Monmouth Guardian and Bargoed and Caerphilly Observer

THE RUSSIAN VIOLINIST AT I BARGOED. I To the Editor. I Sirt-You published in your last week's issue what appeared to me to be a fairly fall and fairly accurate account of the now famous concert held at the Workmen's Institute on January 26th, when the Russian violinist, Soermas, appeared. There has been much fuss about that concert, and a great deal of ignorant cant and rubbish talked about it, mostly by people who were I not there and whose chief desire is not to know what really happened. They don't want to know because they think it is patriotic to say any kind of lie that occurs to them aboiit people whose great offence is that they pre- sume to differ from the opinions of their angust critics. Now, air, let any unprejudiced person read the account of Soermus' remarks as reported by yourselves, and let them quote for our instruction in your next issue any single word that could, in the slightest degree, justify the suggestion that Soermas was preaching a revolution, whereby the streets of Bargoed would be running with blood. Not a single word even remotely suggestive of that was ever uttered by the man. Had he done so, I should, as chairman of that meeting, promptly have stopped him. But since he did not nrge any- thing of the kind, J think it a monstrous shame to have aoouaed a stranger of any such thing. The whole incident of the inter- ruption lasted about three minutes. Certainly not more. Everyone present had enjoyed a brilliant violin recital. Your own report admits it. And Yt't because a soldier interrupted and wrongly accused Soermus of urging that our streets should be made to run with blood," the Press raise a hae°|and cry, and the man's livlihood is being threatened. Soermas made certain references to our Russian campaign. With his ob- jection to that campaign I am in en- tire agreement. How many soldiers ever enlisted for service in a Cam- paign in Russia long after Belgium was released, Germany defeated and the Armistice arranged ? Ask any soldier either in Bargoed or out of it if he eulisted for that purpose? We i all know what the trathfal answer I should be. Moreover, suppose Eng- land were being invaded by Russia and some of our panting patriots were in Russia. Would they then take a different view from Soermus ? As for the anonymous correspond- ent Puzzled," who did a little scribbling in your paper last week, may I ask him why he has not the courage to put his own name to the letter ? And if he was present at the concert, why did he not ask a question? Never yet, while I have been chair. man at a meeting have I refused a question which honestly seemed to seek information. Why not be open and frank ? He has a right to his opinion and to state it openly. Why be afraid to let us know his name:f Sir, I make an appeal for the use of a little common senae in connection with this matter of Bolshevism. If a man wants to shorten the hours of his labotfr today, he is denounced as a Bolshevist. If he thinks he is badly paid he is called a Bolshevist If he believes in the Labour Party, he is a Bolshevist! I venture to say, sir, r that 99 out of every 100 people who use that word have a" aw glimmer-1 ing of a notion as to what it means But it makes no difference. Any kind of meanness, any kind of lie, any kind of ignorant abuse is good enough to hurl at the I.L.P. The other day it was German gold that we had, now it is Russian gold we are said to be ro ceiving. And after 41 years of spy- ing upon us, in spite of all the prizes offered to anyone who could bring the evidence to convict its of receiving such money (Lord Nortboliffo offerH ieiooo) not one single momber of the I.L. P. has been pros&cuted, let alone convicted, or any sueh charge. So much for the lying by the malignant Press. As for the charge of being Bolsheviks, I entirely repudiate that statement as far as the I.L. P. is con- cerned. In so far as we know what has happened to Russia (and no one knows in England the whole truth and therefore cannot pass a final judgment) we cannot associate our- selves with the policy of the Bolsheviks in any large measure. We sympath- ise, naturally, with their desire to es- tablish a Socialist state but that is not to say that we by any means agree with the method of achieving that end. For my own part, I strongly lobjeot. to the adoption of violence whether it be by armies of Bolsheviks, of Trade Unionists, of policemen, or of soldiers. 1 entirely accept the dictum of Napoleon who said" The more I study the world, the more am I convinced of the inability of brute force to create anything durable. Yours, etc., MORGAN JONES, 21, Park-cresoent, MOBGA,N Joiizo, I Bargoed.

