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Guy Aldred at Abertillery. THE STORY OF HIS ARREST. OUTSPOKEN ATTACK ON CONSCRIPTION There was a good attendance at the Metropole Theatre, Abertillery, on Sunday last week, when Guy A. Aldred (London, Editor of the Spur") spoke at a meeting held under the auspices of the No-Conscription Fellowship. Mr T. J. Dav- ies presided, and in introducing Mr Aldred, ex- pressed his pleasure at the largeness of the audience especially since the meeting had not been advertised properly, owing to the doubt of Mr Aldred being able to attend. They had heard that he had been arrested in London on Thursday last, but he was glad that he was there to address that meeting. He would now leave the meeting to Mr Aldred, and he was sure that they would give him all fairplay. (Ap- plause.) GUY ALDRED, in opening, said that owing to a bit of trickery on the part of the military authorities he had been brought under the CompuLsion Act and arrested as an absentee. He had been treated as a single man, and it was this that brought about his arrest. He had no fear of winning his case, when it was tried. What he wanted was to inquire into the Milit- ary Service Act, and to show up the cant and humbug the military authorities were prepared to resort to, when they wished to remove an obstacle from their path. When a man trans- gressed under the Defence of the Realm Act this was easy, but when he revealed a "crooked genius" and kept within the bounds of the De- fence of the Realm Act, then they resorted to other methods and it was this that he wished to reveal. The Compulsion Act was passed with the in- tention of compelling the single men (those ir- responsible care-free single men) to serve with! the colours. This Act applied to Great Britain. This, of course, includes Scotland. He had form- ed a free love union in accordance with his be- liefs, and under the marriage laws of Scotland Now the authorities choseTfr ignore this, and treat him as a single man. He stood for the principle of the right of morality. The authori- ties were now trying to catch him by means of a trick as a single man. In January, 1908, he formed a free love union with a friend of his —Rose Witcop. Unlike many orthodox per- sons, they did not enjoy clandestinely all the privileges of married life, and then go through the orthodox marriage service a month or two before their child was born. In May, 1909, their child was born, and in accordance with views they held, it took its mother's name, merely taking one of its father's Christian names. From then until now he had faith- fully discharged the duties of a married man, only interrupted by a term of 12 months' im- prisonment which he served for sedition. En- quiry in the neighbourhood would substantiate his statement. Hut now the military authori, ties chose to disregard this, and were quib- bling over the legal point of whether he had resided in Scotland three or four weeks. Fortu- nately he had, and for a much longer period. The Military Service Act did not define mar- riage; the term was only mentioned in the case of those marrying after November 2, 1915. If you were married before that date, you were considered a married man under the Act. It would be perfectly p?ain that as the Act ap- plied to Great Britain, that if a man married under Scottish jaws and domiciled in Scotland was exempted, then a man married under Scot- tish laws and living in England must be ex- empted. It had been stated by the authorities that iLa man was not eligible for sefvico and received no notice from the Government, there was no need for him to do anything. Well, lie had received no notice, and lie supposed that they thought by springing upon him in this manner lie would be unable to' prepare his case, and also rob him of his chance of appeal for 'exemption on conscientious grounds. They were relying solely on the legal point of whe- ther he had lived in Scotland or not. In doinp- this they would deny him the chance, of ex- emption on the ground of conscientious objec- tion to warfare. He had stood as an advocate of Socialism for the last 12 or 13 years. Sure- ly this was sufficient proof of his real conscien tious objection to war between nations. When his friend Mr. Scstt Duckeirs, who was defend- ing his (the speaker s) position, asked the mili- tary Iepi esentahve if he would produce an Army Register with his (the speaker's name enrolled, the military representative said he was not prepared to produce it. After pressure he