The North Wales Weekly News

Democratic Victory in Carnarvon Boroughs. Mr. Lloyd George and his Triumph. Mr. Vincent Prepared to Fight Again. After what must have proved to zealous par- tisans a painful suspense, the result of the poll taken in the Carnarvon Boroughs on Saturday was declared on Monday in the county town. Counting took place in the Guild Hall,'and by reason of the excellent arrangements made by the Mayor (Alderman J. T. Roberts), as return- ing officer, the declaration was made within two hours of opening the boxes. There was a full staff of counters, and the interests of the candi- dates were watched by their respective agents Mr. N. Roberts on behalf of Mr. Lloyd George, and Mr. Nee on behalf of Mr. Vincent. Owing to a cheerless drizzle, which, perhaps, was not altogether without its advantages, there was at first but a handful of people outside the hall, but as time advanced the attendance grew, and the interest and excitement increased accordingly. Mr. Vincent, motoring from Bangor with a number of friends, was early in attendance. About an hour later a motor-car flying the Lib- eral colours, drew up at the hall, and out of it emerged the familiar figure of Mr. Lloyd George, who, amidst the cheers of his friends, entered the counting-room and exchanged greetings of the most friendly description with his opponent. Meanwhile, the crowd outside thickened consid- erably. Anxious glances were cast at the win- dows of the room above for some indication of the relative positions of the candidates, and at half-past ten the word went about that up to then Nlr. Lloyd George had a majority of 900. Less than twenty minutes afterwards the official figures were announced, and gave rise to a series of jubilant demonstrations on the part of the victorious candidate's supporters. Stepping out on the balcony, the Mayor, accompanied by the candidates, made the announcement as fol- lows Lloyd George 3183 H.C.Vincent 2105 Much to the delight of the crowd below, the candidates shook hands warmly, and each called for three cheers for his opponent, to which there was an instant response. On going back to the room, Mr. Lloyd George moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor for the im- partial and efficient manner in which he had dis- charged his duties as returning officer, and spoke in appreciative terms of the fair, honourable way in wnich Mr. Vincent had conducted the cam- paign. (Cheers.) Mr. Vincent seconded the proposal, and in turn reciprocated the kind words uttered by his opponent. MR. LLOYD GEORGE RETURNS THANKS. By arrangement, Mr. Lloyd George after- wards proceeded to the Castle-square, there to return thanks to his supporters. His motor-car was soon surrounded by a large crowd, who cheered exultingly, and even with a police es- cort it was with some difficulty that the car reached the appointed spot in the Square, where an improvised platform was placed, and before which an equally numerous crowd had already assembled. Mr. Lloyd George was received by some of his prominent supporters, and Mr. Ellis Davies, the Liberal candidat for Eifion. Tumultuous cheering was again and again renewed, and the frantic waving of caps and handkerchiefs greeted Mr. Lloyd George as he ascended the platform. When at last silence was restored, Mr. Lloyd George addressed a few words of thanks to his supporters. He said :—We have once more won a. splendid victory for Liberalism and democracy in the Carnarvon Boroughs, and that in the face of many difficulties. (Cheers.) My opponent was a popular and an able man, and let me say here that he has fought this battle well, and that I I have every respect for him. (Hear, hear.) Every power and influence that could be brought to bear in this contest has been used -(loud cheers) —but the result has proved that the hearts of the men of the Carnarvon Boroughs are as steel. (Renewed cheers.) I am now starting for Eng- land-(A Voice Not the same as Grimsby," and laughter),—to complete the magnificent, work which has been commenced. Before, how- ever, I go, let me thank all those who have worked so hard for me. It is not my victory. I was not here except for a few days, but the work went on, and my friends worked harder than ever they did before. (Cheers.) I ask you to give three cheers for those who have worked so admirably. