| Some Ottawa Glimpses Special Correspondence by H. F. Gadsby. Meighen's Flimsy Excuses - Ottawa, Dec. 6.--The Hon. Ar- thur Meighen, the official explainer of the Borden Government, has his hands full these days. Little Arthur got his job because he was the best hair splitter on the Government side, but it's hard to split hairs with a safety razor, \and that's what the SoHeitor General is trying to do just now. The safety Mr. Meighen seeks for the Borden Government is im- munity from criticism on the nickel question and a shifting of the onus for the Ross rifle to the Liberal side it possible, J The public ig already in receipt of the pale substitutes for good reasons which Mr. Meighen advances on be- half of the Government's slackness in dealing with the International Nickel Company, whose creature the Hon, Frank Cockrane, Minister of Railways in the Borden Government, is, with Premier Hearst as his right hand in Ontario and the Hon. How- ard Ferguson as a sort of walking delegate, According to Mr, Meighen the people of Canada are to believe in the International Nickel Com- pany's window dressing. They are to believe that the International Nickel Company fias not sold any nickel to Germany or its trade ac- complices among the neutral nations since the war began. They are to belieye this in face of the statistics which show that three million pounds of Ontario nickel have gone to Germany and her neutral neighbors within the last | two years. They are to believe it in face of the Providence Journal, which says that right now one hun- dred tons of our good Ontario nickel is on its way over to the Germans in thé merchant submarine, the Deutschland. They are to believe Mr, Meighen denials because they are the International Nickel Com- pany's and the International Nickel Company is too rich to tell a lie. And since the International Nickel Company is in that position, it fol- lows that Mr. Meighen ie also in the George Washington class. The solemn truth is that Mr. Meig: hen's vague rejoinders on the nickel question do not satisty even those who are most anxious to find satis- faction. His story 1s too thin and the story he tells about the Ross rifle perhaps a hundred per cent thin- However, as I said before, the Hon. Arthur's job is to pass the buck, and he does the best he can. Now that Sir Sam is out the Hon. Arthur has commissioned to un- load all he caf on the ex-minister, and, it possible, to hang something on the Liberals. Being a clever pleader Mr. Meig- hen works the old trick of ccnfusing the issue--he mixes the babies. The Ross rifle that got the Borden Gov- ernment into a hole and the Ross rifle the Laurier Government was responsible for are two different weapons. If you bear that in mind it will not be difficult to keep track of the devious Mr. Meighen, The Ross rifie the Laurier Govern- ment made a contract for was the Ross rifle Mark Two, a stout, service- able weapon which has not been used in this war. The Ross rifle the Bor- den Government made a contract for was the Ross rifle Mark Three, a 800d target rifle, but too delicate to stand up against active service con- ditions. This-is the rifie which got our .soldler boys into trouble, sacri- ficing thousands of lives at Ypres, St, Julien and elsewhere, because it jammed after firing a dozen rounds. This is the rifle on which General Alderson reported tothe British War Office, the report being forwarded to the Militia Department at Ottawa and pigeonholed for eighteen months, at the end of which time it saw the light In an Ottawa news- paper, but not through official chan- nels. Indeed, if the people had waited for the Minister of Militia, or his friends, to make that report public, they would have been wait- ing yet. It got into print as a sort of private disclosure assisted by some honest indignation at-Rideau Hall. The Government has never denied the existence of the report-- the best it did was to struggle with the allegations. The Ross rifle Mark Three is the rifle with which Canadian contin- gent aftef Canadian contingent was equipped in face of the report from the British War Office, slumbering in the Militia Department at Ottawa. The British Government, of course, took care that the Canadian troops did not go into battle with a weapon which had proved a failure at the front, but this did not prevent the Government from equipping our soldiers with a rifle which they knew went into the junk heap as soon as it reached England. The pickings were too good to give up. It is es- timated that from five to seven mil- lion dollars were squandered on Ross rifle Mark Three after the British Government had not only condem- ned but had actually discarded it. The contract entered into by the Laurier Government with Sir Charles Ross, in 1902, was simply a contract to make rifles in Canada, Any kind f rifle could be made at any time, rding to the specifications given by the Government. It was not to be a Ross rifle per se, but a rifle ap- proved by the Government, manu- factured according to plans submit ted by the Government and subject to change as circumstances warrant- ed. The wording of the contract, which can be found in the Hansard of 1903, shows this. This was Ross rifle Mark Two--the Ross rifle that the Laurier Government was inden- tified with, When the Borden