Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

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(The Toll and Failure of the f Huns. ? Intrepid Locai Men. I i There ie quite a natural link between tfur last week's chapter and OUT present imistalment of the story of the war. Satur- da.y's communique indicated that, despite many great attacks, made by'huge bodies of troops and accompanied, consequently, iby heavy losses, the Germans were unable to iinprore the successes which they had secured by the capture, on Thursday, of lilont Kemmel. They had devoted them- | Reives to the task of trying to improve [•that go.in, but were prevented by the f magnificent defence of the British. and rrench Armies. ? Som9 of. the fiercest fighting occurred Iat the ruins of the little village of Locre, [-"which lies in a valley between Mont Kem- ( fciel and Mont Rouge. This place had t changed hands four times already down [to Saturday night. The Germans oap- ilturc-d it on Thursday from the French, fovho retook it on Friday evening. On Saturday morning the enemy drove our (.'Allies out again, but the French re-at- 1 ticked on Sunday, and in the evening were ^epc^ted onoe more in possession. | Over all the French front, between La l Olytte and Locre, the struggle was ex- t trIllely prolonged and fierce, but the j enemy obtained no decided or permanent (Advantage, despite desperate efforts and f heavy losses. HELD FIRMLY BY US. 'Against portions of the British front in glanders the Germans on Friday also 'launched many furious onslaughts, espe- cially those north of the village of Kem- Itnel and at another small place called fiVnorrnezeele, about two miles southward :of Y pres, which was taken by the enemy iRi-d retaken by our troops, and on the Lys piver. All these attacks were beaten off, i!he Germans suffering great losses and be- &Xg held firmly at all points. South of the Somme, in the region south- east of Amiens, Villers-Brettoneux re- gained firmly in British hands, and our fline on Friday was improved here and at ;Ilangard, part of which the French recap- tured on Thursday. During the week- end our troops captured a considerable dumber of prisoners, including 900 on one Itile.tor and some hundreds on another. j Not a bad section of a chapter for the s faeek-end, was it? f FAILURE OF CRAB-CLAW. ( t Then, comingto the British official jksuod on Monday night, we find this very encouraging outline, indicating that the enemy's crab-claw movement had utterly irfail-ed- Following a bombardment of W--at intensity, the French and British positions from the neighbourhood of Mete- n. to Zillebeke Lake were violently at- tacked this morning by large hostile forces. Attacks were made also upon the |iifigran "position north of Ypireg. Tight- rnS of grea.t severity developed rapidly on lie whole Allied front. The 25th, 49th, ,nd 21st British Divisions completely re- ii)ulwl every attempt made by the enemy i-to enter their positions, and, despite a I-afftant succession of determined attacks In great etrength, maintained their line Put act. The enemy's losses have been f lbeavy. The French positions on the hills ■ fcbout Scherpenberk and Mont Rouge were relso heavily attacked and the enemy re- ¡uld. At points were the enemy? in- ?antry succeeded in penetrating a short ?istance into the French positions they i"^ere at once driven out by counter-at- ..f from the greater part of the ground of which they had temporarily gained pos- session. On the Belgian front also all tithe enemy's attacks were repulsed after pharp fighting, in which severe casualties l*v'ere inflicted on the enemy." ATTEMPT AND ACHIEVEMENT. ] 1 Now, let us glance over what is described ffes having been attempted and what ac- tually happened. > When they attacked in Flanders on i-Nionday, the Germans were under orders to take Ypres at all costs. They failed to Bain ground at any point, although their sacrifices were—in proportion with their ffort-the greatest yet made on the bat- tle front. Hindenburg began the battle 'lV' ith 13 divisions, and later threw in 30 'battalions from his reserve-a total force of well over 200,000 men on a ten miles ,front. And this is how some well-known cor- espondents comment on the situation: I FIVE SET BACKS. Yesterday's signal defeat of the enemy's Molent and repeated efforts to capture the ?ine of heights behind Kemmel was the 0alost bloody and complete reverse he has linffered since he failed before Arras on (l-Iarch 28. He has now had five definite ¡".n.d very costly set-backs. It is just on weeks since the German offensive be- ■Ran. On the whole we have from a mili- tarlJ point of view no reason to be dissatis- fied with the results of these six weeks" fighting.—Mr. Hamilton Fyfe. DISASTROUS FAILURE. Failuve complete and disastrous re- garded the 4th German Army for its at- tempt to storm the Flemish hills yester- day. It is undoubtedly the most severe Reverse the enemy has met since he began fhio drive towards the sea. A day of con- tinuous fighting by picked divisions did yield a foot of the desired ground'. flight gains made under cover of the horning fog were swept away by swift ftunter-,ittacks.-M-r. Percival Phillips. BRITISH LINE ADVANCED. The German failure yesterday was as Ontaplett. as failure could be. The enemy fcainod nothing and lost very large num- ■hers of men. Our-line generally is farther, forward than it Willi. before the attack fcegan, and the whole result of the opera- tion has been immensely to increase the confidence of both the French and British Iroops.