The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

I CONTENTS OF INNER PAGES. PAGE 2. The Church Congress at Shrewsbury R PAGE 3. ^uurch Congress (contd).; Machynlleth news, P PAGE B. k Ch oot^a^ Notes and Matches; Cycling- Notes TV ess> Speech Day at Newtown Intermediate iw^ggiyjiiiiiiiilii j, Borden Board of Guardians; Chirbury Rural ^strict Council; Markets Agricultural Notes B ^or ladies j Mallwyd, Llanidloes, and Llan- ews.

I ————— eventful week in Church history yeflJUst drawn to a close in the termination Church Congress, which Wl l- en ]T1 session at Shrewsbury. The of the deliberations of this great assembly of leading lights within Pale of our great National Church at TOP Ically our own doors this year possesses ty-, Us a more than ordinary interest. Utiv tever may 136 sa^c^ carpers as to the or inutility of Church Congresses, fathering at Shrewsbury affords most QOstakable evidence that they have lost of popular interest. The traditions c0t/^rch Congresses so far as weather ^ions are concerned were fully main- at Shrewsbury, but despite wind and 1 the earnest workers in the Church's f0 both clerical and lay were daily assembling in vast numbers within J ^Congress Hall and the other spacious get apart for their use to discuss Qi6 Various vital questions affecting the 1 ill f L'S work and influence. The assembly, Qa, et, both in point of numerical atten- hù lle and enthusiastic application to the Vs.lt*ess of Congress, was most satisfactory. W* Was thirty-sixth Church Congress, c05,. Notwithstanding the most adverse ^itions already referred to, there was no visible signs of decay. And We have seen at Shrewsbury we shall jL elsewhere as each succeeding year round its Church Congress, for as h succeeding year also brings with it on the part of the Church's o0 ples so also does it, and so also will it L ';»e, to show no laxity on the part of ev°ted sons and daughters in her tw106, There has, it is true, been no le Clllarly sensational history marking etlt about this year's Congress. There CoJ. been no burning questions to eiN but still there has by no means aily lack of questions of vast impor- V0^e to all Churchmen and Church- t0oke*- The subjects before the Congress w^e anfl comprehensive range, em- fJlUestions of religious, social, and e°^ importance, and the value of the iti Nation of these will no doubt be seen of Qie ^ture quickening and strengthening ^^a,dUrC^ an<^ work throughout the 0rt1- So far as relative importance of v" should imagine that the subjects MU r> Passing importance, and which O0,fve distinctive mark to the Shrewsbury the annals of these gatherings, QhnrfaTe Church's position as a National Vy ^also in relation to national elemen- ev Ration the bearing of the theory t'ef0 ° on Christian doctrine £ Church ?*"Sat aud ^er attitude in reference to -the *atter ^Ue?tion of Christian unity. This ^WtiSUl)^ecfc receiyed a very large share of °n ^roughout the Congress, and the +* ^otT18 8Peakers—from the Archbishop th K V1 his sermon on Tuesday morning, st Umblest of the orators—were ?? t}je atl(i vigorous in their condemnation 4 o?°.T ^aitl°us Papal Bull in denouncia- 1 the English Orders. The Pope's encych'-ul was certainly most remarkable document, and it is not surprising that it should have received snch a large share of attention at the hnndsof V!tlish ChnreJnnen in congress aesembi<>< "While provoking discussion, the Pope's Iclter has certainly not brought discouragement into the English Church camp, for, a- f ho Bishop of LICH- FIELD pointed out, the Church, so far from suffering, is, on the contrary, greatly the better for the Pontiff's extravagant pro- nouncement. So long as we see such incidents as was furnished at Shrewsbury on Tuesday in the welcoming of Churchmen by their Nonconformist brethren, there need be no fear that Christian unity can be only attained through re-union with the Church of Rome. The debates on the other questions had their own distinctive features of importance. That there is room for some reform in Church government was pretty widely admitted, and as to elemen- tary education the claims of Voluntary Schools were once more most ably sustained, and out of the multitude of counsels there is hope that some fitting scheme for the advancement of the needs of these schools will be evolved in the not distant future. The problem at present seems to be— Shall aid to Voluntary Schools be given out of the rates, or from the Imperial Exchequer ? It is for Churchmen to unite and decide on one of these two questions, and then we may look for something definite in another high place. So far as the feeling of the Congress goes, although no resolution was passed on the matter, the general tenour of the discussion seemed to lean towards State rather than rate aid for the Voluntary Schools. The duty of the Church in regard to the industrial problems of the day received the sympathetic atten- tion of a vast gathering in the Congress Hall on Thursday evening, and one of the subjects of the closing day's deliberations was that of the impoverishment of the clergy and the Central Sustentation Fund. That there is urgent need for some remedial measures in this matter goes without saying. It is a serious reflection upon the Church as an institution tor good that many of hpr sons engaged in her work should be experiencing the pinch of poverty, and the sooner the Church pays attention to this industrial problem "—for it is undoubtedly a wage question—the better it will be for the success of her great and glorious mission.

———*— LORD ROSSKERY has resigned the leadership of the Liberal Party. The reason he gives for taking this step is that he finds him- self in apparent difference with a consider- able mass of Liberals on the Eastern question, and in some conflict of opinion with Mr GI.ADSTOXE. The terms of his letter leaves no doubt that his mind is made up on the matter, and the party will now have to look out for another leader. Sir W. HARCOURT is pointed out as the probable successor to the leadership, but it is not very likely that he will have the undivided support of the party. There is much feeling that Lord ROSEOERY has, ever since his accession to the leadership, been, in the interests of Sir W. HARCOURT, sub- jected to persistent attack from the more democratic members of his party, and this Sir W. HARCOURT has in no way denounced. It follows, after this, that the more faithful supporters of Lord ROSEISERY, and they are a very large section of the party, will not take kindly to this appointment. The result of the present crisis is that the Liberal party are in a worse predicament than they were on the resignation, of Mr GLADSTONE three years ago, and the divisions in their ranks will undoubtedly be widened.

