, and happiness of its people. George R. and I. The Press Bureau last evening pub- lished the te-t in French of a telegram addressed by the Sultan of Egypt to the King in reply to his Majesty's meseage. The following is a translation of the telegrain:- To his Majesty the King, London. "1 present to your Majesty the ex- pression of my liveliest gratitude for the sentiments of friendship with which you are good enough to honour me and for the valuable support cf which you assure me in safeguarding the integrity and independence of Egypt" Conscious of the responsibility7 which I have just assumed and deter- mined to dovote myself in concert with the Protectorate wholly to the progress and well-being of. my people, I am happy to be able to count in this task upon the good will of your Majesty and on the assistance of your Government. Hussein Kamil. Cairo, Saturday.—The new Cabinet is constituted as follows:—liushdi Pasha, Premier and Minister of the Interior; Sirry Pasha. Minister of Public Works, War, and Marine; Ahmed Hilmy Pasha, Minister of Instruction; Sarwat Pasha, Minister of Justice.—Renter. Port Said, Saturday.—The Aga Khan has arrived here and has proceeded to Cairo to assist in the ceremony of accs- sion of the Sultan Hussein. Ho will be the guest of Lieutenant-General Sir John Maxwell.—Router. It has been finally decided that the new Egyptian flag shall be red, with three cresoeuts and stars. -J

TWENTY-TON STONE. Port Talbot Miner's Terrible Death. At Port Talbot on Friday, Mr. Howell Cuthbertson (District Coroner) held an inquest on Benjamin Joseph Evans (27), a roadman, 32, James-street, Port Tal- bot, who was killed on Tuesday night at the Cynon Colliery, Port Talbot, through a stone weighing 20 tons falling upon him. Mr. J. Dyer Lewis, H.M. Inspector of Mines was present, and Mr. Lewis M. Thomas acted for the relations. Miss Sarah Ann Evans (sister of de- ceased) !.rod that deceased was her brother He was 27 years of age, and was employed at the Cynon Colliery, He left home for work at 2 o'clock on Tuesday to work on the night shift.. Thomas Williams, 21, Graig-y-Tewgrior!, Cwmavon, said that he in company wifli deceased, worked on the heading, as road- men. They were engaged in cutting a rail, when suddenly a large stone in thp roof shifted. He and deceased started to run; witness got clear, but deceased was knocked down and pinned by the stofle which was 1Z vartk in length. It took nearly 4 hours to extricate deceased. The stone weighed about 20 tons, and was sup- ported by seven or eight pieces of timber. Evan Jones. Pontrhydyfen, fireman, said lie saw Williams and de<-eased when the shift commenced. He had sounded the stone previously, which seemed solid. He was approaching tho spot when the fall occurred. Dr. Phillips (Port Talbot) described the injuries, and said that, death was probably due to shock, following the in- juries.—Verdict, accidental death. )

MONEY IN THE GARDEN. At. the A-bemvoxt Oounty Police Court on Monday, John Y-oo, a young labourer of no fixed abode, wa* charced with otealizw 17a. 6d. a-nrl 16s. W. during the month of Dee«m.ber, the moneys of Edward A. Baker, J. YroiMtreet, Port, Talhot.. .S-upecic te-ndc-mt. Ben Evans asked for an adjournment for further investigation. P.S. j Uc2GoveM Port Taitvot depoaed 1-o <irresting prisoner on the 19th in ft-. Be charged him with the ttWW-, and prisoner replied, "Toe, I did!" In rega-rd to t.he 1&1. 6d. prisoner eaid, "You will find .the lot I stole to-day in the garden." Witness reoovered a portion of the money from the garden. Prisoner was remanded until next Mon- day's oourt, bail being allowed in a surety cf £ 5.

