Llangollen Advertiser Denbighshire Merionethshire and North Wales Journal

THE SILENCE IN WEST DENBIGHSHIRE. Is there to be a contest in West Denbigh- shire?" This question is causing considerable anxiety to both parties in the constituency. Neither appears to know precisely where it is and both, so far, lack an authoritative lead. Of course, in view of the overwhelming majority by which Sir Herbert Roberts was returned only a few months ago, Liberal confidence is under- standable. West Denbighshire proved a veri- table Gibraltar amongst Welsh constituencies. It is practically impregnable to a frontal attack, and both parties realise this. There is act the slightest danger of its being carried by storm, and Sir Herbert Roberts is perfectly justified in the assumption that, if he choosea to sit tight, he may feel confident. Prior to the election early this year a good deal of uncertainty existed as to the relative strength of parties in the division. So many years had elapsed since the representation of West Denbighshire had been contested that doubts were justifiable and specu- lations permissible. The result of the poll in January effectively answered all doubters. A two to one majority is not to be explained away, and noone has attempted the task. The majority of West Denbighshire Conservatives havM real- ised that the bulk of public opinion is over- whelmingly against them and, recognizing this, as consistent supporters of the Constitution, they have bowed to the inevitable. But although it is impossible to dispute that, at the time of the election in January last, West Denbighshire, by the proportion of two to one, was in favour of the Government; as we were reminded, after the declaration of the poll, conversion is always possible and that whilst the lamp holds out to burn, the vilest sinner may return." Sufficient time, however, to have permitted a successful campaign of conversion, even if it were possible, has not elapsed. The straws that indicate the direction in which the political wind is blowing have not disclosed any pronounced change in the current of public opinion. And perhaps this is the outstanding reason why, whilst the stir and turmoil of conflict are already heard in surrounding constituencies, a significant silence is maintained in West Denbighshire. It is quite possible that this silence may, as in other places, prove the calm before the storm. In East Denbighshire, up to a few days ago, similar conditions obtained. Mr. Hemmerde re- posed securely behind a rampart of Liberal votes even more formidable than that which shelters Sir Herbert Roberts. Then, suddenly, came a "bolt from the blue The Chief Liberal Whip on the outlook for fighting men, cast his eyes upon East Denbighshire. He required a candi- date to dispute with Lord Charles Beresford the representation of Portsmouth. It may be a for- lorn hope—doubtless it is—but forlorn hopes need to be vigorously led. So East Denbigh- shire is, for the time being, left disconsolate." The Liberal Executive, it is reported, have secured the services of a candidate, one who may be relied upon to put up a good fight and who may confidently look forward to being returned by a large majority. But the removal of Mr. Hemmerde from the field unquestionably has changed the whole political outlook in the con- stituency. Prior to his selection as the fit and proper person to fight the arch scaremonger," as Lord Charles is dubbed, very little was heard as to the possibilities of a contest for the neighbouring seat; now the notes of battle are being vigorously sounded. It is an assured fact that a strong Conservative candi- date will be forthcoming to do battle with the Liberal champion and whilst to those who care- fully follow the progress of events the practical result can scarcely be open to doubt it may be quite possible to obtain what will be described as a "moral victory" by reducing the bttge majority secured by Mr. Hemmerde in January. This is all the Conservative party have to fight for-this is all they can hope to achieve—in East Denbighshire. Can they possibly hope to secure even this much in West Denbighshire, supposing the fight to be conducted on the same lines, and under the same conditions as the last fight was fought? We do not think so. If there be no change in the conditions that obtained in West Denbighshire when the last election was fought, it is fair to assume that there will be no contest. The time for culti- vating the tender plant of political hope has been so short; the questions upon vhich the electors will be invited to vote is practically the same as