+ NOTES BY THE WAY. We are pleased to announce that Major E. Pryce-Jones, M.P., has kindly subscribed the hand- some sum of £25 towards the building fund of the new Intermediate Schools for Welshpool. One of the most pleasing features of the very successful Conservative gathering held at the Dragon Hotel, Montgomery, on Thursday evening, was the initial appearance of Mr. Hugh Harrison, of Caerhowel, in the role of a public speaker. As will be seen from the report which we give in another column, Mr. Harrison bids well to become— as he put it at the meeting—" a chip of the old block," and we can wish him nothing better than that he may realize this fair ambition. He speaks with considerable fluency, and is at once interest- ing and convincing. The young gentleman has this week received his commission in the Grenadier Guards, and it is the hope of his neighbours in Montgomeryshire, that after an honourable career in the army, he may bo spared for many years to occupy the ancestral home at Caerhowel, and to maintain the traditions of the family so worthily, and with such distinction, upheld by the late Colonel, his father. Denominationalism in Wales must have reached an acute stage when one sect sets about seeking means to prevent the success of the other. this was remarkably noticeable at the meetings of the Congregational assembly at Harlech last week when a minister was appointed to address the next meeting on the most effectual means to prevent the success of Roman Catholicism in our country." If this is done and put into practice it will carry us back to the times when people were put to death at the stake for their religious and political con- victions. Yet these ministers protested against the Armenian atrocities in the same breath as that in which they deplored the spread of Popery. Such inconsistency and intolerance can hardly be possible of belief in the latter part of the nineteenth century. When ministers condescend to acts such as those we fail to see where Christianity comes in. Pro- bably it was the result of the lack of political sub- jects to discuss but we cannot help thinking that a better plan to employ theii leisure hcurs at social meetings would be by suggesting how best to bring about improvements which would benefit mankind morally and socially than by attempting to form a crusade against an established religion, however different the creed might be from theirs. The chairman of the Oswestry Incorporation (Mr Ed. Jones) accorded but a passing notice at the last meeting of that authority to the strictures which had been passed in some quarters upon the policy pursued by the Assessment Committee of the Union, in making assessments under the new Agri- cultural Rating Act. He declined to discuss the question beyond making an explanation, a course he was, apparently, led to adopt, owing to the critic having sheltered himself under anonymity, instead of boldly attaching his name to his letter. The objection to discuss a question with an un- known antagonist is of course, but natural, and Mr Jones was undoubtedly within his rights In declin- ing to enter largely into the subject under the circumstances. His object in referring to the matter was to make clear that what the committee had done in respect to valuations they had the authority of the new Act for doing, and that was to so administer the Act that its intention to afford relief to the occupier of part of the rates on land should be carried out. This, he contended, was all the committee had done, and he very proper y pointed out that it was their duty to administer the Act apart from any considerations as to whether it was a good or a bad one. A their w i!i;iiirncss to oerniit tho Aberystwyth Ivuril I Couiv ll ;.o borrow tho sum of £ 649 for tho co.i- Btruet ion of a reservoir with the necessary apnnr- tenancios, for the vilhvre of LlnnWInrn Fawr. # The agitation amongst the residents of Bori.h for a proper supply of water stiU continues. At the meeting of the Aberystwyth Rural Couneil a letter was read from the Local Government Board, enclosing for the consideration of the council a communication read from certain residents at Borth, in which the inconvenience undergone by them during the past summer owing to the scant supply of water was set forth, and a rather unpleasant picture of the future was drawn. It is to be hoped that one of the schemes suggested will be decided upon and carried out before a recurrence of the difficulties of last summer will be possible. *#* The passing of the Agricultural Rating Bill is quickening the life of Urban Authorities in many districts in matters of rating, and Union Assess- ment bodies will have plenty to do to dispose of the many appeals which will doubtless come before them. A glaring case of over assessment is furnished at Oswestry. According to a statement of the Town Clerk at the meeting of the Council on Wednesday, the Union Assessment Committee have assessed the municipal buildings at four times the amount at which they were valued by the Surveyor of Taxes This is certainly erring on the right side so far as the Union Committee is con- cerned, but they are not to be allowed to "scoop it in" in that wholesale fashion, for the Town Clerk announced that the assessment would be promptlv appealed against. The mayoralty would seem to be going a-begging at Oswestrr this year. At a committee meeting of the whole Town Council on Monday, the civic honour was first offered to the present Mayor far another term, but his worship declined to accept. A certain encrgetic councillor was next invited to don the mantle, bnt "business engagements" debarred him from doing so, and in the end it was decided that the invitation to accept office should be conveyed to an abseut member—Councillor Thomas Edwards, of the Llys—he being the next senior member of the Corporation. Mr Edwards, who is a good Conservative, would make an excel- lent occupant of the mayoral chair, and it is hoped that he will accede to the Council's request to accept the office. Good sanitation is one of the most important elements in municipal government, and it is grati- fying to know that the authority charged with the carrying out of this important work at Oswestry is actively pushing on the same. With a view of adopting the best possible schemes, their Borough Surveyor recently made an inspection of the differ- ent systems for the disposal of the sewage, and we may look for some interesting information from him on the subject in the near future.

