Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

REBEL LEADERS SURRENDER. I PRETORIA, Wednesday. It is officially announced that four officers and 100 burghers, part of Maritz's rebel force, surrendered to-day at Kokames. f It is expected that mora of the com- 4 inando will come in in small groups during the next few days. It is also officially announced that the isurrender in Kemp's commando number 1*4-3 officers (including Kemp) and 486 burghers. There is reason to believe ihat a considerable number of the mem- bers of the Defence Corps who have rebelled will surrender at Upington to- night. This accounts for all the leaders of the South African rebellion. De Wet has been captured, Maritz is a fugitive, and Beyers was drowned whilst attempting to I escape.

a AUSTRIANS LOSE HOPE. I PETROGRAD, Wednesday. With the successful Russian advance m the Hungarian hide of the Carpathians, Dehind the sources of the San River, the period of elaborate reconnaissances is iver, and the Southern Army has taken he offensive along the entire front from I )f"low the Dukla Pass to the east of the ie&kid Mountains. The Austrian* have oft hope, and are yielding important tositions with scarcely any show of esistance. A Russian column which crossed tho n"Oad iuain ridge east of the Yaelisk eized a batt&ry of six guns with ammmu- ion intact, besides two bomb-throwing nor tars and a quantity of machine-j;unB tetore the Austrian force could boring hem into act-ion. Detachments of Ger- j nans are among the prisoners taken dur- ng the advance both in the Izhok region J tn.d in the Eastern Beekids. 1 The only visible counter-demonstration i from the Austrian side is increased activity of artillery fire along the line liT j the Dunajetz, but all sectional attempts at an offensive there have been destroyed II in a few hours. Hindenburg seems to realise that tho campaign of 1915 is beginning very badly I for his strategy. Hi* personal quartern are established at Leneyza, about 20 miles north of Lodz. He is living in au hotel. and Prince Joachim of Prussia. occupies a I neighbouring doctor's house. Their sup- I plier are brought from Kalisch, on the I frontier.

TURKS SEVERELY DEFEATED. I CAIRO, Wednesday. I A prisoner who has just been brought i àl from the front reached Cairo today. He was a Turkish officer aud was well f equipped in a now grey uniform with fine gold shoulder-strap* He was iuoet •anxious lor food, and demanded paiaft (the favourite native di&h of boiled rice with mutton, kid, or iowl, and ihwoureti with spices). lie said that he was .thoroughly glad to I lave been takei^, prisoner and to be free xom continual *anxiety. Later in the day 32 pris»ner6 taken in I the engagement at Al Knntara have just been brought to Cairo. They were taken through the streets from the railway sta- tion to the Kasr-el-Nil Barracks on footJ They presented a miserable appearance. Some of them were bare-ioot.e.d. while others had their ciathes tied up wj?h?tB of string. They made a gra&t aaitaM? impression on the native popuiaoe- Conditions are quiet along the Canal. The largest ship tharf; has ever paissed through the Sueas Canal, the Whate Star liner Ceramic, a vessel of 18,600 tons, made the journey on Tuesday, which is a testimony to the excellence of the present I arrangements b-Klaedtve Disgusted. I The ex Khedive leift Turkey owing to has disgust with and fear cf the Gi toman Government, which at iirst urged 1.iill to accompany the Egyptian expedition and finally refused to sanction hiG departure from Constantinople. > The Germans obtained his release. He wae much courted at iirat and visited by the authorities and the German Ambassa- ior. But after the declaration of war ho was left alone in hi* palace. Djemal "asha, even before he left for Syria, didt lQrl; visit him. Fighting Near Ishmailia. I Cairo, Wednesday.—Yesterday Brit" ili. xvm met the oneray in tiie vicinity- ol snailia. A sandstorm checked the aamy's ardour. Their shooting both with one and rifles was bad. The ener/iy re- peated. The British losses wore s fx. men oonded.—Reuter. Last night the enemy all-exrpted to rose the canal near Tou-shouu., They ere a.How?d to bring bridgim material o ihe bank cd the caj?J Uumo ? a;?t e'lad i-Wy they started hr?dgtn? our tmopfi jeUvered an attack, which wa fi completely nxxesdul. The enemy fled 'in disorder, earing their whole material -In our hands. Sennwai of the enemy were drowned. The enemy also delivers A an rattack on. the Al Kantara front at riAylight today, but were easily repul«sd.#' Wng J6 killed &nfi wounded and -1-0 pneiraei-s. Our casual- ties were tlrpe wounde A.—Router. Abdul Hamir/jf Advice. I Bvcharest. Xoeada^.—Abdaii Qeum<L I i-he ex-S Til taxi of Turkey, lis's been con- stilted by the Young Turks regarding t.he |.«i'tu^tion. advisod the Young Turks jto conclude peace, especially if the Fro.ncx)- British fleet was able to force the Deurda- i:c-lies, which he thought quite ix>6sibie. The German:; ,ue suspicions of tho 'rks and fear Lb?y may mnkc (?uly a fl"I"blp- attempt to defend the Dardanelles, so as to have an excuse to ask for peace.

