. An Intimate Sketch of Life and Livelihood of People Who Are Intense Cultivators of the Soil--Belgium is Showing a Growth in Temperance Impressions left By a holiday among the idle aeres of Ontario's older parts, putmside by side with suggestions, in the papers, of Canada receiving an influx of Belgian refu- gees evoked the query, "What are the Belgians lke?" fyery source -of information yields the same answer, "Scratch 1 Belgian and you find a farmer, More deeply rooted than any other characteristic is his love for the soil. 'Whether the test be made with the bi, fair Flemings of Flanders, = or v.ith the smaller and more vivacious inhabitants of the Walloon country, the Belgian finds his most satisfying jabour amidst farm and garden life. Just why these people, whom Cae- gar described as "the most warlike of all the Gauls," should have so highly developed a love of peaceful - husbandry it is hard to say. For, through the ages the tiny country-- one-eighth the size of Britain--has been called to fashion her plough shares into swords, and to use her pruning Liooks to defend herséll against Invading hosts, Gauls, Romans, Franks, Burgun- dians, Spaniards, Austrians, Duteh, --gingly or together, they swept ac- ross her; and, again and again, and yet again, she rose to the repulse, declaring with valour undismayed, "1 am a country; I am not a road." How far the cohesive power of a national predilection helped to na- tional consciousness and unity--who can say? That nothing of much value is gained easily is shown clearly in Belgium's agricultural life--her suc- cess 48 the reward of unremitting toil, for there is scarcely any soil in Europe that is so naturally infertile. Polders, lying along by the coast, was reclaimed from the sea by pa- tient labour of mankind, and though the mewly-won land at first abundant erops, it is soon exhausted, and constant manuring and the prac- 'tice. of the most thorough method of intensive farming are needed to keep it fruitful. "Phe fertile plains and fat mead- ows of Flanders"--the glowing des- cription of the foreign visitor---which lie in the sandy region stretching across Belgium, east and west, are opulent only 'when the Fleming makes them so, Neglect the soil, if only for two or three years, and it will return to barren waste. Owners, whose farms have been let to care- less tenants, gladly rent them free for years to a tenant who will restore their productiveness. Instead, the loamy region "favourable alike to the growth of crops and to the en- counters of great armies," as an in- vestigator into Belgian conditions wrote in 1911, is the only section of Belgium which will yield abundant crops with comparatively easy culti- vation. Industrialism and Agriculture. So much for the soil which has produced a race of men and women, who are in the front rank of market gardeners, and are to the fore among cattle raisers and horse breeders.- It is not difficult to realize how valu- able an object lesson wn plantation of the small farmers of Belgium would be if set dewn among the wasted acres In some counties of old Ontario, and the rich readiness of their res- ponse might compensate, in some measure, for departure from their own dear, but desolated land. One of the best features of Bel gian life is its combination of the zo called industrial worker and the gar- dener or small farmer in one indivi- dual. Allied with this is the fact that a large percentage of Belgian workmen even of the unskilled class, live outside the town where they are employed, the country's wonderful system of light railways and cheap fares making this possible. This is not to say that Belgium has no slums----the slum is the most interna- tional of possessions; and those that Belgium has competé bravely as re- CE ---------------------------------- TRAWLER SEES FIGHT. Between German 'Raiders British Pursuners. Hull, Eng., Dee, 19---The steam trawler, Cassandra arrived at Hull bringing a story of the naval engage- ment which followed the raid on the east coast. The Cassandra was caught be- tween German vessels aod the pur- suing British squadron. One of the crew said: "When we were thirty miles off Scarborough we distinctly heard rumblings which we took to be thun- der. . it died away, and we continu- od our fishing. Between 10 and 11 o'clock we werd surprised to see eight or nine warships approaching at full speed. We heard shots fired and discovered that they were Ger- man