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Lloyd George then entered his motor car, but emerged again, and, standing on the step of the car, appealed to his supporters to abstain from everything during the day that might bring discredit upon the fair fame of Liberalism. Mr. Ellis W. Davies addressed a similar ap- peal to the crowd. Re-entering the car, Mr. Lloyd George was es- corted by a large concourse to Bwneifion, the house of his election agent (Mr. Nathaniel Ro- berts), where the right hon. gentleman, Mrs. Lloyd George, Master Gwilym Lloyd George, Messrs. William Jones, Ellis W. Davies, William George, John Rowland, and the Rev. John Wil- liams, were entertained to luncheon. The crowd remained outside the house cheer- ing Mr. Lloyd George and singing election songs, in one of which they bade farewell to Mr. Vincent. It was a particularly jubilant crowd having by this being strengthened by con- tingents of young quarrymen, and when shortly after one o'clock, Mr. Lloyd George re- appeared to take his departure the people formed into a huge procession, which went in front of the motor car to the railway station. At its head the procession bore a yellow banner, in- scribed "Lloyd Geroge; our hero." The car, closely followed by another occupied by other members of the party, made a veritable triumphal progress to the station, and finally he took leave of the town amidst deafening cheers. MR. VINCENT RETURNS THANKS. While one section of the crowd congregated at the Guild Hall followed the victorious candi- date, another, consisting of Mr. Vincent's sup- porters, accompanied that gentleman to the Con- servative Club, where he was accorded a rousing reception. Colonel Henry Platt, on behalf of the Conservative party, proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Vincent for so nobly and ably championing the cause. (Loud cheers.) Mr. John Prichard seconded the proposal, which was carried with acclamation, and fol- lowed by musical honours. Mr. Vincent, who was again loudly cheered, acknowledged his indebtedness to his supporters and workers, and assured them that he was pre- pared to fight their battle again whenever called upon by the party. (Loud cheers.) THE VOTING. As far as can be ascertained, the number of votes unaccounted for was 460. There were ten spoilt votes. The poll was seventy-nine above that of four years ago, when Mr. Lloyd George's majority stood at 1,224. The Liberals claim a substantial majority in each of the Boroughs. THE CHANCELLOR ON HIS TRIUMPH. To a correspondent, in the course of an inter- view at the close of the election, Mr. Lloyd George said The Carnarvon Boroughs have achieved a triumph without the slightest aid from their candidate. They have won this great victory purely through their own exertions against the strongest candidate that could have been brought out, backed up as he was by great territorial influence, which exercised its power in a way unparalleled in the history of this constit- uency. The Welsh phalanx is indomitable, and to watch its steady tread fills one's heart with pride." MR. VINCENT ON HIS DEFEAT. When he arrived at Bangor, after the declara- tion of the poll, Mr. Vincent, the defeated Un- ionist candidate, had an magnificent reception. He addressed his workers at the Conservative Club. Bangor, he said, was the one town in the constituency which had stuck to him, and he thanked all the workers from the bottom of his heart. He was proud that the old city had re- mained true to him-(cheers).-and had given him a majority. If the other Boroughs had stuck to him in the same manner they would have shown a better result. But never mind, boys," said Mr. Vincent, we live to fight again. When I was at school the first round of a fight did not settle the contest, nor the second, nor even the third, fourth, or fifth. The election has taught me one thing, and that is; who my friends are. (Cheers.) Never will my grati- tude for them diminish. There is nothing in the least to be disheartened about. We have reduced the majority of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. (Loud cheers.) I am perfectly satisfied with the result." Rousing cheers were then given for Mr. Vin- cent and Mrs. Vincent.