I SHIP PURCHASE BiLL. Washington. Feb. 3.—Dr. Page (American Ambassador in London) has informed the Government that tho British decision regarding foodstuffs and j conditional contraband does not extend to thp Wilhclmina, which sailed before Germany's decreo seizing food Tho cargo of the Wilhelmina will be seized and paid for, aad the vessel re- leaspd Other euch consignments, however, j will bo seized, together with the vessels without compensation. The State Department has advised the Wilhelmina's consignors of Britain's pnr- paso to seize the cargo.-Reiiter. I Ship Purchase Bill Washington, Feb. 3.—The Democratic Senators have adopted a plan in caucus to break the opposition to the Ship Pm'- chase Bill ¡ Whilo secrecy is maintained in re £ .r\l|i to tba plan, it is stated that when ihej motion to recommit the Bill to Committee comes up, Senator Fletcher will offer an I amendment providing that the Com- mittee shall report the Bill back to the Senate in.48 hours, with an amendment I safeguarding neutrality, and fixing the I limit when tho Government may begiul ellgagi in shipping business at about I two years,—Keuter. I Cotton for Bremen. Galveston (Texas), Feb 2.—The American tank steamer Gulflight has sailed for Bremer with a cargo of 10,916 j bales of cotton. This is the first known case of a tanker steamer being trans- formed into a cotton carrier.—Keuter. I

DR. UEBKNECHTS DISCIPLINE. Amsterdam, Feb. 3.—A Berlin telegram states that the Vorwa.rts publisher the following declaration: The Social Democratic Party in the German Reiohstag at its meeting on' Tuesday, after a thorough discussion, 'I passed the following resolution: H The Socialist Parliamentary Party most strongly oondemns Dr. Liebknecht's broach of discipline, and repudiates vig- orously as being incompatible with tho interests of German Social Democracy tho reason advanced by him for his vote. It aIM repudiates misleading information spread abroad by Dr. Liebknecht concern- ing proceedings within the party. The, Parliamentary Party is determined that at the plenary sitting of tho Reichstag it should all vote as a unit unless liberty of isolated voting is given expressly in a particular case. If a Socialist Deputy is unable conscientiously to participate in such voting he may abstain, but must not give his abstention the character of a demonstration/ The Tolegraaf states that Dr. Lieb- knecht, who was called to the Colours only a few days ago, has bn relieved of I service in tho Landwebr.-Re-uter. )

BELGIUM STILL A NATION. I Rome, Feb. 3.—The Teview a Civilta I CI/ttolica," which is authoritative for Vatican circles, publishes all the. docu- ments relating to the Candinal Mercier incident. It adds: For tho right interpretation of the facts and the documents, wo must add that in conformity with international law that Kingdom of Belgium, though occupied by the foreigner, retains its legal existence and its diplomatic representatives with II other nations.R-euter. lilt.

GERMAN TORPEDO-BOAT SUNK. t Paris, Wednesday.—An official telegram I from Petrograd announces that on Jan. 29 1 a Russian submarine sank a German tor- pedo boat oft' Cape Moen, Denmark.— Reuter. [Cape Moen is about 120 miles from Kiel.]

AUSTRIAN ARCHDUKE'S DEATH. I Amsterdam, Wednesday.—A Berlin telegram reports the execution, on Wed- nesday last, in the fortress of Sarajevo, of the three men sentenced tn death for high treason in connection with the assassination of the Archduke Francis Ferdinand. Two others "had the death sentences commuted to penal servitude for life and twenty years respectively. Princep, tho actual murderer, could not bo sentenced to death owing to his youth. He undergoes tweunty years' improson- ment.

AMMUNITION FAMINE. I Pari*, WodnestJay.—<f Will Germany's I ammunition last, much longer?" is the title of a remarkable article from the pen of M. L. de Lajtmay in the current ieeue of the Revu.\ dee Deux Moudes." The writer coin-es to the conclusion that in spite of h-ez immense industrial re- sources Germany is going to find herself if not pjjiDftJysed, at any rate increas- ingly haraosa and fettered by a series of tightening cords which will keep her bound hsajBid and foot just as the threads of th-a 'Lilliputians enchained the great body of Gulliver." Tie. blockade in the early weeks of 1915 is onJy fairly effective, but the ("nomle ooii&Aquenow are one by one revealing the^jiselves, and it is only necessary to wa.it patiently, for we know by almost mathematical certainty the destiny to wftiich Germany is being driven

VON KLUCK'S SON KILLED. I I Amsterdam, Tuesday.- According to the" Lokalanzeiger," the eldest son of General von Kluck, a naval lieutenant, was killed on January 26th in an artillery battle near Middelkerke.