WELSHPOOL. THE FAIR.—There was a good supply of cattle (fat and store), sheep, pigs, and calves in the Smithfield on Monday, and a good attendance of dealers and other purchasers. Beef realised 5d to 61d per lb mutton, 6d to 7d; veal, 6d to 6d Pigs, 7s 6d per score. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.—Harvest thanksgiv- ing services were held in the Congregational Church, New street, on Sunday. Special sermons were preached, morning and evening, by Rev E. R. James (of Cambridge, Febrasza), and in the after- noon a musical service took place, which was ably- conducted by Mr C. H. Jones. PROPERTY* SALE.—At the Pheasant Inn, High street, yesterday, Messrs Theodore and Story offered for sale by public action, on behalf of the executors of the late Mrs Mills, the property known as Spout House, or Rhallt Farm. There was a large attendance, and the bidding was brisk, the property ultimately being knocked down to Mr Lewis, the Keel, Berriew, for £1,045.. MONTGOMERYSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SHOW.—The objection laid by Mr W. P. Hole, Crowthers Hall, against Duchess II," shown by Mr Evan Hughes, Park, on the ground of over age, has been sus- tained. Mr Humphrey Jones, M.R.C.Y.S., the referee, having decided that she was above the age to be eligible for entry in class 36, Mr Hole now takes first prize with Marigold III," Mr D. Pryce the second with Goodlass III," and Mr Thomas Owen the third prize. BOROUGH POLICE COURT, Saturday: Before Messrs. D. P. Owen and M. Jehu.—Drunk and dis- orderly David Ruscoe, Bowling Green Lane, was brought up in custody by P.C. Rowlands charged with being drunk and disorderly in Bowling Green Lane on the previous evening. Sentenced to 21 days' hard labour. Alfred Owen, alias Bonny Rock," was charged by the same officer with a similar offence in High Street on Friday night. Sentenced to seven days' hard labour. Prisoner was also sentenced to 14 days' hard labour for non- payment of an old fine. BOROUGH PETTY SESSIONS—TUESDAY. Before Mr. D. P. Owen, presiding, Messrs. C. E. Howell, W. Rogers, D. Wall, D. Jones, and M. Jehu. For carrying a gun without a license on the 18th August, David Williams, Guilsfield, charged by Police-constable Jones, was fined 30s. including costs, or 14 days in default.— William Holden, cattle drover, Welshpool, was charged by Inspector Edwards with travelling without a ticket from New- town to Welsbpool on the 16th September. Evidence in support of the charge was given by Mr. Pryce, stationmaster at Welsh- pool, and other officials. Defendant denied that he travelled from Newtown that evening. He was fined 20s including costs, or 14 days.—Samuel Evans, hawker, Meifod, charged by P.C. Rowlands with beino1 drunk in Church street on the 22nd Sept., was fined 10s including costs.—Alfred Lewis, in the employ of Councillor David Jones, Welshpool, was charged by John Higgins, Middletown, with driving on the wrong side of the road on the 8th September. Mr D. Jones did not sit during the hearing of the case. Mr Pryce Yearsley defended. The complainant stated that on the evening in question he drove into town in company with a friend, and when passing the Grapes he met defen- dant, who was driving on the wrong side of the road, and the traps came into collision. Cross-examined by Mr Yearsley, witness said defendant did not give any portion of the road to him. He had never threatened to run Mr David Jones down.—William Turner, who accompanied Mr Higgins, corrobo- rated.—Henry Smith, baker, in Mr Jones's employ, said he accompanied defendant on the day the mis- hap occurred. At the time they met Mr Higgins's trip defendant endeavoured to get out cf the way of the approaching vehicle, but without success, and the cap of their wheel caught the tyre of Mr Higgins's wheel.—David Jones, in defendant's employ, said some two years ago complainant was summoned for running into one of witness's traps, and since then he had frequently threatened to upset or run into him. — The Bench retired to consider their decision. On returning into Court the Chairman said defendant would be fined 10s, including costs, and he cautioned him to be more careful in the future.—Willi:'m Edwards, Raven lane, w ho did not appear, was lined 5s in- cluding costs for being drunk in Welshpool on the 3rd instant. P.C. Roberts proved the case.—Eliz. Wilkinson, Clifton place, Welshpool, charged Ruth Evans, a neightxrar, with using threatening and abusive language to her on the 30th September. There was a cross-summons, and as the abuse seemed pretty equally divided, the Bench bound both parties over to keep the peace. COUNTY COURT. — WEDNESDAY. Before His Honour Judge Lewis. There were 30 new plaints entered for hearing at this Court, and 13 judgment summonses, most of the cases were disposed of by the Registrar. j THORPE v. JEHU.— This was a claim brought by Henry Roby Thorpe, of Nottingham, as trustee of the estate of William Wood, hop merchant, against David Jehu, of Llanfair, innkeeper, foi* £22 2s 6d for goods supplied.—Mr. Yearsley, who appeared for defendant, applied for an adjournment to next Court on the ground that defendant was unable to be present owing to another engagement.—-Mr. E. Maurice Jones, on behalf of plaintiff, objected to the adjournment, he having-his witnesses present. —His Honour gave judgment for the plaintiff, the amount to be paid within fourteen days; but if paid into Court in seven days, the defendant to be at liberty to have a new trial. THOMAS v. DAVIES.—In this case John Thomas, of Tynrhyd, Llanfair, sued John Davies of CefnTwyd, Llangyniew, for JB3 rent, alleged to be due.—Judgment was given for the defendant, for whom Mi. Yearsley appeared.

THE EASTERN QUESTION. COUNTY MKETING AT WELSH POOL. SPEECHES BY THE HIGH SHERIFF, MR. A. C. tiUMP!:I!iKYS-OWENT, M.P., AND M A J OK E. P BY C E.JONES, M.P. LETTER FROM LORD RENDEL A RISK TO WAR A RIGHTEOUS WAR. There was a large and deeply-interested audience assembled in the Town Hall, Y%lshpool, yesterday afternoon, who attended a meeting convened by the High Sheriff of the County (Mr J. Marshall Dugdale) in response to a requisition signed by Mr A. C. Hnmphrevs-Owen, Major E. Pryce- Jones. M.P., and many of the aldermen and councillors of the Montgomery County Council. The object of the meeting was to consider the Eastern Question—a question which is at present occupying the mind of all England and to pass certain resolu- tions respecting the recent massacres committed in Armenia The High Sheriff presided, and he was supported on the platform by the hon. members for the county and boroughs of Montgomery. Among those present we noticed the Mayor of Welshpool (Mr W. Forrester Addie), Rev J. T ewis (Vicar of (juilsfield), Rev Josiah Jones Machynlleth Rev J. Griffiths, Arddleen; Rev T. E. Williams, Newtown; Rev T. C. Jones, Welshpool; Mr G. D. Harrison (Clerk to the County Council), Messrs Richard Lloyd and Richard Williams, New- town Edward Davies, Dolcaradog; Hugh Lewis, T. J. Pugh, Martin Woosnam, W. Cooke, A. S. Cooke and S. Miller, Newtown; G. E. Evans, Charles Shuker, Robert Owen, A. Slim, C. Winnall, Mynard, F. D. Ward, Scot-son, T. Howley Morris, Matthew Powell, and G. A. Hutchins, Welshpool; J. Holloway, Castle Caereinion; Thomas Watkin, Theodore and Story, LIanfair; C.Jones, Llanfyllin; John Lewis, Bettws Thomas Pryce. Pentreheylin; D. Rogers, C.C., and several others. The HIGH SHERIFF in opening the meeting, said it had been called by him, as High Sheriff, on the receipt a requisition SIgned by the County Member, the Member for the Boroughs, and mem- bers of the County Council, and on receipt of same, he at once took steps to call a, meeting of the county on this question of Armenia. Reading as he did both sides of political opinion, he was of course aware that a good deal was said for and against the use of meetings of that kind, but as High Sheriff, his duty was quite plain, and he therefore convened a meeting for the first available date. His duty was made all the more pleasant from the wny in which the requisition was worded, because it was perfectly straightforward from beginning to end (applause). The requisition read as follows —" To the High Sheriff of the County of Mont- gomcry, W e the undersigned