—Zvlr. Perry Robinson. No wonder we were told, upon the authority of an influential Spanish states- aLl-an, that the Kaiser was, and is, .appointed, and that after the sma.rting de- feat alluded to, of the Gorman attacks 'Upon the Flanders hill range, the enemy, evidently exhausted for the time being, hy his costly and fruitless efforts, re- ttiirnned quiet, and refiained from further tempts. And, while we, at home, were c, reading with satisfaction the story of the timproved position and prospect on the :\V estern front, and expressing no astonish- ment at the news that the German* vrere compelled by the trend of events to con- ceal the truth from their own people, we had an additional source of comfort in the news from another field of operations, headfd "New advance in Mesopotamia: J Aurks again pursued." A GLANCE TO THE EAST. I The message from the Secretary of the War Office on this topic on Tuesday night was:—" Our forces, in several columns, the organisation of which has necessitated long and careful prepara- tion, have ad vanced to the north of Bag- dad, along the main road loading to Mosul via Kifri and Kirkuk. On April 27 Kifri was captured, a.nd 40 prisoners taken. The Turks, who did not await our attack, re- treated rapidly towards Kirkut, but our cavalry overtook one of the enemy's columns and immediately charged it, kill- ing over 100 and capturing 538 prisoners, besides much war material. On the '28th our cavalry forced the passage of the Ak Su, at a point south-west of Tub Khur- matli, and on the same day the main body of our force reached the banks of that river. Early in the morning of the 29th our cavalry succeeded in getting astride the enemy's communications to- wards Tank, and shortly afterwards our infaaitiiy advanced towards Tuz Kkur- matli, and were soon in possession of the town, where 300 prisoners and five guide were captured. Another gun and some transport, which were endeavouring to escape by a by-road, also fell into our hands. The pursuit of the enemy con- tinued along the main road to the north." A PERSONAL TOUCH. I As the latest news to hand not only con- firms the failure to envelope Ypres from the south, but gives an account of the rushing of enemy posts during the night, and a lull in the operations of the de- feated Huns, 'we have an opportunity afforded us to give this week's story a local—and even a personal touch. It is in reference to Major Percy Davies and Ca.pt. Luoae—both Swansea officere,aiid Sergt. W. F. Williams, the orderly sergeant attached to the O.C. The three were missing, and it is now understood that they are prisoners in the hands of the Germans. In an interesting letter from R.Q.M.S. Hams, of the 111th Corps Battalion, to Aid. David Davies, it says:— I proceeded to the front line and re- ported to Major Davies that it would be impossible to bring food tg the battalion, who were in action. I only arrived at the trenches after running a heavy barrage. Major Davies was in the best of spirits, as was also Captain Lucas. With them was Staff-Sergt. W. F. Williams. SINGING AS THEY WAITED. I "Although under very heavy shell fire, the staff and the men were singing and waiting for the approaching enemy. I stayed an the lint nntfl about 1.30 p.m., and the Boche then was rapidly advan- cing, and our Lewis gun and rifle fire was playing havoc with their ranks, which were densely mossed. Major Davies gave instructions for me to return and rescue what transport and ammunition I could, and I managed to get back and save a bit of it. SURROUNDED AND CUT OFF. At this time the shelling was moet in- tense, and in-nameyablo gas shells were being hurled at Us. From what I saw, I should imagine that the headquarters of the battalion had been surrounded and cut off from the remainder of our men on the left, and I, personally, think that al- though the battalion would resist the enemy to the bitter end, there. every prospect of tlio O.C., Capt. Lucas, and Sergt.Williams being alive, but prisoners iii German hands. The battalion was to bave been relieved. but with the shells sweeping the roads, the battalion that had to relieve could only advance in email parties and in extended order. SAVED THE SITUATION. J Our Corps General interviewed the remaining men of the battalion, together with the new men, yesterday, and paid a high tribute to your son and the other officers and also to our battalion, which he said undoubtedly saved the situation. TTp to the present I have heard nothing of officers or men who are reported miss- ing. "I have been connected with Major Davics from the time he joined the 38th Welsh Divisional Cyclist Co. right up to the present time, and I know that I have not only lost a good commanding officer but a good friend." Sergt. W. F. Williams, formerly a mem- ber of the "Leader" and Herald" editorial staff, is a son of the overseer of the printrng works, Mr. W. C. Williams; and, as a War Office message has since been received by Mrs. Davies confirming the statement as to her huaband having been taken alive by the Germans, we all hope and presume that the same applies to Capt. Lucas and Sergt. Williams. We may, therefore, close the etory of the week with the brief British Official account received on Thursday" General Headquarters, France, Thursday, 10.29 I a.m.—The enemy's artillery developed a.m.- T he, en-cm- considerable activity early this morning in the Villers Bretonneux sector, and in the neighbourhood of Morris. Some ac- tivity has been shown also during the night in the Arras-Lens-St. Venant sec- Lors. No infantry action is reported."