admtted that his (the speaker's) name was not on an. Army Register. Therefore, said Mr. Duckeirs, there is no case against him (the speaker) as an absentee. This was a. sample of militarism. "Crush Prussian 'militarism" was the outcry of the Jingoes better crush British militarism by raising an outcry here at home. A week ago his friend Sara was arrested and the military authorities said they would do as they liked with him; but he (the speaker) had meant to raise his voice in Sara's defence. He had done so. To-day there were leading bish- ops taking up the. case. Leading Parliamenta- rians were interesting themselves in the case, with a result that would soon be seen. He had got two letters from Sara, who was confined published in many papers, including one local pu'blsihed in many payers, including one local paper. The matter is now in other hands. The military authorities hated publicity, and that was just what he would give them. Publicity in plenty.. Then came his arrest as an absentee. After discharging all the duties attendant up- on a married man since 1908. they now found it necessary to question the legality of his mar- riage. As he had said this would dismiss any chance of appeal. Because they knew that the mere fact of his having been a Socialist advo- cate for the past 12 or 13 years was ample proof of his conscientious objection to interna- tional warfare. He had not fought British militarism for so long to give in because the authorities bullied him to become a part of the military machine. (Applause.) He had been kept in a dark cell all night, with a plank for a bed. Why? Simply be- cause the authorities thought that this treat- ment would daunt him and dull his brain, so that in the morning, when he was charged, they —fresh from their beds and nice breakfasts would be able to put their case the better be- 1" cause of his condition. But it was not so. Ev- I; cry hour he had spent in that cell had only made his determination the stronger to beat them and expose their methods. And if Mr. Scott Duckers had not been there in the moan- ing to take his case, lie would have entered the court with as much sangfroid as any of them He had no doubt that the Government meant r« to crush him. They had had one try, and if a year's imprisonment could not crush him, they would not crush him now. (Applause.) The Tribunals were a mere farce. In all parts of the country complaints were heard of these ye institutions, which sat in judgment on their fel- low men. Of what did these Tribunals consist? r The local parson; retired grocer oheosemonger, etc., and sometimes a Labour man or two if he ? | f suited. Who were they to judge—or pretend tc—the conscicnee of their fellow-men. There w?. had been case after case of men who had been [.' known to be against war for years, and when |F?1. appealing before Tribunals have either been dismissed or relegated to the non-combatant ;P corps. Such cases were of common occurrence, s?] He could say more on this subject, only we ,? lived under the Defence of the Realm Act; and, as Christ once said, "His hour was not yet jz come." But it was, to say the least of it, a ? farce, to find that a man who had been a So- ciahst for years—and as such opposed to war- iv°Q* was not a conscientious objector, and that he must serve under the colours. 1 Again, in the Act it provided that a. widow's son should not be taken yet they were being fto tairen. There were not many cases of widows' 411 sons being exempted. And in Ins own case, if le- his friend (or wife) died, then he would be ra treated as a widower with a son dependent and » ei exempted from the Act. But as his friend had K not died, the authorities were treating him as a a single man. Again, if he was living in Scot- 6 tl land now, lie would be exempted from service; 4o but as lie was living in England they claimed that he must serve. Yet the Act applied to Great Britain. He fully believed, and he was fo not alone in Ills belief, that if the military au- hi then ties could only convince the people that > this was a righteous war, they would have no lei trouble in raising an army of twice the size that it was now. But people were not con- fivt vinced that this war wa.s a righteous one, and ft so Conscription and trickery became necessary. f; It was maintained by the authorities that we l!ll! were fighting for the defence of our wives, mothers, etc. And that was the illusion most < of our soldiers were under. Well, the German soldier was under the same illusion. The Kai- ser