WELSHMAN'S DISTINCTION. I The distinction of commanding the I first lS-in gun battleship not only in our Navy, but in the world—the Queen Eliza- beth—has (says Truth") boen be- stowed upon a Welshman, Captain George l P. W. Hope. Captain Hope, who is a grandson of the la to Captain Jordan, of Pigensford, Llangranog, Cardiganshire, i and brother to the present owner of that estato, has been for some time past em- ployed at the Admiralty, successively as Assistant Director of Mobilisation and, Assistant Director, Operations Divisions! of the War Staff. The efficiency which I' has marked fhe work of th?e two de- part..ment.s under the heavy stress of war proimses well for the virgin commission I of u Blask Best, &6 she -lletf in the N&y £ » 1

I AUSTRALIAN WARSHIP ACCOUNTS i FOR OCEAN PEST. I A Router's Buenos Aires message says:- The newspapers here anno-unce that the Australian rraisor Australia has eunk a German cruiser, formerly the Woermann linar. off Patagonia. Tho crew of the German vessel were taken to Falkland Islands-

I 117th VICTIM. Ethel Stringer, aged 11, who was in-, jured during the German bombardment, j ha-s died at Hartlepool. This makes thei 117th death.

i ¡ CASUAL Tl ES N WELSH EGI M ENT.I i The following names appear in casualty list published in Wednesday night's "Lon- clon of wound'ad. in the w■fejuii Be^i- mentBramiey, 1,806 T.; Gbi^Lzntiie., 759 A.: Davias, 804 D.; Da-vies, £306 J.; 10568 jbinr. J.; Fiaher, SS61 D.; deed, 393.) 0.; Gneen, 9i3S-3 W. T.; Jouets, 7565 W. D.; Kemp- eon, 79i4 W.; King, 8691 P.; Knight, 19161 OpL T. E.; L-ewie, 8605 E. J.; iloger, 6003 G.; Mud. ford, 7804 Sgt. G.; Muxphy, 7706 L..cpl. J.; Ncgiw, 95311 0. W. F.; Pvaoples, 6900 A. B.; Reee, &014 J.; Smith, 10667 L.-GpL S.; Sullivaai, 8731 F.; WrtLkey, 9082 Cpl. E. J.; Ward, 11044 P.; Wicket. 903) A.; Will-lazns, 8420 H-Opl. G.

BY THE KING'S DESIRE. Lance-Corporal F. W. Dobson, of the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guai-dfl, was re- ceived at Buckingham .Palace last nigrht by the King, who invested him with tho V.C. Lanco-Corporal Dobson won the Y.C. for conspicuous gallantry art Cavauno (Aisne) on SeptemVwr 28th. He twice brought into cover under heavy fire wounded men who were lying exposed in the open. The ceremony yesterday was arranged on the spur of the moment, on the initia- tive of the King. Lance-Corporal Dobson is home on leave, and it became known at the Palace that he was to be in London yesterday. The I King heard of this, and announced his wish to take the opportunity of pinning Ion the V.C. As an officer concerned put it, Wp mana.ged to catch Mm." The kunoe-cor- poral, in mufti, wm found, and was bur ried to the regiment's headquarters. There he was supplied with full-dress uniform. in which he was conducted to Bucking- ham Palace. Two officers of the Cold- stream Guards accompanied him to the Palace. The King shook hands cordially with Lance-Corporal Dobson, and complimented him on his gallantry.

GERMAN AEROPLANE CAPTURED. Paris, Thursday,—The "Echo de Paris" says two German aeroplanes attempted to fly over Luneville. They were seen and vigorously hombarded. They en- deavoured to sheer off in a hurry, but one of them had to descend at Vwhimenil, where the guard captured the two occu- pants and the machine.

EXHAUSTED INVADERS. Amsterdam, Thursday.—The Sluis cor- respondent of the Telegraaf" tele- graphs: There ha3 been stubborn bayonet fight- ing during the last few day a on the Yser, near Westende, the Germans making great efforts to occupy the Belgian trenches. The attempt, however, failed with heavy losses to both sides. Great convoys of wounded have arrived at Bruges, and during vtho night many passed through Bruges on the way to Germany. In the inundated region tho water, which is two metres deep, prevents auy action, but tbo battle continues in proximity of the dunes. All Wednesday the thundering of the guns was audible, the gunfire being as heavy as in October. All the German reinforcements are now at the front. The result of Wednesday's battle is still unknown, hut seems to have been favourable for the Allies. From Yprea also gunfire has been audible, and convoys of wounded arriv- ing at Roulers and Courtrai indicate; that the battle has been very severe. The Germans coming from the front are coin-, pletoly exhausted.

■ ■ THREE VAIN ATTACKS. PARIS, Thursday. The following was officially communi- cated this afternoon:— To the north of the Lys there was an artillery duel of a particularly lively character in the region of Nieuport. At Notre Dame de Lorette (south-west of Lens) a strong German attack on the morning of Wednesday was repulsed by the fire of our artillery, which also stopped the bombardment directed to the road from Arras to Bethune. In the region of; Albert and luesnoy-en- Santerry we have destroyed several blockhouses. In the whole of the Aisne Valley there was an artillery duel, in which we had the advantage. The three attacks reported last evening against our trenches in the regions of Perthes, Mesnil-les-Hurlus and Mas- siges were effected by forces of the enemy, practically equivalent to aj battalion at each point. The first two were completely dispersed under the fire of our artillery, and the third attack, with the aid of mine ex- plosions, gained ground, but the whole of the position was re-taken by us. New trenches have been constructed a few metres from those which the Ger-j man sappers had destroyed, and which j had become untenable. The day was quiet in Argonn*. In the Woevro and In tho VaJJey of Scillay, we obtained outpost successes, and dispersed the enemy's convoys. In the Vosges there were some encounters between patrols of skis, and slight pro- gress was made by our troops to the south-east of Kolschlag (north-west of Hertsmannswei Ilerkoff). A thaw has now set in. -do ————