Wild Rejoicings in Carnarvon. Crowds Close Hotels. All Shops Compelled to Shut Up. The great fight is over the great victory won. The contest will be long remembered (wires a Daily News' special correspondent on Monday night), particularly because, as Mr. Lloyd George himself said in one of his short speeches to-day, it has been, on the Liberal side, essentially a soldiers' battle, fought by the rank and file during their leader's absence. Scenes of enthusiasm were to be witnessed on every hand during the day, but to-night there were remarkable scenes in the Borough of Car- narvon. Hundreds of quarrymen came into the town early in the afternoon bent upon celebrating the victory. Having taken a holiday themselves, they deemed it a shame that the shop assistants in the town should not participate in the popular re- joicings. Accordingly they organised a torchlight procession and paraded the principal streets, com- pelling every place of business to close, and release the assistant from further duty. Following upon this came a demonstration against the licensed premises. Some suggested it would be a good thing to keep the crowd and town sober for the rest of the evening. The idea caught on. They threw out the Licensing Bill," cried one, let's pass one, a new one, for Carnar- von." They refused us local option let's have compulsory closing instead," cried another. This gave the necessary direction to the crowd's ideas and they immediatly set about realising the vision of Welsh local option. They turned their attention to the Commercial Hotel in the centre of the town, demonstrating in force in front of it and demanding the putting out of the lights and the closing of the house. The proprietor declining to do this, a window was smashed as a hint of what might follow. Seeing the folly of angering so enormous a crowd, the proprietor wisely yielded, put out the lights and closed the doors. The crowd then against the Castle Hotel. "Put out the lights marched to Castle-square and demonstrated and close your house," was the cry. No attention being paid to this, a new note entered into that demand, Close the house or we will rush it. Pwt out your lights or we will break your win- dows." DETERMINED CROWD; After holding out for some ten minutes, the licensee submitted The lights were put out and the house closed. Other hotels were similarly treated. Then the smaller licensed houses were visited in turn, so that at the time of wiring every licensed premises in the body of the town is closed down, and those in the by-streets are all following. The Royal Hotel, the chief hotel in the town and the headquarters of county gentry when visiting the town, and which stands a little outside of the town itself, followed suit. I am told that this was done under the advice of the police, who have wisely so far not attempted to interfere with the crowd, recognising the fact that while the crowd was good-tempered a spark might inflame its passions and then no one could foresee what might happen. Some ill-advised licensees endeavoured to get the better of the crowds by lowering the lights without extinguishing them, but the crowd insist- ing upon absolute compliance with its demands. In other cases licensees closed their houses until the crowd departed, and then reopened as before. They had, however, been too hasty, for the crowd made a second tour, and showed how much in earnest they were. This must be said of the crowd, that it dispensed its favours quite impartially to friend and foe, prominent Liberal business men being treated precisely the same as leading Conservatives. For instance, the great business premises of Mr D. T. Lake, Mr Lloyd George's host, and those of Mr 1,1. R. Pritchard, chairman of Mr Lloyd George's election committee, both of them ex-Mayors of the town, were among the first to be compulsorily closed. They took the matter in good part. Teqjperance people in the town are rejoicing at this practical object lesson in early closing, the consequence being that no drunken people are seen about the streets to-night. Everything was quiet at ten o'clock. The counting of the votes began at the early hour of nine o'clock this morning, in order to enable the Chancellor to get away in time to fulfil his engagement in Derbyshire at night. The Chancellor drove up to the Guildhall in a motor- car flying the Liberal colours in good time, and had a most enthusiastic greeting from the great crowd. On reaching the counting room he engaged in conversalion with his friends. The result was declared shortly before eleven o'clock. The victor and his defeated rival cordially shook hands, and Mr Vincent immediately drove home to Bangor, in his motor-car, acknowledging the cheers of his friends, and the booing of his opponents with a frank smile and courtly bow. CHANCELLOR'S THANKS. The Chancellor, accompanied by his friends, made his way to Castle Square, where, from an improvised platform, he addressed an immense crowd numbering several