BONUS SHIFT WAGES. I A meeting of the South Wales Coal Conciliation Board was held on Monday. Mr Finlay A. Gibson, in his official report, said that the Board considered an application from the workmen's representatives that all workmen working bonus shifts or seven days per week should have in- creased wages a ad should be paid overtime rates for the time worked betwean Saturday afternoon and Monday morning. The owners' representatives stated that such a proposition was quite contrary to the old-established practice and custom of the' coalfield, and the owners could not agree to such a suggestion. The Board considered several questions arising under the recent agreement fixing the hours of surface workman,

COMRADES OP THE ORE AT WAR. BARGOED ASSOCIATION. I The first general meeting of the Comrades of the Great War was held at the Hanbury Assembly Rooms, Bargned, last week. The chair was taken by Mr A. J. Barber, who, in a brief address, emphasised the necessity of organising a non-pulitioil association such as he was convinced the Comrades of the Great War were in. as in the near future the necessity would be so much greater than at present. In the absence of Mr Montague Thacker, Mr A. E. Rossiter briefly outlined the objects of the organisation and answered questions satisfactorily. A goodly number of members were enrolled. Tho officers electad were :-Mr G. Pliliimore, Llanoayo-street, chairman; Mr M. A. Turner, 83, Cardiff-road, j secretary; Mr A. Kedward, 34, Henry- street, treasurer. A committee of six comrades was elected. It was arranged for all inquiries to be reftv red to the secretary, Central Chambers, High-street., Ba goed. In proposing i hearty vote of tlnnks co Mr Biirb,-r, Mr Rossiter stated he made no apology to anyone for the presence of Mr Barber, as he con- sidered it was only showing apprecia- -ion for the good work that Mr Barber had dne during tho War. This was heartily endorsed by ail •v-eswrit. Meetings will be held u he Hulbucy Assembly Rooms every etlèday at 7 p.m., where a heafty j cavitation is ex vended to ali dipchatged and demobilised men to attend.

"THE MESSIAH" NEXT WEEK AT RMYMNEY. I What is being regarded as one of I the big musical feasts of the year will be provided the public of Rhymney and district on Thursday and Friday eveniogs next, when the Glyn Elyrch Choral Society, under the able con- ductorship of Mr Daniel Owen, will aive grand performances at the Vic- toria Hall of Handel's masterpiece, The Messiah." The beautiful nmaic of this famous oratorio needs no introduction. No effort is being spared by the talented conductor and his choir in giving the public a high- class treat, and with such eminent artistes and an efficient orchestra, the expectations of the keenest critic can scarcely fail to be realised, The artistes are Soprano, Miss Mair Jones, Carmarthen, of the lead- ing provincial concerts, and National prize winner; contralto, Miss Mary Richards, U-C W., Rhymney; tenor, Mr W. John Jones, A.C., Rhymney bass, Mr Glanville Davies, Maesteg, winner of scores of prizes and other trophies at National and semi- National festivals. We are asked to announce that a special performance for children will be given on Thursday afternoon, at 4-30, to which ticket- holders will also be admitted. This will give an opportunity to Nightman of witnessing The Messiah. a *mt

DEMOBILISATION IMPASSE. At a meeting of the Sooth Wales and Monmonthdhire Coalfield Concilia- tion Board on Monday the question of demobilisation was discassed. The workmen's side informed the owners' side that the South Wales miners" delegate conference had declined to accept the recommendations of the District Demobilisation Committee for dealing with questions affecting the re-instatement of discharged soldiers. Mr Evan Williams (chair- man, owners' side) replied that this meant in fact that an impasse had been reached, but no responsibility now rested with the owners for auy difficulty arising, as the owners had been perfectly willing to carry out their pledge. Llanbradach Colliery was idle that day in conseq uence of the rejection by the delegate con- ference of the recommendations of the Joint Committee, and nearly 200 dis- charged soldiers were waiting em- ployment, whereas if the recommenda- tions of the Joint Committee had been acoepted, such men might have been given work without delay. It was arranged that an early meeting of the Joiut Demobilisation Committee be held to consider any difficulties at individual collieries. Mr Finlay A. Gibson (owners' secretary) reported that about 22,000 discharged soldiers and sailors had beeu employed at the collieries from the 13th November to the 25th of January, 1919 —-——