vessels steaming southeast by east. > "One of the large battleships pas- sed so close to us that we. could See those on board. They were all al thie guns, which were being fired Fapidly, A destroyer, acting on signal from one of the large vessels. ¢mme almost within hailiig distance. w thought every momeiit to be our ¢ finally the destroyer in to another signal from the bat- rned and left us alone. .were now dropping around amd the ¥ Le: d we heard the Being of mast. Even in the homes of farmérs who yields By G. C: Mary Waite gard slumminess with those of other! countries-- but thé slum area is smaller, 'Even here the Belgian love for the ground asserts itsel!; and there are few dwellings behind which cannot be found a tiny plot' wherein grow some of 'he vegetables whish form so large a jart of the workirg class dietary. Great sacrifices are often made by the town-workman----- country-dwel- ler, to acquire and retain his bit of land away from the city's dust and smoke. He willingly spends much time in railway journeyings that he nay devote some of his evening, and most of his Sundays, to tending his lettuces, his beet root, his few chickens, hig pig or his goat. His health benefits in two way from this G-versified life-- it fortifies him' to bear the atmosphere of his too often ill-ventilated, unsanitary house, and the product of his 'little holding makes a trifle less meagre the insuf- ficiently nourishing fare which is the tot 'of most workingmen and women. Monotonous Feod And Plain. This mention" of women reminds one of the intimate relationship of the Belgian women to the problems of industry and of the farm. In the loamy region, wherg magnificent potted cows graze, it is the woman who directs the chief source of re- venue, dairying; and in districts where the family income must be eked out by "home industries," the women assume their share with nc complaint. But they bear the marks of the double strain of child-bearing | and home support in a youth too early lost, and in beauty too quickly faded. Judged by Canadian standards the food of the average Belgian house- hold seems painfully monotonous. are considered well-to-do the lack of variety is most noticeable. Potatoes, bacon and bread for the- six week day dinners, and bread, butter and coffee, 'as one continuous luncheon menu, with syrup added occasional- ly; potatoes, cabbage, bacon, bread, and coffee, with occasionally cab- bage left out, as a supper collation, suggests repugnance in a short time, especially when the breakfast at § a.m., never varies from the round of bread, butter and coffee. Where Economy Drives. Meat is eaten seldom; jam is prac- tically unknown; and though fish, cheese and dripping are on the list of foods none of them is consumed to the same extent as in England, where climate and other conditions are sim- flar to those of Belgium. There is little actual starvation, but there 'is a great deal of insufficient nourish- ment--a factor responsible (in con- junction with the overwork of moth- ers) for a high death rate amoRg in- fants. A companion piece to the food sup- ply is the outlay on clothing. Both men and women practice almost un- believable 'economies. Kyven among 'working women and ambyg some farm women hats, stays, and Jaek + are comparatively unknown. Stock-! ings and underclothes are said to be almost a minus quantity, as one goes down the scale. 1 The men, too, economize on tail ors' bills to an extent which causes| first a smile, and then a pang as the| pealization comes of undoubted cold and misery in the long winter mons+! the The Belgian workman's undercloth ing is a shirt, his shoes, while at work, are wooden sabots, his work-| ing clothes are overalls of cotton or some inexpensive material--his Sun- day suit of cloth lasts years without end, and his overcoat is a thick flan- nel muffler! Low wages are at the bottom of these desperate economies, for which there are several contributory causes, one of the chief being illiteracy. Cot- ton workers are paid far less than those of Lancashire. Builders and EXECUTED SECRETLY. About 150 Mexican Officials Have i Been Put To Death. Washington, D.C. Dee. 19---Be | tween 100 and 1590 Mexicans, whany, | of them once prominent officially, have been secretely executed in | Mexico City within the last few days, according to an official report which reached the United States, govern- ment to-day from one of its agents there. Just who ordered the executions| has not been disclosed, nor are any of the names of those put to death | known. Except for these executions, which are understood, according to the re port, to be happening daily, condi-! tions in the eity itself are quiet, and provincial president Gutierres, with the allied Villa and Zapata forces, is maintaining order. No foreigners have been injured or intimidated, and business conditions are describ- ed as improving in the capital. --t---- Traffic Earnings. Montreal, Dee. 19.