The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 6

THE MANCHESTER GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, JUNE 27. 1916. STOP PRESS HEWS. THE ROYAL SHOW. SHACKLET0FS MEN ON ELEPHANT ISLAND.

numbers on the Italian side are now greater than at any earlier date, and the Austrian invasion has merely served to make her defeat possible on tho Russian front and to make the of disabled soldiers, but I did not see anywhere the convenient combination of dutch oven and gas ring which is so effective. One stall had two little goats to advocate goat-keeping, and in a double stall next door there were rabbits in hutches, with advice for feeding them. Two London papermake'rs showed how wa-te paper could be pulped and remade, and Liverpool's pioneer successful work in collecting and profitably selling waste paper was demonstrated by Mr. Corkhill with his neatly arranged exhibit. This interested Queen Mary very much.

She at once asked how he got over the difficulty of collection. There have been many inquiries as to how the scheme could be worked in London. Women's Handwork. A sign of the times was the splendid exhibit of furniture made by the mistresses and girls at Roedean School chairs, bureaux, desks, and beds beautifully finished and superfine crutches made for a big military hospital. Perhaps the most interesting display in the exhibition was that of the L.C.C.

Women's Institutes, where working-class mothers learn to resolo little worn-out shoes, to do such handy jobs as replacing broken window cords or useless washers, to make wonderful little garments looking like new from useless grownup garments, to contrive strong, sightly furniture from old boxes. The serviceable trays made out of old picture frames were good, and so was the upholstered seat which had been a cheese-box. The Ministry of Munitions has lent the War Savings Association a gun costing 90 to placo beside the piano and the string of pearls each costing the same price. The exhibition is distinctly one from which everybody should learn a great deal. UNIONISTS AND IRISH PROPOSALS.

PARTY MEETING TO BE HELD T0-M0RR0W. It is officially announced that a meeting of the Unionist party will be held to-morrow at the Carlton Club to consider the Home Rule proposals. Mr. Bonar Law will preside. A deputation of Irish Unionists waited on the Unionist members of the Cabinet yesterday afternoon at the Colonial Office, where it was received by Mr.

Bonar Law. Other members of the Cabinet present were the Marquis of Lansdowne, Lord Curzon, Mr. Austen Chamberlain, and Lord Robert Cecil. The deputation, which comprised over fifty gentlemen, was representative of the provinces of Leinster, Munster, and Connaught, the city of Dublin, and the three Ulster counties included in the Home Rule scheme. The case of the Southern Unionists was set forth (the Press Association says) by Mr, George Stewart, vice chairman of the Irish Unionist Alliance, in a careiuily considered and reasoned statement.

The proceedings were private, but it is understood that members of the deputation set forth in the strongest possible terms their objection to reopening the Home Rule question at this time and in existing Irish con ditions. In the evening the deputation from Ireland met about 100 Unionist members of the House of Commons in one of he committee-rooms. Sir R. Findlay presided. The case for the deputation was stated by Mr.

jfoweii, iv.u., Mr. Wilson (tiongford). Mr, rranKs queen uountyj, Air. A. Jamieson (Dublin), Mr.

S. W. Mannoch (Dublin), Mr. Samueis, K.C., Mr. J.

F. Stewart (Dublin), Major Sanderson (Cavan), and others. The Unionist members present included Sir Edward Carson, Captain Craig, Mr. Stuart-Wortley, 1 1 a- -w sir j. xxmsaaie, ana Mr.

Maoem. mi ij.t i xne deputation presented their case against the proposed scheme, which, they urged, would bring about grave danger in the prosecution of the war and no prospect of permanent safety at its conclusion. -The proposals were objected to by the Nationalists in the South and West of Ireland, and the scheme seemed to be one making for no settlement at all. In their view. Home RuIp would be regarded as the reward for re bellion.

A discussion followed, but no, resolution was passed. THE IRISH PARTY AND THE ULSTER NATIONALISTS. A meeting of the Irish Parliamentary party was held yesterday in the Mansion TTohsa Dublin, Mr. Redmond presiding. There were 50 members present, and letters of apology for non-attendance were received from nine others.

