Pioneer

I Bargoed Notes. I Good for Bob." The report of tie Buxton Conference has been the topic among the miners' lodges this wek. A notable feature was the tribute paid to "Bob" Smillie. Street Accident at Bargoed. On Saturday night last Miss Downing, in the employ of Lipton's, Limited, High Street, Bargoed, had been out with a posting wagon delivering orders, and on her return the driver tried to turn the wagon in front of the shop, with the result that it overbalanced, throwing the young lady out beneath the horse's feet, and she was kicked very badly. She was uncon- scious for some time. She was conveyed to her home at New Tredegar in a cab. On Tuesday she was reported to be progressing favourably. Accident at P.-ID. Colliery.. James W ilk ins, a workman in tire P.D. Col- liery, met with an accident on Monday evening, in which he had a fractured tkigh. He was conveyed to Aberbargoed Hospital. Pensions Committee. I The National War Pensions Committee has now been formed, and held their first meeting on Friday last. Mr Ben Hughes, chairman: Mr Walter Lewis, vice-chairman, elected for one year. Mr T. D. Jarman, clerk to the committee, who will in future pay out all monies at central places in each ward. The committe-e is constitu- ted of 27 members, 11 of whom had been selec- ted by the Old Age Pensions Committee. Five I females were to be appointed by the Council,. and tha remainder were the nominees of the various societies enumerated in the Act. The council then selected the following five ladies: Miss Mary Edmunds, Ystradmynaeh; Mrs. Dr. Maunsell, Tirphil; Mrs. Cole Jones, Fochriw; Mrs. T. C, Thomas, Bedlinog; and Mrs. W. Davies, Pontlpttyn. Mrs. T. D. Mathews, Bar- goed. was nominated by one society at Bargoed. Messrs. Walter Lewis, J.P., and W. T. Lloyd were the nominees of the Trades and Labour Council Mr Greenhow, Ystradmynach, and the Rev. Harri Edwards, Bargoed. the Soldiers' and I Sailors' Association. Mr W. J. Giles, Deri, and Rev. G. Williams, Pontlottyn, the Soldiers' Help Association. Messrs. Douglas A. Hann and G. M. Evans, Bedlinog. the colliery companies. Mr Havard (Bargoed) the Labour Exchange; and Mr F. Lewis, the Rhymney Valley Master Builders' Association. &

The Editor's Appeal. I s. d. ShHHngFund. s. d., Per Mr. Dd. Davies, Waunlwyd—Dd. Davies and .Family 16/6; Mr. and Mrs. Llewelyn & Family 12/ Mr. J. Evans 2/6; Mr. P. Mathews 2/6; Mr L. Price 2/6; Mr H. Shepperd 2/ Mr H. Keys 2 40 0 Mr. J. Drabble 2 6 Nemo 2 6 Apel at y Ddarllenwyr Cymreig ar ran y Pioneer." Pienydd Edwards, Bedlinog 2 6 47 6