and hi, satellites pitched the same yarn to the soldiers of the German AnllY. So the German soldier was not to be blamed for de- fending his relations and Fatherland. That was the view the early Christians- took. They stood and died for their principles, and it was not of- ten they were deemed to be in the wrong. But P the Churches of to-day seemed to ignore this ir fact.. But if the Church and Cliri-,tian (,oiild 'lot ?,0(, this, at least an Atheist could. (Ap- tfo]; ptause.) .spoke in Germany to-dav, L the Church bowed its head. When militarism hL speaks in England, the Church bowed its head But militarism could speak and be damned before he bowed his head. (Loud applause.) Mr. Walter Long had sent out rules in con- I neation with the Military Service Act. Rules that were perfectly fair to those that believed in the Act; but the local Tribunals chose to i' c ignore these. Well, if the local parson chee6- monger and no. kiier,- more of the law than ? ? ?ng. give them the job and sa.v? JPe Mr. Walter Long's salary. (Laughter.) 0 To his mind, the mere fact that a-man fa.ced the insult, ridicule and scorn meted out by IE0 the insult, ridicule and scorn meted otit by some Tribunals was sumoient proof of his con- scientious objectioH. Several bishops had of- K?' fered to take up the cases of conscientious ob- K jectors if they would only take up some other fll kind of service. But that was not what they lr wanted. If it was right for another iran to ii' kill in his name, it was right for him to kill. It was not the fear of death from bullet or WI bayonet that made a. conscien/;? It wa, the fact of being a cog in the murder macmne. it was the fact of useful men iit in kjHina. that w»sT T',Oxious gtto an open-minded man. j||j i i i aii.  t had only to thin.1\: of the luined homes brouo^t i abon+ by the ??anco-Ge'-man War of IIk 1«70 Tl ??. ?"' become drunken dep- raved l,r,,r T to sf '?'?? ??? mists of P?- ???y?!su ? '? ? devastation brought about i| t'l? war This Military Service. Act was brought about I by old men Hyd others who believed in Con- I scripting men's brains, livejS and limbs, but u who did. not believe in Conscripting wealth. Oh, 1 dear, no! And if we did not let them see that f! we intend to smash it, he believed that this jf was only the beginning of a long series of wars. All men m the universe should be brothers- i i1 all spns of Nature; it did not matter whether some thought in German music or French poetry jl for whatever they thought in made no difteren<:0 Ihey were all sons of the same Nature. (Applause.) He wanted the generation of to- | morrow to be free from the military taint. !« (Applause.) It was a favourite question with Tribunals to if ask; What. would you do >f 'i f the Germans came?" Well," what would the of the Tribunals do? 'I1f Tell the Germans they were "too old at forty." ]| (Loud laughter.) Last century it meant prison if you spoke 111 against Germany. A perusal of the records of sedition trials for the last centurv would prove this fact. let to-day it meant prison if you spoke in favour of Germany. It was always the same. In the Russo-Japanese War, the Japanese were told of the horrors of the Russian and his bayonet and bullet. Yet to-day the Japanese were supplying the Russians with bayonets £ etc., and yet none of the horrors were haD- pemng. To the German mother, the British Army is a menace; and to the British mother 'the German army i's a menace. And to the whole world any soldier is a menace, and a stumbling ° | block in the path of progress. j| In 1908, he wrote a pamphlet against milita- ]|^ rism, and he meant to stand bv it to-day. He thought all men should be brothers, and ilj the only way this could be brought about was i\\ by making a firm stand against militarism in England at least Even though they suffered jIf the fate of others who suffered before them. || (Loud and continued applause.)

