Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
7 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
Save -The -Revolution.
Save The Revolution. | Ovk Comrade Soeriiius, whose residence amongst us we all welcome, seems very much concerned ever the fact that we in South Wales don't show the anxiety to save the Russian Revolution that Ilw apparently thinks we could accomplish by re- solutions and protc-st-atory speech. "1 am," he said to us this week. a representative Bol- shevik, I come amongst you British people as a n-presentation of the ideology of the Russian proletariate. I desire to know the British peo- ple, who are not. understood in Russia, and to go back to my country and say The British people are with you they understand you and they will help you He seemed very disap- pointed that we ourselves, with all the heart in the world could not regard him as a representa- tive type of the Russian proletariate—a task which will be very difficult to any who have heard him play—and still more that the frag- mentary and contradictory reports that come to us as to the position of affairs in the great Rus- sian republic led us to expect nothing better than a serious counter-revolution, the outcome of which we trusted would be beneficial to Social- Democracy. No one can have a deeper concern for Russia than ourselves; no one can rejoice that the foulest autocracy in the- world has been swept away more truly than we do, and we would like to think that there is a substra- tum of reliable information, as well as of sin- cere desire to help and sympathy with the Bol- shevik i, behind the numerous appeals that reach us to publish articles on Save the Revolution. But let us look at the evidence!' On the one hand we have the reality of Soviet Government harassed by internal foes who were to be ex- pected and external enemies whose operations, even under the gu ise of war needs, cover extents that it is hard to justify. The internal and ex- ternal pressure renders the position of Leuin and Trotsky one of difficulty and much danger. The two pressures will probably culminate in counter-revolution, in which the Bolsheviks will have to face the armed powers of their fellow countrymen, in all probability strengthened by a large measure of external support from the Capitalist parties of Europe. On the other hand, people claiming to voice the aspirations of Rus- sia: and enunciating their charges in the terms of Socialism and Democracy, bring charges of Bolshevik retention of power against the will of the majority, by the use of armed force, and by the refusal of representative assembles. In fact, the abrogation of every eollectivist principle, and the employment of every device of reaction- a.ry a.utocracy are levelled at the present regime. And amongst this turmoil and contradiction, who shall determine the right! If the methods that have freed Russia from Tsardom have but succeeded in replacing it by another employing the same means to retain itself in power then the Russian people have still to win to freedom. Personally, we do not. take that extreme view, we believe that the Bolsheviki is to a. very great extent representative of the Russian proletariate and that its administration has been beneficial to a very marked extent; and that for that rea- son. and for the purpose of giving it a fairer chance of working out its schemes and inten- tions, it should be given a. longer period of trial, and should be supported by the whole Socialist movement the world over. Yet no purpose is served by closing our^eves to the fact that 4t, data needed for a mature judgment. is entirely lacking; that in place of hard relevant facts we aro served only the partisan Yea of the Bolshevist, and dIP" Xay q of his opponent. It is because of the uncertainty of the position that English Social Democracy has lost that splendid impulse that the dawn of the Revolution gave it, and has replaced it with the hope that every- thing is right, or will work out right. Sympa- thy is certainly with the Bolsheviki, but under, lying that s\mpathy is unquestionably an un- easy feeling that all is not well, and that fur- ther convulsions are imminent in Russia. And to us it seems tha,t we are but at the beginning, and that the imminent convulsions will be fol- lowed by others until the Revolution is thor- oughly worked out. Much, am we would like to think that the Bolshevist regime will be strengthened to fulfil a true Socialist state, we own to a belief that. the factors operating in Russia render such a consummation little more man a hope, and whilst we do not hesitate for one moment in rejoicing in the Revolution, we utterly fail to see how we can play a part in Saving the Revolution." The European powers are not going to heed the Socialist de- clamations against their predatory raids on the Murman coast, or the French subsidisation of Finnish reactionaries, or the German assistance given to Miliukoff. Those things are being done under the pretext of need in the greater and nearer game of wdr that is being played in Europe. Apart from pious resolutions of pro- jest, which Soermus may have in abundance, and which are useless, we are afraid that the Bol- which are uge l 4es- to llw x r ? tfhroe m En.gliqh I o(-ia l shevists have little to expect from English Social- ists; who lost faith when the Constituent As- semblies were not forthcoming.
