It is reported from Berlin that the German Cabinet announces that Germany will refuse to sign peace, on the ground that the terms involve economic destruction, political dishonour, and moral degradation.

The foundation stone of the monument to be erected in honour of The Junction soldiers was laid on Saturday, in the presence of a large gathering of citizens. A garden plot for the purpose has been dedicated by the Newcastle City Council, at the intersection of Macquarie and Kenrick Streets. The movement was started in August, 1918, the intention being to secure some simple form of honour roll at a cost of 50 pounds, but the patriotic spirit of the residents induced the committee to adopt a memorial of a much more pretentious character. This, when complete, will be 23 feet in height. A full size figure of a soldier in Carrara marble will be placed on the top, supported by four marble columns, between which, on marble panels, the names of the soldiers will be inscribed. The men who volunteered numbered about 160, and of these, 22 have been killed. Many of them had gained distinction on the field of battle.

Mr. Paddy King, who is well-known in the Newcastle district as an athlete and vaudeville manager, who has been spending a few weeks' holiday at Anna Bay, telegraphed to Newcastle on Thursday morning that an enemy mine had been washed ashore about twenty miles from Stockton.

The matter was at once reported to Commander Fearnley, who got into communication with Mr. King by telephone, and asked to be supplied with full particulars of the finding of the mine. Mr. King, who was camped at Anna Bay with three friends, informed the Commander that late on Wednesday afternoon the party saw what they took to be a huge sunfish approaching the shore, and they watched it closely. Eventually the object was washed up on the beach. Mr. King, to his surprise, found it to be an enemy mine. It was very rusty, and covered with marine growth and barnacles. Brass fittings were attached, and evidently the mine had broken from moorings. There are five horns on the mine and as far as Mr. King could see it is quite intact.

A large number of citizens assembled at the roll of honour gates on Saturday evening, in spite of the rain, to give a welcome home to Private F. Warren. On arrival by motor car, accompanied by members of the welcome home committee, Private Warren was loudly cheered. Mr. A. Edden, on behalf of the committee and citizens, extended a welcome to him, as did also Mr. T. Smith, past district Grand Master of the G.U.O.O. Lodge, of which Private Warren is a member. Private Warren returned thanks to the public for the reception given. He was then driven to his home, and as he entered "Home, Sweet Home" was played. Private Warren enlisted four years ago with the 1st Battalion, and after doing service in Egypt, went to France. He was wounded three times. He was also gassed once. Private Warren is a son of Mr. W. Warren, of Rugby Road, at whose residence supper was provided, the tables nicely decorated with black and green, the 1st Battalion colours. Sergeant R. Williams, of Thalaba Road, is expected to arrive in Sydney this week. Sergeant Williams, who has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry on the field, has unfortunately through wounds received suffered amputation of the right leg.

Mr. Ross McMahon, of High Street, Greta, has been notified that his son, Lieutenant L. S. McMahon, who left with the original 34th Battalion, and who for some time was a prisoner of war in Germany, is returning by the transport Medic, due to arrive in Melbourne on the 28th May.

Mrs. J. O. Cherry, of Brooks Street, West Wallsend, has been notified that her husband, Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant James Oliver Cherry, is expected to arrive in Melbourne about June 16. He sailed with the 35th Battalion, and has been on active service for three years. Previous to enlistment he was employed in the Newcastle office of Howard Smith, Limited.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Masson, of Gosford Road, Hamilton West, have received word that their son, Bombardier B. Booth, is arriving home. He has been on active service for three and a half years, and is returning on the transport Runic, which is due in Melbourne about June 13. He was mentioned in the despatch of the Menin Road battle. Before enlisting he was in the Government service. He is a stepson of Armour Corporal J. Masson, who had four other sons, three of whom sacrificed their lives in the war. He has one son, Trumpeter Allan Masson, who enlisted at the age of sixteen, and after serving three years and a half, recently returned. He was attached to the Fifth Field Artillery. He was wounded on two occasions.

Corporal Edward ("Tammy") Hanson, M.M., son of Inspector Fred. Hanson, of Belmore Road, Lorn, West Maitland, returned home on Thursday evening. He was met at the West Maitland railway station by his old comrades Quartermaster Jack Sawyer, Sergeant Fred Forbes, Corporal Fred Mannall, Privates Arthur Sandridge, Alf Pender and Harold Mannall, and a large number of relatives and personal friends. The West Maitland Salvation Army band played "Home, Sweet Home" on the arrival of the train, and subsequently a procession was formed, and was headed by the army band. Corporal Hanson left Australia on December 17, 1915, with the 13th Battalion, and took part in some of the heaviest fighting on the Western Front, after serving a few months in Egypt. He proved himself a brave and resolute soldier, and received his Military Medal at Messines. Among the battles he took part in were Pozieres, Mouquet Farm, Gueudecourt, Bullecourt, Messines, Hollebeke, and the great advance in 1918. He was seriously wounded at the battle of Peronne, and was subsequently invalided to England, where he spent several months in hospital in a serious condition.