The following resolution was adouted Messrs. P. Doherty and P. J. O'Sliaughnessy rr.

xnai nave learnea witn the deepest graiiiuae oi uie decision ot the Ulster Confer-ence, and place upon record our warm atmre ciation of the magnificent spirit of patriotio seif-sacrince evinced by Our Ulster fellow-countrymen in agreeing to the temporary exclusion of six counties from the Home Rule Act. This decision is in keeDinc with the unvarying record of Ulster Nationalists and creates a new obligation on Ireland as a whole to work uninterruptedly for the early realisation of a united, self-governed nation; that in-our judgment Mr. Lloyd George's proposals under existing circumstances afford the best means of promoting that object and should be accepted. The following resolution was passed unanimously That we most emphatically protest against the conduct of thef Government in not discharging from prison men who were in no way whatever connected with the recent trouble, who have been represented over and over again to the authorities as having been perfectly innocent, and we respectfully request our leader to convey to the Prune Minister our demand for prompt and fair treatment for all now interned. A meeting of the national directorate of the United Irish League will- be held in the League offices, Dublin, on Monday at coon.

The Home Secretary announces that arrangements have been made by which the cases of civil servants suspended owing to suspicion of complicity in the recent outbreak in Ireland will come under review at an early date, and that an opportunity will be afforded them to take steps to establish their innocence. i HOME RULE IRELAND. THE DUKE CONNAUGHT TO REPRESENT THE KING. (Reuteb's Cobbbbfondent.) New Yobk, Monday. The Ottawa correspondent of the Asso ciated Press telegraphs that confidential ad- vices from England intimate that the: pro-1 ciamation oi nome rwiie oatsiae ulster win ha accompanied by the announcement that TV, to of 0ntiancrh.

will is that these men are being punished for proving themselves to be what they professed. Everything that they endure is additional evidence that they ought to have the exemption that they claimed. But they ought never to have been sentenced to death. When some of them were first sent to France the question was raised by Mr. Mobeell, and the Solicitor General saidi They have not been and will not be subject to the death penalty." But they have been sub ject to it, though it was not actually enforced.

Mr. Lono went a little more into detail. He said that they would not be in frontpf the enemy, and a soldier could only be shot if guilty of desertion or cowardice in the face of the enemy. The House of Commons accepted these assurances, and here is the result. Mr.

Tennant, speaking of some allegations of ill-treatment, reminded the House that we are engaged in a very seriouB war. "We are, but the persecution of a few score of very sincere if wrong-headed men does not help us one single step forward in this war. It merely takes up a certain amount of energy and distracts a certain amount of attention which would be better given to the very arduous business in hand. We hope that Mr. Ascjotth to-day will bo able to announce a plan for treating the "objector" in a manner more suited to the real intention of Parliament.

Excess Profits. Eighty per cent being popularly supposed to be more than sixty per cent, why a man who already has to pay eighty per cent of his excess profits should object to a Bill which says that he may at any rate have to pay sixty per cent is not particularly clear to a public much distracted by other questions. It is, however, the fact, arithmetical curiosity though it be, that the Finance Bill proposes to apply the sixty per cent tax on excess profits to "controlled" firms which under the Munitions Act are already taxed eighty per cent. It is also the psychological curiosity though it may be, that some of the firms in question 6trongIy object, and that an amendment was moved last week and was hotly debated then, and again yesterday, which was designed to omit them from the scope of the Finance Bill. We get a hint of ihe meaning in clause 33 of tho Bill, which being interpreted means that the controlled firm is to pay whichever 1b the larger sum.

As to how sixty can be more than eighty we get a hint in Mr. MoKenna's defence, which indicates tha tho standard of assessment under the Munitions Act is more variable than suits the rigid methods of the Inland Revenue Commissioners. In fine, eighty per cent may be the bigger supertax, but the sixty per cent represents the more solid cash value. It is clea from the temperature of the debate that same of the controlled firms expected to pay much, less than the sixty per cent that they expected to be in a position of advantage as compared with the uncontrolled firms, a result which was the opposite of the intention with which the levy on their profits was instituted. They really cannot expect much sympathy.

The Munitions Act left them twenty per cent of their increased profits. If it is so ler' -Hly administered that in some cases the twenty per cent has become forty, that is quite enough. Women Co-operators in Congress. The Congress of the Women's Co-operative Guild, now being held at Westminster, affords striking evidence of the growth of a valuable movement. The small body which first met in London twenty-one years ago has expanded until it represents 690 branches, with a mem bership just short of 30,000 a total which would have been larger by a few thousands hut for the war.

