Abergavenny Chronicle

I Court Leet Dinner at Crickhowell. I The annual Court Leet dinner given by tne Duke of Beaufort as Lord of the Manor of Crick- howell and Tretower, was held at the Bear Hotel, Crickhowell, on Thursday afternoon, after the holding of the Court Leet. Mr. R. H. A. Davies, Steward of the Manor, presided, and he was supported by Mr. James Edwards (agent), Mr. J. V. Richards, Mr. F. J. Hurley, Mr. Ben. Watkins, and Mr. J. Phillips (Lloyds Bank). There was a good company present. The Chairman, in proposing the loyal toasts, mentioned that his son (Lieut. W. A. Davies, R.N.A.S ), who was introduced to His Majesty the other day, said that the King still showed signs of his accident, but otherwise was as energetic and active as ever. (Hear, hear). The Chairman, who said the new licensing restrictions were responsible for the short toast- list, gave the health of the Duke of Beaufort, remaiking that he was sure they were all pleased to observe that although His Grace had sold many of his farms in the district, he still retained his manorial rights. (Applause), ine K-OUILN had now been held for over 300 years, and may they never see the day when they would cease. (Hear, hear). Looking over the company, Mr. Davies said they were sorry to miss some familiar faces. Mr. John Jones, ironmonger, the foreman of the Borough Jury, had passed from their midst, and that day this Jury had very properly passed a vote of condolence with the relatives. He was glad to see Mr. John Leonard, despite his recent illness and bereavements. (Hear, hear). He took that opportunity of congratu- lating those tenants of His Grace who had pur- chased their farms, and wished them health and prosperity he thought they would be the first to admit that they had lost an excellent land- lord. (Hear, hear). He coupled with the toast the name of Mr. James Edwards (the agent). Mr. Edwards, in reply, joined Mr. Davies in congratulating the I tenants upon becoming owners of their farms, and said that now they had all become landlords he would be pleased to act as their agent. (Laughter). He would be most sympathetic to tenants who asked for repairs and would give them all they wanted. (Laughter). He proposed the health of the Borough and Manor Juries, and coupled with it the names of the Foremen, Messrs. R. Howells and John Leonard, incidentally remarking that Mr. John Evans, ironmonger, had created a record by attending the Court I.eets for 36 years consecutively. (Hear, hear). May he attend many more. (Hear, hear). Messrs. R. Howells and John Leonard replied, and Mr. Evans also acknowledged the compli- ment paid him.

I Blackmore Fashions for Ladies, Children, Gentlemen and Boys.—Patterns of above to be obtained at Morgan & Co.'s, Chronicle Office. Price, 2d. and 3d. each.

I Wednesday.- B ef ore Mr. F. P. J. Hanbury { (chairman), Col. W. Williams, Mr. J. "8. Marsh, and Mr. John Evans. I Took no Notice. Frederick Jones, blacksmith, of Llanellen, was summoned for riding a bicycle without a front or a red rear light on Saturday, and pleaded guilty. P.C. Ayland said he shouted to defendant, but he took no notice. Witness had to threaten to I pull him off the bicycle before he would get off. He was under the influence of drink. Fined 2s. 6d., including costs, for each offence. I Conscientious Objectors Fined 15. I I ? David John Pugh and William i ugn, 01 upper Hendre Farm, Llanover, who have both been refused exemption on conscientious grounds, were charged with failing to report themselves under the Military Service Act. David John Pugh said they had asked Mr. Roberts, of Dowlais. to represent them, but he could not attend that day, and he must ask for I an adjournment. I In reply to the Clerk, prisoner said they were apprehended the previous evening, and a wire was sent to Mr. Roberts. I A sister of the prisoners, who was in Court, said she sent the wire and they had not received a reply. She telephoned that morning and was told that Mr. Roberts was not in. Capt. H. Vyvyan-Robinson, recruiting officer, asked that the case should be gone on with. It had been hanging about for some time. Supt. Davies They have been given an opportunity to report themselves before. Acting Company-Sergt.-Major G. H. T. Powell said prisoners were called up for military service by proclamation dated the 18th March. They were served with notice to report them- selves at the Recruiting Office at Abergavenny on the inth March, but thev did not do so. I The Magistrates' Clerk The charge is that you have been deserters since the 30th of March. David John Pugh No, it is not right. The 1st of May was the notice I had to attend. The Clerk What is your defence, supposing you had a solicitor and two or three counsel ? You must show a defence. David John Pugh (reading a written state- ment) I regard myself as being inside the pro- visions of the Act. The Magistrates' Clerk So do I. Pugh And as a result of the illegality on the part of the Tribunal, I cannot accept responsi- bility as an absentee from His Majesty's Forces. The Magistrates' Clerk What does that rigmarole mean ? Pugh Can't you understand English ? The Magistrates' Clerk I can understand English, certainly, but it is not for you to try to be impudent to the Bench. It does not im- prove your case. nor does it improve your case to read rubbish like that. So far