HOW THE RUSSIANS FIGHT. I LONDON, Thursday. The Press Bureau this morning issued a communication received from Professor Pares, the authorised correspondent at the Russian Headquarters. Writing under date Jan. 1st, Professor Pares eays: At this staff, as at the Gen- Parw, says-. At this Ttarg fimple. There eral Staff, life was very simple. There was plenty of news from other quarters of the Russian front, and the two things which stood out even more here than elsewhere were on the one hand, the im- mensity of the sacrifices which are being cheerfully made by Russia, and on the other the sense of quiet confidence as to the ultimate result. From un attack of one German division on this side, 1,000 corpses were oounted. The Germans and also Austrians advance in clofie column, which may give material support to the men but result in terrible I losses as compared with the more indi- vidualistic advances of groups of eight to eight to ten on tho Russian eide. In bayonet fights practically no quarter can i be given, and sometimes the men can only use their rifl&s as clubs. Thn Persistent Russians. i Th-e Austrian Army is already no mora than a relic of its former self, though ik ,&till ? A relic of its 7. still gtakes 603PO vigorous move* and I ) covers every retreat with tremendous c-annonadf often resulting in the capture of guns and men thus left behind. It must not be forgotten than Russia has had to deal with practically all the forces of two of three allies, Austria and Turkey, as well as with an ever increas- ing proportion of the forces of the tliird. Germany, but she is going steadily through with her work- Despite condi- tions of the weather and roads under which Russia has to press hack the enemy, she never lets him alone, for she knows that. on the persistent pressure de- pends the issue of the allied front. Washing Day at the Front. Continuing his narrative, under date January 3rd, Professor Pares states yes- terday I walked out to the lines, which are about I miles from the town. The men of one battery were engaged in im- proving their underground shelters which were lined with straw, well heated and furnished with shelves for a few belong- ings, including even books, and anyhow provided refuge against frost and bullets Water was near, and the soldiers' wain- iüg- was hang-ing out to dry. I made my way on through the village j towards the broken bridge. A long line of high earthworks ran near to thel stream, on the other side of which were Germans. The Germans shoot at almost any mark, or even on chance in the dark. ness. but very few are wounaed in this way. Countess Afnbuiance Worker. Everywhere one feels the winning spirit i aftpr the last great battle on the Sans, The men wont forward with a tremen- i dons rush and tho enemy's rifle pits were filled with dead. No one can under. stand why Germans challenge such enor-l moas losseg by their attacks in close columns. Professor Pares mentions that he paid a visit on the evening of January 5th to a. forward ambulance post attached to a famous fighting division. The party consisted of two soldiers, a ni_ ece of Count Babrinsky. who took such a notable part in the Duma visit to Eng- lancj, and himself. The young Countess, who was enveloped in tarpaulins, is one of tho hardest workers of the embulanco. Hafts in the Carpathians. Under date January 6th, Professor Pares says: We are pressing the enemy into the Carpathians, and there are halts in front of the difficult hill positions. The advance through a swamp of mud makes tremendous demands on men who have to be for days m rifle pits full of water. At times, a well-chosen and well- entrenched position holds the Russians at bay at a distance of a few hundred yards or less; in one case fifty, and yet they will not go back. Driving in the evening to town, I find groups of wounded, for whom there is no place on the carts, w-endering forward in the darkness. It is very wonderful, the self- denying patience of the Russian soldier, and it is too big a thing that one should get tired of speaking of it. ——————- ■A>>

I THE SEAS ARE FREE. j A representative of the French news-I paper Matin has had aL iriterview,l with Mr. Winston Churchill, in the course of which the British First Lord of the Admiralty, discussing the results of the past 6ix months of the war on the high seas, 5aid;- "There are certain tricks of the seta with which one has always to reckon. however powerful and vigilant one may be. None know better than the Germans themselves the exceptional conditions which permitted them, to come to oar East coast and to throw bombs at it.. They chose one of those days of the year when, in these latitudes, the nights are the longest. On their way back they were overta-ken by the dawn. If the fog had not protected them they would have fallen into our firing lines. Yesterday they experienced thu inconvenience of meeting us in broad daylight. "Tor the rest, all these exploits do not in the least resemble the disembarkation of troops with which we have often been I threatened, and which, as a matter of fact we should very much like to see occur. I The Seas are Free. I But this is a hope which is likely to be deceived. Let us briefly review what our Navy has achieved since the commence- ment of hostilities. Do you know how many of ail the German warships are still left on the world's seas? Only two are at large—cruisers of between three and four thousand tons-tho Karlsruhe and the Dresden, and, in addition, two armed liners, the Kronprinz Wilhelm and the Prinz Eitel Friedrich. We do not know perhaps in what zones or in what South American rivers these two auxiliary cruisers are lying, but we do know that they find it necessary to hide. German commerce is ruined. U For the first time in her history Great Britain can say, 'The seas are free.' In the days when France was at war with us no victory, however important, brought I us a security comparable with that which I we enjoy to-day. Even after Trafalgar we knew nothing like it." The Gag. I U At the same time I have no illusions. I know that as long as there are neutral countries a blockade without leall is an impossibility. Germany will continue to receive secretly a small part of that of which she has so great a need. But while you and we can breathe freely owing to the sea which we have freed and will maintain free, this is how Germany can maintain her breath."—Mr. Churchill put his hand over the lower part of nis facs, and added: WelL, you know the effect produced by a gag when one has to exert oneself at the same time—it uses up the heart. And Germany knows it. This pressure upon Germany will never be relaxed until she has surren- dered unconditionally, for, even if our Allies, France and Russia, were both to give up the struggle—a thing which is in- conceivable—we British would continue alcne until the bitter end."