SWANSEA RECORDER. I The King has appointed Mr. Edward Sameon to be Recorder of Swan- sea in place of Mr. Ivor Bowen, R.C., who resigned the post on his appoint- ment as County Court Judge. A second son of Mr. Louis Samson, J.P., D.L., Scotchwell, Haverfordwest, and grandson of the late Admiral John Stokes, Mr. Samson is one of the best known barristers practising on the South Wales Circuit. He is t9 years of age, and was educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Oxford, graduating there with second class history honours. In 1893 ha was called to the Bar as a member of the Inner Temple, and read in Chambers with Mr. Justice Bray. Mr. Samson, a leading Churchman, has held the position of counsel for the Established Church at the Royal Commission on the Church in Wales, and in the year 1909 he was appointed Chancellor of the Diocese of St. David's, succeeding the late Mr. Arthur Lewis. When in Pembrokeshire, he took a very prominent part in its public life, berug a J.P., for the county a.nd chairman of the Quarter Sessions for Haverfordwest. He has contested the division in the interests of the Conservative Party

I DISASTROUS COLLISION. New York, Thursday.—An American cruiser collided with and Bank the coast- ing steamer City of Athens (3,860 tons) during a fog on Wednesday morning. Thirty passengers and 44 of the crew were lost and about the same number were picked np by the cruiser's boats and lndod .I',xohang, Later.—The City of Athens carried a crew of 135, of whom 61 were rescued. The i cruiser was undamaged. tt rV V-W-

I BALDWINS LTD. I SWANSEA FIRM'S CREAT 'EXTENSIONS Presiding at the annual meeting of Baldwins, Ltd., the Chairman (Col. John Roper Wright) said that from the profit and lotis account the balance brought forward was 210,8M. That was after making the usual provision for excess profits duty and munition levy. The ordinary share capital had increased from 9775,004 to 9.1,240,657. After paying 12! per cent., free of in- come tax, they carried forward 9156,9M. The unexpected needs of the great war had fallen heavily on the company. Their products had been in urgent demand, and they had been pressed by the Government to meet that demand. As a result they stood committed to great extensions and development, toward which they had had valuable aid from the Government. To that end, too, they had decided to capitalise the large reserve they had in connection with the Brymbo Steel Co. They had taken a large tract of iron ore bearing land in Oxfordshire, and from that they had high expectations. Treasury sanction had ln obtained to the proposed issue of shares. The accounts were adopted, and at an extraordinary meeting the new capitalisa- tion was Sanctioned.

GLAMORGAN EXCLUDED. House of Commons, Thursday.—Glamor- ganshire is excluded from Proportional Representation. Cardiff is included.— Official.

5,241 GERMAN PH ISON ERS. I Dua-mg April 5,241 German prisoners, including 136 ofifcers, were caiptured by the British in France. In the previous month the figures were 1,661.

WAR VESSELS LOST. 1 Two small Britih war vessels were lost on April 25. The sloop Cowslip was torpedoed, and from her five officers and one man are missing. Torpedo-boat No. 90 foundered during heavy weather with the logs of one officer and 12 men.

U K R A I N E GOVT. RESIGNS. J The Dutch News Bureau announces from Vienna the resignation of the Ukraine Government. A new Government is to be formed with the consent of the German Government.

ALLEGED THREAT. I Mary Rapeon, who had been sum- moned for sending maliciously, and know- img the contents thereof, a letter or writ- ing threatening to kill P.C. Percy Doug- las Keep, did not appear at Swansea Police Court, on Thursday, and on the application of Mr. Rupert Lewis, a war- rant was issued for her arrest.

A CONTROLLED PORT. I Mr. T..1. Williams (SwameM) on Wed-I /f-rswlky Ln-d «.«'■J interriew with Mr. Wardle in reference to making Swansea a controlled port. The matter, it is re- ported, is in abeyance for the present pending the settlement of a point locally, and until that is settled the Board of Trade cam-not move.

MR. BEN TILLETT, M.P. I "Rambler" in the" Mirror" writes:- Mr. Ben Tillett, in the Strand yes- terday told me that he had just been ap- pointed Director of Propaganda to Theatres and Music Halls, with Mr. J. W. Tate (" That") as his asgistant. The secretary of the Dockers' Union has a theatrical face, and has frequently been taken for an actor.

HOME RULE CHALLENGE. I The Prime Minister, in writing to Mr. Thomas Burt, expressing sympathy with the memorial signed by 60,000 Tyneside Irish in favour of immediate Home Rule, says that the difficulties have not been made easier of settlement by the chal- lenge issued by the Nationalists, the Roman Cathodic hierarchy, and the Sinn Fein leaders to the supremacy of the United Kingdom Parliament.

A DEAL IN CORN. I On Thursday, at Swansea, Wm. Bury, I haulier, was charged with stealing a sack of corn, value 37s., the property of Messrs. Weaver and Co. W. J. Sutton, fish and fruit salesman, was charged with receiv- ing a sack of horse corn, well knowing the same to have been stolen. The Chairman said they believed that both defendants were guilty, and fined th S5 each or two months' imprison- ment.