--C. P. R. traf- fic for the week ended December 14th was $1,707,000. For the same week last year the figured were $2. 681,000. Grand Trunk earnings for week ended December 14th, were $870,962, as compared with $1.- 029,318 for the corresponding week the 357. A kodak or camera makes a suil- able Christmas gift. Sec them et "Hoag's."" A coroner's jury declared that Guv Argles. Toronto who killed Mrs. MeFailar id and then committed sul- of last year, a decrease of $138: builder's labourers have long hours and litle pay. Hundreds of women lace workers at home toil for twelve hours and longer in fashioning ex- quisite . lace, the labor bringing them in two cents an hour. Trade unionism, which might have altered this state of things some time ago has grown slowly. 4 Religious and political - cleavage governs, to a considerable extent, all Social relationships. If Roman Catho- lics start a club the liberals set up one in" opposition. If liberals open a reading room, the churchmen fol- low suit. The socialist has for both his anathema and cordial non-sup- port. Igtemperance Declining. In common with other countries Belgium has been showing signs of a growing temperance spirit. Unlike 'France and Italy she has suffered much from the curse of drink, beer and gin being the potations most freely used. Playing for high stakes is confin- ed to a very small proportion of Bel- gian society. In many cases bet- ting goes no farther than the price of the beers drunk at the cafes. These do not correspond at all to the saloon of the American continent, but are meeting places for cards, gossips, and for social life generally. There abounds, in the 'cafes that spirit of bonhomie which is one of the outstanding charms of this composite race. Here is to be found, at play, a people who toil long and hard for little pay, a people who =ay that if Belgian wages are very low a Bel gian's rent never climbs very high; a people to whom thrift is second nature; who make. tlie best of their let, and who are unwilling to change it readily, as emigration statistics show. Theirs is the Lys, the Golden Ri- ver, which for centuries retted the most wonderful flax in all the world; theirs the tradition of the battle of the Spurs of Gold, when the Flem- ings routed the French, among whom were sixty-three princess, dukes and counts, seven hundred lords-banneret and eleven hundred noblemen; theirs the inspiring thought that seven hun- dred golden spurs were hung, in the church of Notre Dame de Courtrai, as trophies of that day. Belgium is old in grief and very wise in tears, but she has never was- ted strength in idle sorrow. Prevent- ed often by foreign rule from work- ing out her own political destiny, she turned her energies inward, and made of the wilderness a fruitful garden. Though proud of the days when their ports received and sped deep-laden argosies the people of Belgium have made of former greatness in com- merce and in handicraft no excuse for present lassitude; but, absorbing a little of taste from France, and sharpening.their wits with a little of Germany's commercial acumen, and learning much from Great Britain's mechanical skill, the Belgians have brought themselves back into the arena of the world's industrial activi- pET--~ Some Will Surely Move. Belgian soil has been paid with priceless Belgian lives. for It ds {doubly dear to these who love their country best, and who 'wish most poignantly for repatriation. and re- habilitation when this war shall have ceased. » But there will inevitably be some who will seek new homes in lands which have less history. Canada is open and her land is erying for those who will till it from sheer love of the tilling. Canadian hearts are open too; but all that they will give in welcome to the people for the tiny country. so rich in grief and glory, will be repaid a thousand fold in the new light they will throw on the pos- sibilities of this country; and in the inspiration they will be to individual sacrifice for the national develop- ment. ants HUDSON 'BAY COMPANY Will Contest Right of' Municipalities To Tax. Regina, Sask., Dee. 10.