QWAELODYBRITHDIR CEME- TERY. It was reported by the Surveyor at the meeting ot the Gelligaer Urban Council on Tuesday with reference to the grave spaces at the Gwaelody- brithdir Cemetery, that the greater portion of Plot M. had been taken up, and a total of 173 graves are now occupied, with 201 interments. Out of this number 152 grave spaces have been purchased in perpetuity. Ac- cording to the regulations, persons requiring to purchase graves must do so within 12 months from the date of the first burial. He (the Surveyor) would be glad to know whether the council agreed to the persons who had not purchased being given "a final notice that unless they purchase within a month, the grave would be used as a common grave, as he found that considerable space will be taken up unless use was made of the graves which had not been purchased.—It was resolved that notice be given to the persons who have not purchased their grave spaces, and that they jJe given option to pay within three months. ii

I If you want PRINTING done I Cheaply go to the Journal" Offioe, Bargoed* CALL TO-DAY at H. Samuel's, and see the magnîficnt of autiful Jewellery, Watches and Plate otkred at S?neatioital Money-saving reductions. )%???sAMD?eyMR? await you. Bargains it may be impossible t   S? ? to repeat. Seize this opportunity. ????r COLD CALL LOCKET. NOW I Pearl W'?..S.rS?M. CHARM!ttCCOLBBMOCH.!)?m)C?' i '? S WEDDING& New design. Set with PeMts&EZ  j  ? ?9? ?S vp cial Offer: IFULL MONTN'S 0) 00 dding Ring & TRIAL s'W the two t A utore MLD BRACELET G!Ps'y Via- WATCIL Fully, jewel- 60 0 taond- led. Five years 17 LUMINOUS WRIST W TC M timekeeper Handsome MAOMtMOtMT OF FISH-EATERL N Nickel Silver CMC. DISPLAY IN THB Six Electro Silver-plated ■ Nickel Silver Case. 10? WINDOWS TO-DAY! FtshKmves& Forks 27/6 ■ Special Sale Offer 172, COMMERCIAL S-r.5 22t 23 & 26a, HIGH ST. NEWPORT. If 111111. t. tail, write for Fru CaU'ogus. I 14 11 n. MRlCn 51""

N S P C C. AND CHILD NEGLECT I The National Society for the Pre- vention of Cruelty to Children inves- tigated 2,565 complaints of neglect and cruelty in England, Wales and Ireland during the mnnth of Decem- ber. Of the 2,520 completed cases, 2,457 were found true, affecting the welfare of 7,165 children, and involv- ing 3,087 offenders. Warnings were issued in 2,204 cases 91 were prose- cuted (resulting -in 88 convictions), and J62 were dealt with in other ways. In the Merthyr Branch during the same month eleven cases were dealt with, affecting 26 children. The local office of the society is at 4, Fair View-terrace. Merthyr.

IN THE CLOUDS. I An Australian airman writes en- thMiaatioalIy io the February Pear- son's Magazine" of the beauty of ciouds. I tvonder," he says, how many Londoners realise that-over those floating clouds, looking murky grey underneath, and sometimes the colour of an ordinary lead pencil—if the pilot in an aeroplane finds a break and goes through to the top, he is in a vast new region of dazzling white plains and towering peaks all in the clear sunshine. "Bat it is the ever-changing shape and colour of the mountains of cloikds that form their wonder. In the early autumn (in Franc(,) there used to be clouds almost filling the space between 2,500 feet and 7,000 to 8,000 feat. That deep layer of from 4,000 to 5,000 feet in depth was a mass of caves and oiverns underneath and in the centre, but on top billowy, round, bulgy, woolly, soft, white mountains, with here and there a peak balanced by the giant of jugglers. I usually went round these big icebergs, though they don't smash the plane on contact; the plane just sinks into them, the only feeling of contact being extra heavy bumps, owing to the moisture and varying warmth of air. One day I was seeking a track for bomb-dropping without being enveloped, and found a long tunnel running in the right direction.. In, that tunnel I suddenly met one of my own squadron coming the other way. He dived into the clouds below to avoid me, and I only found out at mess that night who it was."

