Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

17 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

THE WAR.

SATURDAY'S FIGHTING. -

STEADY BRITISH SUCCESSES.

NEWS FROM BULLER.

THE BOERS REPORTED IN ! FINANCIAL…

THE VOLUNTEERS.

PUBLIC DINNER AT MACHYNLLETH.

DEPARTURE OF THE LLANFAIR…

DEPARTURE OF WELSHPOOL AND…

PROPOSED VOLUNTEER CORPS FOR…

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PROPOSED VOLUNTEER CORPS FOR ABERYSTAY YTH. ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING ox TUESDAY. There was a most enthusiastic meeting at the Progress Hall, Aberystwyth, ca:led for the purpose of considering the advisability of establishing a Volunteer corps in the town. The room was crowded with young men who beguiled the time whilst waiting for the principals of the movement by sing- ing Soldies of the Queen." The story of the first attempt at forming a corps in Abèrystwytil in con- nection with the Montgomeryshire VoliiitEer Regiment is fresh in the memory of rnot of onr readers. But whatever was the effect of the dis- appointment attending that step t.t the time it was eviaent that it fcraied no deterrent on the present occasion. Undoubtedly the present war in Africa and the knowledge that hundreds of young1 men of these Isles were goiug to the front. as volunteers had roused the patriotic fervour of the people of Aberystwyth. Amongst those who came to the meeting, and by their presence lent encouragement to the proceedings, were Councillor D C Roberts J.P., ex-Mayor, Councillor H J Jones, J.P., Mr A J Hughes, Town Clerk, Mr H Howell Evans, Chief I Constable, Mr G Fossett Roberts. Councillor R Peake, Councillor T E Salmon, Mr II Roberts (Trefechan) Mr J C Rea, Lieut Stephens, R. A., Mr J Bremg Edwards, Mr lom Rowlands, butcher etc. -On the motion of Mr L Bearne, seconded bv Mr G H Evans, Councillor D C Roberts, ex-mavor was voted to the chair. He said that he was sorrv that he could not remain for more than te; minutes, having to atteud another meeting. But he was ready to take the chair in order to show that he was certainly heartily in favour of the movement, and what he hoped would be the result of that meeting that evening (hear, hear). As they knew there had le^u many attempt made in Aberystwyth to form a Volunteer corps, but he ought to say, as they all knew, that Lbere was a Volunteer coi-i)s-( hear)—in the town years afro and most of them could n jt remember it." He thought the time had now come when they ought to really make a very strong attempt to form a corps in Aberystwyth (cheers). It seemed to him that from the number there that evening that they only wanted a little determination to be able to get up an excellent ci.rps in the town (hear, hear). here were, however, niariy points which they wov.ld have to corsid»r. One point was whether they could obtain a -sufficient number of men to make the thing a success, but there could he no question ¡ about that and he was certain there were plenty of men ready to join so soon as a corps was formed. I There was also another point npon which perhaps theru would be difficulty, and that was whether the corps should be infantry or artillery (hear, hear). The position which the country was in at ydio pre. sent time made it their duty to be ready to support the Government in every way (hear, hear).—Mr G H Evans, the convener of the meeting, was then called upon to state what steps he had taken in the matter. Finding, he said, there was no Volunteer corps at Aberystwyth, he made inquiries, and as- certained that an attempt to form one vears ago had fallen through. He then wrote to Col Pryce- Jones, and the Adjutant sent the following reply —Sir, in reply to your letter dated 10th instant," I beg to inform you that at a public meeting 'at Abe-ystwyth in the autumn of 1897, it was decided not to form a company at the place, although Col Pryce-Jones was most anxious for the same. Now other places in the district have the prior claim, and therefore the formation of a Company mentioned cannot be entertained at pre- sent. But I should be glad to receive the names of the proposed officers in case Col Pryce-Jones might see his way at no distant date to sanction the same. I only wish there were many more with your sense of patriotism, as it is a disgrace for a town of the size of Aberystwyth not to be able to form a Volunteer company, whereas a small place like Towyn promptly formed one when they were given the chance of doing so in the place of Aberyst- wyth."—After this, Mr Evans said he decided to call this public meeting. He had come to the conclusion that it would be better to abandon the idea of going in for an infantry corps, and that it would be better to organise an artillery corps.— The Chairman The matter is now before you and you must decide whether you will go in for a Volunteer Corps or not.