The Guild combines educa tional activities with the propaganda of co operation, and while these activities have been diminished by war conditions, it may bo confidently asserted that the movement stands to gain by the pressure of mounting prices and industrial dislocation which the nation is preparing to undergo. The special achieve ment of tho Women's Co-operative Guild so far has been the establishment of a minimum wage for women employees in co-operative concerns, and one of the chief resolutions to be debated at Westminster refers to the pay ment of women who are doing the work of men. The proposal of the Guild is that trained women replacing men should be paid the men's rate after an interval varying according to their experience, while the wages of untrained women should rise, by quarterly instalments, from the Congress minimum to the men's scale. The advantages of this method, it is contended, are that the higher standard would be safeguarded and the question of employment after the war be placed on a fair basis. Clearly, it is anything but a selfish demand on the part of the women workers, since it is impossible to hope for a condition of tolerable well-being for the community unless the minimum wage can be made secure.

OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENCE. (BY PRIVATE WIRE.) London, Monday Night. Unionist Opposition to the Home Rule Settlement. A deputation of Irish Unionists from the South and West was received at Westminster to-day. They met a number of Unionist leaders at the Colonial Office earlier in the day, and later conferred with a meeting of Unionist members of Parliament in one of the committee-rooms in the House of Commons.

They came, of course, to oppose the settlement i which has been accepted both by Ulster Unionists and Ulster Nationalists, and they used the familiar arguments, but I believe no resolutions were passed. No doubt there will be some measure of British Unionist support, but I do not believe that there is any serious danger to the settlement. It is perfectly clear that the responsible leaders of both British parties and of both Irish parties have agreed to carrv this settlement through, and they are powerful enough to do it, against any discontented section or xneir several parties. in only doubt was whether the Irish Nationalists could brine themselves to accent i partition of Ireland, and that doubt is now In the face of the Empire and tYm World the Unionists dare not upset a settle ment so generous to the Unionist portion of Ulster. A Unionist' party meeting is to be held at the Carlton Club at noon on Wednesday to discuss the situation.

it is significant that Mr. Bonar Law is to preside. Wo may take it that he intends to carry the meeting with ivour or we uovernment settlement. Lord Selborne's Resignation. Lord Selborne's resignation, coming at the moment that it does, must obviously be con nected with the Irish settlement, as one or two newspapers stated.

In fact, at the moment there is nothing else to resign about. UUt Lord Selbnmn line hoon rliasntisfiprl and even exasperated for some months, and has not tried to disguise it. His remonstrances to the farmers for paying more attention to Lord Derby a mere outsider than to him as a member of the kind that lead people to expect a Minister to rwugu. xo say tne least of it, he did not conoeal his dissatisfaction with what was, as a matter of fact, a Onrflmmpnt -nnlirw. If Lord Selborne had resigned on that issue agriculture and the food supply ot the nation to feed the trenches he would have, had a groat deal of Liberal sympathy, but perhaps not very miieh Unionist sym pathy.

On the Irish 'issue he will have some sympathy from members of his own party, though not very much. The general opinion is that he lias been at odds with the Government for some time, and has simply chosen his opportunity to resign. I think it is unlikc'y that he will bring any other Unionist out with him, unless, perhaps, Lord Lansdowne, whose connection with the southern Unionists of Ireland might make him feel his position difficult. Tho talk has been for two or three weeks that Lord Lansdowne and Mr. Walter Lone might resign on tho Irish settlement; Most people think it very unlikely that Mr.

Walter Long win resign, mere are good political reasons nil OH sjiuiuu nOTJ. The Interned Irish Prisoners. I ho announcement that sixteen hundred Irishmen, arrested in connection with the recent disturbances, are being interned in English prisons for the period of the war under tho notorious regulation 14 of the Defence of the Realm AoKq and solicitors hero are busy in regard to a -lumoer or tnese cases. As there is sonic uncertainty no -Mm legal position it will bo useful to mention the opinion or a counsel who has given much attention to thess matters. Under an amend ment of trio regulations effected hv the nre.

sent Homo Secretary, th interned person is now allowed to apply for an information in writing setting out the nature of the charge against him. This is in accordance with a promise given to Parliament, and while this relief has not been rendered Available to some cases interned before the promise there is no reason to think that it will not bo granted to persons recently interned. Access to the Advisory Committee is gained by written application by the interned nerson. and professional aid has hitherto been re stricted in approved cases to advice in the preparation but not the presentation of the defence. This limitation is not calculated to facilitate tho treatment of these cases, enorm ously swollen in number by the Irish prisoners.

or to assuage the bitterness tho internment is bound to excite. In the circumstances the Government would be wrll advised to announce the steps that interned persons or their friends "can take to secure an adequate hearing before the advisory committees. The Casement Trial. Tho Casement trial began to-day, as these famous trials often do, in a minor key. The interest is likely to work up to something dramatic towards the end of the week, when the nature of the defence, which has naturally been carefully concealed, is re vealed and the real struggle is entered upon.