that upon which they voted ten months ago and, over all and beyond all, at anyrate so far as we know at present, the same popular personality-and the popularity of Sir Herbert Roberts in West Denbighshire is unbounded— remains in the forefront of the party. This latter circumstance stands for very much. Sir Herbert so abundantly satisfies the ideals of the constituency, and during the long period that he has represented it has won the approval and secured the support of many who are classed amongst his political opponents, that he has come to be regarded by most men as the only possible representative of the division in the House of. Commons. In West Denbighshire, far more than in East Denbighshire, politics are a question of "men" rather than "measures." Apart from Mr. Hemmerde's undoubted social popularity in the neighbouring constituency, the fact that he is a slashing and unsparing ex- ponent of Radical views, appealed most forcibly to his constituents. The mental bias of Rhos and Cefn is overwhelming strong in one direc- tion, and the candidate who is able best to play up to it may count upon saccess. Mr. Hem- merde did this to perfection. In West Denbigh- shire, however, the personal equation is a much more potent factor and, as we have indicated, Sir Herbert Roberts's personality is, perhaps, the most considerable asset of his party-it is cer- tainly the asset that will weigh heaviest when the Conservative party come to consider their attitude towards the constituency in the imme- diate future. Were what has happened in East Denbighshire to happen in WestDenbighshire and Sir Herbert Roberts receive a call to leave his safe seat to step into the breach elsewhere, there is no doubt what would happen. The Conservative bugle would at once be sounded—it may be sounded under any circumstances, but under those circumstances it certainly would be-snd although, as in East Denbighshire, the practical result might not be in doubt for a single moment, a reduction in the huge Liberal majority obtained in January is supposable. Therefore, we regard with considerable interest information from a correspondent who professes to write with knowledge—assumed or otherwise—to the effect that Sir Herbert Roberts is one of the two popular members for Welsh county divisions, both of which are considered safe Liberal seats who, with Sir Alfred Thomas, may shortly be raised to the peerage, alluded to in the Times on Tuesday. Statements of this kind we expected on the eve of an election and, as a rule, they require, to be carefully discounted. East Denbighshire, however, has demonstrated that a bolt from the blue is always possible. » LOCAL AND DISTRICT. The installation of Archdeacon Wynne Jones as Dean of St. Asaph, of Canon Fletcher as Arch. deacon of Wrexham, and the Rev. Dan Davies, vioar of.Wrexham, as Canon Residentiary, is to take place at the St. Asaph Cathedral on Wednesday, Novem- ber 30th. Mr. Richard Barnett, clerk to the Dolgelley Urbah Council, has recieved a communication from Mr Andrew Carnegie expressing his willingness (having approved the plans) to give d61,000 towards providing Dolgalley with a free library. A suit- able site has been procured and paid for by public subscription. We are pleased to learn that Miss Jenny

Williams, daughter of Mr. W. D. Williams, Chapel- street, Llangollen, and late of Llangedwyn, has passed the Examination of the Central Midwives' Board, London, with a report of Exellence," and is now entered on the Midwives' Roll. We congratu- its Nurse Williams upon her success. Mr. R. H. Roberts, who has been chosen by the South Hackney Liberal and Radical Repre- sentation Association to oppose Mr. Horatio Bottomley at the next election, is a native of Mold being a son of Mr. John Roberts, builder and contractor. For some years he has been engaged as an elementary school teacher in London. Recently he addressed several meetlngs in Flint- shire on the subject of Free Trade. The sudden death of the Rev. J. Jones-Davies, rector of Llanfrothen, Merioneth, occured on Tues- day, at his residence. He had been ailing for some months and unable to attend to his duties. Mr. Davies was ordained in 1898. He was curate of St. David's, Liverpool, from 1888 to 1891 and rector of Llanfihangel Pennant, Carnarvonshire, before his appointmeat to Llanfrothen. The funeral will take place at Llanfrothen churchyard on Friday. Owing to severe frost Sir Watkin Wynn's hounds had only a few hours' sport on Tuesday afternoon, when one fox lost his brush and another nearly got" snaffied." During one of the runs Miss Kynaston, of Hardwiok, in taking