freeholders and other inhabitants of the county hereby request you to summon a county meeting for the purpose of expressing the horror which has been felt through- out the county at the cruelties perpetrated by the Sultan of Turkey upon his subjects, and to assure the Government that they wilt" have the support of the country in carrying out effectual measures for remedying0 these evils." Those, he took it, were the feelings not only of everybody in the county of Montgomeryshire but in the whole British Empire (cheers). They were met by a cuiious state of things On the one hand they found the Sultan conniving if not instigating the massacres they read about in the papers, and they must remember that what they read was not a tithe of what the atrocities had been. On the other hand they saw the other nations of Europe armed to the teeth, and jealous of England, and also of one another, and ready to put down their foot if anyone stepped in. This was the present state of things. Luckily, they had a man of ex- perience at the Foreign O0xCe_(}iear, hear)—and it might be a good thing if the nation spoke out and informed him that he had the nation behind him in whatever course he thought it best to pur- sue (hear, hear). One thing was quite certain, as had been said, and that was that whatever ther did they must try and prevent a. European war (hear, hear). A European war would be a thousand times more serious than the atrocities which they read of as being perpetrated in Armenia. Let them pray to God that the nations of Europe would be moved to act together, so that in a short time the Sultan would be taught to know that he would not be able to allow these atrocities without stopped by that opinion which would put a stop to it once and for all (hear, hear, and applause). He had received letters upon the subject from-the Earl of Powis, Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, Mr Edward Davies, Plas Dinam; Mr J. Gladstone, Richmond Messrs J. Evans, Llanfyllin; E. Bonnor Maurice, Llan- fecliain and J. Jones, Llanfyllin Rev-g LI. Wynne- Jones, Rector of Llanvmynech j] Brown, Rector of Montgomery and Rev Edward Griffiths, Congregational Minister, Meifod. Resolutions re- specting the subject had also been received from the town of Machynlleth, Llanwddyn Parish Council, head teachers and scholars of the Dolfor Church of England School, Horeb Chapel, Llan- liugan, and Moriah Presbyterian Chapel, Abermule. Lord Powis wrote as follows;—Dear Mr Hum- phreys-Owen,—" I regret that J feej obliged to decline to join in the proposed county meeting on the mis-rule in Turkey. I heartily sympathise with the sufferers, but I fear that the course you propose to follow will not advance the object you have in view. The leaders of both political parties have spoken against the holding of these meetings as tending only to embarras the Government. Separate action on the part of any Power would involve an European war, while the events of the last few days point to united action by the Powers, the only means of attaining the object you have in view." Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, Lord Lieutenant of the County, wrote :—" Dear Mr Humphreys-Owen, I am obliged by your letter of September 22nd. Personally, I think the Government is quite strong enough to take whatever action appears best to them in reference to Turkish Government, and I feel the numerous meetings held in various parts of the country, where frequently over zealous speakers give too much vent to their feelings, tend more to hamper the action of the Government than to render any valuable help to distressed subjects of the Turkish Empire. I fear, though they are held with the best intentions, meetings such as you propose more often do harm rather than good." A letter from Mr Edward Davies, Plas Dinam, was as follows :—" I am sorry I cannot be with yotl at the meeting to-morrow to express our horror and detestation, as a county, at the fearful massacres and cruelties being perpetrated Upon the Christian population of Armenia and other parts of Turkey. As to what can be done by our nation to 'prevent this, that is a question which I leave confidently in the hands of Her Majesty's Government, but it seems to me most difficult of solution by the single handed intervention of Great Britain. We seem to forget, some of us, that we do not possess a citizen army on the Continential scale- Mr T. J. Hounsfield also wrote, apologising for his inability to attend. Mr HUMPHREYS-OWEN said he would first read a letter he had received from Lord Rendel, and the only reason why it was not read by the Chairman was because it was rather closely written, and as he had had an opportunity of reading it before coming to the meeting, he thought it would take less time for him to read it again than for the Chair- man to decipher it. The letter read; as follows :— Hatchlands, Guildford, October 7th, 1896. My Dear Humphreys-Owen, I should like my old constituents to know that, although I have surrendered the duties with which they long entrusted me, I am heart and soul with them. Particularilv on such a question as will, I hope, bring a great many of them together on the 9th at Welshpool. In my belief the spontaneous outburst of grief, and shame, and wrath, which, among the people, is well-nigh universal, has cone a great deal to strengthen our hands with our fellow-people in Europe all of whom are profoundly concerned in this monstrous attempt by a single despot to exter- minate an entire nationality with every circum- stance of deliberate and sustained cruelty and terrorism. If the nations of Europe allow mere State craft, and the rival interests and projects of War-lords," of Courts, or diplomats te blind or bafHe them in dealing with such an awful holocaust of a whole people, then the 19th century after Christ has led us no further than the first. We can but make our appeal to Heaven. Two things only would I now say more. Next, after the Sultan, by however long an interval, upon us, as a nation, lies the chief responsibility for this awful catastrophe. For it is clearly traceable to our own interested and misguided policy. Surely in such circumstances we must be willing, nay, wishful, to pursue a remedy even at some risk to ourselves, and even in the absence of foreign sup- port. Secondly, apart from duty or conscience, I would urge that, in cold-blooded prudence, we ought not now to efface and abase ourselves before the whole world. The British race is in this matter plainly set before mankind upon its trial. This terrible business is our business in a way and to a degree in which it is the business of no other people outside Turkey. We seem to have suffered a hundred thousand lives, whose exclusive cham- pions we had made ourselves, to be taken before wo have been fairly roused. The world admits that we are roused at length. If, after all, we efface ourselves because we staud alone-if we abdicate we may for the moment escape i,1 consequences. But I would have any friends ia Wales whom my words may reach to consider well at what risks we shall have evaded the present dutv and the present danger. Never were we at any time so anxiously com mitted all over the globe to the gravest liabilities, and pledged to the most dangerous investments of honour and of power. Never were we at more points, in rougher rivalry with competing Govern- ments of greater strength or more growing preten- sions. All these liabilities are sustained solelv bv our vast and accommodated credit for indomitable courage, tenacity and resource. If we now allow that credit to be seriously shaken (and we seem to be very near doing so) we invite dangers more perilous than those we would avoid. For instance, in the Mediterranean ahne, we have taken a hold by force of arms, Egypt, Cyprus, Malta and Gibraltar. We have not a friend in so doing. To insist upon the deposition of the Sultan with or without allies is no doubt to risk war (though I do not believe war would come of it) and war single- handed it might be. But it would be a righteous war, and not only our conscience but the con- science of the European and American people would be upon our side. To publish our impotence, in the face of our national admission of responsibility, would be to challenge the owners of the Medi- terranean shores to assert Lheir natural claims to that sea and to force us, I fear, into a non- righteous war for wholly selfish objects without hope or faith in our cause or the sympathy of anyone in the world. War for war, I would far rather risk the former than the latter; but I beseech my Welsh friends not to yield to threr.ton- ings of war here of war there. To all whoc that argument (and it is the only one upon the other side) I say there is more ultimate risk in running away than in standing firm. Let us all stand manfully for national and natural duty, with confidence in the sense and humanity of the peoples of the world and faith in all over-ruling Providence.