you have not disclosed any defence or any shadow of one. Capt. Vyvyan-Robinson gave evidence that the notices to the prisoners were issued by him. The Magistrates' Clerk I know the proclam- ation is sufficient, but has any notice been sent to the men ? Capt. Vyvyan-Robinson Yes, on one or two occasions. I sent the sergeants out to Llanover on the 8th of May to interview them. They promised to turn up at the recruiting office the following day, and we held back the papers to see if they did. David Pugh We didn't promise. The Magistrates' Clerk They have been before the Tribunal ? Capt. Vyvyan-Robinson Yes, sir. The Magistrates' Clerk On what grounds ? Capt. Vyvyan-Robinson Conscientious. The Magistrates' Clerk How were they dealt with ? Capt. Vyvyan-Robinson -Non-combatant service. They have been before the Appeal Tribunal, and the decision was upheld. The Magistrates' Clerk (to Wm. Pugh) What objection did you raise before the Tribunal ? William Pugh I could not say. The Magistrates' Clerk You don't know what objection you raised ? Pugh shook his head. Prisoners were fined £ 5 each, to be deducted from their military pay, and were ordered to await an escort. Licensing. I The temporary transfer of the licence 01 the Lamb Inn was granted to Elizabeth Manges, who had held a licence at Risca. Mr. A. M. Cunliffe appeared for the owners. William Pearce Davies again applied in respect of the Guildhall, the application having been adjourned for a week to enable the police to make inquiries. Supt. Davies said applicant would not, at first, give the police information as to the licenses he had held. He had now made inquiries, and they were satisfactory. The Magistrates' Clerk It is better to be good friends with the police. (Laughter). The application was granted. Didn't Turn Up Farmer's Claim Against I Bailiff. John Lewis, farm bailiff, or Penarth, was summoned for a breach of contract of employ- ment with J. F. Marsh, of Llwyncecil Farm, and damages to the amount of £ 15 5s. 6d. were claimed. Mr. J. 0. Marsh appeared for his son, who was ill. Defendant said he did not admit the claim, and he objected to its being tried in that Court. The Magistrates' Clerk Why ? Defendant Because I was not in this county, nor have I worked in the countv. The Magistrates' Clerk The Bench will decide that point after hearing the facts. Mr. J. O. Marsh said his son asked him to deal with the matter for him. He required a working farm bailiff and his wife, and advertised. In reply to that advertisement John Lewis wrote on February 8th applying for the situation. Witness replied, giving the fullest particulars as to what was required and the wages. On the 9th Lewis wrote giving him the name of his last employer, Mr. England, who, in reply to a letter from witness said that Lewis had left him some months ago. Lewis then gave him the name of another employer with whom he had been for some years, a Mr. Lowrie. On the 26th Lewis came to witness's house for an interview, and, subject to the reference from Mr. Lowrie being satisfactory, he was definitely engaged. He said he would come on the Monday week, March 6th. He asked for half his railway fare and witness gave him .15. 6d., which was nearly enough for the fare both ways. On the 29th witness got Mr. Lowrie's reply and wrote telling Lewis that he was definitely engaged. On the I following Thursday—March 2nd-Lewis wrote saying lie would expect half the cost of the removal of the furniture to be paid, and asking if witness would agree to pay the whole and receive half back when he could pay it. Witness agreed to this arrangement, and Lewis said he had arranged to send the furniture by road. Lewis did not turn up as arranged, and witness sent an express message by telephone. After- wards he learnt that Lewis had gone from the cottage on the Saturday, and sent a vire to his new address. Lewis said he was not coming, and would write but he did not do so. Lewis's wife afterwards wrote a long letter asking him to overlook it. Witness was very much annoyed at the inconvenience that defendant had caused, as there was no one in the house to look after his son and no one to attend to the farm work. It was in the middle of the lambing season, and his son lost several lambs through want of attention. \VJtness considered mat aeIenuant had acted so badly that action should be taken. In reply to the Magistrates' Clerk, witness said his son did not want any vindictive costs or expenses against Lewis, but it was quite time that such conduct should be dealt with. When the man had been engaged and others had been told that the position was filled, it was too bad. At the time he wrote about his furniture he must have engaged with his present employer. Defendant Why do you charge £ S 10s. for the horses being idle 17 days ? Witness That is from the time you should have come until my son got another bailiff. Defendant: If I engaged it wa3 weekly. Witness No, it was monthly. Defendant I never settled definitely with Mr. Marsh and I did not write accepting the engagement. The Magistrates' Clerk said defendant had led Mr. Marsh to believe he would come. He ad- vised the Bench that they had jurisdiction in the case. The Bench considered there had been a breach of agreement, and ordered defendant to pay £ 2 2S..towards the loss incurred, at the rate of 5s. per week. ..&.

