The Cambria Daily Leader

THE BATTLE AND THE SONG LLOYD CEORGE HITS OUTI TRENCHANT DEFENCE OF WAR- TIME EISrtODFSO In a specch brimful of confidence, yet with warning notes to the nation of the. kuit and trying days to follow the war, Mr. Lloyd George defended the war-time Eisteddfod at Aberystwyth against, passing criticisms. Why should we not sing during the war? Wdot; the question he put torward. lie tinted out that the Wef^h soldiers sang the songs of Wfilets in the trenches, hold their little eisteddfodau behind the lines, and showed the soldien: goodwill towards his national institution, albeit the war j drum beats, by reading a telegram ot I greeting from the lads of the 38th Wish I Division. THE SPEECH. I Mr. Lloyd George said:— I I have come here at some inconvenience to attend, and, if necessary, to defend, this isteddtod. I have been a strong advocate of its being held. I was anxious there should he no interruption on ac- count of the war in the continuity of the Welsh National Eisteddfod. It is too valuable an institution. It has rendered too great services to our country to risk its life by placing it in a state of sus- pended animation for an indefinite period. The British Association has held its meet- ings every year since the war began. It will hold another next month, and I am glad of it; hut, much as 1 esteem the ser- vices rendered to research by that gather- ing, I claim that the services rendered to popular culture by the National Eistedd- fod have been even greater. (Hear, hear.) There are some people who know nothing about the Eisteddfod who treat it as if it were merely an annual jollification which eccentric people indulge in. (Laughter.) There was a letter in the "Times" this week written by a person who seems to hold that opinion. He signs himself A Welshman." He evidently thinks that the publication of his name would add nothing to the weight of his appeal, so he has wisely, no doubt, withheld it. Now, the Times is not exactly the organ of the Welsh peasantry. (Laughter.) That does not matter to this gentleman, be- cause he makes it clear that he has no objection to common people attending the Eistedfod, liait he expresses the earnest hope that important people like the Welsh M.P/s—(laughter)—will not encourage such an improper assembly by giving it their presence. I am glad to see them I here. (Cheers.) His notion of the Eis- teddfod is a peculiar one, and as there might be a few people outside Wales who hold the same views, I think I must refer to this estimate of its purport and sig- nificance. He places it in the same cate- gory as a football match or a horse race, and a good deal beneath a cinema or a music-hall performance. These are kept going afternoon and evening without the slightest protest in the columns of the Times" from this egr;>«:ous Welshman. The competing bards are to him so many racehorses, started round the course by Mr. L. D. Jones, the chairing day being, I suppose, the Bardic Oaks. (Laughter.) Sir Vincent Evans would be the grand book- maker—(laughter)-~we arrange the stakes -(m,are laughter)—and, of course, we all have something on one or other of the starters. (Loud laughter.) The meetings of the Cymrodorion, the Gorsedd of the Bards, the Arts Section, the Folk-song Society, the Union of Welsh Societies, and the Bibliographical Society are the side shows which amuse the eieteddfodic larrikins. Whilst the race is not on that is where the thimble-rigging and tho cocoanut-shies and games of that sort are carried on. No wonder this intelligent gentleman is ashamed to avow his name. I challenge him to give it. I INSULT TO WALES. It will be useful as a warning to readers of English papers of the class of person wbo anonymously insults Welsh institu- tions. Let any man look through the programme and see for himself what the Eisteddfod means. (Hear, hear.) Prizes for odes, sonnets, translations from Latin and Greek literature, essays on subjects philosophical, economical, historical, sociological—every topic under the sun. An adequate treatment of gome of these 88bjectfl necessarily involves a good deal of original research. Art ig encouraged; even agriculture is not forgotten. For- sooth all this effort should be dropped on account of the war. To encourage idle per&ons to compose poetry during war is unpatriotic. Promot- ing culture amongst the people-a futile endeavour at all times—during the war is something every Welsh member of Parlia- ment ought to tmub; to give a prize for a study of the social and industrial condi- ltion of a Welsh village i6 dangerous at any time. and during a war it is doubly so; to excite the interest ot the people in literature during the war is crimnal waste of public money; above all, to sing during a war, is positively indecent, and the powers of the Defence of the Realm Act ought to at once be invoked to sup- press it. (Laughter.) Husk I No music, please; there is a war on! Why should we not sing during this