TEACHERS' STRIKE. A Government inspector arrived at Carmarthen on Wednesday to inquire into the teachers' strike in the eastern portion of the county. About 170 assistant teachers did not turn up at echool the firet day of the strike, and of the 76 schools which are I affected the majority were under the charge of only head teachers. At some of the big schools in the Am- man VaUez. Llane, Rural, and Burry j Fori tIw ?Mt-? t?out-ty is experienced in carrfing on. )

NEW ORGANIST. I At the church meeting Pt Mount Plea- sant Chapel, Swansea, on Wednesday cvening Mr. AnIn: Davi<?, F.R.C.O., Walter-road, at present organist at St. I James's Church, was appointed organist of Mount Pleasant in succession to Dr. D. Vaughan Thomas, who has taken up a musical poet under the Central Welsh Board. Mr. Davies holds a prominent place in Welsh musical circles, and has won a high place for himself as composer, ad- judicator, oonductor and organist. His choir at St. James's has won for itself a reputation for carol singing. He is in great demand at local Eisteddfodau, and his pleasing personality will ensure his popularity in his new sphere of activity.

I MAJOR TRICKS SON. Major W. B. Trick, M.B.E., J.P.. Neath, received information on Thursday that his eldest son. Mr. Fred H. Trick, died in South Africa on April 12th, aged 32. Deceased went to South Africa, in 1907, and took up a farm at Veiitrsdoovt, Johannesburg. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted in General Smut's army, and served in the German East African campaign. He was eventually invalide(I out, and returned to Johannesburg. A few weeks before his death he proceeded to Pretoria with a Tiew to rejoining, but, owing to the state of his health, was rejected. At Thursday's meeting of the Neath Council a vote of condolence was passed ? \nth Major Trick. > J ?s????-?? J I

(MARRIED AT SWANSEA Army Captain Who Caserted, His Wife. Capt. Noel Francis Fleming, now of Newport, formerly in charge of the Muni- tion area, Swansea, WM proceeded against at Llanelly Police Court, on Wednesday, by. his wife, Amelia M. Fksmmg, of S3, Jaiuea-street, Lla,oelly, for desertion. | Defendant did not appear, and Mr. T. R. Ludford, who represented plaintiff, said the parties met in Pembroke Dock, and were married in Swa,nsea in January, 101-7. Plaintiff, who was 21 years of age, and had the care of a babv, had un- doubtedly been deserted by her husband, who had got hold of a young woman of most respectable parents, and had gonob away with her to Newport. Plaintiff said he? husband had k" in the Army 12 years, and came from Coombecnartin, in J)evonshire, being the son of a colonel. When she married him m January, 1917, defendant was in charge of a munition arcia in Swansea, and at that time she lived with her parents. In November she went to Swansea in order to live with her husband, who was lodg- ing at 39, Walter-road, but he refused to let her in, and she. spent the night at the Tenby Hotel. On. the following day he took her in, and siie lived with him until December 22. On th?t day he left a not? for < £ 5#, but never told her where he wa? going. A few days later, she found he had taken lodgings at 9, Beech wood-road, and he refused to live with her again, but gave no reason. The last time she saw him wae en Febniary 6th, and it WM a well known fact that he was now living at the Shaftesbury Hotel. Newport, with a young girl who was the daughter of very respectable people in Swansea. Her hus- band was a captain in the Army, and was also interested in. a Motor Car Co., in which he had a "considerable number of shares. When she lived with him, he al ways had plenty of money. The Bench made the maximum order of Y,2 per week with costs.

STUCK TO HER POST. Viol&t Davies, a 15-year-old telephonist at a West Wales munition factory, was recently decorated with. a British Empire Order insignia by Mr. John Hinds, M.P. She stuck to her post at a time of danger. Mi«s Davies's father, Mr. T. O. Davies, laVed at Park-terrace, Waunwen, but hm now removed to Llanelly.

TINPLATERS' CLAIMS. The annual meeting of the tinplnters' section of -ghe Dockers' Union on Saturday, was «o*tinu«l until the etwiing at t)-re Doclwre' Hall, Swansea. The »>laims iwt forward, and the recommendations at the execu- tive. having been considered, the usual whittling down process was gone through in order to formulate a concrete demand to be lid before the ConciliAtion Bo-trd at its next meet fig. The definite caM put forward, ther sore, will be for merg- ing 50 per cent. opthe present war bonus into the wage ra-ti,.iand for the new bonus of 50 per cent. V HbAir-ntti

WIFE WH) RAN AWAY. I In the "Divorce division on Wednesday, ¡ a remarkable story was told to Mr. Justiee Horridge when th<? petition WM heard of Mrs. Helen MMY ?urbridge for a jUd.idtl.1! separation from b?r husband, Mr. Percy Geo. Fran? Barbridge, en the ground of alleged cruelty. The husband hà4 put in answers deny- ing the cruelty, and alleging that the peti- tioner had been guilty of adultery in July, 19l3, at Swansea, although they had lived together since that incident and until JuH6, IM" The petitioner Admitted running away to Swansea and stayed the night. His Lordship gave the petitioner a decree of j udiciaL^oparation with costs.