—Mr L Bearne proposed that a corps be formed. He was not particular as to whether it was infantry or artillery, but he thought that it was a disgrace to Aberystwyth not to have a Volunteer Corps in the town. In many little villages no bigger than Llanbadai n they had their Volunteer Corps and they were affiliated to some town eight or nine miles away (hear, hear). He had been connected with the Volunteers since 1856, and he had two sons in them. One of them had passed for a Sergeant in the engineers and he was willing to join and give his services. For his part he preferred infantry (hear, hear and cheers). If they went in for artillery they would be second to the militia, and this he knew many young men in Aberystwyth would not like to do.Mr R H Bearne seconded the proposi- tion.—Mr J C Rea said that it was perfectly evident that there were no two questions as to whether they should form a corps or not. Mr Bearne s-tid that it, was a disgrace that there was no Volunteer corps in the town. It was a disgrace, but the disgrace was not upon Aberystwvth (hear, hear). Two or three years ago a movement was formed and brought to a successful point, but owing to the disgraceful tactics and the disgraceful red tapeism of the War Office, those in charge of the matter, one detail in the apportion- ment of officers quashed the movement (shame). In those days Volunteers were looked upon as toy soldiers not to be encouraged, but the Volunteers would now have to be considered. In supporting that resolution he suggested that they should no longer endeavour to attach ourselves to any regiment in which Col. Pryce-Jones is connected (loud applause). If that corps was to be formed it should be formed as an artillery corps unless they could be affiliated to some other infantry regiment (cheers). Few towns could give such facilities for artillery practice as they now possessed. Mr Bearne said that they would be second to the Militia, but he contended that in about a couple of years it, would be the other way about (laughter and cheers). The proposal was put to the meeting and carried unanimously.— The Ex-Mayor having to leave, Mr A. J Hughes, town clerk, took the chair.—The Chairman then invited opinions, as to whether the proposed corps should be infantry or artillery.—Mr Bearne said his preference was to infantry, but, either branch would receive his best support.—Mr J C Rea pro- posed that they form .an artillery corps, and that it be left to a committee to decide which, regiment they should affiliate themselves to.—Mr T Wilson seconded.—Mr Bearne said it did not lay with the committee but with the War Office as to which regiment they would be attached to.—Mr C Lloyd supported an artillery corps, on the ground that it would be difficult to get a range suitable for the Lee-Metford Rifles (hear, hear). Mr Heritage supported au infantry corps, believing that every soldier should learn the use of small arnls. The question of range, he considered would be no difficulty, inasmuch as a Rifle Club had already been formed in the town, and they, no doubt, would get a range. (A Voice That is private). What they wanted to learn was what the Boers were teaching them now, and that was how to shoot. In the summer they went into camp and it was the best thing they could have. Infantry took the cake in his opinion (laughter and hear hear).—Mr C Lloyd said the Boers were also show' ing them a bit in artillery practice, and it was necessary, therefore, to become efficient in those weapons. If General White had the men who were present there that evening with him they would have been out of Ladysmith long ago (roars of latigliter).-M-r George Fossett Roberts said as a member of the movement initiated in 1897 the difficulties connected with the formation ot a rifle corps were almost insuperable, and he feared if they attempted it again they would certainly fail. He would, therefore, support an artillery corps.— Councillor R Peake said the only thing that pre- vented a volunteer corps being: formed in 1897 was a certain little bit of difference between one or two and not among the 200 or 300 who were prepared to join. They should not, however, allow such thiusrs as those to prevent them obtaining their object. They should receive greater consideration from the War Office, and in the present state of affairs that department could not afford to dispense with their services. lie advocated the formation of a com- mittee to make inquiries regarding infantry and artillery corps, who cc.i-.d present their report at j another public meeting. Mr Peake also urged that Cclonel Davies Evans, the Lord-Lieutenant of the County, should be asked to take steps to form vol- unteer corps throughout the whole county. He could go to