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THE PALACE. Manager, HALL-JONES. Comfort, Refinement and Amusement. Monday to Wednesday, the great Society Drama, in five parts— THE HEART OF A PAINTED WOMAN Featuring the gifted and versatile Actress, Olga Pretrova. The Great Serial-THE BROKEN COIN- "The Deluge," Episode 15. Thursday to Saturday, a distinctive portrayal of Hil¥y Chandler's romantic tale of an actress-her struggles, her success, and her final release from the labyrinth-THE LABYRINTH, in five parts. HIS FAVOURITE PASTIME. WHEN FATE WAS KIND-Special Drama in three parts. On and after May 15th railway privilege tickets will nut be accepted. Children's Special Entertainment every Saturday morning at 10.15. 1 d., 2d. and 3d. Merthyr Electric Theatre Manager J, BOWEN. Monday to Wednesday, May 1st to 3rd—A Sensational Detective Story. CHARLES DE LA RUE, Crime Investigator- On the Track of the Vampires. Four reels of tense sensation. Thursday to Saturday, May 4th to 8th- VULTURES OF LONDON A gripping Story of the Underworld of London. Three parts. This story is founded on actual fact. ■ In addition Grand Full Star Programme. ECLAIR JOURNAL with all the Latest Mews. 2.30 to 10 o'clock daily. Popular Prices-3d., 6d. & Is.  #ow l I THEATRE ROYAIj I T AND EMPIRE PALACE, MERTHYR. L i I 6.45- TWICE NIGHTLY. 8.45. I Monday, May 1st, 1916, and during the Week. G. CARLTON WALLACE'S J • WORLD-FAMED PRODUCTION- j f The A Enemy in Our Midst! j ? A Startling Up-to-the-Moment Play in Eleven Scenes. ISEE THE GREAT ZEPPELIN RAID. j !J BRITISH GUNS & BIPLANE VERSUS GERMAN ZEPPELIN. i j DON'T MISS THIS GREAT ATTRACTION. g TIMES AND PRICES AS USUAL. It It It .I Did You Get Your Copy of The Trade Unionist FOR APRIL? "THE TRADE UNIONIST" Is the "Hottest" and Most Revolutionary Indus- trial Organ in the World. It is out for nothing less than the Complete Eman- cipation of the Workers from Capitalist and Military Thraldom. It is entirely independent of all Labour Leaders and Political Parties, and exists only to voice the Real Feeling of THE RANK AND FILE. Supported by Sale-i, Subscriptions, and Voluntary Contributions. The April Issue of "The Trade Unionist" con- tains some blazing material both for Socialists aud Syndicalists also a Full Account of the Clyde Strike. Order at Once Price Id. Monthly, or 1/6 Annually. Post Free to any Part of the World. Send 1/6 for One Quire to sell at Branch or other Meeting. E. L. PRATT, 21 High Street, Bloomsbury, London, W.C. THERE 18 ONLY ONE OINTMENT THAT CURES And this is snpplied by Chemists and the MANNINA OINTMENT CO., FISHGUARD, And is sold in Three Strengths—1, 2 & 3. National Insurance Acts. Merthyr Miners' Approved Society. THE ANNUAL MEETING Of the above will be held at the Assembly Rooms, Angel Buildings, MERTHYR, on MONDAY, MAY 1st, 1916, Commencing 6 o'clock. Members, Please Note, GET YOUR I TOBACCO I AT Our Shop 74a, Pontmorlais, Merthyr. PROGRESSIVE LITERATURE Kept in Stock or got to order. DOWLAIS DEMOCRATS, NOTE! A GREAT Nie, eting Will be held in the BASEMENT HALL, CARNEGIE LIBRARY, On SUNDAY NEXT, APRIL 30, 1916 WlIE Mr. W. H. EVANS Will speak on "THE GREAT PEACE." MOUNTAIN ASH. JUVEMILE ENTERTAINMENT AT BROTHERHOOD.— At the Mountain Ash Brotherhood Church, on Wednesday and Thursday last the Sunday School scholars of this place of worship gave an entertainment. The first part consisted of ac- tion songs, which were well performed, and met with a most enthusiaastic reception. In the se- cond part the musical play, "The Sleeping Beau- ty. was performed. This was well staged, and the principal characters did justice to their parts the dialogue part giving ample scope to the elocutionary abilities of the performers. The musical items were well rendered, and reflected much credit on Mss M. Wilkins. L.L.O.M, who had been responsible for their training. Prog- i,,airnm,e.: -Paa-t 1: Action song, "Beautiful Star," Girls recitations, A Wasted Life and The Pit of Death," Sam Brooks; action song, The Tall Pop Hat," Boys; action song, The Stocking Menders," Girls; action song, The Crossing Sweepers, Boys; musical selections, Miss M. Wilkins. Part 2: "The Sleeping Beauty King, Sam Brooks; Queen, Eveline Bolwell; Mayflower (the Princess), Lizzie Jane leges'; Prince Valiant, Willie James Jones; The Nurse, Edith Euston; Fairy Rose, Selina Mere- dith Fairy Lily, Dorothy Barman; Fairy Orocus, Violet Evans; Nettlestring, The Wicked Crocus, Lizzie Davies; King's Attendlt Willie Fairy, J. Rees. Mr. John Card was responsible for the stage arrangements. The following also took part:—Boys: Willie Brooks; Jackie Brooks; Frank Wilkins John H. Davies Charley Roach Rees Rowh Evan Watkins I George Meredith; Edgar Meredith; Tommy Davies; Merlin Davies and Idris Bolwell. Girls: Maggie Euston; Iris Euston; Emily Meredith; Flome -Bateman; Ol- ive Clode Rose Evans .Florrie Price; Annie Price; Nellie Davies; Hettie Davies Doris Tro- mans; Irene Tromans; Jessie Williams; Rachel Williams; Maggie Roach; Sarah Roach; Alice Roach Eileen Brooks; Elsie Watkins Gertie Davies; Bessie Davies; Mag Vanstone Lily Thomas; Gertie Bevan; Muriel Lewis and Eva, Jonee.