Fifth Court-Martial.I
Fifth Court-Martial. I EMRYS HUGHES STILL REFUSES TO I OBEY ORDERS. STATEMENT AT TRIAL. Last Monday a District Court-Martial was held at the quarters of the 3rd Welsh Regiment at Redcar, North Yorkshire, when Emrys Hughes was charged with refusing a lawful command given by a superior officer, and using insubordinate language. Company-Quarter- Mas ter-Sergeant Adams, A Co., 3rd Batt. Welsh Regiment, stated that on the 13th of July, at 11.30 a.m., he took the prisoner to the Quarter- ,masterStores to fit military clothing, he being then in civilian clothes. He ordered him to take the uniform, and prisoner refused, he again gave the order, asking Do voi-i refuse to take it? He replied, Yes, my opinion of two years ago remains the same." He then ordered him to be confined. Sergeant R. Bibbings, gave corroborative evi- dence. EMRY'S SPEECH. I Prisoner, speaking in his defence, said: This is the fifth time I have been tried by court-mar- tial for refusing to obey military orders. I have been in the prisons over two years, but I come back once more as determined and persistent as ever to continue to refuse to take part in any of the military and industrial organisation ne- I cessary for carrying on the war. I believe that the British Government is as responsible as the German Government for the international situa- tion which led to the outbreak of the war, and that by its diplomatic and military policy dill.iug I the last four years has also helped to prolong and intensify the misery which has resulted from the serif- of military massacres that have meant so much bloodshed and suffering among the na- tions involved. 1 have been unable to agree that the interests- of the: people of this countr> have been served by the attempts to settle the International problems at issue by military methods, but That such nieaus could only lead to further calamities and foster a spirit of re- venge, and a desire for retaliation fatal to mu- tual understanding and the establishment of a lasting peace, and that such a. peace could only be secured by the creation of a state of national opinion which would compel the Government to adopt the aims and principles of the Indepen- dent Labour Party and the Socialist Inter- national. A DAUNTLESS SPIRIT. "I regard Conscription as the most monstrous form of social tyranny, and that the only honor- able and courageous course to take is to oppose; Jt steadfastly and resolutely refusing to serve In the army in any capacity. I am also opposed to taking part in any alternative war service or in any of the industrial efforts to solve the problem of the conscientious objectors, by first of all compelling them to work- under degrading conditions in penat settlements and then allow- ing them to find other work if they promise to agree to refrain from propagating their opinions. I think the greatest service 1 can ren der to the people of this country is to oppose the mili- tary institutions which have been introduced and established during a time of panic and terror and by which thousands of men have been forced to submit t') I loathsome routine of military dis- cipline and then sent to be miserably butchered in a. bloody, futile and foolish war. in which their ruler- have involved them. The greatest menace to the liberty of the people is the Con- scription- Law the greatest duty of the intelli- gent cÎÜzf'nj" to oppose it at all costs and to continue such opposition and defiance until it is overthrown." The Prosecuting Council prod uced ev idence to show that the prisoner had served four previous sentences, amounting to two years and three month>. In reply to the President, prisoner said he was a thoroughly abandoned and unre- pentant criminal. As the law stood all that the Court could do was to send him back to prison once more. When the Conscription Bill was before the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law had said that it was not the intention of the Government to prosecute men who hastily objected to military service. The trml was suf- ficient T)l I I I ('!I t. I. oil t,li'l, ,tlt,,n, for the Government to act.
Accidents in Mines. !