Government came in in 1911 they gave a contract for a new Ross rifle, Mark Three. That contract was entered into short- ly after Sir Sam took office, It is a different rifle from Mark Two. It does not look the same. It takes a different cartridge. The very change in name indicates that it.is a differ- ent arm. Oné of the chief differen- ces Is that it has a longer barrel than the Mark Two. ts say that ror thé conditions otf the pres- ent war Mark Two would have been a far better rifle than Sam's pet, the Mark Three. Our soldiers never saw Mark Three until war broke out. It was manufactured and stored at Quebec, and served out to the troops as they left for overseas, It was never prop- erly tested under practical condit- ions before it was served out to the troops. The Government apparently thought it a perfect rifle. How dis- astrously wrong they were is shown by what happened at Ypres and else- where, Mr. Meighen by dexterous equivo- cations seeks to tie the Laurier Gov- ernment up to Ross rifle Mark Three but the facts are dead against him. The Borden government will have to father its own war baby. It is being asserted that the Borden government could only change the style of rifle on giving one'year's notice, and that at the outbreak of the war they could not buy elsewhere than from the Ross Company, except after thirty days' notice had been given, and the company had replied that they could not furnish the number of rifles required. To which there are three sufficient answers--First, that it was a contract of the Borden government's. making. Second, that two years were allowed to go by without the Borden government giv- ing any notice of a change in design to meet the criticisms of the rifle, which were made right at the out- set of the war. Third, that the Bor- den Government had been in power roperly. 3 The question the Borden govern- ment m answer is why it gave a contract a new rifle as soon as it came into power, and why that These two pictures parliament buildings. teen rifle was not properly tested before the war broke out, and before it was served out to our soldiers. ' Rumor has it that the company at the outset of the war waived any ob- jection to making immediately any changes in the design of the rifle which the government wanted and which the best experts might advise. It was even suggested that some changes should be made, and a num- ber of experts were recommended to perfect the rifle for the conditions which it was seen would develop. Sir Sam and the government, however, seemed to de sure that the rifle was all right. Sir Sam was pigheaded about it; and the government seemed to be under the impression that the war would only last about six months anyway, and that it would look bad if they immediately changed the rifle, and consequently they went ahead thinking only of how they could turn the war to political ad- e, Another change which the Govern- ment made on the recommendation of Sir Sam Hughes was to require the company to manufacture a different cartridge. The Government furnish- ed the specifications both for the rifle and for cartridge, and under the contract the company could not de- part from these specifications. The new cartridge had .458 gauge, but the Government gauges furnished to the company were 460, and the cart- ridge had to be made to fit this stan- dard gauge. The English gauge was .462, and some of the English cart- ridges were served out to.our troops overseas with the Ross rifle. One can readily see that with a cartridge too hig for the chamber the rifle was bound to jam. When the trouble came Sir Sam and some of the Brit- Ish ordhance men thought it could be remédied by changing the bolt and making the chamber bigger. Sir Sam thought 'he knew all about it and listened only to his own experts. In the wonk of changing the bolts they made a botch of the job and tried a new and untested process. When the bolts were changed -and the chamber enlarged the rifles were sent back without first being pro- perly tested. The result was that when the test of battle came the bolts which had been hardened under a bad process flew to pieces. Moreover, there were not enough When You Can't Sleep YOU SHOULD USE Milburn's Heart and Nerve Pills Sleeplessness is caused by the ner- vous system becoming deranged. Perhaps too much worry has got- ten on your nerves, perhaps you have overworked yourself, or have been excessive in your use of tobacco, but whatever the cause the nervous sys- tem must be built up again before restful sleep can be assured. Those whose rest is broken into by frightful dreams, nightmares, sink- ing and smothering sensations, who wake up in the morning as tired as they went to bed, can have their old, peaceful, undisturbed, refreshing sleep back again by using Milburn's Heart and Nerve Pills, Mrs. John Sloan, Haley Station, Ont., writes: "Over a year ago J was very nervous. 