PORTHCAWL TRAGEDY. I Extremely rough, weather and a high tide at Portheawl on Wednesday evening were the cause of a distressing occurrence. While a cyclist, named Walter Lionel Cousins, of the 7th Battalion Welsh R-egi- ment, and a tobacconist's assastan/t, named Alice Morgan, aged 22, of BeUe Vue Cot- tage, Weetbourne-place, Portheawl, were on the pier walking towards the lighthouse a huge wave broke over them and threw them down. The cyclist clutched at the wall with one arm and held the young lady with the other, but a second wave washed her out of his grasp. Eventually Cousins was reined, but no trace of M-j Morgun had been found up to an early hour this (Thursday) morning, although the police and a number of cyc- lists kept a vigilant look-out. » -»

PEACE BETS. I At Lloyd's on Wednesday 25 guineas per I oont. was paid to settle a loss if peace I was signed prior to June 30, 1915, and 50 guineas per cent. if peace was signed prior to September 30, 1915, and, further, 75 guineas per cent. if peace was signed prior to December 31, 1915. r

NO PAROLE FOR GERMANS. I Paris, Wednesday—The French Govern-1 TO out having been officially informed that; French officers now prisoners in Germany. are Dot given liberty on parol has i dacided to taka ki-ilar sia-j?A.

I WAR NOTES. i IT is interesting to recall that tho nse of fire-ehips drovo the Armada from its moorings near Gravelines. According to the official communique issued on that occasion:— The Lord Admiral [Howard], the 'j 28th of July, 1588, about midnigJhr caused eight ships to be fired and let I drive amongst the Spanish fleet; whereupon flty were forced to slip or cut cables at half and to set Gail. I The tonnage of these eight vessels, which cost E5,100, ranged from 200 to 140 tons, and even less. Fanciful writers have declared that Howard had to thank the invective genius of Queen Elizabeth1 II for the idea of using fire-ships. As a matter of fact, they were probably use4i for the firet time by the Greeks in 1201, in the defence of Constantinople, and i these were merely a development of the! Etodian are-braziers of 1,400 years; earlier. From that time onward they. became quite common. Drywood, pitch, and other inflammable materials were! the principal ingredients of their deadly cargo. I In 1585, moreover, the defenders of l Antwerp, when besieged by the Prince of Parma, not only floated fire-ships down the Scheldt against a wooden bridge which had been bnilt across the river, but they included in the blazing procession a couple of devil-ships," loaded with gunpowder. One 6hip was to explode by means of low matches, and the other by a clockwork device in conjunction with a flint and 6tocl. Although it is uot stated what kind of engine was employed by the Germans two days ago on the River iincre, it is not I' unlikely (states the Times") that this i device resembled the Dutch clockwork U devil-ship" of 300 years ago. The use; of a "iirf-ship" by the Germans near! Berry-au-Bac was reported some weeks ago, but it was destroyed by the French I before it had done any damage. CEVERAL Swiss subjects who have just I arrived from Palestine and Syria II have interesting information to give about what is soinji ou there. Piecing these rarious accounts together, there can be no doubt that matters in the Holy Land are literally topsy-turvy (saee a Morning Past correspondent). Tite existence of strained relations be- tween the Turkish and the German officers is confirmed by these neutral observers, as is also the fact that tho Holy War is a fiasco. The Moslems in general are highly dis- contented. and ask nothing befater than to see the war ceaee, if only because of the extremely heavy requisitions which are I being made. Poor enough at any time, these people are now reduced to the extremity of misery, the Turks and Germans having commandeered all the chief necessaries, not merely camels, mules, horses, and cattle of all descriptions, even goats, bust also wheat, barley, paraiffn. butter, suzar. and eofiee, to say nothing of money. Whatever may be the result of thel Turkish campaign elsewhere, it has cer-j tainly caused misery in Palestine and I Syria. Even the German officers them selves, probably, scarcely believe that any good will come out of their desert marcn towards the Suez Canal to attack Egypt, the difficulties of such an enterprise being too great, and so muoh time having al- ready been lost during which it has been possible to make arrangements for the defence of the canal. Not only has Turkey insufficient money J to be able to offer reasonable salaries to j her officials, but even such salaries as they are supposed to receive are often partially withheld. Corruption has never been worse thani at present in countries under .Ottoman! rule. Abdul Hamid's government was! but that of the Young Turks is far: w?rse, and the people of Palestine and Syria know this, and aja hooking for a deliverance, which seems to them long ini coming. If a British force of 100,000! troops were to land at Beirut and Taffa, I the population would welcome them,i, and the Turco-Teuton tyrants now j terrorising the country would be lynched.) rpHE sacrifice of 27 brave Frenchmen J- in an endeavour to take A?pach 1« j Baa on the Alsatian border is deocribed by a "Daily News and Leader" OO- I' pondemL Our Allies held Aspach le 11?ut, and the Germans were entrenched at Aspach Ie Bas, In the first trench of outposts was a section of the 43ixl Tern-1 tonal, of EpinaJ. Among them was Ser- j geant J. Oberreiner, an Alsatian, who knew every Btone and every tree of the countryside. As he looked through his loophole he oould eee with his naked eye the familiar roof and croft. He en- treated the captain to order an attack thait very night. Creeping noiselessly on with fixed bayonets, each man holding a grenade in. his hand and clippers between his teeth,! the gallant 27 reached the barbed wire fence- In a moment, betrayed by the tinkle of bell?, and blinded by search- j lights, before they had even had ti, t shoulder their rifles the 27 were ewept away. ( When the morning broke, those of the i doomed party who, though severely! wounded, were yet alive, were observed I making a supreme effort to get through the barbed wire and reach shelter. A salvo from the German trench put several of them out of their misery, but seven were still left, desperately wounded, and alnfost unable to move. Twelve yards away, the Germans insulted them. It From the French side some stretcher, men now went forward, flying a white! handkerchief and showing their badges, They were unarmed. The Germans fired, and the two leaders were wounded. But the wounded out there could not be lefti to die untended. Sometliing had to be done to savo them. I A BIG Red Cross Flag was hastily! '— manufactured and run up at the end! of a pole. A hospital attendant deter-j mined to make another attempt. On the' very edge of the tranch a bullet pierced, his brain. He dropped dead, and the, flag with him, pierced and torn. i That evening the 350th of the Line and the 6th Chasseurs made two furious but rain attempts to roccuo their dying com- rades. All night long the Germans re- lentlessly kept their searchlights playing on the doomed and sweeping the expanse, up to f e French lines. The sight of a shadow brought salvos from their trenches. I THE French officers could hear the — feeble groans of the dying. Ser- geant Oberreiner—the Alsatian-was heard imploring the enemy in their own tongue to succour his comrades or finish them off. On the morrow at Dawn the French: officers by the aid of their glasses could: see that Oberreiner alone was still alive. His face was turned towards his native village. He was attempting for the lasti time to bandage his wound. At four in the afternoon, after 35 hours' of agony, the order rang out sharply in) the German trenches to strike up the' "Wacht am Rheir- "—to drown tho ac- cents of the H Marseillaise," which Oberreiner was singing with his lastI; breath. Germany is experimenting with the em- ployment of prisoners of wax, especially ] Kaissiane, in industrial concerns. The' experiments are stated to Iv, highly tuc.,i r.otisful. The prisoners are also said to prefer employment to the monotonv of idlss9». ¿,