Accidents in Mines. (Co?TI??):)).) ( OYIT\LTD.) The week before last 1 dealt with the abnor- | mal increase in accidents, due to falls of roof and side. Whereas in the year En () (rullghly: speaking) a miner was killed every day of the year in the South Wales Coalfield, in the year 1918 up to date, three miners have been killed every working day, holidays included. In 191(5 miners in South Wales were killed at the ratIo of one a day. In 1918 they are killed at- the rate of three a day. Comment is needless the figures speak for themselves. I have already dealt with the culpability of the colliery offi- cials and the workmen for this state of affairs; the indifference of the miners' leaders as well as the men themselves to this question and also •the fact that the colliery officials nr«> down on the men whom they do not hesitate to prosecute for breaches of the Act, while they themselves violate the Act daily with impunity. ALWAYS THE FAULT OF DECEASED. This week 1 propose to deal with the evidence given at oil fatal accidents in mines, and shall deal in the first instance with the eaSH ginm in my last article, which is typical of many others. As a writer in the correspond- ence referred to says; It is nearly a lways the fault, of the dead man, seldom a pure, accident; and never the fault of the company or its offi- cials." I shall again quote the report of the inquest above referred to, for the i>em fit of this week's readers, which is as follows;—- At the inquest concerning the death of John Mudd, hewer, at Wooley Colliery, Crook, it was .stated by John Randfebury (deputy) that deceased was employed at the yard seam, where the timber rule was 4ft. (jin. from the face. Witness jowled Mudd's working-place and found it perfectly sate. Afterwards he found that Mudd had set a prop and road-tree close to the face, and a fall had occurred at a- part where deceased should not have-worked. Wit- ness had given him definite instructions how to work, and told him not to work in that place. The Coroner pointed out that the deputies did not act in the interests of the employers only, but of both employers and employed. Disci- pline was at the root of the whole tiling, and if there was one place where it should be enforced it was in the mine. Science and Art of Mining," July 13th. In the report of the inquest given above, John Rendlebnry, deputy, states that he "jowled" Mudd's working-place and found it perfectly safe..Further on, he says, he found a fall had occurred from "a part where deceased should not have worked. He had given him definite instructions how to work a.nd told him not to work in that place." The whole effect of the evidence given by the deputy was to put the blame of the man's death upon the dead man himself. It is the same old story, dead men tell no tales." But in this case, as in a good many others, the de- puty's evidence was conflicting, although ap- parently no one noticed it. He make* t hree definite statements, viz:— (a) He jowled Mudd's working place and fOllnd if perfectly safe. Cb) He had given him definite instructions how to work and told him not to work in that place. (c) After he found a fall had occurred from a part where deceased should not. have worked. If, as he gays, he found .Mudd's working-place perfectly sa.fí. why did he tell him not to work in a certain part? If it was because (as it aj>- pears from the third stitfement) he found the place to be dangerous, why did he not fenc • the pIaee off, or. alternatively, have the danger removed before he left, the pJaeH? The dead man may have been to blame, T don't know. We have heard one side only of the case. LOCAL INSTANCES. I Two accidents occurred recently in this dis- trict, happily unattended by loss of life. At. cording to a newspaper report a journey of trams ran wild. and plunged into the tump at the New n-edegai- Collieries. It does not oc- cur to anyone that accidents of this kind should not be tolerated. If anyone was killed it would he the fault of the dead man, or it would be a pure accident. It would not be the fault of the company for not. havijig sufficient or effi- cient safety points. Oh no! The other accident was where a haulier was buried for several hours when engaged in clear- ing a fall. Why should a haulier be engaged in I. (Continued at foot of next column).
I Federal Home Rule.