—Believe me to be, very sincerely yours, RENDEL. a. r Continuing, Jir Humphreys-Owen said that the letters which they heard read were typical of the condition of the country at this time (hear, hear). They were one and all filled with horror and indig- nation at the events which had passed before them, and though they were thrilled with horror and in- dignation, yet they had amongst them differences as to the means which they could employ in putting an enrl to them. At the same time they felt that they had a Government over them,—and however, much they might differ with it upon domestic matters —which, by the experience of its chief, and the ability of many of its members, was fitted to command and to lead the nation in snch a grave crisis, and fate as now stood before them (hear, hear and applause). It was said that meetings of this kind could do little' good. He ventured respectfully to differ with his friends who took that view. He did not think they ought to pass by on the other side, while they saw a Christian nationality suffering underneath the cruellest oppression which could possibly befal a nation (heai, hear and cheers). He did not think meetings of this kind, held throughout the length and breadth of the land, could be without their effect, witl out effect in nerving them to action, without effect upon the Continent and upon Europe, in assuring them that Great Britain was deeply moved in this matter, and that it was earnest in sinking all personal jealousies, and trusted to whatever would lead them to the desired end, and that they had no desire for aggrandisement, but a wish to see peace and happiness spread amongst all the nations of the world (hear, hear and cheers). He felt convinced that by some occult sympathy the feelings which they were assembled there that day to express would, notwithstanding the imper- fections of different newspapers, penetrate through- out Europe and bring about that united action which his friend Lord Rendel regarded as ultimate—-the result of a bold need on their part— but which at all events would be the means of pitting an end to the present most deplorable condition of Turkey— which was a disgrace and a shame to the Christian nations of Europe who allowed it to continue (hear, hear and applause). Nor did he think that they were in any degree hampering or embarassing the Government by letting it know that the nation was at its back-rather, the nati"n required holding back (applause). On the contrary, it enabled it to speak with power when the true course, of action was decided on (hear, hear). He did not think the Government deprecated meetings of that kind. It was at present engaged in most delicate negociations with foreign powers. But the Cabinet had spoken through the mouths of several of its members, al- though not as leading as Lord Salisbury and Mr Balfour. Still, they spoke with the responsibility of the Cabinet, and would not have spoken if they had not the Cabinet at their back. Lord George Hamilton (the Secretary of State for the Indian Department) had spoken on the subject as a matter of right. Mr Chaplin was another member of the Cabmet who represented the great agricultural interest, and he had spoken very strongly. Mr Ritchie, who represented the mercantile interests of the city of London, had also spoken and not one of them had deprecated any action of this kind. Then there was Lord Salisbury's own son, who had written a letter of warm sympathy with the object of such a meeting as this (applause). He said then that they were there supporting the Government, supporting it in any measure it might take in order to put an end to the present state of affairs (loud applause). The resolution which he was about to propose was as follows :— That this meeting expresses its horror and in- dignation at the massacres which have taken place in the dominions, and with the connivance of the Sultan of Turkey, and assures the Government that it will be heartily supported in whatever measures it may take to put an end to this shameful mis- government." It was now twelve months ago since a solemn warning—as solemn as a warning could possibly be-as solemn as any prophet of the Old Testament ever addressed to a wicked King, was addressed by Lord Salisbury to the Sultan of Turkey. That had been disregarded. Why ? He owned that the rt-ason to him was clear, and in order that he might bring it before them, it was necessary to go back for a moment to a little past history. They must remember that it was difficult, if not impossible, to move in these matters without the concurrence of the great Empire of Russia. But what had been the policy of later years ? The policy of the nation, and not of one party, with regard to Russia ? It had been a policy of distrust and destruction. That was not always so. Let them look back to the very beginning of this century, when the enormous influence of Napoleon threatened the liberties of Europe. Then coming down to a generation later, our forefathers were thrilled with as much horror at the massacres of Charos as they were to-day thrilled with the massacres of Armenia (hear, hear). Russia, France, and England united their forces. They destroyed the Turkish fleet which was then preparing to repeat in the Morea the scenes which desolated Charos in those days, which desolated Bulgaria twenty years ago, and Armenia only the other day. But by some fatal mischance our policy later on changed, and, in order to show them that he was speaking im- partially, he might say that il. changed under the leadership of a Liberal—Lord Palmerston. He was the only one man who was active and urgent in inciting and carrying on the Crimean war. That war was the first expression of that unhappy policy which had dominated us for the last thirty or forty years. It was not wonderful, then, that a nation which had once adopted a policy of that kind—and he was old enough to remember that the policy which was then adopted was the policy not of party but of the nation-it was not wonderful that an empire which had once initiated a policy of that kind should have some difficulty in retreating from it (hear, hear). Coming down a generation later they came to the outrages committed by the Turkish Government upon the Bulgarians. Now they came to the time when under a Conservative Govern- ment the might of this country was exercised not by actual war but by threats of some actual war to bolster up the power of the Sultan and to prevent Russia from acting as protector to the Christians under his rule. Lord Palmerston spoke about the progressive Liberal and enlightened administration of the Turk. Lord Beaconsfield spoke about the good intention of the Sultan, of whom no man who had any words now spoke of him but words of execration. Still that policy remained down to the present time, and yet it was not the policy of any responsible person. The belief that it was necessary for us to resist the power of Russia had passed away (hear, bear). He was talking to a gentleman, who held office in high official circles in India the other day and he said that in India it was the desire of the servants in the Civil Service that this country should come to an amicable arrangement with Russia. They believed such an arrangement was possible and that it ought to take place (applause). Now they had this con- dition of things before them. They had themselves made up their minds that they did not intend at all events to take the chestnuts out of the fire for the nations of Europe. France and Italy would be jealous as