It is obvious already that an excellent choice has been made of leading counsel for Sir Koger Casement in Mr. Serieant Sullivan, of the Irish Bar. He cross-examines with none of the exuberance and vehemence which one associates by tradition with an Irish lawyer. He is quiet, tenacious, and comes out of his kennel, as it were, only when there is a good. Done tor which to nght.

"Serjeant" is, of course, an obsolete legal rank in this country, and I believe there is only one other left in Ireland besides Mr. Sullivan. His Irish accent is pronounced, but not at all oh scuring to his meaning, which cannot be said of the Irish soldiers who have been giving evidence of Sir Roger activities in tier- many. Mr. Serjeant Sullivan is the son of a wen-Known M.r., and, use so many successful lawyers in Ireland and elsewhere, has been a journalist.

He is related by marriage to Mr. "Tim" Healv. Evidence of the international interest of the case is the number of Allied and American journalists present, and also the attendance. by courtesy, of Sir Roger Casement's American lawyer, Mr. Doyle.

There has been a good deal of rather absurd writing about the promi nent part air. uoyie would taKe in trial, which, need not hero taken up space in news papers if tho elemjntary fact had been re membered that an American lawyer has no right to speak in an Jmglish court. The Earl ot Sandwich. Although Lord Sandwich, who died to-day at Hinchingbrooke Castle, Hunts, had of late years become rather an eccentric, thinking that he could by his own will-power cure other people of their diseases, he had many strong points, and his acts of kindness wero countless. Hinchingbrooke Castle, where he died, is about one and a half mile from Huntingdon, and stands on a property once occupied by Oliver Cromwell's ancestors.

During the Boer War a great many wounded officers were entertained in the most princely way there. Farmers at various political meetings would rudely shout Shut up, Teddy," but he kept them all in their places at Council meetings. He stammered badly, and took lessons from his neighbour, the late Mr. Beasley, of Brampton. He was often cured and as often relapsed.

Much as it might have advertised Mr. Bsasley's establishment that a live lord should have been a pupil there, the proprietor was in no hurry to quote Lord Sandwich as a successful case. The first Lord Sandwich was drowned, wearing the Order of the Garter, in 1672, at the Battle of Southwold Bay. Probably no Knight of the Garter had been drowned at sea since then until the death of Lord Kitchener. Lord Sandwich's body was recovered, and his Garter may be seen at, Hinchingbrooke, Charles H.

allowing the family to retain it. Lord Kitchener's regalia were left at home, and his Garter has already been returned to the Sovereign. The National Economy Exhibition. It seems a pity that the National Economy Exhibition, which was opened to-day in Prince's Skating Rink, is not free to all instead of there being a charge of a shilling for day and sixpence for evening admission. The women who would benefit by object-lessons in making children's jerseys from old stockings or dyeing white blouses with- a few drops of red ink, cold tea and water, or the very striking demonstration of the evil done to flannels when washed with soda, too much soap, or hot water, are hardly likely to pay even sixpence for As it is, the exhibition is calculated to be of most use to those teachers or social workers who will pass on the hints they pick up.

In the various cookery demonstrations, which aim at reducing the cost of fuel and alluringly offer to cook a twelve-course dinner for an incredible, number of persons at an in finitesimal cost, the middle-class housekeeper will find some very usefr4)hints, particularly concerning hay-box and casserole cooking. There are? various devices for making the most of one gas fixture. A very arrangement, adapted to any table, is speci-ally commended by its inveatarto the-notioe PREPARATION FOR TO-DAY'S OPENING. SOME HINTS TO VISITORS. The Royal Show will be opened in Manchester at eight o'clock this morning, and it will reopen at the same hour on the other days of the week and close daily at eight in the evening.

The ground is within three miles from the centre of the city, and can be easily reached by tramcar or train. It stretches practically from Alexandra Park to Withington, and may be entered at either end. The Manchester Corporation is running a special service of cars to the corner of Alexandra Road South and Wilbraham Road, which is only three or four minutes' walk from the main, entrance, and the service on the Palatine Road route the terminus of which is about seven or eight minutes' walk from the farther entrance will be greatly augumented in order to prevent congestion. Those who prefer a journey by train may chooso between two services, both of which start from the Central Station. One, provided by the Great Central Company, sets visitors down close by the main entrance.

Passengers by the Midland line must alight at Withington station, rhich adjoins the Palatine Road car terminus. The Show Ground. The arrangement of the show ground i3 about as simple as it could possibly be. Roughly speaking, the ground has been divided into three sections. On entering from Alexandra Road South the first will found to be devoted chiefly to machinery, to a garage for some 900 motor-cars, and to a plot of land on which a number of trained women will demonstrate their usefulness in agriculture.