--It learned that the Hudson Bay ecom- pany 'bas decided to contest the right of rural municipality to tax them under the surtax provisions of the Rural Municipality Aet on the ground that they are exempt from this 'tax under the terms of their deed of surrender. The deed of surrender is the in- stroment upen which the do.ninion government secured possession of the Hudson Bay company's rights of ownership in the noriliveet ter- ritories, shortly after confedera- tion. * This deed of surrender contains a stivulation that the company shall not be subject to any "exceptional'" tax, and for that reason does not apply to them. : : Jt ig understood that the com- pany has already intimated to the Sovernment, through its sdlicitors, its intention of carrying the ques- tion into the courts. It is more than possible that an issne of such im- portance will be carried to the high- est tribunal in the empire. An Exchange Professor. Paris, Dee. 19-4Prof. William Al- lan. Neilson, .professor of English at Harvard university, yesterday began a ¢ourse of lectures in the Sorbonne as ap exchange professor. There was a brifiiant assemblage of officials ana olurs' to 'hear 'the lecture. Lucien Poincare, a brother of = President Poincare, was among thise present. a : ist, King street. Open every even itl Acide, vu temporarily insane, "hing. is n in nd iting i Nantes en -- fo ) corrested according to assessmen t '| notices of J. Patterson, E. Cronk and W. Shepherd. Carried. Moved, Pet- ers-Wagar, that A. Kennedy receive an order of $3.00 for ditching, etc. Carried. Moved, Howes-Dwyer, that the township rate be struck off the tax rate bill 'of Mrs. Pero. . Carried. Moved, Howes-Wagar, that N. Bush | receive 1 cwt. of flour as charity. Carried. Moved, Howes-Wa~ar that D. Lowery receive an order for five dollars for use of road across lot 20, Con. 5. Carried. Moved, Wag- ar-Peters, that the collector's time be extended until next meeting of council. Carried. Moved, Peters- Wagar, that the sum of one dolar be. struck off tax bill of George Campbell, being error in assegsment. Carried. Moved, Howes-Dwyer,, that the report of -R. A. Hamilton; Re. drowned lands 'be received and' filed and he receive.an order for his ser- vices to amount of $18. Carried. Moved, Peters-Wagar, that the fol- lowing named persons be eppointed deputy returning officers: Polling division No."1, D. Leslie; No. 2, L. B. Cronk; No. 3, T. Moran; No: 4, Stanley Jeffrey; "carried. Moved, Howes-Dwyer, that the resignation o 0. R. Clow as sh valaator be ac- cepted and Wesley Wagar . be appoint- ed in his place. Carried. Moved, Howes-Wagar, that Dr. W. BE. Wil kins receive three dollars for medi- cal attendande for Mrs. Thomas Green. Carried. Moved, Peters-Wa- gar, that the reeve get legal advice re survey of line between Con. 7 and 8. Carried. Moved, Howes-Wagar, that the fol- lowing orders be drawn on the treas- urer : 8.8. No. 1,-$256.50; S8.S. No. Oa. x09. QR No. 3, 2260.50: S.S. Na, 4, $317; 8.8. No. 5, $413.70; S.S. No. 6, $397.50; S.8. No. 7, $349.55; S.8. No. 8, 8174; S.S. No. 9, $395; S.S. No. 10, 8323.65; J. McMahon, 28: CO. GG, McKnight, 81; G: A. Smith, $4; G. A. Smith, postage, etc., $18. 42; H. Smith, sheep, $7.34; A. Ken- nedy, $8.25; G. W. Killing, 21378; Whig, printing, $68; for 'tile, $45.50; 0. R. Clow, 83; C. G. McKnight, $32; F. Peters, $25; P. Dwyer, $14; A. Wagar, $25; T. Howes, 325; P. Dwyer, $14; A. Wagar, 25; T. Howes, $25; G. Smith, 850; G. W. Killins, 860; S. Harper, $8; J. Jeffrey, sheep, $7.34; Geo. Dier, $41.83; R. 'A. Hamilton, R18; C. G. McKnight, 88; W FE. Wilkins, M.D., 83; D. Lowry, $5. Car- ried. Moved, Peters-Wagar, that the reeve and treasurer complete the' fin- ancial statement and this council ad- journ sine die. Carried, DRIVING "THE DEVIL'S CAR" AGAINST GERMAN UHLANS. Baron Ciergleys Tells of His Exciting Experiences Driving a Belgian Belgian Armored Car In, Baron Ciergleys, who has been ser- ving with distinction in the Belgian army, having charge of the first armored car used in the war, has just returned to his home at Great Chart, near Ashford, Kent, for rest and recuperation. The baron had many stirring adventures, and was wounded in three places during an encounter near Lille,' when the driv- er of the car, Prince Baudouin