STANDARD SUITS. War-time standard boots for men are soon to be followed by the provision of ready-made standard suits in serges and tweeds at approximately 80s. for the first I' and 57s. 6d for the second material. Serge, both black and blue, will ftl" be available for the making of suits to measure at a cos*; of about X4 12s. 6d. for an ordinary lounge or jacket suit. There will be no standard tweed suits made to measure. From 750,060 to 1,000,000 suits arc expected to be on sale during June, July, and August. Cloths and clothing, apart from theee standardised materials, will continue to be available at the mer- chants' and retailers' at their own prices, just as other boots, besides the war-time boots, can be ha i at the bootmakers'.

NEWS IN BRIEF. NEWS I The Neath Council on Thursday in creased the price of gas by 3d. per 1,000. Meters are to cost Is. per quarter. At the Swansea Tribunal on Thursday a man with eight children, with Hiree hrothen at M)* war, wm given two months* exemption. The death of George Simpson, Gomer- ian-place. S^ wieea. who fell from a scaffold at Por, tarda wo was attributed to accidental causes at the inquest on Thurs- day, -•* Los • Angeles tele^'am says it is all- nouneAd. that #try Pickford. the cinema clre-ss, is about to permanently retire. Her sister sayts that Mary in on the verge of i nervous collapse. Reference wa* made at Neath Town Council on Thursday to the recent out- breaks of fire in the town, and a recom- mendation of the Watch Committee waa confirmed providing the town with a modern lire ermine and appliances. At Aooravoll' on Thursday Wm. John Williams, colliery haulier, of Felindre, Aberavon, pleaded guilty to stealing two bicycles, and was sentenced to three months' hbrd labour. He created a scene and refused to leave the dock. being re- moved by two policemen. At Aberavon on Thursday Jean Olsen, chief mate of a Norwegian vessel, was fined S10 for not notifying a change of addrc.ss.-Hana Lauritz, Axel Anderson, and Demetrius Chauvis, were fined C.5 [each, Hans Lauritz £2 for being ashore without a permit. Emily Jary, Bees-terrace, Swansea, was fined 25 at Llanelly on Wednesday for having matches in her possession at a West Wales factory on April 12th; and David Hopkins, Beill Inn, Bynea, was fined a similar sum for having a cigarette in iiis possession on April 13th. There was a representative attendance at the funeral which took place on Wed- needay afternoon of Mrs. Hannah Fran- cis, High-street,. Pontardawe, mother of Councillor Lewis Wm. Francis at St. Peter's Churqh, Pontardawe. The Revs. .Toel Davies, W. G. Jenkins, and Johr Williams, took part in the service. The Dead MI1h was played on the organ by Mr. loon Williama.