1 could not sleep at night, and |I wonld faint at the slightest fright. I tried several doc- tors but they did me practically no good. 1 noticed your advertisement and immediately tried Dr. Milburn"s Heart and Nerve Pills, and I am proud to say they cured me." Milburn's Heart and Nerve Pills are 50c a box or 3 for $1.25, at all dealers, or mailed direct on receipt of price by the T. Milburn Co., Lim- ited, Toronto, Ont. spare parts ordered. The whole thing 'was bungled from start to finish, and the onus for the crime lies solely with the present govern- ment. The Laurier government had nothing whatever do with Ross rifle Mark Three, furthérmore, the government went ahead in its shont-sighted way against the ad- vice of the company. The corre- spondence will show this if it is ever allowed to be made public. ~--H. ¥. GADSBY. Baron Hardinge Dead. London, Dec. 6.--Charles Paget Fitzhardinge, the third Baron Har- dinge, died on Tuesday. He was born in 1830 and came into the barony on the death of his brother in 1896. He resided in Gloucester- shire, RUMANIA"S CAPITAL CAPTURED BY ENEMY.' give a good general view of Bucharest and a good detailed view of its BUCHAREST CAPTURED. It Is Now in Hands of Germans-- King Retired. Berlin, Dec. 6.--The capture of Bucharest is confirmed. It is be- lieved the bulk of the Rumanian army with all their guns and stores escaped. King Ferdinand and the royal family have gone to Jassy, where the Government is now lo- cated. A Strong New Line. Petrograd, Dec. 6.--The Russians and Rumanians have made a strong new line northeast of Bucharest, The Rumanians retired to this point for strategic reasons. - NO ANNOUNCEMENT YET As to the Cabinet Material George Has Chosen, London, Dec. 6.--Lloyd Geor has not yet announced his new oh inet. Some conservative organs say the premier. yeliing News, one of © papers, said it was premature to say that Bonar Law had declined to form a government. ---------------- To Popularize Sheep Raising. A scheme for popularizing sheep breeding in counties of the Province of Ontario is being promoted by the Agricultural Department. The plan is to take five counties, the names of which have not been selected yet, and applications will be received from each of these counties from farmers' sons and others who have taken one of the short courses under district Teplestitativas. a Bo county a competition wi 4 Adm sheep judging, and the boy tie makes the best record and whose fa- ther is not now raising sheep, and who conforms to the conditions, will be given a flock of six ewes. He has to agree to keep records of the cost and other things. The ewes become the property of the lads for two years. At the end of two years from the time that they took them over they turn back to the Live Stock Branch two shearling ewes, at the end of the third year two more, and at the end of the fourth year other two. By this period the boys will have given back six shearling ewes. In addition to this the Live - Stock Branch is supplying pure-bred rams, and it is estimated that at the end of a year these young farmers should get six lambs. It is probable that in time the scheme may be extended to more than five counties. Guelph's Loss by War. The extent to which recruiting has been carried on in Guelph is well reflected in the returns from the As- sessment Department, which were handed out recently. Assessor Hast- ings places the population of the city at 16,022, a decrease from the pre- vious year of 713. A large number of soldiers' wives and families have returned to the old country until after the war. The total assessment is $11,419,930, an increase of more than $200,000. The city loses the business tax from the hotels of the city, which was included in the esti- mates at the first of the year. This amounts to $1,800. Only one ward in the city shows an increase in population. - The Lost Art, The four-year-old had just been reproved at the table. He continued to talk cheerfully, though unanswer- ed, to father. After some migutes to other Lloyd VERY WORST OF ANARCHY PREVAILED IN ATHENS--A RAID ON LIBERALS, Minister of Greek Church at Paris Omits Prayers for King Constan- tine--Armed 'Bands in Athens Streets, Piraeus, Dec. 6.--After their vie- tory of Friday the Greek military forces, aided by a large number of armed reservists gave themselves over to hunting down Venizelists. All day long the worst sort of anarchy prevailed. The man hunt began be- fore it was light. The military were in complete possession of the city, every street being guarded and Maxim guns placed at numerous points. The streets indeed presented a most extraordinary sight. The shops were all shut and the houses all shuttered by order. Some streets were paraded by regular soldiers, rifles in hand, ready to shoot at any windows at which any person ap- peared. Reservists, too, were doing the same, many of them being in civilian clothes with cartridge belts and slouch hats. Houses of Venizelists were raided and many prominent Liberals, with their hands tied, were marched through the city streets to Jail. Among them was M. Benakis, mayor of Athens. Afterwards, by royal or- der, he was allowed to go home and remain under guard. M. Kiros, edi- tor of the Hestia, and Alriavandos, editor of the Nea Hellas, were also arrested. The offices of all Liberal newspapers were entered and their archives carried 'off. None of them, indeed, appeared that morning. Early in the forenoon two hotels in Stadium street were riddled' with bullets, because, it is stated, shots were fired from windows. A' great armed crowd broke into the house which M. Venizelos once occupied, and shortly afterward two Maxim guns were mounted in Consti- tution Square and for ten minutes were turned on the upper story of the Ilion Palace Hotel, from which, it is stated, shots had been fired. The walls and windows were completely riddled. The hotel was then entered and arrests made. By night practically all préminent Liberals and the population had quietness more. f nothing No Prayers for King. Paris, Dec. 6.