I CHEAP CYCLING. The cheapness of cycling as a means of loco- II motion is really marvellous. As an instance, j Mr. R. H. L. Keaye, of Queen's College, Bir- mingham, reports that, in the last three years, he has ridden his Raleigh 11,131 miles in all weathers, and all it has cost him has been a pair of new tyre covers and new pedal rubbers, no single repair having ever been necessary. In face of such facts can it be a matter of surprise that the bicycle is now universally recognised as the great democratic means of road locomotion ?

CRICKHOWELL MILITARY I TRIBUNAL. Mr. E. Pirie Gordon presided at a meeting of the above on Friday, at the Town Hall, Crick- howell, when there were present Rev. W. Arvon Davies and Messrs. W. G. James, Josiah Phillips, Henry Thomas, A. J. Thomas, John Jones, P. Griffiths, and the Military Representa- tive, Mr. Gwilvm C. James. Mr. James Howat, Wernbutler, Crickhowell, said he had been appointed by the Board of Agriculture to watch the interests of agricul- turists, and produced his papers. A ploughman and Waggoner on a farm of 188 acres, the tenant of which is a cripple and unable to do any work himself, was granted exemption until 12th November, on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee. Mr. Josiah Phillips: A very deserving case. A tenant farmer who farms 163 acres, and has a herd of pedigree cattle and a flock of sheep, applied for exemption for his cowman and shepherd, a single man of 21 years. He said his servant was a foreman on the farm and an expert all round man. Two brothers were serving with the colours. Exemption granted until 12th November next. The same tenant farmer also applied for exemption for his horseman and ploughman, a single man of 28. This workman was indispens- able. The farm was of a sideland nature and very difficult to work. The Military Representative How many men have you on the farm ? Applicant Three altogether, including myself. I have a son of 15 years. The Military Representative I shall have to ask for this man, seeing that the other has been exempted. Applicant said he hoped the Tribunal would meet him by granting exemption until after the harvest, at any rate. Mr. Howat: If it can be proved that the man is of more value on the land than in the trenches, then exemption should be granted. The Military Representative I shall take exception to exemption. Exemption granted until 12th July. Two brothers, farming 506 acres, applied for exemption for a stockman and shepherd. They stated they have 66 cattle, including many pedigree, 1,100 sheep and nine horses. The Advisory Committee recommended six months' exemption,, which the Tribunal confirmed. Applicants also applied for exemption for their cowman, aged 29. The Military Representative How many workmen have you ? Applicant (the eldest brother) There are three men beside my brother and myself. The Military Representative This man ought to go. x Applicant then produced a medical rejection certificate. Mr. W. G. James This should have been put in before we considered the other case. The Military Representative Certainly. Applicant said it was quite impossible to get the harvest in without this man. Mr. James Howat I must support the claim. It is quite reasonable. The Tribunal reviewed their decision with regard to the first man, and altered the period of exemption from 1st November to 31st August next. With regard to the second case the medical rejection certificate was considered to be sufficient. A tenant farmer, farming over 300 acres, applied for exemption for his horseman (19). He said he had 650 sheep and lambs. The Military Representative The Tribunal cannot grant exemption in this case, and the man must go. Applicant He is the only man I have got to look after the horses. The Military Representative How many men are employed on the farm ? Applicant Three my two sons and this man. The Military Representative And yourself. Applicant I am 72 years of age, and cannot do much. Appeal refused. Mr. James Howat: I shall appeal on Mr. Thomas's behalf to the County Tribunal. A farmer farming 80 acres applied for ex- emption for. his son, aged 24. In reply to the Military Representative, applicant admitted that another son lived at home, but he was not able to do much, as he worked elsewhere. The Military Representative Then you must get him home. There is no reason why he should not assist you altogether. Exemption refused. I A farmer farming 123 acres was granted ex- emption until 1St November next for his