a brook, fell under her horse in a deep hole. Fortunately she managed to extricate herself, and on her head appearing above water Robinson, the Wyanstay stable foreman, rushed to her assistance and got her out. The horse behaved splendidly. Special recognition services were held at Rhos, near Wrexham, on Wednesday, in connection with the settlement of the Rev. Peter Price, late of Dowlais, as pastor of the Bethlehem Congregational Church, Rhos. The Rav. R. Roberts, of Rhostyllen, who recently retired from the pastorate of the church, presided, and the officiating ministers were the Revs. Ben Davies (Ystplyfera), William Evam (Merthyr Tydfil). R. Paris Williams (Wrexham), T. E. Thomas (Coedpoeth), J. Howell (Ponkey), W. Wynn Davies (Rhos), and others. Mr. R. H. Storey and party shot over the Llanarmon converts on October 29th, November 11th and 12th. On the first day, the party included Messrs. R. H. Storey, C. B. C. Storey, Wignall, Greig, Dr. Lloyd, and Mr. E. Sharp, and a total of 764 were shot. On the two other days the party included, besides Mr. R H. Storey, Sir William Tate, Messrs. C. B. C. Storey, P. C. Tarbitt, T. Eaton, and C. Dixon. On November 11th a bag of 1.061 was made, including 29 wild duck, and on November 12th one of 535. The inhabitants of the district regret to think that this is probably the last time Mr. Storey will shoot over these converts but it gives them pleasnre to learn that the Duke of Westminster will henceforth have the shooting rights over this estate, and that extensive altera- tions and improvements are contemplated. The Scottish Covenanters was the title of a. most instructive and interesting lantern lecture given by the Rev. Howell Harris Hughes, B A., at Bryn Seion Chapel, Pontcyssylltau, on Wednesday last. The lecture was in aid of the English Pres- byterian Church at Trevor. The lecturer has interesting family ties with some of the most prominent members of the Church, and his sym- pathy and interest in the prosperity of the Church could be easily explained. Mr. R. T. Jones, Garth, presided and, previous to introducing the lecturer to the large number who were present, he delivered an interesting address on the difficulties which confront different religious bodies to-day. The lecturer, who is the protninet Presbyterian minister of Oswestry, is a master of oratory, and during the time occupied by the lecture kept his audience in close attention. Thrilling indeed were his narra- tion of the sufferings of Covenanters and they left ..a deeo impression noon all who were present. The R w. Jatn^S Rb^rts, Ruabon proposed, and Mr. R. M. Davie", father-in-law of the lecturer, seconded a. most,, fie-irry vote of thanks to Mr. Hughes for his abl" laotttM, and also to Mr. Jones for presiding. Beautiful limelight views were shown on the screen by Mr. Allen Lettsome, of Llangollen.

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WHOOPING COUCH and BABIES' CHEST TROUBLES, cured by VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE. Mrs. Rosie Williams, 16, Toronto-road, Ley ton- stone, writes My two children suffered severely from whooping cough, and I gave them several kinds of mixtures without any success. Then I tried Veno's Lightning Cough Cure and they obtained relief at onoe, and very soon they were entirely cared, xMy baby also was very ill with bronchitis, but Veno's Lightning Conch Cure has again proved invaluable." Veno's Lightning Cough Cure is safe for the youngest child, price 9 £ d., l/ll 2 and 2/9, of all chemists. ■» THE COMING ELECTIONS. MR. HEMMERDB RETIRES FROM EAST DENBIGHSHIRE. SHARP CONTEST ANTICIPATED IN DENBIGH BOROUGHS. The announcement that Mr. Hemmerde is to- retire from BAst Denbighshire in order to contest the representation of Portsmouth against Lord Charles Beresford is the local political sensation of the week. This decision has been arrived at owing to the receipt of a letter by Mr. R. A. Jones, Chair- man of the East Denbighshire Liberal Association, from the Chief Liberal Whip, of which the follow. ing is a copy:- "I am making an attack on certain of our seaport cities, and I am particularly anxious to obtain the services of a prominent and highly equipped politician to fight Portsmouth. I would be glad if Mr. Hemmerde could see his way to take up this difficult candidature on behalf of the Government. I hnow well that the old ties of comradeship and friendahip that exist between him and his own Association and constituents wii make it extremely difficult for him to accept my suggestion. I should 00 glad, however, if you and he would together consider my proposition