LONELY CERIZIM. A SANCTUARY AMID THE WELSH HILLS To how many men and women has come, within the last three years, the longing to get away to some island of the remotest aoas whore there ie neither sound nor rumour of war. And I -aid, Oh.' that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away and be at rest. « Lo. then would I wander far off and re. main in the wilderness. I would hasteai I. my escape Iron the windy storm and tempest. The Psalmist knew the longing of the distressed; in every age of crisis men and women have known it. The world Ifrdws too much for us. Its burden is too great to be borne. We sigh for days that are not, for quietness and serene joy that have departed and eeem banished for ever. To what corner, to what crevice, can we escape from the windy storm and tompeet of to-day? Once upon a time—so remote a time, it appears now one with the tales of fairyland—the writer was overtaken by storm whilst following the rock pathway between Port Eynon and Tear Bay. The wind came up from the south-west almost in a moment and blew like the great guns of Franca. Mists drove in from the em, and enshrouded the tors. The rain swept down sheet-like, drowning land and t water. It was impossible to stand to the tempest. It bent one as easily as a light wiad blows a straw. There seemed no covert from its fury. Until, presently, it) a recess of the torn cliff, one found cover and sanctuary where ,,Tl was still, and the outside storm could be fol- lowed with the impersonal interest of a spectator. But what panctuarv is there to-day from the storm? Nearly two years ago, on t!he Carmarthenshire Van. amid solitudee the town man has never imagined—where billow on billow of mountain moor roll away to a far horizon —the wanderer rejoiced that he had stolen a day from the world, and that he had escaped to where there was no noise or talk of war, and lie could wash his mind clean ef tragic memories, of crimson- wrecked men, of dying men, of the uproar of guns, of ruined towns and villages and the battle-scarred uploads of Picardy. And there, upon the wild wastes over- head the rock barrier guarding the lone- liness of the Van from Penwyllt to Llan- <?deusant, on the moors between the two lakes tf fawr n and fajch," he came upon a shepherd who was smoking a pensive pipe among his sheep. They talked and became fritnde-as mountain walkers cjnickly do when they meet—and lo! their conversation was of the war. For the, shepherd had a boy upon the Somme, and his heart hungered for news of-the blood- strewn province of France. So they talked of war. of gaunt Albert and ghastly Mametz, of the solemn road to fer*iim« munm iid li;« j of the front. And thereafter there was 1:0 healing balm in the sweet winds of the mountain. They echoed the roar of guns and the tang of booths. The wilderness was in the etrife. I Last Satnrday, however, out upon another mountain aide, striding the broad spaces of Graig Fawr, which imposes its giant form between the valleys of the Loughor and the Tawe, The world forgot, and by the world forgot, the miracle appeared accomplished. Here is a land, bathed by sun and wind over which the lark carols to few human ears. You may breast I the mountain a few miles outside Pontardulais, taking the slope from the sleepy hamlet of Pentre Bach, and, attaining the top, yon may be certain of a day with your own thoughts and kindly nature. Nature was in her smiling mood on Saturday. The grass crisp under your feet. The sun genial. The breath like a blessing. Here, as one looked to the north and the south, to the upturned keel of a ridge above the Camffrwydd. to the swelling dome Bettws way, "its surface dappled o'er with shadows flung from brooding clouds," to the line of hills to- ward3 the Lliw, here was peace—infinite and satisfying beyond mortal expression. All things, responsive to the writing, there Breathed immortality, revolving life, And greatness still revolving; infinite: There littleness was not; the least of I things Peemed infinite. Here indeed was rest and content. TTere the petty game of man, his strifes end enmities, were not. Here was i-.oace, eternal. The mountain dips gently from the brow of the Graig. It beckons you on, over the whinberry bushes, over the grassy tussocks, until presently you come into a hollow, and the end of a valley. where the cultivator wrests with the bar- renness of the moorland. Away from roads, without even a path to it, stands an ancient chapel of the Tht* is Gerdinen, the hamlet of the mountain ¡ i ask, and the name of the chapel is Gerizim. Mount Gerizim. the place blessing! Sweetly named, indeed, for the spirit is soothed and blessed which can worship here in the heart of the moun- tain, where the wind sings anthems all day in the trees and is free from the taint of the towns. And here. surround- ing the white-washed walls of Zion, are the graves of mountain people—of people who lived and died in places which have names that roll with organ rhythm. Gerdinenishaf and Rhydeerdinen and B1aencerdinen and Gerdinengan?l; Blaen- ffynonau and Lletuffwlb?rt and Allty- cadno and TyUwyne. Names like music. Thev sing like the wind among the Mh J tr<?. But here also Flanders has cast its black shadow. There is a grave in CJeriziin with this inscription: William John Jones, Ty'r Got, Yr hwn a laddwyd ym mrwydr Neuve Chapelle Flanders, Mawrth 11. 1915. Yn 19 oed. His body is in the bloody earth of Flan- ders. but if his soul re-visits this earth, it is to Grdinen the blest-to the moor- land where he played his boyish pranks before the battle called him—that it come*. And it was whilst looking at this moun- tain grave, at the empty sepulehre, the thought came to me that there ie no escape from the windy storm and tempest, and that man in his truest mood desires none. The real inward peace is not of man's making but of God's bestowing. J. ft. W.