————— —— The Executive Committee of the National Union of Railwaymen, con- sidering tha,t the salary now paid to Mr J. II. Thomas, the General Secre- tray, is totally inadequate, has placed on the agenda for the next annual general meeting an amendment to the rules to increase his salary from 8350 to 9700 per annum.

The new Parliament was opened on Tuesday afternoon in the House of Lords by a Royal Commission, con- sisting of the Lord Chancellor, Earl of Crawford, and others. The House of Commons assembled at 2.45 p.m. on the same day, when Mr Lowther was reflected speaker.

I!iI. p -p T. J. HARRIS, A.R.C.g. (Late of Weatminater Cathedral), Double Exhibitioner and Prize Winner Royal College of Music, 1918, GIVES LESSONS IN Organ and Pianoforte Playing, Voice Training, Theory, Harmony, Counterpoint, Composition, &e. Candidates Prepared for Reliable Examinations. RHIMNEY VISITED. For Terms apply at LONDON HOUSE, RHYMNEY. EM PI It NEW TREDEGAK. General Manager A. J. HURD. 7-SO. ONCE NIGHTLY.. 7-30. MONDAY, FEB. I Oth, And during the Week. Welcome Return Visit OF THE ROYAL SCARLET ENTERTAINERS This Company make an ENTIRE CHANGE of Programme on Thursday. TO MY VALLEY PATRONS. Through alterations in the Train Service, WE WILL NOT RING UP UNTIL 7-45 P.M. Thus allowing you nice time to come from Tirphii Station, and NOT SO LONG TO WAIT for the Up Train. ABERGAVENNY EASTElt MONDAY EISTEDDFOD| | THl GREAT REVIVAL. THS GREAT REVIVAL. Attractive Choral and Solo Competitions. | ø- GOOD PRIZES. Preliminary Programmes and Entry 'I Forms, 3d. each (by Post, 34d.), from the Gen. Sec.. GEO. HARRIS, Harlyn, Aber- gavenny. Look out for announcement of Great Fete Attraction* on Easter Monday and Tuesday. PRINTING of every description I executed on the shortest notice at I the "Jourfial" Offices, Cardiff-read, Bargoed