The second area contains the horse ring and the flower and dog shows on the extreme right, the stand where the band of the Coldstream Guards will play, an ornamental pond, the royal and other pavilions, and an attractive array of refreshment tents, marquees and "tea gardens." Lastly, at the Withington end, is the substantial section containing the sheds for the live stock, with cattle in the centre, horses on the right, and sheep, pigs, goats, and poultry on the left. For those who dislike consulting plans there is a useful direction post, indicating all the chief features of the show, near the centre of the ground. Yesterday afternoon the preparations were about complete. In view of the shortage of labour and the consequent congestion of traffic this speaks well for the work of the railway officials, and more still for the efforts which Mr. Thomas McRow, the secretary of the Society, and his staff have made to be ready in A Curious Distinction.

It has been decided in high official quarters that the Royal Show is an educatioial event more than an entertainment, and consequently the entertainments tax will not be levied on the visitors, with the curious excep tion of the members of the Society. Those of the ten thousand members who rely on their badges for admission will be required to pay a shilling. The charges for admission vary from day to day, the charge for to-day being for Wednesday and Thursday 2s. and for Friday and Saturday Is. The only "extras" seem to be the flower and dog shows.

For the flower show there will be an additional shilling to pay, except on Friday, when the charge' will be sixpence. The dog show is confined to Thursday and Friday, and the charge for admission is again a shilling until 2 p.m. on Friday, and sixpence afterwards. To-day's Programme. The events of the opening day may be summarised as follows: a.m.

Show opens. 9. -Judging of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, and nroduoo. 10. Judging of shire horses in Ring 1 and of 10.

Judenne at flower shnw 11. Judging of Clydesdales in Ring 2, Suffolks in Kins 3, Cleveland bay and coach horses in Ring 4, and hackneys (followed bv in -lung D. 12. Judging of Shetland ponies in Rinj 4 2 p.m. Judging of Welsh ponies in Ring 4 2 p.m.

Flower show opened to public 2 30. Lecture on dairy-work. 4 30 Jumping competition, Class A ov fences and water. 11 ii demonstrations in the dairy section to show LLIU IMH QHV Liierp Wl Ka iiuic mo ununeg irom various breeds of cattle fn-r lmltor.mi,m izS? icttbs Will also be made of the quantity and quality of Vll lTOr Tinnnji i. ,71..

i. 1 imtsreuii ways. various methods of making cheese will be the subject of other demonstrations. JW Articles upon the show, with a plan of kuc auuKjiuu, appear on pages and 8.J BRITISH PRISONERS IN SWITZERLAND. Reuter's Berne correspondent says that another 150 British prisoners Of war are expected to arrive at the Chateau d'Oex from Germany early next month.

Officers and men already there are extremely happy and regaining their health rapidly. Plans are now being made for finding some occupation for the men. Prince Henry left Buckingham Palace far awn vouege yesieraay. An engagement is announced betwon i- C. Eustace Roberts, 1st Northamptonshire Reel.

fanon and Mrs C. P. Roberts, of Manchester, to Marje onH daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John CooUr Beokfoot, Manchester.

The "Court Circular states that Broqueville, the Belgian Prime Minister and Minister for War, was received by the Kine and Queen yesterday morning, and that M. EfcL. Bark, the Russian Minister of was received by the King in the evening; Mi. Asquith and Mr. Lloyd Geo to London yesterday.

The Home Beait other Ministers called iupon Mr. Asqiuand uo zuu. meeting of-Ministers There were more diploinaUo visitors than usual at the -Foreign Office: yesterday. Major General Frederick Camnfen P.S.O., Indian Amy, has been given the K.C.b! ewvwef zenqerat connection with military operations in the Field Marshal von Billow, according to the "Vossiche, Zeitung" (says; a. Renter MiTii HTThU iT ZT Te: 'tird his own, request, for reaon A -I 1.

-0- health. The KaWlias mZr Cross of Grand Master of the Royal'Order of I WB riouse General-yon tkiw war more genuinely popular in Italy. Continental geography is not a strong point with Englishmen, and for that reason they have never done full justice to the extraordinary difficulties of the Italian military problem. Even now, looking at the map and comparing the position of tho Italians now and at the beginning of the war, there are some who would say that the advantage rested with the enemy. There is no more misleading method of calculating the gains and losses of the war than the purely territorial.