SWANSEA NEWS. I The Week's Doings in Town. I Terrence Barry (6), Green hill-street, Swansea, was rescued from the North Dock on Monday by an unknown man. Early on Tuesday morning, at the resi- dence of Major Harries, North Hill, St. Jajnes's-creseent, Swansea, a timely dis- covery of a fire was made. At Swansea on Tuesday the Bespoke Clothing Co., 49, Waterloo-street, sum- moned for employing a girl after 8 p.m. on March 28th, was fined 20s. J Joseph Willis, 5, Neptune-court, Swan- sea, was knocked down by a motor lorry in High-street, Swansea, on Monday etening. and sustaned injuries to his leg and head. Death from natural causes was the verdict returned at the inquest on Tues- day on the body of Arnie liall, 57, Aber- dyberthi-stiret, Swansea, who died sud- denly on Saturday last. At St. Helen's Baptist Chapel, Swansea, on Tuesday, presentations were made to the Rev. J. W. Causton (pastor), who is leaving to take up the pastorate at the 3apti6t Chapel, Sudbury. The Swansea Municipal Secondary School staff are nothing if not original, i Mr. Knight, the history master, last week tcok a class to OysteriSiouth Castle and gave them a practical lesson there. The future of commercial education •ras dealt with at some length, with a special view bo the Swansea standpoint, by Mr^T. P. Cook at Friday's meeting of the Swansea Chamber of Commerce. Death from heart failure was the ver- dirt returned at the inquest at Swansea on Monday on the body of ;aruh Little- rood (75), of 3i. Argyb-st:eet, Swansea, who died suddenly on Friday night la"t. At Swansea, on Tuesday Richard Davies (16) and Albert Bolan (20), charged with stealing ten oranges from s warehouse, were fined 40s., and warned that prison would reward another offence. A meeting of South Wales masters of ii-dustry discussed the Swansea Techni- cal College endowment on Saturday after- roon, and passed a resolution pledging iteelf, individually and collectively, to render every assistance. At the Royal College of Music examina- tion Miss Betty Powell, daughter of Dr. Jones Powell, Hafod, obtained the diploma of A.R.C.M. She hM been awarded the Council exhibition for the two successive years of her studentship. To commemorate nearly ser- vice as organist at Mount Zion Baptist i Church, Swansea, a presentation of an illuminated address has been made to Mr. David Harris, and a pair of bronze or- naments to his wife, by the members. Mr. G. Knill (president of the Swansea Branch of the Typographical Soc-icty) has just returned from France after spending a few weeks with his son, Pte. Fred Knill. who was severely wounded i I" both knees, one of his legs having to be amputated. •son of Mr. \"1ëk, T«. ,nt.1an. West Ctr. fell into a manhole at NWttm on Monday morrjng,- and -sustained a fnulurrH- Jie was .ir?t.<u? ? j??  taken to the Swansea Hospital and oppra- tfxl upon, and is now progressing as weil as can be expected. | At the Swansea Police Court on Friday, Elir-abeth Tanner (29), inarried; sum-! moned Sara h Richards (25). also lllll Tirl, for a?sault. There was a, cros>r--siuitinons. —The Bench thought the case a dis- graceful one, and bound over each defen- dant in CIO for a yealr. The death. ljr,4 occurred of Mr. Evan Stanley Morgan, son ot Mr. Morgan, butcher, High-Afreet, Swansea. Ho parsed away on Tuesday morning. lie was 26 years of ags, and his illm'rs was a com- paratively short one, although he had been unwell for a long period. By the president of 'the Free Church Council, at Abegavsnny, the Rev. Yor- werth Davies, the new minister of ) Ehyddlngs Congregational Church, is re- ferred to as a Christian gentleman. scholarly without the pedantry or con- ceit of scholarship, and a true friend." At the conclusion of the Swansea County Police Court, Mr. A. H. Thomas, the chairman, referred to Inspector Oavies's departure for l'enartji. 1 regret much to hear of your leaving," he said. I reserve to myself what 1 have to say till Saturday. if I'm not here— I Ti wyddost beth ddywed fy nghalon." Mr. Roger &'k is rather seriously in- disposed, and confined to his bed. The genial squire of Langland ? is, we un- derstand, suffering from an attack of in?ueuxa. with slight symptoms of pneu. monia. As recently as Saturday after- noon he was attending to public business, and took part in the Technical Cojlege endowment fund meeting at Swansea Guildhall. The Chief Con-stat le (Capt. Alfred H. Thomas) presided over a large nuni'ier of Kegular and Volunteer Police at the Royal Hotel. Hn Tuesday evening, and in presenting P.C.'s Evans, Gregory, and Keys with a wristlet w«tch an,) walift ot I Treasury notes subscribed for by mem- here of both sectiOOft "f the r,r>'iee. wi<?!»eUS the departing officers every luck. Capt. Thomas also hoped they would come bpck again simultaneously with an honourable peace. At the Swansea Police Court on Satur- day, Margaret Rowlands, of the \lu 11b! vs, summoned her son a 14 year ol-J sch«--l boy, for stealing fll 2s. from her. Sergt. Williams said the lad pleaded guilty, and said they spent the money in London. The boy was ordered to an Industrial School until he was 19, and pending arrangements is to be detained in custody af Swansea. The mother was I ordered to pay 2s. 6d. weekly towards his I maintenance. The mortal remains of Stoker Thomas Sheehan, R.N., of 11, Well-street, Swan- sea, were laid to rest at Danygraig Cem- ctcrv on Tuesday afternoon. The solemn 11oce«sion headed by a firing party and ,e Swansea Police Band, started from St. Joseph's Church, Grcenhill, Swansea, where the body had been lying in state, and where a s hort and impressive er- vice was held, and proceeded to the burial ground. The body was borne on a naval gun carriage, drawn by a detachment of sailors from the Swansea naval base. At the Loyal D. H. Thomas Lodge. Per. Secretary E. Griffiths was the recipient of a I past grand jewel from his lodge a silver rose bowl from the District Management Committee, and an oak hall stand from the district for eerrices rendered as Prov Grand Master 191T. Prov. Grand Master S. J. Clemant presided, and the C.B.. Rees Rees, P.P.G.M.'s John Harris, John Morgan. VTm. Jones, John Thomas, Edwin Jones, and P.G. Crocker paid tribute to the outsoinj? Grand Master. Bro. E. Griffiths replied, and pre- sented a photo of the officers to his lodge, i icasurer John Beel accepting. I ? 4 (

