Pioneer

I The Compulsion Act at Work. SOCIALIST WRITER AND SPEAKER JAILED. On Monday, April 3 last, I returned to Lon- don from Merthyr to attend to some London Propaganda work, before entering upon my N.O.F. activity in Wales. The following mor- ning I was present at the arrest of my col- league, Honry Sara, at the Spur Office for being an absentee under the Military Service Act (No, 2), 1916. Sara's treatment has been so outrageous that I am asking the Editor of the PIONEER to allow me space in which to record the following dtails: Sara was called to the colours on March 18 last. He returned his "call paper" to the Recruiting Authorities registered, together with the following lQtter: "17 Richmond Gardens. Shepherds Bush' London, W., March 7, 1916. To the Officer Commanding, Shepherds Bush, W. Sir,-i am returning herewith notice pa- per addressed to me as Private Henry Tho- mas W. Sara, calling upon me to attend at the White City on March 18 at 9 a.m. o'clock. I refuse, and will continue to re- fuse, to look upon myself as a soldier of the Crown under any circumstances. In my registration form, I stated that I was op- posed to war. To a letter received from the Mayor of Hammersmith, asking me to join a local battalion. I replied at length, empha- sising my opposition to assisting war in any way. Fo,r various reasons wnich I am pre- pared to state in the civil court whin and if necessary, I refuse to take the oath of allegiance or accept military instructions. Yours faithfully (Signed), HENRY SAltA." After being detained in a police cell for 2,4, hours—with no proper means of sleeping— Sara, was hustled into the West London Police Court on Wednesday, April 6. He was given no proper opportunity of stating his case, and wa, hustled into and out of the dock. He was allowed to see no friends. The magistrate sen- tenced him to one month's imprisonment, and remarked that the sooner his mouth was closed the better! How judicial! how learned how equitable, noble and just! Sara joined up with the Cianon Fellowship about 1907, but left it for the Industrialist League, and was business manager to its organ, "The Industrialist," for a long time. In 1912, he became associated with myself, and began writing for the Herald of Revolt" in Octo- ber of that year. Soon after, he was victimised for his activity, and came to live with me. Since the war broke out, he has addressed many meetings, and has been prosecuted in West London in connection with free speech fights. The Sunday before his arrest he ad- dressed a big meeting in Fins bury Park, which was his stronghold. I hope comrades will not let Sara's treatment go unchallenged, but will raise a strong agita- tion against the military outrage of conscience, until despotism finds that liberty is too strong a bird to cage. GUY A. ALDRED. Sir—I am drawing your attention again to the case of Mr. Henry Sara, now a prisoner-of-war for conscience at Salisbury Plain. Many leading M.P.'s have written to me explaining their; opposition to the Act, and their sympathetic interest in the present case. Sir William Bull, the member for Hammer- smith. notwithstanding his known opposition to Socialism and leaning towards National Service, put the case 'before the authorities as soon as the full facts were brought to his notice. Dr. John Clifford has written to state that Sara's stand is abundant evidence of his genuine fidel- ity to conviction, and advises the maintenance of this fight for freedom. A friendly HitiKjier states that Sara is allowed to wear only trousers and shirt, and is roughly treated be- cause, despite every persecution he refuses to drill when sent out on Salisbury Plain with the other men of the regiment. The National Coun- cil Against Conscription is taking the matter up and will make a test case of his treatment. At Finsbury Park, on Sunday last, two mag- nificent meetings were held, at which great in- dignation was shown at his arrest. At both meetings a resolution was carried demanding Sara's release. The morning meeting numbered nearly 2,000 persons, and only 12 voted against the resolution. Hundreds have signed a peti- tion for his unconditional release, and scores of people are writing or wiring him at the 3rd Lon- don Regiment., Salisbury, identifying themselves with him in his stand. All axe fully aware that, under the Army Act, they may be charged with aiding and abetting a military offender. But they take the view that the 1916 Act which makes the offence possible is an inquisition on conscience and must be smashed. Besides, under the 1881 Act. Sara is entitled to be charged properly in the courts and to be identified legally in open court. This was not done, and the local paper, reporting the case. without comment, shows that the magistrate's one aim, after consulting with the military representative was to down the defendant without hearing. As the arn-iv provides for ordinary criminal law procedure, Sara actually is entitled to the right of criminal appeal. Instead of this, lie is given the option of imprisonment