Corporal H. W. Webber, of the 4th Battalion, 1st Brigade, on his return home on Saturday night, after four years' active service, was given a welcome at the residence of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Webber. Corporal Webber is the last of three sons to return. He enlisted in July, 1915, and was wounded in his first engagement at Pozieres. After returning he took part in the fighting at Bullecourt, where he was one of seven out of 180 of his company to return. In March, 1918, he went to England for six months as a first class bomb instructor. In September he was with the battalion at Amiens and Hazlebruck, up to the signing of the armistice. His brothers, Harold A. Webber, returned home invalided in March, 1918, and Richard H. Webber returned home in March, 1919 on account of gas and wounds. Alderman R. H. Webber, the father, volunteered as a munition worker, and passed all examinations, but did not leave Australia, owing to the improved conditions.

Lance-corporal James Coleman, of the 35th Battalion, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Coleman, of Phoebe Street, Islington, returned home on Saturday night, after three years' active service. He was met at the Hamilton station by a large gathering of relatives and friends, and conveyed to his residence, in EIizabeth Street, Tighe's Hill. Mr. F. Coleman (late A.I.F.) presided, and extended a cordial welcome home to his nephew, Lance-corporal Coleman. Corporal Coleman enlisted in 1916, and in November was in the Messines battle. He continued to the date of the armistice. Mr. J. Murphy (brother-in-law), who had two brothers killed at the front, supplemented the remarks of the chairman. Mr. J. Bowditch, of the Islington Welcome Home Committee, on behalf of the citizens, expressed appreciation of the services rendered by Corporal Coleman. Before his enlistment, Corporal Coleman was engaged at the railway goods shed, Newcastle.

Private George Cann, younger son of Mr. and Mrs. William Cann, returned to Newcastle on Friday evening, after four years' active service. He was a member of the 18th Battalion, and was once wounded in France. Private Cann reached Sydney by the transport Khyber. Some time before the Khyber left England he had embarked upon the transport Lancashire, but a few minutes before the vessel was timed to leave, it was found that he had developed influenza, and he was taken ashore. Captain Frederick Cann, of the Royal Engineers, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Cann, was, according to latest advices, at Abbeville, in France, engaged in the organisation of the big scheme for the education of soldiers.

Private J. Powell, who returned home on Monday night, enlisted in August, 1915. He was in Egypt for about five months, and landed in France in 1916, and was in action at Bois Grenier, Pozieres, Mouquet Farm, St. Eloy, Ypres, and other places, and came through without being wounded, although in one action they lost 330 men belonging to their battalion. At Bullecourt the division was almost wiped out. They took the position, but had to retire in consequence of being short of ammunition. He was at Armentieres and Messines Ridge and Polygon Wood battles.

Mr. and Mrs. W. Scott, of Purple Hill, Minmi, are in receipt of advice that their son, Private William Scott, is returning to Australia by the troopship Marathon, which is due to arrive at Melbourne on the 5th June. Private Scott, who has been on active service for three and a half years, was wounded in August last year, necessitating the amputation of the right leg at the knee. Prior to enlisting he was employed at Brown's Colliery.

A welcome home was tendered on Saturday to Private N. Watson by the mayor of Merewether, Alderman J. Dixon and the welcome home committee. On arrival at the residence of Private Watson's sister, Mrs. Dodgers, in Railway Street, the Mayor stated that the returned soldier had enlisted in July, 1915, and they were pleased to see him home again. He had been a prisoner in the hands of the Germans for two years and five months, and many of his friends thought he would never return. Private Watson thanked all most heartily for the welcome home. He had only done what thousands of others had done, viz., his duty, to the greatest Empire on earth. He went away in 1915. His first action was at Bois-Grenier, and in an engagement at Fleurbaix he was wounded and taken prisoner in July, 1916. He was sent to a German hospital for five weeks, and, subsequently sent to a prison camp at Dulmen. Nine days elapsed before his wound was examined or bandaged. After recovering he was put to work felling trees at Reken at 71/2 pence per day, with bad food and ill-treatment. At one time the prisoners struck work, for which they were compelled to stand at attention in the snow and cold for a whole day, and all their parcels from their friends refused them. Four days afterwards he was sent to the main German camp for 14 days on bread and water. He was afterwards drafted to Barntrup, where they experienced starvation. He was the only Australian left amongst Russians, French, and Belgians, where he was kept until the armistice.

Mrs. Mitchell, of Nerong Road, Lambton, has been advised that her husband, Sapper J. A. Mitchell, is returning to Australia by the transport Suffolk, which is due to arrive in Melbourne about May 30. Sapper Mitchell enlisted soon after the outbreak of the war. He was attached to the 1st Tunnelling Company, and has been on active service for nearly three and a half years. Prior to enlisting he was employed as a miner in the South Waratah Colliery. Two of his brothers were killed at the war.