J GREATER SWANSEA. I IMPORTANT INQUIRY OPENED. ( The inquiry into the application of the Swansea Corporation for powers to extf-ud the borough boundaries and to undertake a scheme for the drainage of the district having an outïall at the Mumbles wa6 lopenBcl at the Guildhall, Swansea. Mr. Honoratus Lloyd, K.C., and Mr. Clode, K.C. (instructed by the Town Clark of Swansea), appeared for the Swan- sea Corporation. Mr. Balfour Browne, K.C. (instructed by Mr. C. W. Slater), opposed on behalf of the Oystermouth Council and other interests. M-r. Arthur A. Thomas (instructed hy Messrs. McDonnell and O'Brien West- minster), represented the National Union of Teachers, Mr. Msrlay Samson (in- structed by Messrs. il. and C. B. Jenkins and Messrs. Strick and Beilii^g- ham) opposed both schemes for the Gower 2-iral District Council and Miss Talbot; Mr. Mansel Franklyn appeared on be- half of the Glamorgan County Council; Mr. Vezey Knox (instructed by Mr. Ed- ward Harris) opposed on behalf of the Swansea Rural Council; Mr. C. B. Fryer represented the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. There was a large gathering in the Crown Court at the Guildhall, when the inquiry opened at 10 o'clock, the Swan- sea Corporation, the Oystermouth Urban District Council, and Swansea Rural District Council being well represented. The Town Clerk (Mr. H. Lang Coath) read the notices in regard to both schemes, and the Inspector pointed out; that the notice required under Section 321 of the Public Health Act did not expire until 7th March, and that if any further i objections came in it would be necessary i to hold another enquiry." The Town Clerk said the Town Council appreciated this. Mr. Balfour Browne: There will bc- objections under Section 32. Mr. Lloyd: No doubt. The Inspector: Up to the last moment? jj The Inspector intimated that he pro- pot5ed to deal with the sewage proposals first. An Informal Inquiry? Mr. Balfour Browne said his clients, the Oystermouth Council, wished to re- serve their rights under Section 32 of the Act. The Inspector: You don't want to be heard twice? Mr. Balfour Browne: I don't know whether I should he heard to-day at all; I have not even put in my objections. He thought, he added, that this wae an absolutely informal inqniry into the sew- age scheme. This cross-examination on sewage would be so far a6 it bore indi- reotl; ou the question of extension. Mr. Vezey Knox, on behalf cf Swan-I sea Rural District Conncil, said he would s?k a number of questions, but they were ] not on certain pciuts sufficiently informed to put their full objections before the Inspector that day. < The Inspector remarked that surelv, they did not expect the L.G.B. to hold a second inquiry into those objections. Their clients were present, and he hoped what they had to say in reference to the scheme they would say. Mr. Knox: With all respect, I expect the L.G.B. to follow the statute. He came in connection with the extension scheme, and so far as the sewage scheme was concerned, if he asked questions it was only with a view to eliciting such information as might be considered necessary. Mr. A. A. Thomas, for the National Union of Teachers, said since Corpora- tions became the local eduaction auth- ority, it was necessary to make provision for the transfer of tho teachers to the new authority. The Corporation had given an undertaking on this point, 'and inasmuch as his clients regarded the ex- i tension proposals as an education advant- age to the locality, there would be no need for him to cross-examine. The Inspector: In other words, you support? Mr. Thomas: If you please, sir. The County Opposition. Mr. T. Marshall Franklin, clerk to the County Council, objected to the proceed- ings on behalf of the County Council. The L.G.B. had warned them not to in- our expense in counsel; the county offi- cials had to oppose this scheme in their spare time. They had not had the time to prepare their opposition to the eewage I scheme, and would require the full time allowed by law. Therefore he did not appear on the Council's behalf in respect cf the sewage scheme, and it reserved whatever rights they had to the time the statute allowed them to send in its ob- jection. I The Inspector did not eee how the Council was affected with regard to the sewage scheme. I Mr. Marshall Franklin, in reply, said i the Corporation proposed to take some of the County Council's land, and put the sower under its road. The Council was also part constituent of the South Wales Fishery District, with which the sewage was likely to interfere. Mr. Marley Samson intimated his ob- jection to both schemes on behalf of Gower Rural Council and Miss Talbot. CASE FOR SWANSEA. I New Scheme Not Objected To By People I Concerned. 