I Federal Home Rule. SOUTH WALES LABOUR PARTY'S SUG- GESTED SAFEGUARDS. j l-Ydcral Home Rule was considered by the conference of The South Wales Labour Federa- tion at Cory Hall, (?ai'diR. on Sawrday. the attendauce at which numbered 124 delegates, rt presenting 174,211 members of various organi- sations. Presiding at the morning session. Mr. Tom Richards. M.P., advocated local legislation as better, cheaper and more expeditious than legis- lation by the Imperial Parliament. The life- blood of many districts was being drained by Parliamentary procedure. Wales was especially progressive and was terribly handicapped by the existing state of things. A more expeditious method of attaining such reforms as better housing, light and surroundings, and care for the working classes aft^r the war was needed. DEVOLUTION ESSENTIAL. .Mr. Kiank Hodges (Bridgend), seconded by Mr. C. Edwards (Bedwellty), moved that whilst recognising Ireland's claim for immediate Home Rule, the conference was of the opinion flhat such a measure should be an advance instalment of a measure of Federal Hojiie Rule for the four nations. The resolution was supported bv Mr. AY m. Bra'-e. M.P.. who said that without Home Rule of some form or other, there was no hope for t hose ideals of reconstruction which were expected to be carried out at the conclusion of the war. In Ireland the idea had been sup- ported not only on lines of nationality, but of practicability, and if, as he lielieved, that was a ,;olind argument for Ireland, then it was equally sound for Wales and Scotland. The La- hour Party could not ignore plit, movement for Kederal Home Rule. The present was a. time Iiitp(,j- I Par- of great opportunities, and the Imperial Par- liament must be relieved of everything that could with advantage be done locally. Parlia- ment wa» congested and devolution was "essen- tial. I he resolution was carried with unanimity. STATE PAYMENT. -Ili-. W. Harris (Merthyr Labour Party) moved that the conference should insist that any legis- lative )»ody set up to administer Welsh affairs should be directly elected, and that no nomi- nated or co-opted person should be appointed to sit on such hody, and that the basis of repre- sentative areas should be the same as that un- der the Representation of the People Act. 1918. Seconded by Mr..J..V,. Kelly (Barry) and sup- ported by Mr..Manly Jones, the motion was adopted with :11. extension, suggested by Ir, -Morgan .Jolw (Rargoetl), laying down the prin- ciple of State payment of expenses for member* of the Welsh Parliament. At the .ilternoon session, presided OUT by Mr. T. C. Mortis (Ystrad); Mr. Colwill (Swansea) brought forward a motion that the conference should register an opinion that the Federal Par- liament should legislate and administrate on all matters appertaining to the natron, such as local government, public health, education, highway administration, with power to deal fully with all nit;oiial urban and rural devel- opment alld other matters of a domestic char- acter. Mr. David Dnvies (Dowlais) seconded, and after being spoken in support of by Mr. J. H. ThorwH.1.1> who said that tlit, Fedei-a.1 question was no mere Labour claim, but a re- form. national in cluwacver and one for appeal to all sections of the community, the resolution was carried.
The Electric Theatre
The Electric Theatre It takes a lot to surprise me so far as Elec- tric programmes are concerned, but I IJlIlt con- fess to a, second look at next week's programmes, and particularly at the oig-liner which is to be with us tor the second session of the week. I mean the announcement that. we were to have that groat spectacular play A Daughter of the Cods." probably the finest special ever se- cured by a Merthyr house. The delightful and swee-t -phantasy will speak straight to the lwart. of all who love joy and laughter, the ititiocent, merriment of little children, the love of brave men and fair women. It is a glorious million- dollar special; and. the fact that so perfect a piece of work loould have fieen done in British waters and on British soil augurs well for the ultimate leadership of British cinema art. The star part in "A Daughter of the Gods" has been played by that Australian Venus. Annitta Kellerman. The music, too, is specially com- posed for the production and with the clever little Khvtric orchestra, doing the melody as well as the Electric lantei nist -ends the film through the machine, it should ht' as refreshing as a. glass of good sherbert this weather. The initial programme, too, is a very attrac- tive one, bringing back to us in the top liner, delightiul Marguerite Clarke, who queens it as Dolly Kr.skine over the beaux of her day until she loses her heart under circumstances both humourous and dramatic. The title of this pic- ture, Gretna. Green," is itself alluring. Then t here is another hero-worship Triangle burlesque entitled "His Puncture'! Reputation, told in the inimitably funny vein of these great come- dies. There will be big instalments of The Lass of the Lumberlands," and that other out- standing serial" The building of the British Empire. The current programme is offering delightful fare in the presentation of an ori-Inal five- l eeler, The iVIasquoraders." the book of which has delightful literary touches, and the acting in which reaches a very high level, particularly that, of Hazel Dawn, to whom has fallen the main lines. There is a strong comedy, Living by their Wits," a bumper programme of minor numbers, and exciting incidents in the unfold- ing of the mystery serial, The Red Ace." Tho«e of my readers who have noted the trade excitement over the superb new Fox release, The Spy will be delighted to learn that the Elect l ie Management have snapped up the great drama, for a very earlv visit. to the town. PLAYGOER.