war? (Hear, hear.) Why, especially, shoQfd we mt f-ing at this stage of the war? The blinds of Great Britain are not down yet. (Loud and prolonged cheers.) Nor are they likely to be. The honour of Britain is not dead—(hear, hear)—her might is not broken-(hear, hear)—her destiny is not fnlfilled- (hear, hear)—her ideals are not shat- tered by her enemies. She is more than alive: she is more potent, sh e is greater than she ever was. (Loud cheers.) Her dominions are wider, her influence is deeper, her purpose is more exalted than ever. Why should her children sing? (Cheers.) I know war means suffering, war means sorrow. Darkness hrts fallen on many a devoted household. I but it has been ordained that the best singer h mODt the birds of Britain should give its song in the nig ht-(hea r, hear) — and. according to legend, that sweet song is a song of triumph over pain. There are no nightingales this side of the Severn. Providence rarely wastes its gifts. We do not need this exquisite songster in Wales-, we can provide better. (Laughter and cheers.) I IN SUNSHINE AND STORM. I There is a bird in our villages who can beat the best of them. He is called a Cymro." (Hear, hear and laughter.) He sings in joy, he sings also in sorrow; lie sings in prosperity, he sings alscn in adversity; he sings at play, he sings at work; he sings in the sunshine, he sings in the storms; he sings in peace, why should he not sing in war? He sings iu the daytime, he sings in the night. Hun- dreds of wars have swept over the hills, but the harp of Wales has never yet been silenced by one of them, and I should be proud if I contributed something to keep it in tune during the war by the holding of this eisteddfod to-day. Our soldiers sing the songs of Wales in the trenches. I heard a great deal of it when I was over there the other day, and they hold their little eisteddfodau behind. There haa been handed to me a telegram that has come from them to the secre- tary of the eisteddfod. I will read it to you:— Greetings and best wishes for the suc- icess of the Eisteddfod and Cymanfa Ganu from Welshmen in the field. (Loud cheers.) The next eisteddfod we shall be with you.-38th Welsh Division. (Pro- longed cheers.) Plea.e God they will, interpolated the right hon. gentleman. There is not one of them (Mr. Lloyd George proceeded) who would not be sorry it' we gave up our National Eisteddfod during the war. They want to feel that when they are upholding the honour of Wales on the battlefield we are doing our best to keep alive all the institutions, edu- cational, literary, musical, religious, which have made Wales what it is to them. They want the fires on every national altar kept burning so that they shall be alight when they return with the laurels of victory from the stricken fields of this mightv war. (Cheers.) RAINBOW ON THE WATER. I That is why I nm in favour of holding this festival of Welsh literature and of song, even in the middle of Armagecldop. But I have another, and even more urgent, reason why this eisteddfod should be kept alive during the war. When this terrible conflict is over a wave of material- ism will sweep over the land. Nothing will count but machinery and output. I am all for that. I have done my best— (cheers)—to improve machinery and in- crease output. But it is not all. There is nothing more fatal to a people than that it should narrow its vision to the material needs of the hour. National ideals without imagination are but as the thistles of the wilderness, fit neither for food nor fuel A nation that depends upon them must soon perish. (Hear, hear.) We shall need at the end of the war better workshops, but we shall also need more than, ever every institution that will exalt the vision of the people a bove and beyond the workshop and the conntinghouse. We shall need every national tradition tliat will remind them that men cannot live by breaod alone. I ma.ke no apology for advocating the holding of this eisteddfod in the middle of this great conflict, even although it were merely a "carnival of song," as it has been stigmatised. The storm is raging fiercely as ever, but now there is a shimmer of sunshine on the waves, there is a rainbow on the tumult of surging waters. The struggle is more terrible than it has ever been, but the legions of the oppressor are being driven back and the banner of right is pressing forward. (Cheers.1) Why should we not, sing" It is true there are thousands of gallant men falling in the fight. Let 11S sing of their heroism. There are myriads more standing in the battle lines facing the foe. and myriads more behind ready to support them when their turn comes. Let us sing to the land that: gave birth to so many heroes. (Cheers.) I am clad 'hat T came from the cares and labours of the War Office of the British Empire to listem and to ioin with ,011 in singing the old songs which our brave countrymen on the battlefield are ringing as a defiance to the enemies of human right. (Loud cheers.)