HORSE-RACING AT NEATH. I At Ninth Polioe Court on Monday two youths naated Arthur Phillips juid William Pullen, in the employ of Mr. Grsuiclfieid, fruiterer, Neath, were charged with furious driving in B rid go-street. Aid. H. P. Chariee aaid lie saw defon- dtunte driving horsee attached to light flat t'm'? at such, a fu.?mt p<?t: hat U?y al"! mam.1 u? him to b? nMiux. Several peo?In bad to clear out of the way. I Defendants were each fined 10s. and coats, l futd tho Mayor exprwseed the ma.g'i.trates' thinks to Aid. Charles ioi bringing the ,Sa&e lorwaiU. 1

GORSEINON HERO. DETAILS OF HOW SERGT HUXTABLE MET HIS DEATH. Although the death of Sergeant Ernest Huxtable, of the 6th Dragoon Guards, seoOLtd boil of Mr. and Mrs. Huxtable, Kingsbridge, Gorseinon, has been already reported, news has only just reached de- ceased's wife at Canterbury as to the brave and fearless manner in which he met his death while undertaking a perilous tank entrusted to him, and how heroically he fulfilled it-but at the cost of his life. Sergeant Iluxtabie was well known in Gorseinon and district and in Canterbury Free Church circles. The current issue of a Methodist contemporary has an apprecia- tion by the Rev V. Korman Charley on "llow a Brave Methodist Died." The true story of how he met his death is gleaned from two letters, one from the major and the other from the lieutenant of his troop. It was during the advance of the Allies northward from Valenciennes to Aions that the cavalry played such a conspicuous pari. Huxtable, with a handful ot men under the lieutenant, was sent on ahead to recon- noitre a. position at a point where a bridge epa-ns the canal between Valenciennes and Mons, close to the Belgian frontier. The- instructions wore to prevent the enemy, at all costs, should he be discovered, from crossing the canal, and to preserve, ;f ios- sible, a clear road for ( ur own troops. The party arrived at the bridge orl,. in the day, took, up a position in some fc< t tvn ou either IÚde of the  ani awaited the arriv&l of their r.L fore' At a.nmt 4.30 p.m., wheal the main force was expected at any moment, a strong body of the enemy numbering about 50ti—suddenly made its appearance on the opposite bank of the canal. Our men immediately opened lire, working havoc in their ranks. Then for nearly two houra a tjerrifco struggle took I place. The odds were overwhelmiugly against the British, but they clung ttra- eiously to their position, and n.i-3 ot :kla I, enemy succeeded in crossing "ne I ri ,6. F, I many as attempted to do so were shot down Ire they had advanced a. few yards. By &ix o'clock the Germans had aucceeded in bringing up their big guns, and a heavy shrapnel firo began to pour down upon the butises in which the little band had am- buslied themselves, lieinforcements havirur now arrived, the order was given for the party to retire and rejoin the regiment, while the infantry advanced and took over the position. This was suoceeafuily accom- plished, the party first blowing up tho bridge. It was in the execution of this perilous task that ^rgeant Huxtable, v,t,O had throughout, by his fearless conduct, earned the praise of both ofticers men. met his death. Advancing under a murderous shrapnel fire, he lit the fuse which reduced the struct-ure to a ruin and prevented the enemy from cmszijig the canal. Whether he was hit by ahrapnel or wounded by the explosion is uncertain, but in either cMtlo death, happily, was instantaneous. His lieuten.ant said of him, "He is a. great loss to the Carabiniera. No man ever died a more gallant death than he died." His loss is equally great from the Christian standpoint, and if he has not lived to see his reward here, he has entered into a greater reward elsewhere.

I FUNERAL AT PORT TALBOT. I On Thursday, tha remains of the late Mr. Richard Jones, of Aberavon, who died last week, when on a visit to his daughter at Richmond, were interred in the family vault at the Chapel of Ease Burial Ground, Port Talbot. Deceased, who was 84 years of age, was an old and respected resident of Aberavon, and had been for many years activktiv associated with the public and business life of the town, and a member of the first Town Council after the Charter was granted to the borough in i860. The coffin, which had been brought from Richmond to Aberavon, was of plain oak, with heavy brass trimming, was conveyed to the burial ground by liearse. The special niriiirner-; were Mr. W. Hibhert Jonep, Mr. and Mrs. Hibbert Jones, and Mr. Waller Ilibbert Jones (sons), Mrs. T. 0. Richards (daughter), Mr. Walter Ilibbert Richards, Mr. Richard Spratt (grandsons), Mr. and Mrs. John Jenkins (Gowerton), Mr. Willie Spratt. Mr. Geo. It. Spratt, Private Tom Spratt (grand- soofX, Mr. Charles Piiwh (son-in-law), Mr." David Hibhert Thomas (Morriston, nephowh In tbe procession were a num- ber of the leading men of the district, including the Mayor, aldermen, and councillors of the borough, and county ?;i,nd borough -Tustice? of the Peace. The burial rites were performed by the pastor of Carmel C.M. Church, of which deceased was a valued and devout member. There were a number of beautiful floral tributes.