TOWN TALK. It is rumoured that three people u« the Slip Bridge in one day laat week. — :0 r— The average pronunciation of Lo. sounds like a Yorkshireman stru<r</U; with Loughor. The rabbit has really become a ra I bit. Evidently it has gone to see < has become of the dodo- — :0:— There's a. protest brewing at Neat against frozen meat. Vegetarians a: naturally, preparing for a bean-o! 0: Anyone in search of trouble can casi, be accommodated by mmticnli-z tl • word work to the ioca.1 Medical Eoard. -:0:- W. H. Davies. the poet, in his new book, says that he was surprised and shocked tc see the number of wretched-looking mon. women and children in Swansea. — :0:— Ihis war is getting serious," said c,;ai trimmer the other day when a Ian lady informed him that she had not r. drop of beer in the house. -'0'- The non-arrival of Golden Wonde1. Neath has made local aUotaKs-' holders wonder whether they have cease'. wander. We wonder, too! —o.— 'Docs overy visitor to Swansea San ttk"■ a dog with him* It seemed like Saturday afternoon, and at one peri.i L,i- xards looked like the judging rimf a dog show. -'0- General Kornilc-ff has turntcl- up age: I week he was reported killed for tL tiniteentli time. Yesterday he ..¡id to be marching on Orenburg. TI c De Wet" of the Great Vv- i r! — .0 ^— Some of the imported bacon—and bv p account t here is a fairly large eupply i town— w'll not become popular for it flavour. In many households it is knowr 1\1$ the "Very little of it will go far" brand! —: o: — That is an ill-bred, ghost that viiV Cwmbwrla just now. A spook that kce Willett's summer time and not n I' witching hour that Shakespeare fashionable for spirits is very poor slyrt- inc indeed. -:0:- A tube conversation recorded s Punch ":—"So I sez, to comfort > Why, though yer 'ueband is intorr <\ bring a 'orri)'le 'Un, yd I must ray V. did make good sausajjes w'em 'e lived c • way. — :o:— Inspector James James, who come? > Mumbles, is an officer with a high repu; t.on. and is held to be n worthy succfs* t) the able run of Davieses who have V" ceded him. Croosaw i Yrti:niMn arth! — :0:- During the hearing of a case at avon it was relatcd how a soldier, n elevated, went up to an old man nnr and ask^d him could he' fight. Iio • ceived the tart reply: NQ. I can't, f.c'i but I'll rnn yon t, the *F. rry." nimble yc-r>g men! — :0 According to an Amoricnn Gnreth Hughes, who has gained !zi;: refutation as an actor, was born rsrr< the hills of Llanelly." The inhahilrr' of Sospanville since licon ing ;n viotin for them —: o: — A deacon, addressing chnrch members nt a West Wilc--K cli-,tT,7e]:-W,- m-;tnt spiritual re-examination of the mem T; of this church, and have them cl,-tssifi, ii. I am afraid very few would be found t'l 11 grnrlr ore," and the number of reject?d would be very large! Tho envy of all eyes in the Market n sinall dog making for the exit with a \T 11f' bullock's liver, skewer and a M. between his teeth. Even the bov-vow. ■ wants more than the five-r>prin.'ort.h. without his meat card at that!' —. o — The application of the tin pi a tors f¡-r pugar to make pop is Hkely to be "ranted, though not exactly in the form thev wished. The sugar, it seems, will he ■ given in bulk to the works proprietorf. irlin will thus become ginger-b->er brewers as well as tinuJate manufacturers. Tt1<>' consumers, it is presumed, will I-- rationed. A lady canvasser—described offioial»v as one "of those sweet things"—em- ployed on the new register of the following highly illuminating return of a hou: No reply. Notice ou. door- No circulars, no hawkers, no can- Anyone less energetic would.. have been satisfied with the tense "No bonne!" :o:— The Germans are deporting large num- bers of inhabitants from the occupied regions of Russia, and, according to a contemporary, Lenin aske Bterlin to de«ist." It ie, however. only. faiT to ..adtl (says Punch ") that the I)esiat I gag was originated by another eminent C< ,¡nNb\11 Mr George Robcy. —: o: — An interesting point wM raised by Mr. Mr.rshall at Friday's meeting of Swansea Chamber of Commerce. What ie to be- come of those. men wLo bav" been raised from the ranks to commissions? Schemes sire on foot to see that they get the ris"- in civil life that the Government hi^ found them, qualified for in Army life. Swansea is doing its part in this mat^^r. •—; ck — Somewhere in Swansea between the and the town are two shops and a privat house adjacent, all inhabited by Evans* But wheie9 W. H. Davies, the supo tramp, speaks of them in A Poet's P grimage." but does not particularise-, though he says he was so pleased w 1. himself at making the discovery that pave twopence, without being solicited. the first poor-looking man he came to. -:0:- A. teacher in West Wales was expir ing to his class some pecularities arifir. from the war and the present system recruiting from all classes. Now." &3- he, what would happen, for instance, i I had to join up and I got into this 11:; push and got killed, Just think nov What would happen here in this school There was an impressive and respectful silence on the part of all except one hos who put up his hand and said, I know; we'd have a half-holiday, gir." — x>:— In a town in West Wales where appeals r re frequently made for V.A.D. hospital workers one of these self-sacrificing ladies .in full uniform, who was about to leave for a holiday, was stopped at the station !*arriers by a young military policeman and sent back to the hospital to change her soft white oolar for a stiff one! She obeyed, though the soft collar is tuallY permitted while on duty. The red cap' "atitbority œme from the fact that the lady had a privilege ticket and exhibited .it.