Cymro a'r Celt Llundain

WHY NOT NATIONALISM? By S. TREVOR-JONES. At the present time, when one hears so much of party strife and party rancour in the country's legislation, there is presented to the people of Wales a question of vital moment. Briefly, it amounts to this In the world of political and social reform, is Wales to advance or recede ? It is an indisputable fact that for many years the Principality has made little or no progress in the direction of real National Advancement. Party reforms, of course, there have been, but the after effects have invariably given rise to a general feeling of dissatisfaction. It is but natural, under the existing conditions, that measures which are palatable to one sect meet with hostile disapproval from another. The narrow sectarian principles of one party are continually at variance with the political propaganda of another, to the utter dis- organisation of all genuine efforts on behalf of the national needs of the country. Further, it is most unfortunately apparent that some of the leading Welsh political organisations are ever on the alert for prominent foreign representatives of Welsh interests. How often in the past have we heard that the responsible authori- ties of such-and-such a Borough have been successful in securing the nomination of "that able and conscientious upholder of Welsh Nationalism, the Hon. J. Blink- ham pton Binks, of Blinkhampton Castle, Bliijkshire," ignoring with the utmost con- tempt the claims and qualifications of their countryman in the person of Mr. David Morgan Evans. How dare you, Mr. David Morgan Evans, come forward in the true spirit of your country's Nationalism Mark this, Mr. David Morgan Evans, that rival of yours—the Hon. J. Blinkhampton Binks, the eminent Welshman from somewhere over the border, stands for the great cause of Archaeological Research amongst the natives of the Indian frontier, a question of vital importance to the Welsh people, and one which cannot give preference to such trivial matters as the advancement and progress of Welsh Nationalism Happily, however, at the present moment, the above state of affairs is not so universal as formerly, though rumour has it that a certain body in one of our leading consti- tuencies is angling for a most distinguished and wealthy Englishman as its Parliamen- tary representative. Welsh interests have been so well- studied and advanced by the foreigner they elected at the last General Election that they evidently consider con- tinuation of this "alien" representation as highly desirable for the welfare of a Welsh constituency. One can only assume there is not a single Welshman in the entire district! Under such chaotic influences, it is no matter for surprise that the pressing and universal needs of Wales herself have been but scantily recognised on the programmes of her Parliamentary representatives. It is strange, though nevertheless perfectly true, that questions totally alien to the Princi- pality appear to receive the first considera- tion of the country's Elected. The answer to the above-mentioned ques- tion is this—Wales must advance, and to this end that great force Nationalism" (which is at present allowed to remain in a lethargic state), must be awakened and brought to bear upon Welsh political life. Our representatives must be imbued with the spirit of Nationalism, without which true progress and enlightenment are absolutely impossible. For. the sake of our country it is to be earnestly hoped that at the next General Election those prospective candidates who do not intend to be primarily influenced and guided by Nationalism, and have not the welfare of Wales at heart, shall be ignored, whatever their political tendencies may be.

LONDON UNIVERSITY AND CELTIC STUDIES. The Senate of the London University has decided that, in future, internal students being examined for the M.A. degree may elect to take the Celtic Language and Literature as one of the subjects. Each student may choose either, but not both, of the following sections :— Section A:—Irish Language, and Old and Middle Irish Literature to the close of of the sixteenth century.—The rela- tions of Irish (1) to Welsh (2) to Scotch Gaelic and Manx (3) to the other Aryan Languages. Instead of Old and Middle Irish Literature, candidates may take up Modern Irish Literature, together with the Litera- ture of the Scotch Gaelic and Manx Languages. Section B:-Welsh Language, and Old and Middle Welsh Literature to the close of the sixteenth century. The relations of Welsh (1) to Irish (2) to Old Cornish and Breton (3) to the other Aryan Languages. Instead of Old and Middle Welsh Literature, candidates may take up Modern Welsh Literature, together with the Literature of the Cornish and Breton Languages.

THE WELSH IN LONDON. London Welsh Liberals. London Welsh Liberals will, doubtless, be interested to learn that there has been formed a London Welsh Liberal Association for the active support of Liberal principles, prim- arily those affecting the interests of the Welsh people. The proposal to form such an association was publicly supported by the Right Hon. D. Lloyd George, M.P., Mr. Herbert Lewis, M.P., Mr. Timothy Davies, M.P., Mr. Owen Philipps, M.P., and others, at a meeting held at the National Liberal Club some time ago. The number of Welsh Liberals in London is very large, and the new Association, by organising the Welsh vote, and by promot- ing the interests of the Welsh people in Parliament, cannot but be of the greatest service to the cause of Wales. The chairman of the Association is Mr. T. Woodward Owen the treasurer, Mr. Howell J. Williams, J.P., L.C.C.; and the hon. sec., Mr. D. Rowland Thomas, to whom all com- munications should be addressed, at 8, St. George's Square, Primrose Hill, N.W. Writing in a recent issue of the Times, a correspondent makes the following com- ments on this new movement:— Some surprise may be expressed at the fact that the forces of Welsh Liberals in the Metropolis have for so long remained un- organised. It is true that years ago there was a society, called the Cymru Fydd, which was the embodiment of Welsh nationalism, and at that time did much good on behalf of Wales. But the society has long ceased to exist. There is, therefore, a clear field for the activities of the newly-formed Associa- tion. It is characteristic of the Welsh people that their politics and their religion go hand in hand, and the unchanging fidelity of their attachment to the Liberal party is largely to be attributed to their Nonconformity. It is equally so with the Welsh people in London. As Mr. Booth points out, it is as milk-sellers and drapers that they are chiefly to be found, and an examination of a trade directory would reveal that in these trades they have almost a monopoly. It is true that there is no Welsh quarter. Their centres are their chapels. There are over 20 Welsh Nonconformist chapels, in each of which the service is wholly conducted in the Welsh language. On the other hand, there are only about three Welsh places of worship belonging to the Established Church. The Welsh Metho- dists are very strong, and their great centres are at New Jewin, Aldersgate Street, and at Charing Cross Road. The Congregationalists have several chapels but their largest, with a membership of nearly 1,000, is in Penton- ville Road. The Baptists have a very strong centre at Castle Street, Oxford Circus and the Wesleyans meet regularly in large numbers in their chapel in the City Road. All the religious and musical institutions so characteristic of the Welsh people-the Sunday school, weekly prayer meeting, and the Eisteddfod-are maintained with vigour in the Welsh chapels in London. But it is the literary and debating society connected with each chapel that is playing a very important part in the young Welsh life of London."

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