CAPE COPPER COMPANY. Chairman's Survey at Annual Meeting of  Britonferry Firm. I Presiding at the annual meeting of the Cape Copper Company, Ltd., in London, yesterday, Mr. Blair Reynolds, chairman, said it was useless making remarks on promising property in Asia Minor. Thut was on Turkish territory, but their .Eng- lish representatives arrived home safelv. The property was not far from the pre- sent boundary between Russia and Tur- key, and they could only await events. It was impossible to forecast to what extent the war might affect them. The decreases in the November output was traceable to that source. Referring to their property in South Africa, they railed confidently on the protection of the forces under the leader- ship of General Botha. Generally, although the accounts might appear to show a retrograde movement, the consideration of the report shewed that the company had made real progress, and they might hope to reap results during the next era of peaceful industrial development. The net profits amounted to £ 17,214, which, with a balance brought forward, made £ 110,757, making a total of £ 78,002. From this £G:L;5 had been pai.1 in dividends. Out of the balance a final dividend had been paid of pr eent, making 6 per cent, for the year on the preference shares. There were 110 profits available for final dividend on the ordi- nary shares. The report and dividends wore agreed t-0.

FOR PORT TALBOT POOR. I Mr. Bert Bailey. Port Talbot, makes the foUowinc appeaJ on beha.lf of theWœJ.y I i">rt T-.?hot) Central HtkU Old People Christmas Pa.rty:- To the Editor. Sir,—You have yoar very courteously allowed ms, through your paper, to appeal for funds and goods and conveyances for ,,he above. Some tluiiightthat. this year this would be abandoned because of the war. But Busmen w ueaal is our motto, and we have decided tc, invite again this year the aged poor of the district for a fourth year to thifl long-looked-for and much-enjoyed event. Many of them are parents of our bnxve soldiers and sailors, and we think it would be unpatriotic to deny them of this annual £ a £ hering, which means so muoh to them. Tljia year will be oi special interest to them, because our Belgian gneeSs will be with them. The public of thi* district hfcva always made it possible for me to do many things I personally cannot do, and ] feel Stn.t that. they will again entrust me with the needful to invite, irrespective of creed or "h.r:j.(.1er, the aired poor to our Lfourth Old Folks At Home on December 33;.

I SEAL OF DISHONOUR. I FIRST SEA LORD ON THE EAST COAST RAiD. I The following letter has been sent by I the First Lord of the Admiralty to the Mayor of Scarborough: Aumiralty, S.W., 20tii December, 1914. My clear Mr. Mayor,—I send you a message of" sympathy, not only on my own account, but. on behalf of the Navy, in the losses Scarborough has sustained. We mourn with you the peaceful in- habitants who have been killed or maimed, and particularly the women and children. ■ We admire the dignity and fortitude will: which Scarborough, Whitby, and the Hartiepools have con- fronted outrage. We share your dis- appointment that the miscreants escaped unpunished. We await with patience the opportunity that will surely come. But viewed in its larger aspect, the incident is one of the most instructive and encouraging that have happened in the war. nothing proves more plainly the effectiveness of British naval pressure than liie frenzy of hatred aroused against us in the breasts of zlie enemy. This hatred haa already passed the frontiers of reason. it clouds their vision, it darkens their counsels, it con- vulses thcif movements. We see a nation of military calculators throwing calculation to the winds; of strategists who have lost their sense of proportion; of schemers who have ceased to balance loss and gain. Practically the whole fast cruiser force of the German navy, including some great ships vital to their fleet and utterly irreplaceable, has been risked for the passing pleasure of killing as many English people as possible. irrespective of sex. age, or condition, in j the limited time available. To this act II of military and political folly they are impelled by tha violence of feelings which could find no other vent. This is very satisfactory, and should confirm us in our courses. Their Bate is the measure of their fear. Its sense- less expression is the proof of their impotence nnd the seal of their dis- honour. Whatever feats of arms the German Navy may hereafter perform, the stigma of the Viby-killcr? of Scar- borough will brand it.officers and men while sailors sail the seas.—Believe me, dear Mr. Mayor, yours faithfully, (Signed) Winston S. Churchill, The Victims Buried. Pathetic scenes wore witnessed at Scar-I borough on Saturday afternoon at the funerals of eleven victims of tbe bom- bardment of the town. At Hartlepool yesterday there were 17 funerals, and 27 at West Hartlepool, in- cluding one military funeral. A II nlacps of business were closed at Scarborough on Saturday for two hours. Fifteen hundred people assembled at St. Mary's Parish Church at the memorial service, which was attended by the Mayor and Corporation, Mr. Walter Rea, M.P., Sir Joseph Compton Picket t, M.P., former member for Scarborough, and other representative people. I