Advertising
j IHHUtE MYAL & EMPtftE PtUtSE, Mert?r! l?ii!eii,?e,e- M r. Will Slnith-30D. Rei d eilt -Nfaiiacer-N-lr. 1"'red Dry. I Licensee—Mr. Will Smithson. Resident Manager—M r. Fred Dry. I 16.30 TWICE NIGHTLY. 8.30 j ? Week commencing MONDAY, AUGUST 5th, 1918. I t MATINEE on MONDAY at 2.30 p.m. | — — —  Messrs. Balmain present, by arrangement with Messrs. Grossmith & I I Messrs. Balmain present, by arrangement with Messrs. Oro8smith « I I sTHE MISLEADING LADY! I MR. ROLLO BALMAIN AS "BONEY." I IPW Circle, 1/- Stalls, 9d. Pit, 6d. Gallery, 3d. | ■IMMHiHIBHBMiaHi PLUS NEW TAX. IMBHHBniHMHBIial ] Merthyr Electric Theatre j i lVlert!omm!!ai5Kuseatre I 2 CONTINUOUS PERFORMANCE FROM 2.30 TILL 10.30 P.M. DAILY. 1- ?—————————————?.??- ?-——?_? ..????..??. ??.???_——— t I Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday- I GRETNA GREEN I A Delightful Drama, featuring dainty irresistible CLARKE. I Driim-1, dainty "Irre,istible -NIABGTJERITE CLARKE. J HIS PUNCTURED REPUTATION. I A LASS OF THE LUMBERLANDS-Part 8. j I THE BUILDING OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE-Part 5. I Pathe's Gazette, &c. I Thursday, Friday, and Saturday- I A DAUGHTER of the GODS: A I A Fo\ MasMrp?ce, featuidng the Australian Venus, AETTE KELLERMA\. I I The Greatest Film ever seen in Merthyr. EIGHT REELS I I THE RED ACE-Part 15. Pathe's Gazette, &c. • I ADMISSION • 3d.—Tax, Id.; 6d.—Tax, 2d.; III-Tax, 3d. [ Childrei-j* s Performance at One o'clock on Saturdays. Ordinary Saturday Performance starts at 3.30 o'clock. Other Days 2.30 as usual.. L. it II "_II_i THE SECRET TREATIES By F. SEYMOUR COCKS. Preface by CHARLES TREVELYAN, M.P. Collected Texts, Notes, and Maps. ? ù:1 Details of j The Secrcr Treaty with Itay. I The. Constantinople Treaty. I Tre Asia-Minor Agreement. ) The Treaty with Rounania. i The Lett Panii of the Rh'nt Agre^it-<t. j The Russo-Japanete Secret Treat; j First edition sold out ir v-n days. j Second Edition now ready. Order to-day. 2/- net, 2 2 post free, from the Union of Demo- cratic Control, 4-7 Red Lion Court, Fleet Street, London, EC 4. BOOKS THREE ESSENTIALS IN THE SOCIALIST I ARMOURY. I SOCIALISM AFTER THE WAR 1- By J. R. MACDONALD, M P. j THt STATE 1/3 By WILLIAM PATL. INDUSTRIAL UNIONISM AND THE MINING I INDUSTRY n. 1 ¡- By GEORGE HARVEY. I The Democrats Handbook to Merthyr 6d., reduced to 1d., Postage 2d. | (A Mine of local Historical and Industrial j In formation). I OUR SHOP, Pontmorlais, Merthyr HOPE CHAPEL, MERTHYR, SUNDAY, AVGUHT 4t.è,. ]91B. I Rev. J. Morgan Jones, M.A. A OORDIAL WELCOME EXTENDED TO ALL _n- SPECIAL INTEREST TO SOUTH WALES! THE AUGUST 'PLEBS' Oontainb-The Making of Merthyr," by J. T. WALTON NEWBOLP Poems by W. N. EWER and CAKTLI.A STEWART; "The Freedom of Small Nations," educational articles, reviews, and correspondence. 