work- man, aged 23, the only man on the farm. Rev. W. Arvon Davies The Tribunal refused exemption in an earlier case to a man about this age. Mr. W. G. James But there is a difference in this case. This man is the only one on the farm. A tenant farmer farming 334 acres was granted conditional exemption. The proprietor of local paper mills asked for exemption for one month for his chaffeur, to enable him to be fitted with a set of teeth which he was purchasing for him. The Tribunal unanimously assented. A widow, who has one son with the colours, and another unfit, applied for exemption for her stockman and general workman, the only work- man on her farm of 100 acres. Exemption until 1St November was granted. A farmer farming no acres applied for ex- emption on behalf of his ploughman, aged 19. If he was taken it would be impossible to carry on the farm. The Military Representative How many are you on the farm ? Applicant One brother, aged 15 years, myself, and the ploughman. In reply to the Chairman, he said he ploughed between 20 and 30 acres. Exemption to the 31st May, which means longer as the application was made under the Military Service Act. A roadman and smallholder, 35, married, applied for exemption. He has 35 acres and a quantity of stock. When lie attested he was only passed for home service. Conditional exemption was granted. Six months' exemption was granted to a partner in a firm of builders, who have im- portant contracts to fulfil. A boot and shoe salesman applied for ex- emption for a repairer, a married man of 35. He executed repairs for another man in the trade during the evenings. He is the only man in five parishes, and repairs boots for the work- house inmates. The Military Representative I must ask for this man. Exemption until 12th August. A farmer farming 80 acres applied for ex- emption for his workman. The Military Representative Very often this man assists his father ? Applicant: Sometimes. Replying to a member of the Tribunal, he said there were 15 acres under plough. The work- man assisted his father to harvest, &c. Mr. A. J. Thoipas A very helpful arrange- ment. Exemption until 1st November. A Llangattock tenant farmer applied for exemption for his ploughman, aged 27. It was explained that the Tribunal on a former occasion refused exemption, but on appeal to the County Tribunal a month's exemption was granted. Applicant stated that this was the only man on the farm capable of ploughing. The farm was of a sideland nature and, therefore, difficult to work. The Military Representative How many men have you on this farm ? Applicant A boy of 15 left me this morning. We are now three, including myself. The other workmen are incapable of ploughing. One is medically unfit, and I am medically unfit to do ploughing. It is impossible to work the farm without this man, and it is in the national interests that he should be retained on the farm. Applicant added that the tarm was over 150 acres. He had his hands full in looking after the sheep. Mr. P. Griffiths proposed that six months' exemption be granted in this case. The Military Representative You are grant- ing everything, it seems to me. We want men in the trenches, but we are not going to get any the way you are going to work. Mr. P. Griffiths You cannot put any kind of man on the land. The Government is asking us to provide more foodstuffs, but how are we going to do so if you take the skilled workmen off the .farms ? Foodstuffs, to my mind, are munitions. Mr. Howat The Government will soon find I themselves in a hole, if they go on at the present rate. Men will have to be brought back from the trenches to till the land. Exemption until 1st November. The Military Representative I shall appeal against the decision. A grocer, who has a delicate wife and two young children, appealed for exemption. If he had to go it would mean closing down his business. Two hauliers had joined the Army. His wife was not strong enough to attend to the business, and a medical certificate was put in to this effect. Exemption until ist November. A tenant farmer farming 120 acres was granted conditional exemption. Twenty-three cases were dealt with in all. One was adjourned until the next Tribunal, two applications. were refused, two conditional, and IS temporary exemptions were granted. ♦

TOBACCO FUND. I Already acknowledged £ 276 1 10 This week 3 14 o 279 15 10 12-ils. Miss Phillips. 5S. Mrs. Lawrence Baker Mrs. Chas. Baker Mr. Robert Price (per the Mayor). 8S. Mr. Edgar J. Delafield.