THINLY-VEILED SHEBEEN? Abergwyrsfi Club Case Before the Magistrates. At. the Aberavon County Police Court on Manday the ca-)e against the Gladstone Liberal Club. 75 and 76, Jftrsey-re-wi, Aber- gwynfi, which was raided by the police on Saturday, was down for hearing, the appli- cation being to have it struck off as a oogiw club.—Mr. Henry Thompson (Swan- ttoa,) prosecuted. Aid. E. Evan Daviea (Maesteg) appeared for defendants, and said that he had agreed with his learned frielldfor a.n adjournmesit, and lie suggested that tho hearing should ho adjourned uutil January lit-b. Omiu,el had been briefed, and this was the earliest date it would be convenient for him to appear. Mr. Henry Thoml??on said that an ad-I joumment would be necœsary, Mo ae to enable the defendants to go thr(mgh the club's bocks. He and thepoU<'? superinten- dent, h)wever, considered that th? ?journ- ment should be a? -hcrt aa possible, and he suggested January 4th. The case for the prosecution was that this club was but a thinly-veiled sheboen, and if that was h-O, it. alvould be closed as early at, possible. The Clerk: It is not closed now then? Mr. Thompson: Oh. no. sir. They are still carrying on business, and will throughout the festive sekson. The Bench decided to give a special day to the hearing on Wednesday, December 3Cth.

ABERAVON MEN GET DRUNK AFTER I A FUNERAL. The Aberavon Borough. Police Court en Thursday, David Williams and Edw&rd McGrath, two young men living at OWm- avon-road .Aberavon, were charged with being dr«uk and disorderly in High-street, Aberavon. Oil the 12th inst. P.C. Price said he mw defendants arm in arm staggering up High-street. He spoke to them respecting tteir conduct, but de- fendants took no notice. Defendant Wil-I liams said to his companion, Why don't you join the Army?" Williams also told witueeys th.1.t he could do what the —— he liked." By the Mayor: Do either of you belong to the Army? Williams: Yes; T belong to the Royal Horse, and I have come home to undc-rgo an operation. Aoked if they had any tiling to s?iy, defen- dant ti said that they had been to a funeral and had rimnk some whisky. They had never been drank before. Defendants were cautioned and difwha-rged on payment of costs.

NEW SKETTY VICAR. j The Rev. H. J. Stewart, Vicar of Coek- ett, has accepted the Vicariate of St. Paul's, Sketty, ill (succession to the Key. Akrill Jouets. Mr. Stewart was a scholar and ex- hibitioner at St. Davids College. I«un- in 18!)t. The iulloii- ing year he was at St. Michael's College, Aberdare. He was ordained deacon ill 1HW. and priest iii 1897. He has been Vicar of Coekett since 1907. and -? lias be,'en -iii this during the period ho has beou in this district he has been an active a.nd useful member of the Swansea Board of Guard- ians and Rural District Council. He was .I l e wa.,? formerly ('urate of Llandyssul, Cardigan, from ]8!1t; to 1893; Curate of Llausaiulet from IWi to 1906, and Rector of Tdangor- wen from 1006 to 1907. His father-in law. the Rey. James Griffiths, is Vicar of Llansaralot.