The Betrayal of Ireland. I Those cynics who iind joy in the iteration and reiteration of the remark that "Politics are too dirty for clean men to dabble in," must have smiled sardonic- ally this week over the latest betrayal of Ire- land. by a Government professed only anxious for Imperial unity; a Government that has mag- nanimously taken up the sword in defence of small nationalities, and political undertakings. To the rest of us who are not cynics, the revelation of the perfidy of those wreckers who have again worked their wicked will, and this time in a moment of extreme criticalness to the whole body politic has brought no joy only regret that the shadow of justification for the Continently generalisation of perfidious Albion," should have been produced, and pro- duced against our own brothers-in-arms, and brothers by blood. We had hoped tha,t after the foolish and futile, tyye, and traitorous ac- tion of Casement in inciting his deluded and desperate countrymen to take up arms in civil war against England, and the subsequent agreement that was come to between Carson and Redmond, that the Irish problem was sett- led for the war, and the foundation laid for the ultimate complete settlement of this peren- nial cause of friction between the greater and lesser islands of Great Britain. The people of Britain, in their quiet unostentatious way, were pleased that a way out seemed possible-for the people have never understood the Irish pro- bleimi as we might have wished. The people have never escaped a feeling that the Irish were beyond their understanding in their vehe- ment call for self-government, and they have equally failed to comprehend tiie reasons that led noble lords and blue-blooded Tories in their equally virulent opposition to the desires of the people. The people is not the possessor of a Parliamentary standard of appraisement, but it has a standard of its own, and with its simple analogical reasoning it has failed to see the justice of giving self-government to the con- quered Dutchmen of South Africa, of leaving Australasia, and Canada free to legislate for themselves, whilst with- holding the same privileges from the older "colony" of Ireland. The people has refused to believe that the difference between a two-hours' sea journey and a two weeks or a two months aifected the principle that was linking the Empire into a free confederacy of Democratic English speaking peoples, and not even the continuance of sufficient Nationalist M.P,'8 to sway the Westminster balance against the Tories kas appealed to it as a cogent argu- ment. In its apathetic way the people has been in turn amused and bored over Ireland, and once or twice almost angry, but always the Home Rule agitation has had the major share of its sympathy—and now, by the stupen- dous folly of a party actuated poli- tician or politicians, the old wound has been cruelly ripped afresh; and that which was hitherto merely regarded as a disfiguring and chronic, but not insupportable, sore, may yet be fraught with dangers unthought, because of the I virus that has been injected under the new akin that we thought had begun to grow o'er the place. Not only may this latest dastardly attempt to trick Ireland by unscrupulous poli- ticians whose sense of honour is all for party and never for the State fire the resentment of Ireland; but there is the larger question of the distrust it has aroused in the English peo- ple to be, considered: Once distrust is. sown, as sown it has been this week, who can count the consequences ? The regret is that the Cabinet has not had the courage to stand by the com- promise tllu its own Ambassador had secured as between Redmoad and Carson, both of whom are to be sympathised with in the affair; and has not dared to say ''Nav" to the scheming traitors who would tarnish the name of politics in the Mother Parliament of the world. It is not too late now for the Cabinet to stand honourably by the first agreement an d to give to the sister isle—excluding the provinces of Ulster—local autonomy for the period of the war only thus can the opinion of England be expressed; only thus the dangerous ogre of dis- trust be laid; only thus that amicable spirit I of unity be secured between the two islands that is so necessary now in this critical hour of in- ternational Democratic history. I

1, Abertillery Notes. j Bertrand Russell at Abertillery. I On Thursday. July 20, the Hon. Bertrand Russell, M.A., visited Abertillery, addressing a meeting held at the Tillery Institute. The eve- ning was very warm, so that fact probably ac- counted for their being only, a. moderate aud- ience present. The address given was worthy of a far larger number of listeners. The promoters of the meeting were somewhat disappointed, but still the meeting was a success, as Bertrand Russell can depend on a larger audience- at any future visit. Mr Theo. Davies presided, and in his opening remarks referred to the posi- tion and work of Bertrand Russell, who was one of the true leaders of the peoples and or ideals. He mentioned the difficulty of ob- taining a room to hold that meeting in, and of the refusal of the churches of the town to allow the accommodation they could have given. He, for one, would remember the facts of the present when the war was over. Mr Russell gave a splendidly reasoned and logical address, which has left a .valuable impression on all who heard him. Afterwards the Peace Nego- tiation Resolution was moved and seconded in appropriate terms by Miss M. Pallister and Mr E. H. Wilson, being carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the lecturer moved by Mr McCracken, seconded by Mr Hoskins. concluded the meeting. Gale's Sentence. I A week Wednesday Tom Gale was court- martialled at Cardiff, on the usual grounds of Conscientious Objectors'—that of refusing to obey military orders. A number of other South Wales C.O.'s were tried at the same time. He has since bad his sentence announced- 112 days, the usual term. His parents have received the official notice informing them that he is in Cardiff Galol. There was some possibility of Tom Gale being released because of his occu- pation, that of colliery stoker. Some action, at least, appears to have been taken in that di- rection but It seesm to have been too late. The last heard of him he was quite cheerful, and quite prepared to suffer the penalties of his determined action against any interference with the course of his usual civil duties and obli- gations.