LONDON LETTER. Londeft. Although Parliament WÜ1 not meet for some daye yet a large number of members, old and new, are in town. The political prospects are, of course, the subject of lively interest and discussion among them, and the general feeling seems to be that the new House of Commons will be a strenuously active' assembly, and that there will be no lack in any part of the House of the desire to tackle boldly and promptly the great programme which the Govern- ment has in hand. Members of all parties realise that the oountry is in dead earnest, that it will be impatient of partisan and factious opposition, and that it will e.ct it? legi?Iatoia to reflect both in the spirit and in the ktter of their work the new and splendid unity which ia everywhm abroad. I THE PEACE CONFERRNCK. The proceedings at the Quai d'Orsay, Paris, are being watched with an interest which corresponds to their tremendous im- portance. I have heard many reeponsible men express the hope that the splendift speeches delivered by the French President in opening the Peace Conference, and by President Wilson, Mr. l-.loyd George, and M. Clemenceau. in connection with the elec- tion of the !;»tter as its President, will be I circulated wi My in a popular form. Cer- tainly a perusal of them ibould suffice to convince any man that the conference is animated by be fame fruitful unity which brought victory in the war, and that it is i determined tproceed without any avoid- able delay wnati'ver with a solution of the great problems before it. The Prime Minis- ter and his colleagues there must continue, and I am sur will continue, to be supported by the continence of the nation, and by ita steadiness dv.ring this portentous period. LABOUR UNBTSST. The clear indications that have been given during the week that the Peace Conference win endeavour to arrive at international understand:]'? to the advantage of Labour in all the c-.vitries involved will, it is to be hoped, have the effect of discounting any violent con t>sels which may be current among, the organised workere, of the country. TH- serious manifestations of Labour unrest at this moment are much to be deplored. No doubt there are genuine grievances, is it open to doubt that the Government is both willing and anxious to secure their removal, and to assist in every po,ible way lie maintenance of industrial peace. Labour has made conspicuous and most creditsih> sacrifices during the war. It. mur-t rem nber that the war is not yet over. and that anything tending to hamper the prompt conclusion of a durable pcaee is little calculct d to promote either its influ- ence or its permanent interests. THE HOUSE CHORTAOB. The shorts "o of houses, particularly small houses, is b- n^ felt pretty keenly by con- siderable numbers of people in London and in the hvrg- r provincial towns and cities. As Mr. Llovl George said, in the course of the General Election campaign, this prob- lem of housing will have to be dealt with drastically end soon. There is no reason whatever for supposing that it will not be | so dealt with. But to hear some people talk one would think that houses could be made to descend miraculously from the heavens or be produ-ed by some act of inscrutable magic oat o" the bowels of the earth at a monVnt's .dioo. The house shortage is un- t doiibtedlv serious. But during the war, when air raids were feared, one heard of people who, Tiavin g left their normal resi- dences could find 86 accommodation and had to -:pen(I niprhts walking about. I have not heard of folk being reduoed to thig ex- tremitv lately. TH* PoRTuouaaa "REVOLUTION." The news out of Portugal during the week has been more interesting than defi- nite, but Loudonersare more concerned about the personal than the political aspect of the matter. King Manuel's beautiful house at Twickenham has become a centre of charit- able works, and the exiled king has taken an industrious part in them. I remember seeing King Manuel some time ago at a bazaar in aid of some suburban charity, and I was much impressed by his unost-entatiou8 geniality. People here will watch his for- tune therefore with a lively regard, al- though they are a little disposed. and indeed "little qualified from the information avail- able, to express opinions as to the internal position in Portugal, a country which both as a monarchy and a republic has been consistent'y friendly to us. LAND FOR SOLDIKRS. I Mr. Lloyd George, in the course of the General Election, pointed out that one of the first mhltem which must be dealt with on the assembling of the new Parliament is the question of land for soldiers. The Go- vernment is known to have given careful consideration to this matter in all its bear- ings long before the General Election, and certain sche. ies had been drawn up. During this week, I understand, those schemes have been re-examined and developed with the result that a plan has been decided upon which is calculated to accomplish the end in view. Cottages with an acre of land, and farms run on co-operative principles are among the Government proposals. Despite complaints in some quarters as to alleged delay ia de tling with this matter, it will be clear to anyone who will consider all the facts that the Government is acting as piomptlv as it can. The proposals made nio to be introduced in a Bill in the forthcom- ing session d Parliament. How could tl?y have been !mde. cff<'cti\e eulier1 The Pre. mier is fulfilling his promises both in the letter and i" the spirit. v

I TO ADVERTISERS. I In consequence of the enormous increase ic the price >f material and labour con lerued in t>e production of Newspapers, we have rtMred our scale of charges for all icinds of ad' ettising. In the case of small adverti&euu rts of the Wanted. To Let, &c., Class, the -cal.e in\ future will be M tollowa — No. of One Three Six Words. Insertion. Insertions, Insertions, s. d. a. d. a. d. 12 1 6 8 0 6 0 20 2 0 4 0 6 0 28 2 6 4 6 7 0 36 3 0 5 0 8 0 For Business and Trade Announcements made in tho. -arne columns as above, the I charge wiii be We per line, and in both IWN they a _h'