PURSER'S JEWELLERY ESTABLISH- MENT. Those who are desirous of mskirig suit- able jewellery presents to their relativoo a-nd friend* should not fail to inspect Purser's immense «<tock art. their establish- ment., 263, Oxford-eireet, (Swansea. They have a really great selection of beautiful rings, exquisite jewellery, perfect watches ajvd other s-rticles euatable for Christmas and Now Year's gifts at prices that cannot fail to command a ready sale.

Mr. D. R. Wild and Mr. W. J. Jojiee h?vc p?6?<i th"-if. I)ayld"s Col-! leye. f.?kiv.1iii :-t iiaine for Kidwelly babios just now. There is al- rc-ady a.\am:)r I?uvam. and ? Lpo! I??tvaiM. hoy-. ?<hth Louva.m. aDd  Marjorio Solum. Alsaco Lorraine, hen.. |

-n -=-=-===-=-=-===-='=.===-===-=-7' 7*" As the Lion is still w l the King of the Forest so is the British Lion ?????? ? J? ? tyJ ? t/FAtC ? JRLJ'I?H?i&cJh U itLd!U?hMU  '?  '? ?   deslined to  retain its suprem- and freedom. For Business as Usual c VISIT LLEWELLYN BROS., The most Economic, Artistic and Substantial House Furnishers in the District, CHESTERFIELD SUITES in Solid Mahogany Frames & Good Plain Velvet, in all colours from XI 3/13/0, as design. Solid Oak Bedroom Suites from £ 5/17/6. 37, HIGH STREET and CASTLE STREET, SWANSEA.