thousands of enthusiastic snpporters. They had, he said, that day won a notable victory for the cause of the democracy in the country, proving once more that Wales was true as steel. He thanked them one and all for the excellent service they had rendered, for the fight had been conducted by them during his en- forced absence. His opponent had fought honour- ably. (Voices What of his partner ? "). His opponent, he repeated, had done nothing in this fight to regret hereafter, and had proved himself a strong, capable, worthy, and honourable opponent. He again thanked them for all they had done, and called for three cheers for those who had led them while he was away. On his way to the railway station later, the Chancellor paid a short visit to the Liberal Club, from the balcony of which he delivered another address to the crowd which filled the street from end to end. It was, he said, twenty years since he had first stood on that very spot to thank them for their help in winning his first victory. This was a fight for the Budget and for all the Budget stood for; and the victory had been a notable one—a majority good enough to satisfy the best Radical, and far too good to please the Tory opponents. They had all the nobles of the land against them, but he cared nothing for that so long as the democracy remained true to itself. He was now leaving them to give a little further and much needed help to their weaker brethren in England, but he appealed' to them before ,he went to keep the peace, and not to give the victors in this noble fight cause for future regret. He then proceeded to the station, where the special train which was to convey him to Derbyshire awaited him. An immense crowd, numbering several thousands, escorted him. At night both Bangor Liberals and Conserva- tives had arranged processions to celebrate the victory and the reduction of the majority respect- ively, but both were countermanded in the interest of peace. Nevertheless the rival factions paraded the streets, but there was no disturbance, though several free fights occurred. There were wild scenes of enthusiasm at Pwll- heli when the news of the Chancellor's victory became known. A meeting to celebrate the occasion was held at the Market Hall, and it was followed by a procession through the town. At night, the Liberals held a great torchlight pro- cession.

At Conway. The surprise packet of the Carnarvon Bor- oughs election was the handsome majority given the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the borough of Conway. Early on Saturday morning, the workers of both parties were astir. The committee rooms of the Chancellor were at the residence of Dr. M. J. Morgan. J.P., and those of Mr. Vincent at the Conservative Club. On the stroke of eight, Mr. T. C. Lewis, Sycamores, president of the local Liberal Association, entered the polling booth, and was the first to record his vote. Dur- ing the first two hours of polling there was a re- cord number who had voted, for byften a.m. about 150 had recorded their votes. As the day wore on, motor cars and conveyances flying the colours of both parties, were rushing about, bringing the voters to the poll. By seven o'clock in the evening, there was not a score of persons on the register who had not been in the booth. A curious incident occurred at Llanrwst, whither motor cars belonging to both parties had proceeded to fetch voters. Although the Conservative car was first on the scene, the Lib- eral "car secured the voters, but before they could start on the return journey one of the Con- servative workers opened the door of the Lib- eral car, and attempted to drag out one of the voters, but a threat from the driver of the car soon made him release his hold, and the Con- servative car had to come back empty handed. On their arrival at Conway an attempt was made by a number of his Conway friends to seize the voter, but he was successfully got into the booth before they laid hold on him. For the greater part of the day, Mr. Rhys Ro- berts, the Chancellor's London partner, was at Conway, and he spoke in glowing terms of the work of the young men. Between seven and eight o'clock there were about a dozen voters not polled, and as their names were called out, a young man in the committee room made off, and in less than ten minutes or so his man had recorded his vote. On the close of the poll there was a cheer. Later in the evening, large crowds of young men from Penmaenmawr and the Conway Valley visited the town, expecting that the result would be declared that night, and they were keenly disappointed when informed of the de- cision of the Carnarvon authorities. The an- cient town presented a very lively appearance, groups of men singing the popular election songs at the street corners. The crowd behaved splen- didly, there being no cause for complaint on the

Photograph by R. Haines, 4, Southampton Row, London.] [Block by courtesy of the "Manchester Guardian. The Right Hon. D. LLOYD GEORGE, M.P.