Welsh Baptist Singing Festival. I SPLENDID MUSIC AT BETHANIA, DOW- LAIS. This annual event took place on Tuesday in Bethanda Chapel, kindly lent for the dccasion. Much preparatory work had been accomplished by th& local conductors, and the festival was looked forward to with a great deal of interest. Prior to the Gymanfa three rehearsals had been held on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon and nfeht, at which the appointed conductor, Mr David Ellis, R.C.M., London, the great tenor vocalist, had oharge. The work accom- plished at these meetings proved a sufficient guarantee for expecting great things on the day of the festival. The morning meeting waa exclusive for the children, who showed evidence of having been well taught, the altos especially being well to the fore. The favourites were: "Dewch, hI-ant bychain"; Mol-io'n llawen"; "Unwaith am byt h"; "LIef y cenhadon"; and" Deuwch oil dan faner dirwest." The march, Gwawr yr Efengyl," was also masterly rendered. The afternoon and evening meetings were for the adults. The huge edifice was crowded, and scores failed to gain admittance. Gobaith" Abergwesin," composed by Mr. J. T. Jones, outfitter, Dowlais; Whitfo-rd" Jubili" "Beverly" Peaceful Rest Bozra "Austria"; "Gwaredigaeth Pedr" (Dr. Parry); and "Cymod," composed by Mr. W. Davies, Muriel Terrace, were beautifully sung, and had to be repeated again and again. The anthems chosen this year were Bydd melus cofio j cyfamod" (Isalaw), and Professor D, C. Wil- liams' magnificent composition, By the waters of Babylon." These had been well prepared, and the choristers had mastered the various difficulties in the compositions, and well de- served the praises of the conductor and the musical critics, present for their great perform- ance. The sopranos were rich and resonant in tone their top notes being sung with remarkable ease. The contraltos were a revelation, and as the conductor remarked when complimenting them. it was the exception rather than the rule for that voice to be prominent in musical fes- tivals these days. The basses were rich, deep and mellow; but the tenor part suffered through lack of members. The Baptists are im- proving year by year, and It is to be hoped the local conductors will unearth a few more ten- ors in order to make the balance of tone more even. Their festival this year has been such that it will never be forgotten, and a great factor towards its success, besides those al- ready mentioned, has been the wonderful part played by the conductor. Mr. Ellis is well known as a great artiste on the coneert platform, but as a wielder of the baton he was unknown. However, he has made a name in this festival in a new role; he inspired the singers with his own enthusiasm and succeeded in getting each individual to do just what he required. The importance he attached to pianissimo singing deserves a word of praise, because festival com- mittees are apt to omit tunes requiring a great amount of "piano" singing. Mr. Ellis is to be congratulated upon his insistence in this par- ticular direction. His fame as an excellent conductor rapidly spread, and the huge edifice was crowded at each meeting. The afternoon and evening services had to be commenced long before the appointed time. and the evening mee- ting being crowded an hour before commencing. The following recited and song during the various meetings: Misses Jemima Jones; Bes- sie Williams; Gwladys Evans; May. Howells and Messrs David Thomas; D. J. Williams and A. J. Lewis. The presidents were Messrs R Jones, and the Revs J M Hughes, J B Jones, H Ellis and W. Oeinfryn Thomas. Owing to Mr Arthur Hughes. ARCO, the appointed organist, joining His Majesty's Forces. Mr J. T. o,rganist, ?lrmon organist, eSioi?ed at the great organ with marked abi1ity being specially complimented by the conductor for his able ser- vices. The local conductors -%Yeire: -Cfhildren Messrs. Tom Phillips (Moriah); Tom Jones (EI- im); Wat-kin Evans (Caersalem); and Mordecai Williams (Hebron). Adults: Messrs D. Jones (Moriah); T. Rees (Elim); John Lewis (- Hebron) and D. B. Evans (Caersalem), The officers of the committee were;: --Ohairman.: Mr. Rich- ard Jones (Moriah); vice-chairman, Mr. H. Jenkins (Caersalem); treasurer, Mr W. Davies (Moriah); and Secretary, Mr D. B. Evans, Peny- diarren Boys' School; the latter being warmly thanked by Mr EHis. R.C.M., for his great services towards making the festival the bril- liant success it was.