the War Office and having the whole county at nis back, could demand that permission be given to organise such corps. There were hundreds of working men in Cardiganshire willing to jnin, and Col Evans could go to the War Office and demand a corps for the county (hear. hear), They should ask him point biank if he would go to the War Office aid ask for a Cai-ci ILarisiire corps. not attached to iUerionethshireor Montgomeryshire -ie, (near, hear) but attached to Cardiganshire, no* to a flannel shop (laughter and hear, hear). —Lieutenant Stephens, R.A., was asked to speak, and he laid great stress upon the need of having some one at the head of the movement who could go to the War Office and practically demand what he wanted (hear, hear).—At the suggestion of the Chairman, Mr Rea agreed to withdraw his proposition, Mr Hughes stating that they should, not stultify themselves by committing themselves to either an infantry or volunteer corps. He also thought the idea of approaching the lord-lieutenant of the county was an excellent one, and he was perfectly certain that any aid they could secure frcm him would, they could feel confident, be sup- plemented by the aid of the countv member (ap- plause). Col Davies-Evans had a son out in the I front, and the Colonel himself was an old soldier, deferring to the letter received from the Adjutant., he stated he could say a great deal about I it. But if they were imbued with that true feeling they mast let bye-genes be bve-gones. j He had had the whole of the correspondence on the matter, and he thought it would be better not to discuss this letter, except to state that it was true it was decided not to form a Volunteer Corps at Aberystwyth, but there were reasons for that which he could give. However, the same men were again ready to start a Corps, and their number had now been increased tenfold. He knew it was a healthy feeling to have rivalry between county and county, and he had no desire to run down Mont- gomeryshire, but where they had a county like Cardiganshire it was humiliating to think that thev should be affiliated to Montgomeryshire or any other county (applause). He hoped they would get a good committee who would go earnestly and I loyally into the question, and secure the Lord- I,ieuteuanL and the County Member to place their 1 claims before the War Office, and if thev failed there they would go to the House of Commons <vcheers).—Councillor R j Jones said he was a member of the committee that worked in 1897 and 1893, and he felt at that time that it was really an insult to Aberystwyth tnat they should iv any wav be aiffliated to any county except their own. He felt strongly that ( they should appoint a small committee and that j committee to go into the whole matter as to whether j the diflK"ulty of forming an infantry corps was in- j surmountable, and report to another public meet- ing as soon as possible. He must sav, however, 1 and say it emphatically, that he felt it a disgrace that any toym in the county of Cardigan be affiliated to any county but its own. In fact he regarded Montgomeryshire as subordinate to Cardiganshire (hear, hear, aud laughter). He also said that only a week or nine days ago he was approached by some members of the old committee and delegated I to convene a public- meeting similar to this, but seeing the announcement of this meeting he had not called such meetinc in order to see what the result would be. lie was pleased to find such an enthusiastic jassembiy, and thought it was a sufficient guarantee that they would have n good Volunteer corps shortly established amongst, them. Mr Jones added that Mr Vaughan Davies, M.P., said a few days ago that now was the opportunity 1 to form such corps, and Parliament would be most anxious tn accept any sugges- tions that would come from ariv town. councillor Peake asiced to be allowed to say that. 1 so soon as the Rifle Club was sanctioned by the i War Office it would be open to everybody. The | resolutions to appoiut a committee was then un- j animously agreed to, the fodow?ng*centlemen being: appointed thereon Messrs R J Joues, D C I Roberts, R Peake, T E Salmon, G Fossett Roberts, < J C Rea, G H Evans, II Bearne, and Lieutenant ] Stephens. The Chief Constable was also named but asked to be excused.— Before leaving the large audience joined in singing God save the Queen." i Outside the men assembled four deep and marched; along Bridge street, Terrace, Terrace road, and up North Parade and Great Darkgate street. They sang patriotic songs and crowds of amused and delighted spectators watched the proceeding's from the side- walks.

COUNTY MEETING AT SHREWSBURY.I

----+---CHIRBURY.

CHURCHSTOKE.

I MARKETS.

HUNTING- APPOINTMENTS.

THE TAXAT SIDE HARRIERS.

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