The Central Powers are in effect islanded Powers, and to judge their real position you must judge their land power by the same standards as those ordinarily applied to naval power. If the fleet and commerce of this country were only able to keep the seas for a distance of, say, from twenty to two hundred miles from their frontiers, no one would pretend that we were winning atsea. That is the position of the Central Powers on land. They are weakening none the" less, in spite of the fact that tho war is still on our Allies' territory. Nor have the good results of the Russian offensive been confined to Italy.

Speculation about what may be is inadvisable, but even if wo confine ourselves to accomplished results there is no reason for discouragement. On the one hand, we have to face the possibility of the fall of Verdun, and it is well not only that we should do bo but that we should realise how serious the loss of Verdun might he. It would not be fatal, but it is nonsense to say, as is being said, that Verdun has lost its strategic importance. The possession of the Heights of the Meuae which Verdun secures will always ho important in any campaign in Franco, for her defensive power would be much weakened if thoy wore in the hands of an enemy. On the other hand, against this risk there is to be set a risk which is no less serious for the Germans.

In addition to the abandonment of tho offensive against Italy, the last month has made very great inroads on the German reserves how groat it is one of the enemy's anxieties to keep secret. It is easy to lose oneself in a maze of figures, but the formula for the calculation of the strength of the German reserves is to deduct from the total manhood strength of Germany first the casualties, then the incapacitated through sickness and other causes, which is always very much greater than is generally supposed, and then tho actual number of effectives in the field. The total fighting strength of Germany, after deductions have been made for necessary industry and for the medically unfit, is probably under rather than over ten millions. Their admitted casualties, according to the last list, were three millions, which almost certainly do not include the slightly wounded. By this time the casualties will be much higher.

In addition, there are the cases of sickness and the temporarily incapacitated. These figures added together will not be far short of five millions. Add the four millions actually on the front and in reserve just behind it, and you get a reserve of not more than a million. It is this reserve which is now being cut into. These calculations are apt be very fallacious, but there can be little doubt that in actual man-power the resources of the Allies are much greater than those of the Germans, and that in spite I of the losses of France at Verdun.

The reason why the Germans have been so per-j sistent is not that they hope if they win Verdun to resume the old project of marching on Paris, but that they hope so to weaken France as to tie down our own army in France permanently to the defensive. They think that they can afford to lose more than the French, because if only they weaken France sufficiently they will also put the English army out of any but defensive action. The attacks on Verdun are a measure of their respect for the British in Flanders; they are an embodiment of the principle that, other things being equal, the sound' policy is to attack the partner who is supposed to be weakening the more rapidly. This principle, however, is also being worked with great success by Russia against Austria. The penalty of the German attacks on Verdun is that Hindenburo must remain on tho defensive in Courland and the Russians are free to concentrate against Austria.

Those who sympathise with France in the frightful strain that is being put upon her and all imgiisnmcn do most keenly sympathise should not on that account take a gloomy view of the Allied prospects as a whole. Let them put themselves for a moment at the German point of view and try to imagine how the average German regards the Aus trian losses in the recent Russian offensive Let them, if they like the mental exercise try to form some idea of what the Austrians think of the German attack on Verdun or amuse, themselves by drafting an imaginary protest of Hindenbubg against recent Gennian military policy. In such calculations there is an element of brutality, but at any rate they "-f mo cicuis or xne war in a truer perspective. There need be no thought of our failing our Allies. The Test of Conscience, The final test of sincerity is the willingness to face consequences, and the supreme test the perseverance to death.

The conscientious objector has been mooted and flouted as a slacker and a coward. We think him a mistaken man, but we have never been in doubt that in many cases he is perfectly genuine in nis views, lhirty-lour conscien. tious objectors have carried their perseverance to the point ot hearing a death sentence pronounced on them. The sentence has in no case been carried out, but if it has been commuted it is to long terms of penal servitude- ten years most cases. We hope that people will now be satisfied that the con scientious objector may at least be what he professes to be, is not necessarily a mere coward masquerading under a fine pre tence, we hope also that members of tLe tribunals which sent these men into the army may be stricken by some belated sense of shame.

The case for the conscientious ih- jector was very Jimply stated by Lord Hmm Cecil in one of the debates on the Military Service Bill. It-was, he said, "wrong to "force a man to do what he sincerely thought was unmoral or irreligious." To avoid this wrong the tribunals were to use a discretion. In many cases they have used it well. In these and other cases where men have faced most unpleasant consequences rather than conform, it is clear that they used it ill. The unreason of tho whole Droceedincr I RESCUE EFFORT FAILS.