and, if necessary, indicate any direction in which it might be in my power.smoothly to facilitate his transfer. I could, of course, suggest other names for con- sideration if no local candidate is forthcoming. Would you be good enough to convey my sincere regret to your Association for the inconvenience, that I cause them, but we live in days of crises, and we want our best men to lead our people where the fight is most strenuous. I feel that I shall not appeal in vain to our Welsh friends, whose Radi- calism is so unswerving and impregnable, to free Mr. Hemmerde to take up this work." After considering the letter at seme length the Executive unanimously adopted the following resolution :—" That this meeting, having heard the letter of the Master of Elibank read and Mr. Hemmerde's speech, expresses its deep regret at the prospect of Mr. Hemmerde's leaving East Denbighshire, but at the same time congratulates him upon having been selected for such an impor- tant mission, and expresses its approval of the suggestion contained in the Master of Elibank's letter. We tender to Mr. Hemmerde our most cordial thanks for the great services which he has rendered to East Denbighshire, and with him every good luck in his courageous undertaking." NEW LIBERAL CANDIDATE. On Wednesday night a meeting was held at the Drill Hall, Wrexham, to bid farewell to Mr* and Mrs. E. G. Hemmerde, where both vale- dictory and congratulatory addresses were made, the latter in reference to Sir., Hemmerd's fight at Portsmouth. Mr. Hemmerde said the land question had saved the Liberal party, and bore within itself a promia for the future. Every industrial evil was wrapped up in the land question, and it was be- cause of this that the Lords threw out the Budget. The Executive Committee of the Liberal Associa- tion have decided to recommend Mr. E. T. John, Llandinan Hall, Anglesey, for adoption ae, candidate to succeed Mr. Hemmerde. UNIONIST CANDITATE ADOPTED. At a meeting of the Ease Denbighshire Conser- vative Association, at Wrexham, on Wednesday,, Mr. Alfred Wood, Rossett, was selected aa the Unionist candidate to fight East Denbigh. Mr. Wood is a member of the Liverpool Stock Exchange and is well-known in cotton circles. He married a Miss Tate, of Liverpool. He is treasurer of the Liverpool Tariff Reform Association and a very keen politician. DENBIGH BOROUGHS. Mr. Ormsby-Gore, the member for these Boroughs, was re-adopted as the Unionist candidate on Wed- nesday night, and the event was signalised at Wrexham by a torchlight procession through the town. THE NEW LIBERAL CANDIDATE. On Thursday afternoon a joint meeting of the Liberal Councils of Wrexham, Ruthin, Denbigh, and Holt was held at the Reform Club, Wrexham, for the purpose of selecting a candidate to oppose Mr. W. Ormsby-Gore, the present member, at the forthcoming election. Mr. D. S. Davies, of Den bigh, presided, and there was a large attendance. The following gentlemen were in attendance and addressed the meeting :-Mr. Edward T. Johnf Llauodin Hall, Anglesey; Mr. Artemus Jones, barrister, London, and Mr. C. Caradog Reea, barrister, Liverpool. A ballot was subsequently taken, and this proved favourable to Mr. Rees, who briefly returned thanks and promised to do his utmost to win the election. Mr. Raes is a member of a well-known Welsh Nonconformist and temperance family. He halit already had great experience of electioneering work, having been election agent to Mr. W. H" Lever upon three occasions. He is one of the prominent speakers for the Eighty Club, and at the last general election he spoke at a number of meetiugs held in support of Mr. J. W. Summers r member for the Flint Boroughs, and for other Liberal candidates in different parts of the country. In the ensuing fight in the Denbigh Boroughs he will have the hearty support and uo-operation of all the more prominent Liberals in North Wales, Mr. Rees is counsel to the Amalgamated Society of Engineers. Fifteen years ago Mr. Rees was elected to the Birkenhead Town Council and, after an interval, he again became a member a few years ago, finally retiring last November. During the week Mr. Rees has entered upon a vigorous campaign. In the Donbigh Boroughts the polling will take place on Friday, December 9th. On Wednes- day the Liberal Council of the Boroughs met at Denbigh and unanimously confirmed the selection of Mr. Caradoc Itees as Liberal candidate for the- coming election. It was announced that Mr. Lloyd George would address public meetings at Denbigh and Wrexham on the day previous to the poll.

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