IV IN MEMORIAM. I r DEDICATION OF STAINED GLASS WINDOW I AT ST. MARY'S. The dedication of the first stained-glass window to be placed in St. Mary's Church took place on Thursday. It has been placed in the church in memory of the late Mr. Edward Baker, who died on January 4th, 1914. St. Mary's has been singularly lacking in this form of adornment which beautifies most ancient churches, and it is to be hoped that this is but the beginning of a scheme of decoration which shall include all the windows. Another stained- glass window has already been provided for by the will of a local gentleman. The window was supplied by Messrs. Bryan's, of London, and the mason work was carried out by Messrs. Horsing- ton Bros., of Abergavenny. The window, which is a beautiful specimen of the decorative art, is situated on the south wall near the pulpit, and the subject matter is based on the Acts. At the top is a figure engaged in combat with a dragon, and underneath are the words Fight the good fight." The principal panels are filled with the figures of St. Peter, St. Paul, St. John; St. Barnabus, St. Lydia, and St. Silas, and under- neath are depicted incidents in the life of Christ. The Ven. C. A. H. Green, D.D., Archdeacon of Monmouth, performed the dedication, and the clergy present were Archdeacon Spens, the Rev. J. H. Davies, Rev. H. B. Jones, and the Rev. Morgan Gilbert (Vicar of Llanvetherine and formerly Vicar of St. Mary's). 4.

Blackmore Fashions for Ladies, Children Gentlemen and Boys.—Patterns of above to b obtained at Morgan & Co.'s, Chronicle Offi ce Price, zd. and 3d. each. Vernal Visitation at Abergavenny. ARCHDEACON GREEN AND THE WELSH f CHURCH ACT. The Ven. C. A. H. Green, D.D., Archdeacon of Monmouth, held his vernal visitation at St. Mary's Church, Abergavenny, on Thursday. The Archdeacon, in the course of his charge, referred to the Canon Law as affecting visitations, the continuity of the Church, the National Mission of Repentance and Hope, the Welsh Church Act, and the War. Dealing with The Welsh Church Act, Archdeacon Green said The Welsh Church Act was placed upon the Statute Book, by the operation of the Parlia- ment Act, on September 18, 1914. By virtue of the Suspensory Act, 1914, an Order of his Majesty in Council, dated September 14, 1915, postponed the date of Disestablishment until the end of the present war," whatever that ambiguous phrase may mean. But, as you are aware, there are two determining dates in the Church Act. The second of these is the date of the passing of this Act," when certain sections became operative immediately. A few minutes may well be spent in showing how the Act has already altered our position. Sec- tion 14 secured the life-interest of every Welsh clergyman who was beneficed on September 18, 1914, provided he continues to hold some eccle- siastical office in the Church in Wales. Now, between that date and the last day of December, 19x5, there had been 15 admissions to benefices in the diocese of Llandaff. Thirteen of these were cases of men who were not beneficed in Wales when the Act was passed, and therefore have no life-interest under its provisions. They are enjoying the fruits of their respective livings on sufferance at the end of the present war their income will cease. Moreover, 12 of their predecessors have either died, or have ceased to hold any ecclesiastical office in the Church in Wales. Therefore, the aggregate value of the I existing interests," payable to the Representa- tive Body of the Church in Wales under the ischenie of commutation, has already been diminished by the amount otherwise due in respect of those 12 men. My figures are for this diocese only and I have not brought them beyond December 31, 1915. I am informed that this silent process of impoverishing the Welsh Church has gone further in other dioceses. Whether that be so or not, it is evident that the longer the date of Disestablishment is deferred, the larger becomes the number of incumbents who have no security in their income, the smaller becomes the number of persons counting ior the value of the Commutation Fund, and the poorer becomes the country in its financial capacity to contribute a substitute for the alienated en- dowments-si-irely, a clear proof, if any were required, that the Welsh Church Act is already, operative. The question of border parishes lying partly within and partly without Wales and Monmouthshire, came before us at the last vernal visitation. We saw that, as the result of a ballot taken early in 1915, 17 of such parishes were declared by the Welsh Commissioners to be wholly outside the scope of the Act. The case of two other parishes was reserved for further consideration. We are now informed that a fresh ballot has been taken, with the result that, in March, 1916, Llansilin was declared to be within Wales, and Rhydycroesau outside, for the purposes of Disestablishment and Disendow- ment-another Instance of the operativeness of the Welsh Church Act. í. .1_- itie vveisn commissioners nave receniiy issued a statement of their preliminary expenses, which have been £ 3,487 14s. Sd. in salaries and £ 567 9S. 1 id. for their office requirements. Every incumbent has received a token of their diligence in the form upon which he is required to tabulate the property of his benefice. The Welsh political Nonconformist appears to be singular in his insensibility to the impropriety and unfairness of pressing such distasteful questions upon the clergy during a war which has cast the shadow of bereavement over many a clergyman's home. No wonder that even that dough ty I Disestablisher, Mr. Lloyd George, felt ashamed of the very small men in a very big situation who would allow to Welsh Church- men no adequate postponement of, and no respite from, an Act which reached the Statute Book only by a cruel exploitation of the loyalty of Churchmen in the face of their country's danger. The chicanery by which the Act was passed has raised sincere doubts in the minds of Churchmen whether its passage should be accepted with submission as the final expression of the Divine will. I share those doubts, and, while repudiating the tactics of the Tithe Rioter and the Passive Resister, am prepared to join in any legitimate movement for testing the irrevocability of the measure. The Central Church Defence Committee has decided to agitate for the repeal of the entire Act. In view of that decision, the Church in Wales has dene nothing which Disestablishment and Disendow ment will require to be done. I shall be re- minded that many committees have been sitting, and that nothing is known of their work. Of course, nothing is known of their work, because they have done nothing. They have no newer to do anything that is contemplated by the Act. They are really study circles and indeed we all have much to learn and ponder over. So far as conclusions have been reached, they are practically not worth the paper on which they are written, until they have been considered and accepted by the four diocesan conferences. As to silence, why, it is at the request of the repealers themselves that the deliberations are conducted in private. And perhaps silence is best, as long as our country is in peril. .&.

——— v ——— Correction.—In our report of the military funeral at Abergavenny last week the name of the deceased should have been Pte. F. Walters, and not Watkins as stated. Forthcoming Marriage. A wedding will shortly take place between Briyadier-i k-neral Arthur Solly-Flood, D.S.O., elder surviving son of the late Major-General Sir Frederick Soily- Flood, K.C. B., and Mrs. Charles Martin, daughter of Mr. Ferdinand Hanbury, of Nanther, Aber- gavenny. Railway men's Condolence.-At a meeting of the members of the Committee of the Aberga- venny L. & N. W. R. Locomotive Department War Relief Fund, last Sunday week, sympathetic reference was made to the officers and mep of the 3rd Monmouthshire Regiment who lost their lives in the Battle of Ypres on the 8th May. 1915, and a vote of condolence was passed with the I relatives of those who so gallantly fought and died for their country on that occasion.

THE HUN MUST BE SMASHED BY MILITARY AND NAVAL POWER. Mr. Frederic William Wile, for many years a. journalist in Berlin, whose experience of the Germans together with his up-to-date reading of the German Press, makes his views well worth consideration at the present time, has written an interesting article on the present internal condition of Germany. Mr. Wile says I personally incline to the impression that things in Germany are undoubtedly bad and growing worse, but not so bad that they presage- the downfall of the enemy at any early date. My answer regarding the truth about Germany therefore, is that Englishmen who hug the com- fortable delusion that the enemy is crumbling; into decay and defeat are peopling a fool's paradise. Mere British hopes for the worst in. the enemy's country will not defeat him. The Hun must be smashed in the field. His sea. power must be annihilated. Internal collapse will then follow soon enough. It is idle, time- wasting, and energy-sapping to think or talk about it before that. Speeches and catch- phrases have been plentiful enough in this war to win it ten times over if armies and fleets could be withered by words. But Mr. Lloyd George coined one maxim about Germany, which ought to be a real fighting asset for Englishmen, when. he reminded them more than a year ago that Britain had more to fear from the potato-bread spirit in Germany than from Hindenburg's strategy.' To realise he 'truth about Ger- many no Englishman at this hour has anything. to do but take to heart that iron fact so pun- gently put by the Minister of Munitions. The potato-bread spirit What does it mean ? It means genuine national service and sacrifice. Not the service of lip and the sacrifice of inten- tion, but actual deed and performance. It means lead by Government and achievement by people. It is millions of miles removed front Wait and See and Too Late.' It is Govern- ment command and hearty popular obedience. The great outstanding truth about (Ger- many is that the Germans are living the lives of a people at war. She is short all along the eating line without hardly a solitary