PROTEST TO ITALY. Athens. Thursday.—Mr. Diamantopou- l. the new attache at the (;rf,-k TPvfifion at Berlin, while on his way to rejoin bis post, was arrested by the Italian authori- ties. who are said to have confiscated the I diplomatic portfolio which was in his charge. The Greek Government has in- structed the Minister at t,, I take up the matter with the Italian Gov- II ernment.—Exchange.

THE GREAT RUSSIAN ADVANCE. The .London Geographical Institute CiEOROt PHILIP a SoN, LTD. 82 Fleet Street, E.O. I

THE SCROLL OF FAME I More Local Names in the I Lists. DEAD FOOTBALLER'S BRAVERY. ] Lieut.-Colonel Alexander, of the South Wa les Borderers, writing to Mrs. Prit- chard at Newport concerning her hus- band, the late Captain C. M. Pritchard (famous as a Rugby footballer), 6ays that the late officer had been recommended for the Military Cross for great bravery and 'hilst 1(,.a d lug a party conspicuous service whilst leading a party to take prisoners. He was twice wouuded, and," adds the colonel, had he lived I he would, without doubt, have received the decoration." ONE OF THE ANCHOR ROVERS. I Pte. T. Butchers, of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who resided at 23, Ropewalk- road, Llanelly, was killed in action in France on July Kith. Prior to enlisting he was employed as a riser at the South Wales Tinplate Works, and was a mem- ber of the Anchor Rovers gby Club. OVER THE EYE. News has been received that Lance- Corpl. Syd. Williams, 13, Plemmnt.place, Wern, Llanelly, who belongs to the Welsh Regiment, has been wounded over the left eye in France. Lance-Corpl. Williams, I previous to enlisting, was employed at l Messrs. Buckley's Brewery. A PORTRAIT IN OILS. I The Marquee of Bute, at the Cardiff City Hall on Thursday nnveild a I'??tI.it in oils of his brother, Colonel Lord Ninian Crichton-Stuart, who was killed last year. LANDORE MAN WOUNDED. Fte. WT. J. Tanner, of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, has been wounded and is now lying in a hospital in France. Pte. Tan- ner is 21 years of age. Previous to nlita. mept he was a driver at. the Copper Pit Colliery, Morriston. His parent* live at ö, Millbrook-street, Landore. FATAL LEG WOUNDS. I Gunner Ivor Frost, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Frost, II, High-street, Llandov- ery, of the Machine Gun Corps, has died from wounds in the legs received in action in France on the 10th inst. Deceased, who was very popular in the town, was a tall, smart., well set-up young fellow. The greatest sympathy is felt for the parents. His father has been indisposed for a long time. The deceased soldier had two other brothers with the colours, yiz., Ptes. D. H. and Frank Frost. Charles Frost, ap- other brother, also spent some time in the army. STRUCK IN THE CHEEK. I Mr. and Mrs. T. Arnold, of the Copper- man's Arms, Hafod, Swansea, have r- ceived, oil a field postcard, the official intimation that their son, Sapper H. T. Arnold, of the Cavalry Division. has been wounded. Sapper Arnold has been struck in the right cheek, and has been removed to the