Cwmavon and Port Talbot Kotes. Cwmavon. Owing to an insufficient address and the con- sequent delay in transmission, a lettel- was re- ceived Tuesday morning from the Commander of his regiment sadly declaring that Sergt. W. Coleman was killed in action on the 13th of this month. He wrote home on the 11th stating that he anticipated a few days' leave, and on the day before he was killed he was promoted on the field from Corporal to Serge- ant. For some time he was a member of the I.L.P. The branch extends its deepest sympa- thy with the bereaved wife and children. The Limit. A few Sundays ago, a Sunday School teacher in one of our chapels—it does not matter which—put the following question to his class "If Christ came down to earth, who would be the first to persecute him?" His young schol- ars seemed at a loss, and felt embarrassed, and to help them out of their difficulty he made re- ply. The Socialists" The question naturally arises as to what pur- poses our Sunday Schools serve; is it to infuse in young minds a spirit of hatr, abuse, and prejudice, or to teach the doctrines of Christ? This may be an irrelevant question to ask; the case an isolated one; but it is on reeood. Child- ren enjoy the primitive impulse of initiation, and if they be allowed to imitate men of this type. the sooner Christ pays a visit to Cwm- avon the better It will be for the people in general. Pte.D.Daviee. H n 11 1 I ?- ? Private U. JJavies returned to ii0woLirF %ulfjp last Saturday. I received a letter from him this week stating that he expects to appear before the Medical Board in the near future. A Walking Tour. A considerable number ot comrades walked to Briton Ferry on Sunday evening to hear- Miss Sylvia Pa-nkhurst speak at the Public Hall. The weather was so delightful that they decided to walk home. One of the comrades, well known for his extreme modesty, felt the air so in- tensely hot, made more so bv the exertion of walking, that lie took off his coat, and tied his liandlcei.-chief-in bandana style—around his head to protect it against the intolerable at- tacks of insects. This gave him a somewhat ex- otic appearance, and he jogged along happily and sweetly oblivious, until he espied a pair of lovers coming ft is direction. Confusion and em- barrassment were at once apparent, and one could see him surreptitiously shifting his coat tit a desired position as a preliminary to putting it on again. As the bootblack s-aid, "There's mod- esty." Another comrade—neither young nor old-—grew reminiscent of holidays spent at Ab- erayon in company with other comrades of un- certain ages. Our friend, surprised out of his habitual reticence (on things frivolous, at least) grew so eloquent that the birds in the tree- tops secretly whispered together as if criticising his reminiscences of passionate moments spent in A berayron. Dick Wallhead near the Police Statian. "Dicky" Wallhead., always enthusiastically received in South Wales, succeeded in attract- ing a large crowd a. week Tuesday near the Police Station. I think I shall have to find a name for this place, "Near the Police Sta- tion. How would "Evans' soother" go? Port Talbet. A letter was received from befwyn Jones, now a,t Kinmel Park, at the beginning of the week, stating that he had been sentenced to twe years hard labour, and was expecting to lw, removed to *[ L i ve-i-pool. Walton Gaol, Liverpool. The letter is very cheerful, and manifests an indomitable spirit. I will quote you one sentence which ehara-cterises hie letter: "I would prefer serving 62 years' hard labour rather than give up my principles." Good! Ta.l Mainwaring awl Harry Thomas have I come in the final ballot for the position of In- spector of Miners under thQ Federation.