de Ligne, and the barons cousin, Count de Villeemont, were killed. For his bravery Baron Ciergleys has been awarded the Chevalier de I'Ordre de Leopold. The baron, profiting by experiences, 1s now engaged in designing an ar- moured car that will adequately pro- tect the chauffeur. He proposes providing a periscope Nsimilar that used by submarines); also mirrors, that will reveal to chaufieur the whereabouts of the enemy. The baron told of his ex- periences recently in a London news- paper, as follows : : "We had a terrible time near Lille when Prince Lous de Baundouin was killed. We had Sthree armored cars, and suddenly we found our- selves. in an ambush of 450 of' the German infantry. They fired upon us, and we replied with our machine guns and rifles, but the number against us was too great. Six of our party were killed outright, one was missing and supposed to be killed, and ome is recovering with two bullets in his head and arm, while IT was 'wounded in -the head, arm and leg. My cousin, Count de Nillermont, was Shot dead as he was clambering into my car. "My gun was shot out of my hand, but I had the satisfaction of firing the last shot before the enemy, find- ing that their ambush had failed, had retreated. I shot the major. Once we were motoring. from Ant- werp to Lille, and suddenly found a rope-cahle drawn across the road, tied to trees on either side. Tt was an awkward trap. The enémy, hav- ing. seen us coming, thought that we should have to dismount from our armoured car to remove the rope, and thus be captured. The trap did not succeed, because I fired continually on one spot where the rope was drawn taut around the tree. The rope was cut and fell into the road and we drove off after giving a few shots more to the dismayed Ger mans. "Upon my departure from Ostend 1 had the satisfaction of an encounter with the Uhblans, killing seventeen as they were riding in, I bade adieu to my armoured car, which 'is well known to the Thlans, who call it "The Devil's ear." DIFFERENCE OF OPINION. to foot the Britain Wants 'Shipment of Submar- ines in Parts. London, Dec, 21.--~The decision of the Washington government against the shipment of submarines in Barts is the subject of. conferences at Wash- ington between Ambassador Spri Rice and Secretary Bryan. The ish government does not the American \ gin Baboock, who has always been jts ob Brit- ny { . $1.50 Cotsefs, $1.00, Dutton's. An safl Dead Creek, Dec. 18.--Mrs. Alex-4 ander Clancy dled December 5th af- ter being ill for some time. She was an old lady, much thought of by} many friends. Nathaniel Kellar had the misfortune to cut his foot badly. J. A. Newton is starting |] lumbering operations once more, Mr, and Mrs. J. W. Anderson, Marlbank, called on her daughter, Mrs. R. Hart- wick, fast week. The annual Christ- mas tree event will be held in the} Methodist church on December 21st. A Play At Canonto. Canonto, Dec. 19.--~The play which was put on at Canonte on Friday evening, Dec. 11th, brought out a ful house. W. Love filled the chair and welcomed the visitors. - :Lawrence Bros. have started" bush operations with a 'small gang of men. Adam McGonegal was recently called to Orillia to attend the funeral of his son, Ernest. Miss Harriet Lawrence made a flying trip tto Kingston re- cently." School closed on Tuesday tee. 22nd, for Christmas holidays. Fall River Cheese Meeting. Fall River, Dec. 19.--~The annual meeting of the patrons of Fall River cheese factory was held in this place on December 9th. Thomas B. Duffy took the chair. J. W. Leaver, Perth, addressed the audience. Every one was satisfied, as the average was $24 per ton, which is a record. The people are hoping there will be 'more snow soon, . to make better sleighing. A. Guigue made a business' trip to Ma- berly, Wednesday. A few of the peo- ple from here attended the Christmas tree at Crow Lake on Friday evening. Mr, and Mrs. T. W. Dufiy, at A. Gray's; Miss Ida Charlton, at E. Con- roy's; Mies Tena Gray, at W. Wes- ley's. Crow Lake Young Lady Killed Crow Lake, Dec. 17.--A deep gloom was cast over this place on Tuesday when Letitia Coaty was killed while trying to jump off a moving train. She | was thrown some distance and hit a post and wire fence. Both hips and one leg were broken and her head and face were badly bruised. She was pick- ed up and taken into the station. Dr. Barker was summoned also Dr. Geddes, coroner. An inquest was opened after which the body was taken to the deceased's home. The funeral was held to the school house on Thursday. Interment took place at Olden, and was attended by a large concourse of friends and neighbors. Deceased was the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Coaty. Besides her father and mother she leaves five brothers, all at home. Play Produced st Horrowsmith Harrowsmith, Dec. 19.