Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

4 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

Notes of the Week.

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

Notes of the Week. The Czar's Two Manifestoes.—Unfortunately the Czar and his Grand Ducal advisers have not learnt anything from the stirring events, of the past weeks. It is an old saying that the gods first make mad those whom they seek to destroy; and if that saying has ever been verified, it is verified in the case of the Russian ruler. To his people who cry for bread he offers a stone; in answer to their demand for reforms he sends forth a manifesto eulogising the system under which they groan, and tells them that they ought to be very thankful for the privilege of being made to groan by such splendid autocracy. It is incredible that any ruler, knowing that every industry within his dominion is paralysed by strikes, and almost every town of any size in a state of siege, could have issued such a document. A day or two after he answered the demands of the strikers by another manifesto showing a much more hberal spirit, and which, if it had appeared first Of all, might have had some effect in quieting the country. But the second will be read in the ight of the first, and can only make the flame °f discontent burn more fierce. All Russia is a rumbling volcano, and terrible days are in store or her. For the sake of humanity we devoutly Wish her rulers would learn a little, just a little, wisdom. -1<- Mr. Leif Jones, M.P.-We feel sure that all elshmen, whatever their politics may be, are ready to congratulate Mr. Leif Jones upon his etnarkable victory in winning the seat for North Westmorland. Though he has spent most of his life in England, and consequently has not taken such a prominent part in Welsh affairs as his elder brother, the member for the Swansea district, Mr. Leif Jones is well known to his fellow-countrymen, and they feel proud of his great services to the cause of progress and social advancement. Had he been able to speak Welsh there is not much doubt but that he would have become the member for Merioneth a few years ago, when Professor O. M. Edwards retired. He comes from a very talented family. His father, the late Rev. Thomas Jones, of Lon- don, Swansea, and Melbourne, was known as the poet-preacher, and was undoubtedly one of the most eloquent men that ever addressed an audience. The late Principal Viriamu Jones, of Cardiff, was a brother of Mr. Leif Jones, and the loss to Welsh Education through his too early death is well nigh irrecoverable. Great things are expected from the new member for North Westmorland, and his compatriots will watch his Parliamentary career with great in- terest. Mr. Chamberlain's Latest.-Some days ago many people were inclined to believe that the member for West Birmingham had given up the Preference part of his Fiscal programme, and was prepared to accept the Prime Minister's Retaliation policy only. But his speech to the Tariff Reform League last Friday proves the contrary. He then declared his firm adherence to his original programme, and attributed all the recent misfortunes of the Unionist party at the polls to the timidity of candidates with regard to it. He actually exulted in the defeat of the Unionist candidate in North Westmor- land, and said that nothing else was to be expected when he put aside his own convictions with regard to the question, and fought the election on Retaliation alone. We wonder what Mr. Balfour will think of this outburst. His place cannot be a very happy one, with Mr. Chamberlain watching every movement of his on the one side, and the Free Fooders, led by his own cousin, Lord Hugh Cecil, watching every movement on the other. And to add to his troubles, he is losing seat after seat. His Scotch Solicitor-General was defeated last week in Bute. Things cannot go on in the present fashion. Some change must take place soon. But he would be a daring man who would venture to prophesy what it will be. The Irish Question Again.—Mr Wyndham, the Irish Secretary, was not well enough, it seems, to appear in his place in Parliament during last week, and it was freely rumoured that he had sent in his resignation, which the Cabinet had refused to accept. Meanwhile, the Ulster Unionists were with-holding their support from the Government. They held a conference the other day, and declared that they could not overlook the actions of Mr. Wyndham and Sir Antony MacDonnell in the matter of Lord Dunraven's devolution policy. Last Monday the Prime Minister announced in the House of Commons that Mr. Wyndham had resigned. It is difficult to see how Lord Dudley and Lord Lansdowne can now remain. In one sense it is a very pretty quarrel; in another it is a very pitiful one. One thing has been made quite clear by it, that the- Ulster members are anti-Irish to the very core. We do not say anti-Home Rule, because Home Rule in the Gladstonian sense is dead. But they are anti- Irish. They want to keep up the social system which is in vogue in Ireland at present. Their opposition to the national policy is not political, it is religious and social; and, however bitter political prejudice may become, even at its worst it is as honey compared with the prejudice of men feeding upon the privileges of ecclesiastical supremacy and social position. Mr. John Morley with the Cymry Pyddion.— We have never been quite able to understand upon what grounds Welsh Societies invite persons who are neither Welsh nor kindred Celts to sit with them at the festive board on St. David's Day. Is it in order to give such strangers an opportunity to become acquainted with Welsh characteristics and to understand Welsh aspirations ? If so, thev should be present as listeners, not as talkers. Or is it for the sake of the sweet compliments the strangers pay on such occasions to our gallant nation and our pretty little country ? If so, the sooner the practice is discontinued the better for our self- respect. But so long as strangers are invited, there is no guest more worthy than Mr. John Morley, who dined with the Cymry Fyddion last week. Mr. Morley has during late years championed the cause of small nationalities with greater zeal than any other leading English statesman almost. And the close friendship between him and the lamented Tom Ellis, makes him dearer still to us. The Welshman's heart has in it a warm corner for every friend of his beloved "Tom." Mr. Morley spoke very highly, not only of Tom Ellis, but of the present representatives of Wales in the House of Commons, for four or five of whom he predicted offices when the Liberals come into power. He mentioned no names, and some among his audience were very curious to know who he had in view. Mr. Morley touched also upon the claims of Nationality, the Revival, and the Education controversy. The speech, though nominally non-political, was full of reference to the burning questions of the day, and showed that the speaker understands Welsh aims and Welsh ideals quite as well as any outsider can be expected to do.

Am Gymry Llundain.

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