to who should have charge of the sea in the Dardanelles. Everything which was of merest I t.) Europe was to us less. And :herefoie as | soon as the concert of Europe could he <rab!islj<-d, and as snon as the diplomatists had agreed — per- h ips with a little more foive—that eoerrion should he e tiployed to result in the Sultan's deposition, the Government might understand that in this it has the couuirv at its back in supporting them in any measure of that kind which thev may take (applause). A subsequent resolution would deal with another aspect of the question, and that was that they ought to act with perfect disinterestedness (hear, hear). It was a melancholy thing that the nwKftns of Europe should say that this agitation had for its object some sinister dosigu. It was therefore necessary that they should declare, emphatically, that this was not the case (hear, hear). England had territory enough and to spare England had problems of its own, snc-n as would absorb the powers even of the wisest and best of us, and would require all our wealth and intelligence and exertion (applause), j We covet no man's property—(cheers)—and no more territory (renewed cheering). We know that if we had more territory given to us to administer that we can do it well (loud cheers). But if the nations of Europe thought our influence was too widely spread; that there were classes in which we held countries such as Eg-ypt which might be placed rather under the guarantee of united Europe—then not one person—at least be for one, would not be the one to say nav (applause). However, tbati might be, first of all we say we are ready to make sacrifice for the sake of humanity and the sufferers of Armenia (hear, hear). In 'the next place we said, and he said it as a Liberal, that we disclaim all attempt or desire to make any kind of party capital out of the present state of things, because thoy recognised it was as much due to one party as the other, because we were in a false position to- day, and lastly, if we had to enter into a struggle. which God forbid, we should enter into it with the determined intention make no personal profit out of it whatsoever, but simply and solely from a regard of our duty to the nation and our duty to mankind (loud and continued cheering). Mp.jor PHYCE-JOXES, who was heartily received | observed that after the full, exhaustive, and aLle speech of the county member he was qnite sure they would not expect him to take up much time of that meeting in following up his hon. friend's remarks. He felt that the countv member, himself, and those who signed the requisition to the High Sheriff were under a debt of obligation to the latter for responding to the invitation to hold this meeting at the present moment (applause). He could not but think that if Montgomeryshire had not held one of these meetings to synv Miise with the horrible atrocities that had taken place in the Turkish empire that it would be almost a disgrace to Mont- gomeryshire to be isolated and to have taken a different course to what had been taken all over the country (applause). He regretted exceedingly that some members of the Conservative party did not agree with the holding of these meetings, and he would like to follow up the remarks which had been made by the High Sheriff and the County member by adding further proof to the fact that men of all politics and of all sects and parties were taking part in these meetings (applause). In addition to the ministers of religion throughout the Principality of Wales, had they had not seen that their bishops had attended these meetings and spoken out in strong language? (applause.) Had they not seen the Duke of Nor- folk presiding at one of the large meetings in the North of England in reference to this question ? He thought that their names, in addition to those mentioned by the previous speakers, were sufficient to show that men of all parties were uniting at anv rate in holding these meeting's and by voice showed some sympathy and pledged some support to the Government of the country in any action it might think proper to take in order to put an end to these massacres that continued from day to day (applause.); He did not think, as a loyal supporter of the Unionist Government, that he forone should be treating the leader of the Unionist party in a proper way jf he were to refuse to attend meetings of this kind (hear, hear.) He for one had sufficient confidence in the leaders of their party, especially Lord Salisbury, to know that if even through- out England to a man and to a woman, wer3 to ask, or press, or forea, him to go to a war to save the Armenian Christians that Lord Salisbury would decline to do so unless he thought his efforts would be successful and if he thought the position and honour of England would be at stake. Lord Salisbury would act in a position like that just in the same way as Lord Rosebery had acted (hear, hear). Therefore he ceuld not see that these meetings that were being held through- out the country could have a bad effect in any re- spect (applause). He should like to express his own feelings that he did think that the meetings that had taken place during the past three or four weeks bad done this country immense good in the eyes of Europe (hear, hear). He considered, in fact, that the comments that were to be seen in the daily newspapers regarding the expressions of opinion on the continent did show that the powers —at any rate the people-of other countries were beginning to realise that in this matter Englishmen were united in not being interested or selfish in their desire to put an end to these massacres. Three weeks ago, when the hon. member for the county invited him to co-operate with him, he was bound to admit that the statement he had just given utterance to could not have been said (hear, hear). But the result of these meetings, which had been held on the grounds of humanity, charity, and unity, had been that Great Britain was unani- mous in supporting t;he Government to-day in do- ing the utmost in its power to put an end once and for all to the mis-rule of the Sultan of Turkey in the Turkish Dominions, and he thought that it was a little bit rough that the people of this country should not have the privilege of expressing their opinion on this great question (applause) If Parliament were sitting at the present time they could depend upon it that Members of Parliament on both sides would be heckling Ministers and even the Prime Minister to encourage him and them to do the best under the circumstances (applause). Then when Parliament was not sitting this oppor- tunity for the people of this country, who were a loving people and full of charity, to give expression to their horror was taken advantage of. These meetings seemed to act as a kind of safety- valve for the pent-up feelings of sympathy for our fellow-human beings in the Turkish dominions (hear, hear). How would they feel if massacres of a similar kind had been allowed to take place in Wales? (hear, hear). He was glad for one to have this opportunity of co-operating with his hon. friend —the member for the eounty-when he invited them in his position to come forward on non- political grounds to support Lor-I Salisbury in his endeavour to put an end to them (hear, hear). With those remarks he thanked them for the kind and encouraging way in which they had listened to him, and he had now very great pleasure in second- ing the resolution which had been so ably proposed by his hon friend (cheers). The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously. Rev J. LEWIS (Vicar of Guilsfield) afterwards proposed, and Rev JOSIAH JONES (Machynlleth) seconded, the following resolution, which, also, was unanimously agieed to "That this meeting declares that it is the duty of the Nation in this grave crisis to act with perfect disinterestedness, and abstain from any attempt at territorial aggran- disements. It further declares that it is animated by no hostility to the Turkish people nor to the Mahommedan religion, but aims solely at good government of Christians and Mahommedans alike." A vote of thanks to the High Sheriff for presid- ing, on the motion of Mr Richard Lloyd, seconded by the Mayor of Welshpool, brought the meeting to a close.