ha{' He is 19 years of age, and previously worked as a joiner. His brother, Pte. R. J. Arnold, has been in- valided home from He Dardanelles. LIEUTENANT HUSS. I Lieut. T. C, Huss, son of Mr. C. HUM, senior patrner of Messrs. Charles H. Huss (Lrmited). Cardiff Docks, has just been invalided homo from Southern Albania, suffering from apnf- neurasthemia, ma laria, and internal trouble owing to the hardships endured through the Ser- hian retreat. He has been granted three months' leave to recuperate, and on medi- cal advice is going abroad. CASUALTIES. Killed. Oxford and Bucks Lifrht Infantry — I' II¡ .se-: h;D- (-'1 ()-rri t :I Died of Wounds. W?lsh R?impnt.—Davips. 17330. S?t. A. .1. (Swansea); Jon«>s, 2103, S. (Mae.stog>. Wounded. Royal I??ginp?r?.—Ba'-?i?n. K2N00. Spr. ,If. Ji. ?-Ilf-II11(-1, 62$:34, J M. (Swansea); Orders, t»75St>, Sec.-cpl. F. Robertson, Spr. J. (Bridgend); Wilkins, IOSOSO, Cpl. P, iPorthca wl), A. J. (Glamorgan). Somerset; Light lnfantry,-Rowlands, 17037, J. E. (Neath). Royal Welsh Fusiliers.—Barton, 2fitil1, G (Burryport); Chesterman, 315S7, Lee.- cpl. J. (Swansea); Edmunds, 2(Mv5.S. C. (Bridgend); Parry. W. J. Kidwelly). South Wiles Borderers.—Carver, 204S8, W. (W.tunarlwydcl); Moore, 11547, A. W., (Gwa in-cae-Gurwen); Walters, 21570, P. (Llanelly). Duke of Wellington's Regiment. -i3reez» Welsh Regiment.—Anthony, 34510, W. T. (Llanelly): Foley, 15(>1, B. (Maes^teg); Hill. 40703, E. (Britonferry); Nicholls, 40705, H. F. (Britonferry). King's Ewal RiflE" Corp-?.—Hughes, 9145. D. G. (Swansea). Royal Munstor Fusiliers.— Mkhoney, 1037, D. (Swansea) Rifle Brigade.—Dale, S8SR. D. L. (Seven Sisters): Dudson, 3717, A. (Swansea); Finch, 13537, A. (Burryport); Morgan, #54. E. (Swansea) Officers. Killed.—Griffiths, Sec.-lieut. TT. J., Somerset Light Infantry; Sully, Sec.-lieut. D. S., Somerset Light Infantry; Thomp- son, Sec.-lieut. J. B., Somerset Light Infantry. Wounded.—Hughes, Major H. J., Cana- dian Infantry. I COMMISSIONS. A special supplement, to the London contains th following appoint- nient;b a- War Office, Aug. 17th. Infantry. Th-. undermentioned to be captain and to retain his present rank and seniority until ordered to j^in a regular unit — South Wales Borderers: Temporary Capt. r. G<>ttwalt7, from a service battalion. W >lsh Gaards;fapt. H. Dene, D.S.O., to be temporary major. Infantry Service Battalion*. Worcester Regiment.- -Capt. D. M. A. Sole (South Wales Borderers) to bp tem- |x>T-iry major Special Reserve of Officers. Grenadier Guards: Kec.-lienf. Alexander Wi-n. rlf, Vismes from Pembroke Yeomanry to N second lieutenant. Territorial Force. Royal Field Artillery.—Welsh Brigade: Lieut, (temporary Capt.) G- E. Thomas to be adjutant instead of as previously notified. Royil Garrison Artillery.—Glamorgan: Second-Lieut (Temporary Lieut.) R. W. A. d, H Haig is seconded for duty with the Royal Flying Corps. Welsh Regimen* .—The undermentioned rdeh are to be second lieu ten nuts on pro- bation Wilfred Arthur Gilbert., 1,ivis Laugharno Morgan. Army Service Corps (M.T.): Capt. Novill S. Thomas to be temporary major.