WEST DENBIGH. Sir J. H. Roberts (L) 5,854 S. Thompson \C) 2,829 Liberal Majority 3,025 Shortly after one o'clock on Saturday after- S noon the figures were declared by Mr. G. H. F. Robertson to a great crowd in Denbigh. The moment Mr. Robertson had uttered the name, Sir Herbert Roberta," he was stopped by a. vociferous cheer, and for a full minute he had to wait, paper in hand, at the window, before it became possible for his voice to be heard. It was undoubtedly a very popular victory. AFTER THE DECLARATION. Sir Herbert Roberts, speaking in Welsh, said that eighteen years ago somebody prophesied that he would stay in his Parliamentary nest. Well, he was still there. (Cheers.) All he could do now was to thank the electors who had helped him to stay there for their faithfulness and courage and for the splendid victory they had enabled him to win. (Cheers.) The message which that victory sent was Freedom -for fthe Parliament of the people—(cheers}— freedom for Mr. Lloyd George to pass his great Budget—(cheers)—freedom in religious and edu- cational affairs, freedom in trade, and freedom for Wales to work out her own salvation on Liberal principles. (Cheers.) Al r. Sam Thompson, also speaking in Welsh, thanked his fellow-countrymen, opponents as well as friends—for the way in which he had been received in the constituency. (Cheers.) They had been through a hard nght-on both sides. (Laughter and cheers.) He had not won this time. (Cheers.) Sir Herbert had said that he had fought for freedom he (Mr. Thompson) had fought for fair play for the workers of Wales—(laughter)—for fair play for the schools and for British trades. He thanked them, and was sure he could say that they were all as good friends as ever. (Cheers.) AT THE LIBERAL CLUB. The victorious candidate was carried by a cheering lband of young men through the excited crowd to the adjacent Liberal Club, on the bal- cony of which he shortly afterwards appeared, accompanied by Lady Roberts and his two sons. There were cries again for a speech, and in re- sponse he said Just one word-I thank you. There is no higher honour in the world than to represent such a constituency in the British Parliament. (Cheers.) For 18 years you have given me your confidence and support. I have tried to do my duty, and I go back to the House of Commons with a new inspiration to work for Denbighshire and for Wales. (Cheers.) Mr. D. S. Davies, of Denbigh, also gave a short speech, thanking the electors for the splen- did victory they had won for Sir Herbert--a man who was worthy of every confidence, and who had always represented them truly in the House of Commons. They all hoped he would have long life to fill the honourable position of member of Parliament as capably as he had done in the past. (Cheers.) Three cheers were given for the hon. member and for Lady Roberts and their children. Lady Roberts spoke a few words in Welsh, expressing her gratification at the splendid victory and her gratitude to the electors of West Denbighshire lor the way in which they had worked and voted to bring it about. AT THE CONSERVATIVE CLUB. In the meantime the Unionists had carried off their candidate to the Conservative Club, and from the balcony Mr. Thompson addressed a substantial crowd" oí supporters, who gave him an. encouraging cheer. ALthough we have not won to-day, he said, 1 think we have made a good fight. The only way in which we can win is to keep hammering away. Let us start straight away organising ourselves for the next encounter, when the result we may be sure will be different. (Cheers.) He went on to thank his supporters in the division. They were not strong in numbers now, but he had no doubt that the people of Wales had at last been awakened to the unfair fiscal conditions under which they lived and would yet support the Unionist party. (Cheers.) Colonel Mesham called for three cheers for Mr. Thompson, which were heartily given. EXCHANGE OF COMPLIMENTS. At the close of the counting Sir Herbert Roberts moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Robert- son, and stated that so far as he was concerned —and he thought his opponent would say the same thing—the whole of the arrangements for IlLg the election had been perfectly carried out, and every suggestion that had been made to meet the convenience of the electorate and of the candidates had been accorded the best consider- ation. Sir Herbert took the opportunity of thanking his opponent for the courteous and gentlemanly way in which .he had conducted the contest. There had been nothing, from the be- ginnirug to the end Off the contest, that he had reason to regret in that respect, and although Mr. Thompson and he were on