COUNTY BALL AT WELSHPOOL. The annual ball in conection with the Mont- gomeryshire Ball Club took place in the Town Hall, Welshpool, on Thursday, and was an unqualified success. Never do we remember the ballroom and retiring rooms presenting such a magnificent aspect, and it can be truly said that this year's function greatly surpassed all previous meetings of a simila.r character. It would be impossible to find room for improvement, either in the number of guests, which this year totalled over 220, the decorations, the music and supper, or the general arrange- ments. Everything seemed to have been perfectly provided for, and proof of this was afforded by the evident satisfaction which was depicted on the countenance of each and everyone present. Most of the furnishings and decorations of the hall were this year carried out with marked success by Messrs Cooke Bros., artistic house furnishers, of Newtown. We cannot but congratulate them upon their artistic treatment of the reception room, which was furnished in a most costly and elaborate manner and represented a model dining room up to date. The draperies were particularly handsome-the windows were hung with rich machus muslin curtains, relieved with liberty cloth of terra cotta and gold, the fireplace being draped with silkette and liberty cloth and presented a very pleasing appearance. Rich tapestry curtains were used for the doors and cosy comers. Several water colour paintings, placsques, and embroidered copper shields were hung on the walls. The floor was covered with Brussels carpet, and beautiful skin rugs were freely (list; .buted here and then;. New designs and n--reifies in *ett"es, ea>y and occasional chairs in silk), biivat'dles, velvets and tapes:ric< w.-re nicely airanged. Beautifully designed cabinets, after the Chippendale and French styles, Chipp-nduie o-na- mental tables, tahonettes, stands, li.iiian and French screens, and a variety of ric-a■rac. which add so much to the comfort and beauty of a modern drawing room, were u-ed in the furnishing. The room was lighted with a num- ber of standard lamps and incandescent ]i._<!r.s. Mr 31. T. Davies, cabinet maker, Welshpool, also shared the decorations, he undertaking the ball and supper room, together with the staircase. The supper-room was draped with muslin curtains, the walls being covered with red material and festooned in the old English fashion. The staircase was splendidly carpeted and relieved with plants. The well at the bottom of the staircase w,s very taste- fully decorated aLd f,.tted tip with e,s-v iiL, le -'sit- outs," while the portion of the vestibule towards the entrance doorway was carpeted and ornamented with screens. The floral decoration* were exeeuied by Mr Lambert, of Powis Castle Gardens, who dis- played much taste in the charming decoration of the Assize Court, which was used as one of the retiring rooms. The tout ennemble was charming in the extreme, and reflected the highest credit on the gentlemen named above, who ably carried the work. The music was again supplied by Mr Fred Owen's County Band, and gave every "satis- faction. Mr Owen was very successful in his musical selections, among the favourites being the Washington Post" and Trilby will be true" (vaise). The former was not in- cluded in the programme when arranged, but it was danced during supper. Lie" an entirely new dance, and is likely to be very popular during the coming season. So delighted were the guests with it that not only did it call for hearty applause at the conclusion of the dance, but it had to be rendered twice again in succession before the arranged programme was resumed, and even then, the happy guests were loth to pass on. The dance is very pretty, and we believe was first seen in "Cheer Boys Cheer at the Gaiety Theatre. As no pro- gramme will in future be considered complete with- out it there is not the least doubt but what we shall hear of it again at the forthcoming Dispensary Ball. In all, the programme included twenty dances, with three extras, excluding the Wash- ington Post," and was as follows Valse. Shop Girl Retour Des Champs Laucers.The Geisha Val se E t i u ce 11 es Pas de Quatre An Artist's Model Valse Cynthia Lancers New Barmaid Pol ka Frivolity Valse Trilby will be True Valse Bailscenen Valse Nuit Etoilee Valse Mimosa Polka Chant da Coq Lancers.An Artist's Model Valse Arnitie Pas de Quatre Looking for a Coon alse New Barmaid Polka Up t o Date Valse Les Patineurs Galop Post Horn EXTRAS. Valse Mondnacht am Rhein Pas de Quatre Old Kentucky Valse.Dans Les X augt; The scene in the ball room dnring- the evening was charming in the extreme, the handsome dresses and the glittering and costly diamonds worn by many of the ladies making up a picture which was magnificent to behold, whilst the mirrors at each end of the room reflected an ever-changing kaleido- scope of beautiful colours. This year's ball was favoured with the presence of the Earl and Countess of Powis. The latter looked handsome in