Ystradgynlais Notes. The Park Mill Outing. Between 30 and 40 Ystradgynlais Comrades made the journey to Park Mill last Saturday, and. spent a most emjoyable day in the comp- any of the members of other I.L.P. branches in the West Wales Federation. The climatic condi- tions could not be better, and bathing and paddling were the order of the day. Lunch at the Gower started the proceedings, followed by a walk to the beach.. On the way we. came ac- ross some comrades chasing a huge sea trout in a pond.* Seeing the hopelessness of. these pseudo-fishermen meeting with success, one of our party. a skilful "under hand" fisherman, donned a 'bathing costume ;ind entered the pool. After considerable manoeuvring, and the use of volumes of classical epithets, the int- repid wader managed to stab the finny monster with Gregory's 10/6 knife. This latter, how- ever, failed to stand the strain, so it was ab- andoned in favour of a lady's hatpin, which again was discarded in favour of a pocket knife. Soon the man in the water was notic- ed to be at grips with his prey. Suddenly out from the muddy pond came the glittering fish, right against the crowd of girls and young men, who were so engrossed in the struggle, drenching them to the skin. Unfartunately; before the crowd had recovered from their sur- prise, the fish was once more back in the water. But not for long, for A—— was soon back in the same position as before, and when the crowd had cleared, thinking the fisherman in- tended repeating his feat, he walked out oJ the water with the remark. "Bøth wyt ti yn feddwl am dy 'ewyrth mawr?" with the huge fish suspended from his finger. When weighed the trout scaled over three pounds, and measured I, over two feet. Bathing took up most of the re- maining time before tea. On the beacn was a sensational "peep-show," which the Ystradgyn- lais comrades did not fail to appreciate. Even one of the most learned men in the party was struck with it, and greatly admired the per- formers. After tea the boys returned to Swan- sea to visit the Grand. They, however, were I overtaken by the second brake whilst regaling themselves, and another four Socialists w hom they had come across at the "Black Boy." Three of these four Socialists were blind boys from Swansea, and after L- had sung the "Red Flag" at least six times W- R entranced these blind boys with his rendering of the "Blind Boy"—and all this at the Black Boy Inn. After further adventures at the Gro- venor we arrived at Ystradgynlais about 12.30 Sunday morning, charmed with the day's ad- ventures. A char-a-banc trip to' the country villages of Brecon is next on the cards. Public Meeting. News has come to hand that F. W. Jowett, M.P., will speak at Ystradgynlais on Sunday evening, August 13. Probably there will be a meeting for I.L.P. members from the locality and other districts on Sunday afternoon, when tea may be provicled.

Abercynon Objectors' Sentences. The Abercynon ConscientiQIIIS Objectors — Emrys Hughes and Co." as they are familiar- ly hnown— were recently court-martialled at Devizes for refusing to obey" the lawful com- mand of a superior officer at the military pri- son there"—-as was fully reported in last Fri- day's Pioneer." The sentence was promulga- ted last week as follows: 21 month's hard labour, commuted to 8 months' hard laboar. The boys have since been removed to the Somerset County Gaol at Shepton Mallet, so that they are now, appaa'ently, in the hands of the civil authorities.

ABERCANAID & PENTREBACH BAN* ON -H,IVIFRS.IDF,The Municipal Band is to visit Abercanaid OR Monday evening next, when a splendidly assorted miscellaneous programme will be submitted on the Riverside Field. Since its reformation under Mr Mill- ward as secretary and Mr Laverock as con- ductor, there has been a marked improvement in the quality of the programmes, the efficiency of the ensemble, and theo general musicianly fa- shion in which the work is tackled and car- ried through. Of course, there is a lot of work still to be done 'before Merthyr recovers the position it once held—in the time of the Craw- shay control-in the instrumental world but it is well on its way towards supremacy in South Wales, a further big step having been made this week by the securing of Corporal Lucy, Merthyr's D.S.O., who holds the military bandmaster's certificate, and was a well-known regimental euphonium player with the Buffs' Band. He is without question one of the best players in South Wales, and his acquisition is a huge piece of luck for the Municipal Band. SUNDAY SCHOOL THEATS ,-The Sunday schools of Demi. G.r&ig and Zion, Abercanaid, held their annual tea parties on Thursday week last. Tihe schools were well represented in a parade through the streets of Abercanaid, then part- ing to their respective places for tea. Zion School were entertained at Penrhonen Farm. The weather was glorious, and the children of the three schools had a jolly time in sports, etc during the evening. The adults of the various places of worship need to pay more at- tcrtion to their Sunday school if the religious instruction of the young is to be properly car- ed for in future. I.L.P. AN» THE RIGHT OF ASYLUM. --At A meeting of the Abercanaid I.L.P. last Sunday night a resolution was passed protesting ag- ainst the action of the Government in taking from Russian exiles the right of asylum, by either forcing them to join the British Army or to be deported back to Russia. The meeting felt that the right of asylum should be fearless- ly guarded at all costs. This privilege of asy- lum having IKHMI in existence for over a hundred: years, and has been the source, of pride to Bri- tishers. The resolution will be forwarded to the N.A.C.