31 r. Honoratus Lloyd, opening the Coun- cil, said the scheme was vastly superior to that by which a,t present it was attempted to be disposed of The expenditure oi the £ 333,894 for which application was made was absolutely necessary and essential lo- the purpose of public health. In addition to these works there would be other which would be added, of thef costa which he had included estimates, and vhirh would involve about £ 101,060. These works included the outside areas. j Having gone over the rouie to be fol- lowed by the new sewer, Ma*. Lloyd dealt with the present state of affairs, which I oould not be tolerated, and must be re- moved, and omitting, at the request of the Inspector, reference to schemes before the one rejected in 1912, said with regard to the latter the hearing before the Parlia- mentary Committee produced many deiin- ately useful criticisms and the result was that the scheme now before the Inspector had many merits absent from the other scheme. The new scheme, they honestly beiietved could really net fairly be objected to by anybody, and the schema was not objected to by the people immediately concerned. He did not overlook the ob- jections of interests represented, but tilt i ratepayers in the outsido districts, \^ul had time to consider the matter, desired and wished the scheme. It resembled the old scheme in that the outfall wus still at Mumbles Head and tha sewer passed un- der the only road available for the purpose Mi-. Lloyd, continuing, said the scheme that he now placed before them was a scheme for a larger number of the popula- tion, namely 250,000, and he pointed out that a scheme of this character was essep- I tial whether the extension scheme would follow, or whether it would not. It; would involve the construction of main and intercepting sewers and the eewagp i would be carried to a point that he had f indicated. I Criticisms Dealt With. Counsel then dealt with the criticisms which were levelled on the proposal for the original intercepting sewer, having! regard to its size and capacity for drainage. The sewer was spoken of as being simply a trap for deposit, and some-! body said it was a rotten scheme, and could not be carried out satisfactorily. Counsel then said that so long ago 1803 Lord Swansea had tlur- matter in his mind, a-ad there was a letter which ap-, peared in the local papers froza the late, jfc* Jaqagft SM stated tfegb i his opinion it would lie most detrimental to discharge sewage in Swansea Bey at any point excepting into tho strong tidal current at the Mumbles Head. A number of tidal experiments had bsen made by means ot that v.-hile it would he. unfortunate indeed to discharge the r-^werage of Swansea at the point de- bribed, there were certain hours during winch it might be done with impugnity. Counsel observed how the original scheme had been improved upon. especi- ally with regard to the outfall, and said Mr. Mi agio y Taylor had done everything meet the susceptibilities of their oppo- nente. In 1912, he said, they were opo posed by everybody who had got a locus stanu i, Rural Council of Swansea, the Oystermouth Urban Council, people interested in the oyster fisheries, the Countj" Council, and so on. Drainage of Cockett. -Ur. Lloyd then proceeded to deal with lite parish of Cockett, which, he said, was not only desirous of coining into the borough and forming part of the borough, but supported the borough in this appli- cation. That being so, he would like to know what the rural district had got to do with it regarding the main drainage. Then he proceeded to Brynau, which was in the rural district area, and they had been told that the Gower Rural Dis- trict appeared in opposition. Their in- terest in Swansea Bay was represented by their frontage of Brynau. Both the ratepayers and the Parish Council had considered this matter, and they had both approved of it, the ratepayers at their meeting by a majority deciding in favour of the scheme, and the Parish Council also passed a resolution not to oppose, the application upon certain con" cessions being granted. The concessions had relation to the existence of venti- lating shafts. That being so, he would like to know what the Gower Rural Dis- trict had to do with it. Then he came to Oyatermoufth. There were two interesls at Oystermouth, one a public interest, and the other the oyster interest. With reference to the public interest the action cf the opposition ms a little curiou-s. Apparently they did not want to have the Swansea fiewage die- charged into the channel at any time whatever. When this maitter waa coming bo a crisis the ratepayers held a meeting, and they wore very desirous that their authority, the Urban Distract Council, should consult them in the matter. Oystermouth Council's Attitude. The Lrban Council called a meeting, and after ascertaining the views of thenr constituents he should have thought they' would have acted upon them. but they did not. One gentleman, who occU" pied the professional position