WHAT THE FRENCH HAVE DONE. STORY OF THE MOST RECENT OPERATIONS. Paris, Monday. The following semi-official account of ojierations between the 7th and the 15th inst. is issued to-night:— During this period the ascendancy taken hy the French infantry enabled the French to mako progress at several points on the front, a progress which would seem to have caused the encrnv gouie uneasiness. German infantry was everywhere more on the alert, and con- tinuous bursts on rifle lire revealed a certain amount of nervoxisneee. The more and more frequent use of sea re h- lights and l'itar dielk alMi showed how the enemy feared an attack. The narrator goes on to say that after the costly and vain experiments of last month, the enemy eeem to have been re- duced ererywhero to the defensive, and it is now the French who are taking the offensive. In the artillery duels the A llipù batteries are showing their superiority more and more between the sea and the Lys. The enemy who confined themselves be- tween the 6th and 9th inst to bombard- ing the Allies' lines, and particularly Ypres, delivered three iu fan try attacks or. the 10th against our trenches to tho south of Towne. The first two were re- pulsed. In the third the Germans reached the firtit line trenches, but the French regained the position. A fresh attack by the enemy was stopped on the 12th. On the 14th the Allied infantry took the offensive, and in spite of the sodden ground and machine-gun fire, it e- reeded in carrying the German trenches over a front of several hundred yards, and held them against violent attacks. On the following day. with the co- operation of the Belgians, the French succeeded in debouching from Nicuport and taking up a position in a plantation to the west of the village of Lomliaertzque and St. George. The German artillery rendered but little assistance to their infantry in the operations. between the Lys and the Oise the pro- gress of tie Allies has not been less i marked. The capture of the chateau of Vermelle enabled the French to sap tn- wards the village, which fell into the hands of the French on December 7th. Explosives were found in some of the house?, and many bodies were lying in the streets. The occupation of Vermilles obliged the Germans to retreat for a distance of three kilometres. The enemy left all their stores behind. The narrative proceeds: On the same day we captured trenches to the south of Careujo, and were able to advance in the region of Quesnoy for a distance varying between 350 and 900 metres. Our sharpshooters succeeded in reaching the barbed wire entanglements of the enemy, and then holding their ground in spite of a heavy fire. On the 8th inst. there was heavy fighting on the Lille Road to the north of Koclincourt. where a barricade was in the end left in our hands. On the 9tli we made further progress near Parvillers and Fouques-court, where wo are only a. hundred metros from the German trenches. Outside Andechy we have advanced be- tween 300 and 600 metres, and we axe ¡ the same timH going forward by sapping. On the 11th we blew up a (term?n sap to the MtSt of the Lille road. Zouaves .md sappers jumped into the hole made by the explosion and bombarded the German trenches with grenades filled with melinite. 071 the same day, near Lihons, one of our mines destroyed a German counter-mine. Several of the German sappers were hurled into the air amid a cloud of smoke. Two attacks delivered by the enemy on Ule llih in the region of Fouciuescourt, and an attack near Ovillers were easily held. Tbe German artillery which on the 1-ith bombarded Mareuil only succeeded in doing some damage to property. On the other hand, our batteries showed their superiority. On the 11th the motor vehicles assembled osi the Lens—La Jtessee road were obliged by our shells to make a hurried departure. In spite of the rigours of Decernl>er weather, and the rains which have eon- verted ille trenches into quagmiree, the spirits and health of our troops are ex- cellent, tlvajike to the devices adopted to prevent collapse and to keep our drinking water pure. A Gorman expressed his surprise at th gaiety of the French troops, which, he said, was in striking contrast to the dispiritedness of his own comrades. Our troops, well fed and warmly clothed, are j full of confidence. On December 12ih, a Gorman soldier advanced towards our trenches holding in one hand cigars, and in the other a pro- clamation announcing Russian defeats. He was not given any time to talk, for a well placed bullet put an end to his overtures. Between the Oise and the Argonne: On this front between December Hth and 16th there was an almost daily artillery duel without any infantry attack, except on the night: of the 7tb. when the Germans made an assan!t on Tracy-le-Val, which was easily repulsed. The German artillery has been devoting particular* attention to tho towns and villages. On the lith, they bombarded Soissons: on the 10th and loth Tracy; on the 10th the suburbs of Eheims; on the 12th the town of Rheims itself; and on the lith the village of Crony. Our artillery replied with success. On the tith it wrecked some trains; on the 7th it dispersed the gatherings of troops; on the 9th it destroyed an emplacement for machine guns and an observation post, and on the 10th wiped out a battery. On the 11th, our heavy "artillery silenced some machine guns, and one of the "75's" finished off a German 77." On the 13th our shells demolished trenches; on the 11th our heavy guns again put a German 77 out of action. In the Argonne the enemy shows most activity. Sapping operations are punctu- ated by infantry attacks. On the 7th. in the Grurie Forest, we ignited a. mine and pushed our trenches forward. On the 8th, we progressed in Polande Forest to West Operthes. We bfcw up three more mines, and a bat- talion captured the German first line trenches by an assault. On the 9th two German attacks against Bagatelle. and an attack against St. Hubert were re- enpniv iiiade, two costly, but fruitless efforts to recapture the trenches which they had lost to the west of Perthes. On the 10th we continued, in spite of attacks, to advance towards Bagatelle A German officer who tried to induce some of our men to surrender was shot the head. Year Courtechassefi we have progressed by sapping, and have obliged the enemy tu evacuate a small position. On the 11th we were subjected, in the Grurie Forest, to a violent bombard- ment, and the enemy endeavoured to hamper our entrenching works at an- other point. The enemy un«racoessfullv attacked us with gunfire, bnt they suc- ceeded in blowing up one of our trenches On the 12th further trencheis were de- H royed in Grurio ilorfgf. We gained &)P metres on tho 12th, and continued to make slight progress. On the 15th and 16th we blew up a Ger- man sap. We aIM made slight progr.>ss 50 metres m the southern part of the Pclande Forest. Prom the Argonne to the Swiss frontier in the region of Varennes and in tho heights ot the .Meutse, artillery alone has been active. The enemy bombarded on the 10th the region of Cuisy; on the 12th and 13th the village of Aulirevillo; and on the Hth the railway near that place, as well as the station of Clermont. They onlv sticceeded, however, in doing alight damage to property. Our artillery on tho 11th managed, with tho help of an airman, to get the range of a German column near Varennee and destroyed two batteries of heavy artillery. On the 12th our guns de- stroyed some of the enemyJf trenches near Yaremies. Between the Meuse and the Moselle we gained daily. Between the 7th and the llth we gained some ground in Le Pretre Fcrcst. capturing some inu-bita gaus and making numerous prisoners. The German captives were in very low spirits, and declared that they had je-, ceived' orders from their officers not to I use their firearms, so as not to draw our fire. I An attack on our part against the liwnteres and Soimard WOOdéi was bss isuccessful. Vv c were* able to occupy first line trenches, but from the second line ti-enches, wliivh were so situated that they could not be reached by our artillery, (,ur men were subjected to a violent fusilade. They resisted the first German counter-attack, although they were up to their knees in mud. but were driven out by the Germans, who came on a second time and reoccupied their own trenches, but were not able to advance against OUIP. Ou the same day we returned to the attack, aud in. spitfl of thp difficulties arising from the sodden state of the I gTound, we were abls to recapture the trenches along a front, of 500 metres. Other attacks by the enemy were re- pulsed on the 13th in the Aillv Forest and on the 15th in the Montgere Forest, where shortly before we had captured some German trenches oa the 12th, an aeroplane set fire to a train at I'agny-sur- Moselle. On the 13th, the station of Commercy and tbn house* near it were subjected to a bombardment. In the Ycsges the positions gained have been solidly held m the face of German attacks on the 10th. our troops captured the station of Aspach to the south-east of Thann with a small loss, aud dr?ve back a German counter-attack. On the ilth we occupied the heights to the west of Oernay, and thf. village Steiobach. j An attempt by the enemy tr resxnu* ihfi uifVeusive was repulsed with lisavy lu. On the Hth, the Germans a#ain attacked, and succeeded at a heavy loss in occupy-! ing ksceinbitcli, but they could not debouch from the place, and the heights] were dominated. Cernay remained in onto hands. A fresh effort of the Germans on the loth came to nothing, and communication was assured with the troops. advancing from Belfort. The town of Thann, which., had hitherto been spared, was bombarded. On the 11th and 13th. five persona were killed, including a little girl. On the 13th our aviators dropped bombs on the station of Freiburg upon the aeroplane sheds. To sum up we hiL- made attacks at a large number of points, which have been crowned wiih success. At no points have we abandoned what we gained, and everywhere the enemy has been obliged to assume a defensive attitude. This has confirmed our troops m. the consciousness of their superiority.