MAN AND GIRL POISONED. Frederick N- Bryan, master of I IR-P I Workhouse, and Violet, Rushworth, a young bookkeeper employed there, were f-otind rlead in the sitting-room at the workhouse on Thursday. The evidence ouygebtri poisoniog in both ca&es. j

NAMELESS HEROES. 4 I Non-Combatants' Risks From Shot and Shell. h --j- k During the past live or six weeks, writes a correspondent who lias, been in- terviewing th? wounded, our artillery has been making the lite extraordinarily diffi- cult for the enemy, even in places situated two and three hours' march behind its fighting lines. In this work, one gathers from all new arrivals from the front, our gunners have established a very marked superiority over the Boche. Wounded airmen have told me that for every shell which has exploded during the past month in villages and rest places behind our front fifty of our shells have landed with deadly effect among the Huns' lines of communi- cation. The fact remains, however, that even on our side the risks of shot and shell are by no means confined in this war to the combatants. Many of our stretcher bear- ers take almost as much risk as the aver- age private of the line, and our medical officers often carry on their labours in circumstances of the most deadly expo- sure. I was talking the other morning with a new-landed R.A.M.C. officer who had car- ried on his work of tending and wounded men for several hours after bl" jn harlly mauled himself by shrapnel splinters. "In a war like this." he said, "one comes across all sorts of bravery quite outside killing and being killed. Per- haps the public hardly realises yet what a lot there is in soldiers' lives outside fighting. I sometimes think the actual fighting is among the least of the strains placed upon the soldier. What: I mean is this: Toothache, neu- ralgia. dyspepsia, colic, stomach cramps, sick headaches, sore throats, whitlows, and homely little things of that sort arc not washed out by terrific bombardments and epoch-making advances. Not; a bii of it. Regimental oiffcers will tell you that it takes a pretty full man's share of pluck and endurance to 'stick it' cheerfully in many of thphases of an offensive like this. T'd like the public <o hear in mind what is known to every medical off,. cer in the Army, that in every single unit, on the f, vn4 there are officers and men who are stf^elrtng it' hour after hour and day after day with never an interval of rest and comfort, or anything else to ease them. when if they were at home, no mat- 3 f ter how urgent or important their busi- ness, they would lie in bed. or at least re- ceiving such ease and comfort, such relief from pain. as medical attention can pro- vide in civil life. "These brave fellows of ours they won't go sick you know, during an offensive. It's as much as one can do to get some of them out of the fighting line, even when they are quite badly wounded, and as for I he wound s of sickness—sometimes much more exhausting and trying to bear-they just set their tfeth and sav nothing- about these."

f SWANSEA HARBOUR. I The management committee of Swansea Harbour Trust, at a meeting on Thursday, considered the "position crcnted by the im- pending retirement of Mr. William Law from the harbour managership. It felt that this was not an auspicious time to appoint a successor, and if was decided to appoint Mr, P. W. Phillips, the chief clerk, to assist the management committee a^s responsible head nntil the appointment of a successor to All-. Law Mr. Phillies has been in I he employ of the trust for L the past fifteen yiears.

  §§§§[ I can |p| recomment* a?????3m??? /??? ?? ? <  Though you 've been used a l ways to the V) finest butter, the only ? d ifference P h easant Mar- ? ganne wi11 ma k e is the rea l d i fference in price. gg  l difference in pri,,e. (TVhen buying, be sure to see the L9 ????? ggg dainty packets with red, M??. and n* ???/ m blue riband and the P?as??i seal.) Li I <> ,< W* PER LB., A skyci,r Grocer fc,- it. A&  ?aa? 