THE EXPLORER STOPPED BY ICE-PACK. We are indebted to the "Daily Chronicle'' for permission to publish the following message from Sir Ernest Shackleton describing his unsuccessful attempt to rescue the 22 members of his expedition left on Elephant Island: Pobt Stanley (Falkland Islands). Scnday, Juxe 25. I have returned hero from the attempt tn reach Elephant Island in the vessel kindiv lent by the Uruguayan Government, an.l greatly regret having to report that we won-unable to effect the rescue of my commdis left in the ice-hole there. Ice conditions were much heavier than on the previous attempt I made in May in 80-ton South Georgian whaler (Captain Thom in command) after I had reached there Elephant Island.

We encountered stream-ice 60 miles north of Elephant Island. We passed through thi-successfully and reached within 29 miles f-f the island, but owing to heavy impenetrable pack, interspersed with numerals iceberg? and a high north-west swell, we'fouud it -iin-j possible to proceed. The ice stretehed inj crescent form from west-north-west through1 south to north-east, the two horns being 10 miles from the islands. This winters ico conditions are so bad that the ultimate rescue can only be effected with a wooden steam vessel or an ice-breaker. As regards food, there seems to be hope of penguins, as we saw Gen too penguins at the edge of- the ice, and these would supplement the food ashore, which mainly consists of Bovril rations having high calorific value.

Wild, seeing the ice conditions, would at an early date drastically ecouoniise his sUivps and would go on half rations, supplemented by penguin. Seven miles north of the ocean camp we formed when tho Endurance foundered, ivo left twelve cases of theso sledging rations, but I cannot say if the party can reach them. Though they are hard pressed, hope must not be given up of their ultimate rescue. Ernest Shackleton. Copyright in Great.

Britain by the Daily Chronicle," in America by the New York World," and in Australia by the Australian Press Association. The whole of Sir Ernest Shackleton's party landed on Elephant Island on April 16 last. Eight days later the explorer with five volunteers set out on his hazardous journey to South Georgia to obtain help, leaving the main party on the island under charge of Mr. Frank Wild. On April 24 Sir Ernest Shackleton reckoned that the stranded men had five weeks' provisions and full rations, exclusive of the possibilities of obtaining seals.

REDUCED RATIONS AT RUHLEBEN. REPRISALS THREATENED. That the British prisoners in the Ruhleben Camp in Germany r-re not being given sufficient food was stated by Lord R. Cecil (Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs) in the House of Commons yesterday. Ho added that what amounts to a tin eat of reprisals had been conveyed to the 'German Government.

Lord R. Cecil, in answer to Mr. Ian Malcolm (U Croydon), said: On the 31st ult. we received a further report by Dr. Taylor on the food supply and nutrition at Ruhleben, show ing that since Dr.

Taylor's first report was drawn up a fresh soale of diet had been put in force, and the civilians at Ruhleben were receiving only a little more than one-third of the protein-carrying foods allowed to combatant prisoners of war, while' the potato rations of the civilians had been reduced to less than one-half of those issued to combatant prisoners. On June 3 we informed the German Government through the United States Ambassador that if they were not in a position to feed prisoners of war in their hands properljj it was clearly their duty to release them, wi pointed out at the Same time that so far from doing so they were detaining persons entitled to repatriation on the ground of ill-health, and had made no reply to our proposal that civilians over 50 should be repatriated and those over 45 also if unfit for service in the field. We pointed out that the German prisoners in our hands were not dependent on parcels for nourishment. We said we were ready to consider any proposals for an exchange of civilians on an extended scale. We asked the United States Ambassador to inquire the numbers and if possible the names of the men at Ruhleben who were receiving no parcels.

On June 8 we asked Mr. Gerard to Obtain permission if possible for us to send at fixed intervals sufficient food in bulk for 500 men. As the result of Dr. Taylor's report the Prisoners of War Help Committee decided to send parcels lor Z50 men in addition to those previously sent. A Deliberate Reduction.

Oh June 21 we received a still more unfavourable report byDr. Taylor, from which it appears that the German authorities have deliberately reduced the official food rations at Ruhleben, and that they have accumulated a large sura of money, estimated at between sixty thousand and two hundred thousand which should nave been spent in rations. Dr. Tayleir states that the food supplied during the week ending June 14, if applied to all the men interned at Ruhleben, represents less than half of the requisite food unite, and the matters are made worse by the fact that much of the bread coming from outside Germany during the last month is of inferior quality or' has arrived in bad condition. As a result of this report we addressed a Note Mr Page for communication to the German GOTernment by telegraph, recapitulating the observations in our Note of the 3rd inst." as to the duty of the German Government to feed the prisoners properly or to release them, and as to their failure reply, to our proposals to release civilians over' 50i'and over 45 in Certain conditions, and concluding By proposing that' all eiy ihans 's' Ruhleben should be-released in exchange for -a similar number of German civilians, and stating that should the German Government not4r accept this; proposal withuva week from the receipt by them ofjtbe telegraphio, summary '-of'' thin 'Note we should be compelled to consider what oourae to adopt TOjkfegard to the rations of German civilians interned here.