The Electric Theatre. What 1 said last week about the Electric programme being full weight and overflowing; even for a November bill, might with equal accuracy have been written of this week's double bills, as I anticipated. Indeed, I myself prefer the two programmes of the .current week -io those of the preceding seven days. "A Man's Sacrifice,) NiTiliwl was the big feature irons Monday to yesterday, surpasses in dramatic in- terest anything I have previously seen from the Western studios, whilst the photography is quite up to the very high level that these Am- erican photoplays have ever been noted for. It is a romance of gold-hunting and love that is sparklingly fresh and original, and as the plot unwraps one is surprised at the unfoldment of the story, though, looking back, that story is natural and without the flaw of impossibilis.M. that too frequently mars the memory of just such pictures. I have often described the "Diamond from th^ Sky" as the most amazing as t h e?- ,-nost a,l-llazl llg serial ever filmed, and each instalment does but confirm me in. that judgment. The interest never flags, and one gets to look forward with something of impatience to the developments of tins remarkable picture yarn. There was' too, an excellent two-reel little, story, The Thunder- bolt," as wen as, a fille comedy number and the ever-interestinyji "News" Gazette. 1 Q- d ay (Thursday) the great sporting drai la, "By the Shortest" of Heads, was screened as the leading pciture, and I venture to think that once those who have seen it tell their friends of its unusual merit and interest—and they cannot help but do tJutt-not, even this boiling weather will prevent the sporting elem- r ent of Merthyr from packing the house, and working the young iady at the pay box so hard that she will enteranappheatlon for an increase of wages. It is in the photoplay world what "The Whip" was on the stage, and -to thQ *popular the works of Nat Gould are to the popular novel reader—the very cream of sporting dra- ma. One feels the grip that only comes to ther track frequenters at big meetings, and t'he glow c, of manliness that follows participation in the sport that is true sport. It is snappy with the rim of outdoor life and breezy personalities. It is, to be short, an excellently told yarn, with a plot that makes it worth watching, and acting that proves conclusively that the caste was thoroughly wrapped up in their parts. It is a dastardly plot of the Steel Rings that is de- feated in the current chapter of "Greed," a plot that hut for the timely efforts of the Labourite would have wrecked ,a warship with its wealth of1 life, and precipitated a ghastly war with its wastage of money and men. It is the naturalness of this that gives "Greed" its unique place in social cinematography—a place on which I have all along insisted. One can see at once how as a business proposition this contemplated war would enrich the plotters, and how considerations of dollars in denomina- tions of millions does actually outweigh the humane view in such cases. It is still time to take up the film if you have not done so; ev- ery part is complete in itself, and every part is worth seeing—a more, important consideration from every point of view. Next Monday is to bring a programmer with a remarkable photo drama of Hawaii— "The Cry of the First Born," said to be one of the greatest films that even the celebrated Trans- Atlantic people have turned, out. As a drama it has few peers, whilst the "insight it gives into Hawaiian life is full of an interest one does not look for in such plays. "The Diamond from the Sky" continues its exciting course in the title of "The Web of Destiny." "The Face in the Moonlight," which tops the second half of the week's programm e, is an exciting story of Napoleonic conspiracy, featu- ring Robert Warwick in his greatest characteri- sation. "Greed" deals with the Copper Trust, and the Copper King meets a deserved fate. Ep- isode 10 of "The Girl of Lost Island" is another startling production which none should miss. It is called "Backed '.y the Navy." PLAYGOER.