exception. Anybody who has ever been in Germany know what it means to the Hun to be deprived of meats and fatty viands two days in the week to have his beloved coff ?e, and even his beer, cut down, and to be deprived of his gargantuan sandwiches because rye-bread, butter, etieese, and sausages are all short.' But his belly and throat have been organised for him on a war basis, and as he is one of the most patriotic inex in the world, he is stinting himself stoically. How long can they go on enduring the^e hardships ? is another favourite query. In- definitely, I should say. They are facing tht- three most critical months of the year right now —the long weeks which must elapse until their new harvest is reaped. But if they have beeit vouchsafed their share oi the favourable weather these islands have enjoyed, they will gather next autumn the most gigantic crops in German, history. They have sown on a monumental scale evervwbere-in city parks, town lots, private flower gardens, and even window-boxes. Remember that when we talk about Germany's crops we must envisage not only Germany her- self but the enormous areas of her Austro- Hungarian allies and her Turkish and Bulgarian dupes. We must visualise the tens of thousands of square miles occupied by Hun legions in Poland, Belgium, France, Serbia, and Mon- tenegro. We must not forget that some of the- most fertile acreage in Europe is completely under Teutonic domination, and that prisoners of war and conquered populations are being: dragooned into tilling it. The super-organisa- tion, regulation, and rationing of everything in Germanv now have mainly these critical months' in view. I have not a doubt in the world that the Germans will survive them—not easily, not comfortably, perhaps not uncom- plainingly, but effectually—and that we shall find the Kaiser's people ready at the beginning of another winter, so far as their internal re- sources are concerned, prepared for still another season of resistance and struggle. But the Germans have no money ? I am not so sure about that. Their Imperial Bank claims to have 4'125,000,000 in gold. True, it has issued something like £325,000,000 in paper against it. But the people are willing enough to take the Government paper promises to pay- as willingly as we in these islands are. Germany is like a man playing poker with celluloid counters. They pass as negotiable stakes as long as all the players are ready to accept them. The mark has not fallen in Germany. Its value has only tumbled abroad. And Germany's im- portant payments abroad, which have becn reduced to the minimum by the British blockade, are made in gold or its equivalent. Money is not going to force the Germans to stop the war. Well, then,' I shall bt asked, how are w: goinp: to smash the Huns ? I only know one way mysdi, and that is to crush them by sheer weight of military and naval power-physical, mechan- ical, explosive, and strategic by out-organising and out-regulating them in every field of internal management-food, thrift, and finance—and by out-generaling and out-admiraling them in the real fighting business of the war. I believe the Allies can do all of that—in time—but every mother's son and daughter in the realm, so far as Britain's part is concerned, has got to buckle down to the potato-bread spirit of individual privation and endurance, first of all volun- tarily if possible, compulsorily if necessary ad then there will have to be developed, somehow, some time, a species of brain power in the Govern- ment, the Army, and the Navy, not only as good as the brain power at »Romany's command, but superior to it."

———— w Dark and Dreary is the Night. Shades of evening close not o'er us Till we light the lamps again, When dark streets no longer bore us, We shall all be happy then. How can people feel light-hearted When there's not a sign of light And the daylight has departed- Gloom and sadness, nothing bright ? Why even boots of patent leather Don't shine at all when daylight's gone, For reflection in such weather Has nothing it can strike upon. But let us be happy together And mix up the will with the way The Kaiser will have to choose whether He'll throw up the sponge and then pay. His cash and his fodder are shorter, For which thank the British Blockade We're determined to show them no quarter, Our plans are all drawn and well la I Mayfair, 15-5-16. C C O.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES & DEATHS. i [ In Loving Memory of our dear father, 1 Frederick Thos. Phillips, 65 Blorenge I Terrace, who passed away May 4th, t 1916. Ever remembered by his ) sorrowing Wife and Children. I ""?"?? t In Loving Memory of Norbert Fhz- patrick, 3rd Monmouthshire Teni- torials. who was killed in action on May igth, IIA15. Sadly missed by hi; Mother, Sisters and Brothers. R.I.P. J L. )

i No chemicals in yI SIMPLE SIMON fMjm It possesses r < the remarkable Ml property of taking up oxy- ^w|i|ll|^ gen from the air, and uses Gg** this natural oxygen for bleaching and purifying without injury. There's a SCIENTIFIC REASON for SIMPLE SIMON Ask your grocer; he knows. Costs a groat; worth Es. I > 3,1