of a solicitor, instructed them as to what should be their view, but, notwithstanding the able advocacy de- livered by the solicitor bo the Uriyan Dis- trict Council, it was thought wise not to pass a resolution, and that very abla 1 gentleman explained wily he did not pro- pose to ask for a resolution. It was because they would have ample opportunity of expressing their views aft a polL When the poll was taken the rate- payers, by a majority of 64, decided that they were in favour of both the sewerage and the extension schemes. I would like to know," said Mr. Lloyd, in via," of that decision, where are the Urban District Council," He suggested his learned friend, Mr. Balfour Browne, had not made up his mind. Continuing, Mr. Lloyd said there were facilities ia this proposal which the inhabitants of thesa districts ought to have. He pointed out how the scheme which he placed before the Inspector differed from the scheme which wad brought before Parliament. He denied, as had been suggested on behalf of one of the aut horities, that they were trying to get the sanction of the Local Govern- ment Board to a scheme which had 'been! rejected by Parliament. They had takea advantage of the many useful criticisms which were made against the old scheme, and they were presenting another scheme which was meeting with the assistance and goodwill of some of the authorities. The scheme differed materially from the previous scheme, and the opposition to it cama from authorities which were not supported by their constituents. Counsel then briefly criticised the system of sewerage at the Mumbles. His learned friend said Oystermouth was a seaside resort, and it was essential that it should have a good character. Going down to Oystermouth, said Mr. Lloyd, one eould get ttho serwtage pipes right cuvrosj the shore, and people going down there raid, Hullo, what ia this ? Thev had only to go to the end of the pier to gek the answer. (Laughter.) Hp described the sewer a.s a switchback. The Inspector: In 1908 the Looal Govern- men-t Bc-aid tqa-actioned a loan for improv- ing the drainage and it has not been cair- ried out. Mr. Lloyd remarked that Mr. Diggle., who reprn;ted Oystermouifch ia the matter, toM the House of Commons that the system of sewerage was not satisfac- tory. Dealing with the oyster ifsheries, Mr. Lloyd said the borough at Svmntws had no wish to injure the oyster fisheries, and what they proposed to do he ven- tured to say would improve the conditions. In reply to the Inspector, Mr. Llovd paid their estimate for carrying out t'bo whole scheme was EMI,RK and in addi- tion to that they were asking for Elol,Mo odd, including the outside areas, of which £ 25.000 was in respect of the borough. They would still be within their borrowing powers. Mr. Midglay Taylor Considers Mumbles Scheme Best in Country. The first witness was Mr. Midgley, Taylor, the well-known civil engineer, a partner oi John Taylor and Sons, chair- man of the Association of Consulting Engineers, etc. Eridence as to the pre- sent bewers was ruled unnecessary by the Inspector, but Mr. Taylor said that the borough generally was provided well with a system of sewers. The necessity, for some new scheme was admitted by everybody. The sea was always the best outfall, provided proper control could be obtained at the point of outlet. He said this having, he believed, advised on and constructed more sea outfalls than aay other man in the world. Of this outfall he said it was under con- < trolled conditions, one of the finest point* for sea discharge he had ever seen. There were large quantities of water running an and down outside the point of discharge, which was an infinitely superior one ta any single outfall on the South Coast, where there were big pleasure resorts. H. said the true tide of the Bristol Channel swept round the Mumbles Head, and that they were to discharge into the true tide. The fact that the true tide flowed in a westerly direction longer than in an easterly over the hours of fall was a dis- tinct advantage in that it would reduce the size of the storage tank. lie had arrived at this scheme after having exhausted every other scheme sug- gested as a substitute. The discharge of sewage into the slack waters of Swansea Bay was not to be recommended. Tlto former scheme was based on a popuiatioa of 200,600, but the new one was for 250,000 in consequence of the possibility probability, as the Council thought of the outside areas being joined with Swan- gea. A farther set of float experiments at various floats failed to disclose any advan- tage whatever over the point of outfall shown. The scheme was based on an increase in population of 14 per cent. per A reaching 280.i n J9S1. The court adjourned. The Oystenaouth Urban Di1-ri--t Coon- f-il have withdrawn their cippositen to the Swansea boundajry extension and: se,werep sckgStfe on certain