a trained skirt of cream brocaded silk, withabodice. trimmed with real lace and pink roses, and edged with dia- monds. Her ladyship's ornaments also included a diamond coronet, together with a necklace of diamonds. The supper, as on former occasions, was laid in the Corn Ex hauge, and the catering was again in the hands of Mr David Richards, of the Royal Oak Hotel, the mention of whose name is sufficient evidence as to the excellent way in which this portion of the programme was dealt with. The tables were exquisitely laid, and the following was the Menu :— Consomme Lobster Salads, Prawns en Aspic Lobsters au Naturel Galantine of Turkey aux Truffee Braised Beef a la Gelee Roast Chickens, Ham Bouchèes de Crevettes Poularde farci aux Champiguoue Tongue a L'ecarlate Game Re& la Frangaise Roast Pheasants, Turkeys Trifle aux Liqueurs, Tipsy Cake Bouchees d' Abricot au Creme Charlotte it la Russe Pine Apple Cream Genoise Glace en Varietes Wine Jelly, Tartlettes Mr Richards also supplied the comestibles for tfee refreshment room, which was in charge of Mr M. T. Davies, and for the tea and coffee bar, which was looked after by Miss Rudge and Miss Sockett. The waiting arrangements in the supper room were under the superintendence of Mr Tom Williams, Welsbpool. The whole of the arrangements were in the hands of the following committee :—Captain Mytton, Captain G. H. Hayhurst-France, Mr John Lomax, Llanfyllin, Mr Fred Lloyd, Mr Stafford Price-Da vies, and Captain Westby, and they were most con- spicuous in their efforts to promote the comfort of the guests. If we may be allowed to particularise, we cannot speak too highly of the excellent work rendered by Captain Wastby, who is the heart and soul of the club, and without him the ball would have been something like Hamlet without the Kingof Denmark. Dancing commenced at ten o'clock, and was continued with much zest until after three o'clock in the morning. The following is a list of those present:— Mr and Mrs W Forrester Addie, Miss and Mr John H Addie, Dr Alexander, Mr Eustace K Bankes, Mr Jack Bather, Mrs and Miss Beck, Miss Borton, Mr R Napier Bray, Miss Burton, Mrs Curling, Mr C T Cronk, Captain Chetec, Mr Hugh S Cholmeleys, Mr, Mrs, and Miss Maud Clement, Miss Mabel Corbett, Mr Trevor Corbett, Mr Paul Crompton, Mrs and Miss Corbett-Winder, Mr W J Corbett- Winder, Mr and Mrs Andrew Davies, Mr and Mrs Price-Davies, Miss Davison, Miss Daniel, Miss Drum- mond, Miss C D Drummond, Mr and Mrs J Marshall Dugdale, Miss Douglas, Mrs and The Misses Edwards, Mr Godfrey Fitzhugb, Mr W Fletcher, Miss Ffoulkes, Mr Furley, Dr. Gill, Mrs Godfrey, Mr and Mrs Garnett-Botfield, Miss Godwin, Mr J M Gibson-Watt, Miss Sybil H abury-Tracy, Mr Bertram Hanbury-Tracy, Mr T B Hardie, Mrs Hayes, Rev W Lightfoot Harrison, Mr and Mrs G D Harrison, Miss Harrison, Miss Charlotte Harrison, Mr, Mrs and Miss Hawks, Mr and Mrs Hawksworth, Mr Edward Herbert, Mr C E Howell, The Misses Howell, Mr and Mrs H LI Howell, Capt and Mrs Hayhurst France, Mr Stephen Hammick, Miss Grace Hammick, Mrs and the Misses Humphreys, Mr and Mrs Martin Humphreys, Mr William Humphreys, Mr and Mrs Holt, the Hon Cecil Hub oar d, Miss Hubbard, the Hon Mrs Cecil Hubbard, Mr and Miss Hounsfield, Mr George W Hounsfield, Mr James H Hounsfield, Miss E J Hounsfield, Miss S E Houns- field,Mr James Jermyn Hounsfield, Mr A R Hughes, Mr F Graham Hughes, Rev T and Mrs Hughes] Mr, Mrs, and Miss Humphreys-Owen, Mr Arthur Humphreys-Owen, Mr R W Hughes, Misses Owen Johnes, Mrs R E and the Misses Jones, Mrs E and Miss Jones, Mr Wilfrid H Jones, Mr T Simpaon and Miss Clara Jones, Mr Walter Buckley Jones, Mr F H Lloyd, Mr J M E Lloyd, Mr and Miss Lane, Mr, Mrs, and Miss Dumville Lees, Mr A. B Lewis, Mrs and Miss Lomax, Mr J Lomax, Mr and Mrs Arthur J Lovett, Miss Lloyd, Mr M 31 Lloyd, Mr F E Marston, Mr John Morris, Mr Godfrey Mosley, Capt and Mrs Mytton, Miss Mytton, Mr George Mytton Mr C M McClure, Mr Iltyd Nicholl, Mr and Mrs John Nay lor, Miss F Naylor, Miss Naylor (Hagger- ston), Colonel and Mrs Norton, Mr Herbert D Owen, Mr and Mrs W Scott Owen the Earl and Countess of Powis, Mr Evelyn Parker' Dr and Mrs Palmer, Miss Parry, Miss Pryce, Mr LI Price, Mr Richard Price, Mr George Prvce Mr Mrs, and Miss Mostyn Pryce, Miss Poundlev Mr and Mrs Edward Powell, Mr Walter Pryce Lad Pryce-Jcnes, the Misses Pryce-Jones, Maj^r and Mrs E Pryce-Jones, Captain and Mrs R P Dr and Mrs Purchas, Mrs R J Roberts, R^J Roberts, Miss Maud Rigby, Miss Ruth Ri^bv Mr and Mrs Rogers, Mr Archibald Read, Mr an/\f Rossall Sandford. the Misses Steward Air a* Mr and Mrs A M Sutthery V;, St0re- Mr T W Trevor, Mr and Mrs vlughan Tho^M' Noel Turner, Mr LI H Twen'tvman m,„ M, and Mrs Tw JlZ353" the Hon Miss Kate'Verney, Mr and Mrs HST M"W|stbr. Mis, viol" Miss Millet Walton, Mr R w Williams-Wynn, Mr wX » a1nd the Misses White, Mr F J w?r ? W^rttaker' the Misses Whitaker, Miss Edith Whitaker, Mr J Williams, Mr J A A Wil- liams, Mr and Mrs Wads worth, Mrs Welch, Mr H E Whittaker, and others.