2d. POST FREE, FROM SECRETARY, 176 SPRINGVALE ROAD, SHEFFIELD. PONTYPRIDD I.L.P. OPEN-AIR MEETING ON THE COMMON, SUNDAY. AUGUST 4th, at *7 p.m. Speaker; GEO. DOLLING Subject-" INDUSTRIAL UNIONISM." NEXT WEEK—TED WILLIAMS (Mardy). CYFARTHFA CASTLE MUSEUM,MERTHYR • WW NOW ON VIEW. A COLLECTION OF 100 WATER-COLOURS, DRAWINGS OF THE BRITISH SCHOOL, illustrating the Rise and Progress of the Arts. From the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Exhibition oi Art Work bv the Pupils of the Cyiartht>i Cattle Municipal Secondary Schools. A. A. COOPER, A.S.A.M., Curator. EDVARD SOERMUS THE RUSSIAN VIOLINIST, 1S now arranging to give Recitals to I.L.P. Branches. Trade Unions, Labour Parties, and Co-operative Societies. 10 Fairview Terrace, Merthyr. Meat and Allied Trades Red Cross Appeal for £ 250,000. Help for Those who Help our Wounded Sons! GREAT EFFORT IN MERTHYR AND DISTRICT On behalf of the British Red Cross Society, or- ganised by local Farmers' and Butchere Association. DON'T BE LEFT OUT] It is invidious to enlarge on the worthiness of the cause the whole work costs £ 8 a minute, and of every £ 1 given 19/8 goes to the Soldier. Gifts in money and kind received at the Head- quarters, 121 High St., Merthyr, by Mr. W. Avis. Any Article that is saleable will be grate- fully received for the proposeed Jumble Sale, such as— Houses, Books, China, Jewellery, Needle- work, Tobacco, Tinned Goods, Mineral Waters, Rabbits, Chickens, &c. Anything from a Fountain Pen to a Motor Car. "Youcaa t do too roach, but you can do too little." Mr. W. Avis, representative of the Meat Trades Red Cross Appeal, London, will be at 121 High Street, Merthyr, to receive any gift or donation dy from Saturday. July 20th. PRIZE DRAWING. JOHN RICHARDS' PRIZE DRAWING IS U POSTPONED FOR ONE MONTH. EDWARD SHADBOLT, Secretary. WW HELP THOSE WHO HELP YOUR PAPER I
Accidents in Mines. !
clearing n fall? Why was not a timberman sent to the place to render it safe before the fall was cleared, and the haulier allowed to drive that way? Doubtless, if the man had been killed we-would have had the Pendleburv story- There was in this district a over again. iatal n t- h &itiim a considerable time ago in which a young man was killed by some runaway trams. The company and an official were to blame, but both got off scot free. The official was complimented by the coroner on his courage, as he was also by the miners' leader who was watching the case. The official must have had his tongue in his cheek, as the courage entailed in what he did was ne more than that required to eat a good breakfast. It only shows how ignorant both these men were of the conditions prevailing underground. The company has taken steps to prevent a re- petition of such an accident. If these steps had been taken prior to the accident, it would never havo occurred and the voting man's life would probably have been spared. OEO. DAVIES.