opposite sides they were not unfriendly in other respects. Mr. Thompson, in seconding the motion, said that if ever he contested another election, in West Denbigh or elsewhere, he only hoped that he would have the courtesy from the officials and others concerned that had been extended to him in the contest just concluded. He would like to reciprocate the kindliness of Sir Herbert Roberts's speech concerning himself, and to say that from the beginning he had tried to raise the contest above personalities, and he felt that Sir Herbert Roberts had certainly done so. SIR HERBERT'S MESSAGE. After the speeches at the Liberal Club the hon. member -proceeded to the Castle House, the residence of Mr. D. S. Davies, accompanied by his host and by his chief agent, Mr. W. G. Dodd, Llangollen, who is also the chairman of the West Denbighshire Liberal Association. Asked by our representative if he had any message he would like to give to his constitu- ency, Sir Herbert said "In the whole course of my political experience I have never seen such deep earnestness olf purpose and strong con- viction in all the ranks of the Liberal party in

part of the police, and the Deputy Chief Con- stable remarked that he had never seen an elec- tion crowd behave so well in Conway before. By 10.30 p.m., all the streets were cleared, most of the young men having made the journey home. THE RESULT. Early on Monday morning there was a crowd of both parties expecting the result of Satur- day's polling. Some Conservatives had even predicted a glorious victory for Mr. Vincent, but others felt that a reduction of about 800 in the majority would be nearer the mark. When the news came shortly after 11 a.m., the Liberals, who had gathered together in the Chancellor's com- mittee rooms, gave a hearty cheer. Several work- men left their employment tor the time being in the excitement, and with a board, on which was printed Lloyd George am byth. Majority, 1,078," paraded the principal streets of the town. When this was happening, the Conservatives had not received any official communication, and they could hardly believe their eyes-in fact, they stated that it was a hoax only but when the telegraph messenger wended his way to the club, an eager crowd followed him, and when the telegram was read, what a change was effected. not a word was spoken by any of the crowd, with the exception of a youngster shouting Are we downhearted ? The only consolation they have is We have reduced his majority by 146," instead of 800, as the greater number of them expected. The Liberal colours were very pro- minent throughout the day, but with the ex- ception of one or two of the faithful, the blue had completely disappeared. Later in the evening, the Liberal party cele- brated their glorious victory with a torchlight procession. The procession, in which there were fifty torches, was joined by every true Liberal. Starting near the Bridge, two stalwarts headed with a photograph of the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer, with torch-bearers each side. Then came a crowd of torch-bearers, and a motor car, in which were seated Mr, T. C. Lewis, President of the Liberal Association and Dr. M. J. Mor- gan, Chairman of the Liberal Club. The car was pulled through the streets by crowds of young men. Progress was made along Rosehill- street to Cadnant-park, past Tygwyn Cottages, down Uppergate-street, Lancaster-square, High- street, Castle-street, Woodlands, Gyffin, Upper Gyffin-road, Uppergate-street, Chapel-street, and Berry-street, to the Club. Large crowds of the inhabitants witnessed the procession, which was a most successful one, and was excellently regu- lated by Messrs. John Hughes Evans and R. T. Hughes. On their arrival at the Club, each of the torch-bearers was marched on to the Quay, and here they were commanded to throw their torches into the river, and this was done, to prevent any accident. As the procession were wending their way through Castle-street, Mr. William Jones, the Liberal candidate for Arfon, passed through the town on his way to address meetings at Pen- maenmawr and Llanfairfechan. There was a good number of people on the Square, and he was given a rousing reception, but he did not remain owing to time being short. Outside the Liberal Club congratulary speeches were made by Dr. M. J. Morgan and Mr. T. C. Lewis to a vast crowd, who dispersed after the singing of the National Anthem. Extra police had been drafted into the town, but we are glad to say that their services were not required. There was not a single complaint against anyone who took part in the procession, and the police speak very highly of the conduct of Conway during this fierce fight.