--~On Thurs- day evening "The Runaways," a com-' edy in three acts, by Walter Ben Hare, was produced by. the Harrow- smith Dramatic Club. The characters of Jean McLean, little Miss Fixit, was ably {carried out by Miss Nellie Boyee, who acted the part of a bright vivacious young lady: The roll of Mrs. Juniper, a young wife, was ta- ken by Effie M. Clow. As Victoria, the girl in the taxi, Miss Jessie Cooper, played well a rather stately, self-assertive girl of twenty-five. Tex- ana, the .girl of the golden west, was well taken by Miss Ada Bot- ting, who delighted the audience with her witty sayings and snatees of song. Max Juniper, the per- plexed husband, was the part taken by Flgin Babcock. . Other roles were Alonzo Willing, the fortune hunter, by Elmer Charlton; Ted. Keegan, the man on the box, by Clarence Copp; Jim Larrabee, sheriff No. 666, by Charles Shibley; two deuuty sher- ifis, S. Bradshaw and W. Cooper. The village hall was packed to the doors. Music was furnished by a city orchestra. Proceeds amounted to 890 after expenses are met. The bal- ance will be given in aidof the Red Cross work. The Dramatic Club, owes the greater portion of its sue- cess to the untiring zeal of Mrs. El- instructor, critic and prompter. Washburn's Corners. Washburn's Corners, Dec. 18.--The following returned from Kingston Mo- del school this week : Misses Mabel Jacob, Mabel Henderson, Mabel Smith, I. Mills, Alice Knoulton, Ber- tena Green, Messrs. Eric Dobbs, Fred. Yates, Grey Halladay. The Athens Methodist Sunday school had the largest attendance on Sun- day last for years, 230 being present. A 'substantial box of Christmas gifts was donated by the children of the | Anglican Sunday school and express- ed to the Shinwauke Home, Sault Ste.' Marie, this weeh. A large num- ber from here took advantage of the free trip to Brockville 'to-day over the B. & W. railway. M. Yates lost three of his purebred Ayrshire calves recently. William Farl, who has been seriously ill, is decidedly better. To a fair gathering, in the Town Hall, Athens, last evening, was %- plained the ject of an electric belt line ealled the Ottawa and St. Taw- rence Blectric Railway. A number from here attended the funeral of the late Mrs. Dowsley. The service was conducted by Rev. G. N. Collins at the house on Saturday. The Bap- tist Church loses a member whose in- val help 'was always given freely and whose influence will be missed in every circle of -- life. The Anglican church entertainment last evening at the Town Hall, Ath- ens, was a decided success. The hall was packed to the doors. Fvery- were pleased with the dr of ers between sotpeipees SES esi ¥ Born as ape api pet ian © This Cowan Gift Box of Chocolate is the 'Very Thing 'for Our Soldiers in Camp Six delicious Chocolate Bars in a beautiful enameled tin souvenir box made in Canada. Send in to' your friends in the training camps in Canada. The best and most useful gift vou could give them. The Chocolace is absolutely pure and per- feet and contains no over-quantity of sugar --a perfect emergency ration, rich, smooth and palatable. The box is enameled and embossed with the Canadian Coat-of-Arms and Maple Leaf in red, white and blue, black and gold. ~~ . AS SOUVENIRS The empty boxes will be prized for years after the chocolate is gone as a symbol of Canada's response to the call of the Motherlana. SEND A BOX to the boys in camp at Salisbury. is only 12¢. rm The postage 40C PER BOX. See the display at our store JAMES REDDEN & CO., KINGSTON, : 176 Princess Street. ChristmasBeef IMPORTANT It is important to all house- keepers that their joint of beef or mutton, lamb or pork for Christmas dinner is of the best quality in taste and cutting. Therefore, to obtain good quality, good value, good cutting and good attention, order your Christmas joint at PARKER BROS. KINGSTON'S LEADING BUTCHERS 217 Princess St, Phone 1683, Opposite Opera House. Mrs. George Daly, a former reosi- viving children ate: Ww. can he day last. Fora cleared of mines dropped by German 'Mrs. Daly was a _ Liha ABnBe/ ----------.