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SPIRIT OF THE WELSH PRESS.

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SPIRIT OF THE WELSH PRESS. [BY GWYLIEDTDD."] MR. GLADSTONE AND THE WELSH MEMBERS. The Baner has, perhaps, been the loudest of the "Welsh papers in threats of retribution against Mr Gladstone. This week it has a long and elaborate article on the subject, indulges in violent threats and recommends the Welsh members to persevere in their demand for disestablishment and dis- jendowment—" whatever the consequences may be." These words were written before the corre- spondence was published. In the Saturday edition, however, the editor simply reports the resolution of the Welsh members to po-tpone the matter until the third reading of the Home Rule Bill. 'T The Genedl is also unusually cautious, no opinion is given editorially, but Dafydd Dafya" is made to say that Mr Rendel has been asked to have a private interview with Mr Gladstone and get an explicit answer from him. The Werin- the Saturday edition of the Geu-edl-prints the correspondence, and makes the following official statement :—"Mi Gladstone congratulates IVales I on th(- position in which its chief question stands, -and especially on the division on the introduction of the Suspensory Bill," and admits that he does not give a distinct promise that disestablishment: shall be the first measure next session. Other' sections of the Liberal party are pressing Mr Gladstone to push on important questions in which they take interest, and say that our members must be on the alert. 'i The Goleuad is equally milk-and-watery in its treatment of the subject. The correspondence is published, and the editor makes the following remarks upon it:— There is no wonder that such a declaration should live thrown the Welsh menbers into confusion. They know that it is simply a withdrawal from what was considered a distinct promise. No wonder, therefore, that the Welsh members want some excuse to place before the Welsh people. Mr Gladstone declines making even a conditional promise, and refuses, with that mastery of the art of speech of which he is such an adept, to commit himself. What is Wales to do ? Its first duty is to hear wbat its representatives have to say. The situation is full of difficulties, and great prudence should be ob. served. A. general meeting of tr.e Welsh members and the leaders of the parzy in Wales would be of great value in the present emergency. The Tyst believes that Mr Gladstone will listen to the voico of Wales, and bring in a Disestablish- ment Bill next year. The Celt thinks that Mr Gladstone would yield to pressure if put on in the Irish fashion. 'ihe Herald considers that Mr Gladstone's plea for time is just, and that the Bishop of Bangor was wrong in stating that disestablishment is beyond the range of practical politics. The Tarian says that the Church is an iron yoke on the shoulders of Nonconformists," and that the Government must yield to the demand of the most enlightened citizens of the British Empire." Gwalia says that the New- castle programme was a sham, and that the faith of 11 Young Wales" in Mr Gladstone is ex- hausted. THE COAL STRIKE IN SOUTH WALKS. The Wels a press is unanimous in condemning the unfortunate strike now prevailing over South Wales, and especially the action of the colliers in hooting" Mabon." The Tarian, which claims to be the organ of the colliers, has a strong leader on the subject. It says that the spirit of dis- order is abroad," and ttiat it is time for religious men of sense and experience to take the lead." The Herald fears that there is something more serious than the strike affecting the colliers of South Wales." The attack on "Mabon" is described by several papers as a black blot on their character. The Tyst says that old colliers feel that they are dragged into want and misery by the young men." The introduction of the military to the district will. no doubt, be condemned, and the love of the Welsh people for law and order will be praised, but the material welfare of the people will be promoted by the prompt interposition of the higher authorities. THE PROPOSED WELSH UNIVERSITY. The Welsh papers have prac ically accepted the Shrewsbury scheme, notwithstanding their strong protest at first to confining it to the Aber- ystwith, Bangor, and Cardiff Colleges. Their converskm is due to the fact that by adoptmg the Shrewsbury scheme St. David's College, Lampeter, would be excluded, and Church influence would be checked in the conduct of higher education in Wales. The Genedl objects to Lampeter because "it is not controlled by the ratepayers." Principal Owen treats the subject in an article in theLlan this week, from which the following extract-s are made Whilst looking forward for twenty years to the futaie of Wales,, the chief object of patriotic Welsh- men, should be the co-operation of ali Welshmen— Churchmen and Nonconformists—for the general good of the community. There are difficulties in the way, and for that reason a bond of union between our educated youih would be secured by a national university. I am glad to find that the yonng Non- conformists who take the lead in connection with Cymru Fydd" entertain broad views with regard to a university for Wales. With the hope of securing a National Welsh University, an educational mother to the youth of Wales, and a central object of national interest in the midst of conflicting opinions I did all in my power to reform the narrowness of the Shrews- bury scheme and secure a university embracing all WeLh interests. THE QCARRYHEN's STRIKE AT FESTINIOG. The strike at the Llechwedd Quarry, Festiniog .-which has existed for three months-continues to interest the North Wales papers. A large meeting in support of the strikers was held at Carnarvon last week, at which a number of elo- quent speeches were made. Among the speakers were the members of Parliament for Carnarvon- shire and Merioneth. The owners were strongly condemned, and the public were appealed to for subscriptions. The Herald says that the speeches —with two excep ions, one by a reverend gentle- man," the other by an "honourable member"- were moderate. and just, and expresses a hope that the misunderstanding will be overcome. Gwalia condemns the Rev Machreth Rees, who accused the masters with wasting their money on horse races and whores," and challenges him to mention the names. And Mr Lloyd-George stated that Mr Greaves had built three grand palaces at the expense of the men. Mr Greaves objects to re- employ six of the men who left work of their own accord, but declines to give his reasons for it. IS WALES DECLINING IN CIVILISATION ? This question has been asked more than once. Instances are increasing where the law is s-t at defiance, and where persons are charged with, and punished for, breaking the peace. The Welsh papers complain constantly of the neglect of per- sons, especially the young, to attend places of worship, and of habits that are indulged in which were unknown to our forefathers. The Baner of last week states that the practice of cursing and swearing has become so common and gross in Anglesey that the county council have given instructions to the police to prosecute those found guilty of the offence. Persons travelling by train complain of the increase of bad language among the passengers. The advice of miniatelra and religious men is laughed at." It seems according to the same authority, that the evil prevails in Carnarvonshire as well, and that the county couneil are proposing to apply the same remed y

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