THE EDEN GUP SWANSEA'S WELSH BOWLERS WIN IT I AGAIN. PRESENTATION AT BRYNMILL I After an interesting series of interna-^ bOllal" games, Swansea's ,r:18h bowlers ou Thursday evening won the Eden Cup for the btfli time. England have won it twice and Scotland once, Ireland of course being new entrants. The aggre- gates for the series of matches just con- cluded were: Wales 2fil, England 260. f Scotland -15. Ireland 190. t The cup was presented by Mr. John Harvey on the Brynmill gr(-PTI-Afr. Eden away in London—at the close, of the Scotland v. Ireland game. In handing over the trophy to the Welsh captain. Mr. Harvey congratulated him upon the (success of his team. He regretted that. as a result of the war, many ol their players were unable to take part, hut he hoped that next year things would he more settled. He was glad that, Ireland had bem ahl. to raise a team. Judging hy their play in the tournament, tliey would have a big say in the competitions of the future. Mr. Harry Thomas (Welsh captain) suitably replied. He was, lie t;ai(-I, a i'better hand at receiving cups than making speeches. He thanked Mr. Harvey for the kind words spoken, and also ex- pressed indebtedness to the clubs for the pleasant games which they had provided. Mr. Frank Taylor replied for England, Mr. J. R. Young for Scotland, and Mr. E. Donellv for Ireland. The latter thanked the Joint Association for granting them a little latitude in bringing in some out- siders. Next year, all being well, they would field a proper Irish team, and would, he felt confident, give a good account of themselves. Mr. llarry Williams moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Harvey, which was seconded by Mr. E. Husbands and carried. SCOTLAND v. IRELAND. I International match; played oil Bryn- mill green on Thursday. Scores:— I Scotland. Rink 1.-R Scott, G. Reed, D. Me- Millan, N. Mcludeor (skip.) 2:1, Rink 2.—A. Smith, F. W. Winter, J. R. Young, R. McKehic (skip.) 25 Rink 3.—.J. II. Campbell, R. lverr, D. McKinnou, G. Bell (sk-il)) 26 Rink 4.—II. McKelvie, C. P. Scott, J. Sanders, R. McMichacl (skip.) 89 Total 80 1 reland. Rink 1.—J. Wikins, P. Donovan, A. Coker. F. Barter (skip.) 11 Rink 2.—J. Bevan, W. Collins, S. Ilanlin, E. DOllelly (skip.) 16 Rink 3.—A. Shapton, W. Coad, D. Gallivan. Mike Troy (skip.) 28 Hink1.-E. GTif>t, \1:.H{)\loW3Y, W. Cornelius, W* Dewitt (skip.) 20 Total 78

TRAGIC DELUSIONS. I Annie Barton, a single woman aged fifty, was committed for trial by the Torquay magistratf.s on Thursday on a charge of murdering her sister Catherine, with whojii sht- li.od. Catherine Barton wns killed by Mows from a truncheon that was kept, in the house for use against burglars. A report ()f the medical superintendent of the Devon County Assizes stated that Annie Barton was obsessed with the idea that she bad committed the most appall- ing sins. Sho had the idea that her sister would suffer for her terrihlc crimes, and that the only way to prevent this was to kill her.

THOSE SEIZED STE AM ERS. I Will any of the money paid by the Bri- tish Government for the charter from thf* Portuguese Government of the fiftv <>z- German vessels seized in Portuguese har- bonrs find its way to Oermwiy ? Mr. Harcourt, acting President of tlie Board of Trade, fold Major Hunt in the House of Commons on Thursday that the charter price is ]-is. 3d. per gross ton, and that flip British Government pays the Ix- oense of running the. steamers. Thereupon Mr. Houston wanted to know about the ultimate destination of the money. "That will be more a question for the Portuguese Government," suggested Mr. Harcourt. Wh^t will hapyen in the event of any of tjip steamers being torpedoed" asked Sir Clement Km loch Cooke. r. that the* will £ o to the bottom." returned Mr. Harcourt, and the House laughed at iiis grim When pressed regarding the ovaeive reply. Mr. Tlaicourt -aid No arranjjew. ment h i been mad-e for our P-oiie-I to gt) to Germany." J

NEXT WEEK. THE OPENING CHAPTERS OF A NEW SERIAL STORY WRITTEN FOR THE CAMBRIA DAILY LEADER ENTITLED: GUIBAL THE CONJUROR