--At the Greek church yesterday the minister, while praying for the King and Queen and the Royal family of Greece, was in- terrupted by murmurs of protest from members of the congregation. The murmurs were quieted by in- fluential members of the - Greek colony, After the service a deputation de- manded that the minister henceforth omit prayers for the King. The min- ister promised to refer the matter to church. Armed Bands Active. Paris, Dec. 6.--A despatch to the Temps from Athens dated Monday, says: "The city has become calm, but armed bands of reservists -are still moving about the streets. Constantine and the members of the Royal family are at the palace." WOUNDED CANADIAN CAPTURES A TRENCH And Sixty-two Germans--He Receives the Victoria Cross. Victoria Cross, is John Chipman Kerr, a private in the Canadian In- fantry, who single handed, captured sixty-two prisoners, although one of his hands had been wounded. The Gazette cites the Canadian "for most conspicuous bravery," and point blank range heavy loss. 'The enemy, thinking they were surrounded, surrendered. "Before carrying out this very plucky act, one of Pte. Kerr's fin- _ Kerr enlisted at Edmonton, but his next of kin is his mother, living at Cumberland, N.B. DEATH FROM TOOTH BRUSH. Insurance Company. were under lotk and key, | [Pom besieged, panicstricken the Greek legation, which owns the King | You will all need boots and shoes before Christmas. Why not get them at the Model Shoe Store We have a very heavy stock of all kinds and can suit all tastes in ladies' men's and children's boots and shoes. Which we will sell at the old prices. 184 Princess Street H. ROTGAVZE, Prop, ARAMA RSS 4a aaa ITV VYVYYYWY VV WWY VY AAAAAAAAAAA wwe TWELVE PRESENTS for $1, $2.50, $3 or $5. At Weese's New Photo Studio. Open Thursday and Saturday Nights. Good Pictures, Good Frames, Good Planos, These all make good presents. D. A. WEESE 168 Princess Street. AAAAAAAA AL VWF VAAN INTE COATS Get your winter coat made to measure with choice of styles for less money than ready-made... Also suits, skirts, and dresses for very low prices. New York Skirt and Suit Co. 208 Wellington Street. NOSE CLOGGED FROM A COLD OR CATARRH } Apply Cream in Nostrils To Open Up Air Ah! What relief! Your clogged nostrils open right up, the air pas- sages of your head are clear and you can breathe freely. No more hawk- ing, snuffling, mucous discharge, headache, dryness--no etruggling for breath at night, your cold or catarrh is gone. Don't stay gtuffed up! Get a small bottle of Ely's Cream Balm from your druggist now. Apply a little of this fragrant, antiseptic cream in your nostrils, let it penetrate through every air passage of the head; soothe and heal the swollen, inflamed muc- ous membrane, giving you instant re- Hef. Ely's Cream Balm i8 just what { every cold and catarrh sufferer has been seeking. It's just splendid. i Who's Your Grocer? London, Dec. 6.--Gazetted for the| says he opened fire on the enemy at! and inflicted |, gers had been blown off by a bomb." Widow Won Case. Against Accident Carlisle, Pa., Dec. 6.--After hours of deliberation, a jury decided that We're After Your Trade. Have you tried dealing here? Call and Jet us fill your next order. If you want good, fresh groceries, of the best quality, appetizing cooked and smoked meats, from a clean, tidy store. Thompson's Grocery 204 Princess St. GARAGE Why take chances when the roads are covered with snow or ice or slimy mud? Put on chains and have con- trol of your car. All sizes car- ried in stock. Robt. J. Fursey, a tooth brush bristle caused the death of the husband of Mrs. Jennie A. Eby, and the Travellers' Insurance Company at Hartford, Conn., must the widow $7,700. i was a druggist at New Cum- berland and Harrisburg. Mrs. Eby' contended talk very mothar Prop. 35-87 Montreal St. Pe | Near Princess Phones 1600-031 ETT Tess | Try This If You "Have Dandruff | There is one sure way that never fails to remove dandruff completely and that is to dissolve it. This des- .|{troys. it emtirely. Te do this, just get about four punces of plain, ord- inary lHquid arvonm; apply it at night when retiring; use enough io mois ten the scalp and rub it in gently with the finger tips. i a By morning mest, If not all, of your dandruff will bs gone, and threa or four more appl will com- pletely dissolve and entirely destroy every single sign and trace of it, no matter how much dandruff you may ve. You will find, too, that all itching and digging of the scalp will stop in- stantly and your hair will be fluffy, lustrous. glossy, silky and soff, and Jook and feel a hundred times bet- 1 You can get liquid arvon at any drug store. It'Is that he died of Saravial hemorrhage caused choking on the bristle of a ah with which he i been brushing his teeth. Phy- who attended the better part of three days: . QUEBEC BARS WILL GO. Quebec, Dec. 6.--~The Province of Quebec abolish the bar after May 1 next. On-that date the Gothenburg OF 58 system will be in vogue. Such the.