(Cheera.) The correspondence wiU fbe laid before Parliament saan as possible. U. VV The and Talbot has -undergone 1 Mrfiuacration at Liverpool. His which gave rise to some anxir. BAXENDALES for FURNITURE.

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Ham STRETTON NATURAL TABLE WATER at the Royal Agricultural Show. STAND 20. THE GUARDIAN. MANCHESTER. TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1918.

SUMMARY OF NEWS. The War in France. Tho British Headquarters in France reported last night a number of successful enterprises, the enemy's, lines being raided on Sunday night in no fewer than ten places. tThe artilloiy continued active. Before Verdun there was no infantry fighting yesterday, and the bombardment diminished.

7 The Russian Front. The Russians are close to the passes from Bukovina to Transylvania. The struggle on the salient west of Lutsk was reported yesterday as less violent. 7 Allied War Vessels Sunk. An Italian auxiliary cruiser and French destroyer have been sunk by a German submarine in the Straits of Otranto.

7 Enemy Defeated in East Africa. General Smuts reports that on June 24 his forces heavily defeated the enemy on Luki-gura River, 40 miles south of Handeni. The British casualties were trifling. 7 America and Mexico. As the result of a communication from the Mexican Government, American troops have been despatched to the border and war is regarded as inevitable.

7 The Casement Trial. The trial of Sir Roger Casement for high treason opened in London yesterday. Evidence was given hy Irish prisoners from Germany of Sir Roger's attempts to induce them to join the German Irish Brigade," and the hearing was adjourned. 32 House of Commons. In tho House of Comraons; yesterday Mr.

Teunant, in answer to a number of questions, 6aid 34 conscientious objectors had been sen tenced to death in France for offences under the Army Act. The sentences had been commuted by the Commander-in-Chief to penal servitude. In Committee on the Finance Bill discussion was resumed on the amendment to exempt controlled establishments from tho operation of the clause which continues and increases' the into of excess profits duty. Tho clause was carried by 158 votes to 72. 3 Mr.

Roosevelt's Decision. Mr. Roosevelt, in a letter to tho Progressive National Committee, has announced his intention to support Mr. Hughes. 7 The Men on Elephant Island.

Sir Ernest Shackleton reports that, owing to the heavy, impenetrable ice-pack, his effort to reach his comrades left on Elephant Island failed. Tho rescue ship got to within 29 miles of the island, and was then obliged to turn back. Tho explorer says that, though the party on tho island are hard pressed, hope must not be given up of their ultimate rescue. Research Work in Dyes. A new sub-department for research work in the chemistry of coal tar products and dvGstnffs is to be established at the Man- Green, now of the Leeds University, will direct, tne wort.

The Military Situation. Although the Russian advanro lmc 1 ssvU stayed except in the Bukovina region thn Allies arc only just beginning to gather the fruits, irora the moment that the Russians broke the Austrian lines in Yolhynia it was obvious that tho Austrian offensive in Italy coma not do maintained, xne oniy doubt was whether the natural strength of th front in Italy was so great that the Austrians could hold it even with greatly reduced forces. This doubt has been resolved in her favour. Not only is Italy saved from further invasion, but there is a prospect that her soil may soon be free. The Italian victory re- portca to-uay aas no resulted in the capture of many prisoners, from which we may infer that the Austrian retreat was orderiv anH i accordance with prearranged plan, but more than nait or the enemy's positions on Italian soil have been recovered, and his offensive is clearly not merely a negative but a positive failure.

As events have proved, the whole enterprise waB a bad mistake, and one that throws tho unexpectedness of the Russian break-through into still stronger relief. It lias been a mistake in another way, too. There has always been some mystery about numbers employed on either side in the Italian-campaigns, but it is certain that the was the commander or the Second ArmVwhiSw Royal authority in the self-governing portion with the capture of Liege, gained -tbflrst vie? of Ireland. It Wingihe battle w-'t" hi i t' he covered the 'retreat of fiS Highness will -leave for London, in Kluck's army. Xi-VePral.