PBL  B  ?"J? CLKASSE» NOSE AN D tUKOAT. A uionieut''a reflection will convince sutferersj that local infection in nose and throat can best be overcome by local treatment. When your noee and throat arc obstructed with fferm-Vaden raucuo, No,-trotiiie" instantly relieves the stum- ues- and destroys the miciobee. Nv* 1 troliue" works wonders in Head Colds, JiasaI .Catarrh, aexi influenza. It main- taillt3 continual iiicinfectioii, Lelic-ym fcoiciiese, clears obstructed air passages, and tsofteiM ami hnll away crusts in the nostrils. Make up your mind to rnns N^ooitmliaie." Get it lo-dny. Tube*, 1< till, and Zs. 9d.. most Chemists, or post free from makers. Harold K. Matthews and Co., Chemiots, Clifton. Bristol.

One of the most important contests seen in Glasgow lately was that which took place at the Scottish National Athletic Club 011 Monday night between Fred Delaney (Cardiff) and Eddie Beattio (Castlecary). The pair had agreed to box the best of twenty rounds at 10st 71b. There was a large attendance, Delaney having a strong following from over the Border. Both are recognised as in the front rank of their class, and boxing at welter-weight I limit put them on their mettle. The fight was fast and scientific, and at the end of the twentieth round Beattie was declared an easy winner on points.

———— L J' W TO MAKE CHRISTMAS BRIGHT' AND HAPPY BUY OUR PIANOS AND ORCANS. SELECTED STOCK BY LEADING MAKERS AT LOWEST PRICES. CASH OR EASY TERMS. EVERY INSTRUMENT GUARANTEED. SALTERS MUSIC STORES, 15, QUEEN ST., NEATH. I 10 For Best Selection of Xmas Presents & New Year's Gifts GO TO EDMUND M. NEEDHAM (Late L. BEHA & Co.) 12a, Station Road, Port Talbot, AND Dunraven Place, Bridgend. Choice Jewellery in Newest Do, sigas, Reliable Watches & Clocks,. Real Siiver and Feag 8ilver-Piaued Goods of (tvi-ry description, all at* Lowest Price?. KINDLY CALL AND I A SPECT. "i