and then kidnapped without the option. In the same way. not being legally identified in court. court martial will have no real jurisdiction in his case, and therefore no offence is committed in encouraging him to stand firm. But when the court martial comes, as come it must unless an early release occurs, we may expect that Sara will have no opportunity of communicating with his friends In time to master the legal technicalities of his case. Owing to the love of civic liberty shown by the "Manchester Guardian" in allowing me to direct attention in its columns to the case, many letters have reached me bv every post express- ing solidarity and determination in the struggle. It is interesting to not? that a solitary reader— an anonymous one-sent two postcards rejoicing m Sara's sufferings. This is THE "public" which supports militarism! Meanwhile, meetings a.re being arranged all over the country, and in Scotland and Wales resolutions are being passed at large asseiiioies protesting, in various terms, against the arrog- ant attitude of the military authorities in this matter. to tal;?e ii?n Sa,i'a's (yase, It is urgent not only to take un Sara's oase, in the interest of other conscientious objectors similarly or about to be similarly placed. Milita- rism must bo crushed and I ask your immediate aid in this glorious battle rf the, man against the machine.—-Yours sincerely. GUY A. ALDRED (Editor "The Spur.") 17 Richmond Gardens, Shepherd's Bush, London. W.. 11th'April. 1916. Re HENRY SAHA. Sir 'I am no in receipt of two letters from the above Consoript-against-Conscience. He wrote them secretly, and a sympathiser in camp posted them on. his behalf. The first is dated from Hurdcott Oamp, Friday, April 7, and the second from Parkhurst Barracks, Monday mor- ning:. April 10. I am compiling from their con- tents a careful statement of Sara's treatment according to his own testimony since he was handed over to the Military Authorities on Wednesday. April 5 last. At the White City, Sara was passed as medi- cally fit for the army, though his eyesight is known to be wrong. He was taken to the Har- row Road Barracks of the 3rd London Regt. Here he refused to put on uniform. Those around him said he ought to be dressed and put into line. About a dozen men tore off his clothes and forced khaki on him. after twisting his arms and punishing his face. His eye is coloured stiM and painful, and his head is swol- len from the treatment received. He refused-to obey orders in line, and was taken into the yard, and doubled between two soldiers, who were re- layed. but to no avail, despite the kicking and punching. The Captain rang up the War Office, as he. was undecided what to do. He seemed to think that Sara was genuine, but apologised that lie had to obey orders. Sara was conveyed to Hurdcott Oamp, Thursday evening. On the Friday morning he refused to form fours" on parade, and was taken before the Colonel, who asked him if he (Sara) thought that he was God Almighty. He asked Sara this question twice, and told him to choose either to H e l l. Slam said he would take things quietly or—Hell. Sam said he would stand by his opinions. He was sentenced to 28 days' imprisonment in Parkhurst Jail, Isle of Wight, and was placed in the Detention Room until Monday morning, April 10 when he was conveyed to Parkhurst. At Parkhurst Barracks, I understand, a gun was carried down for Sara, but he refused to touch it. He is told that at the jail they can break in lions, let alone men. Also if, when his sentence expires which will be on May 4, he still refuses to handle the gun, they may put his handcuffed hands above his head, and feet fastened to the floor, in a cage until he gives way. Sara has been offered N.C.C. or a job at the Rifle Depot, but has refused both offers, as his stand is against all war. He has not signed papers nor taken oath. His money has been taken away. and he has been allowed neither to receixe nor to send letters. The two I have re- ceived have been, as stated, smuggled communi- cations. 6504 is his army number. I have to thank the Rt. Hon. W. Long, Pre- sident of the Local Government Board, for di- recting the War Office's attention to Sara's case, and a very courteous letter dated the 11th inst Mr. Long does not understand, however, that in Hammersmith, no exemptions were given for Conscience. And that the Appeal Tribunal I had a like outlook on the matter.—Yours sin- cerely, GUY A. ALDRJc/LJ (Editor. "The Spur.") 17 Richmond Gardens, Shepherd's Bush, London. W., 12/4/16.

„———-———————— PROPAGANDA, NOT PROFIT," is the motto of the Pioneer Press." If you ane alive to the tremendous social improve- ments that the Party the Pioneer represents stands for, then it is your duty to all that all your Trades Union, Co-Operative, and General Printing comes te Williams' Square, Merthyr the Home of the Pioneer,"

ALDRED AND MARX. I (To the Editor of the PIONEER.) I Dear Sir.—loan's ietter. in the PIONEER of the 8th inst., relates that Ab-. Guy A. Aldred | claims Marx as an Anarchist. A study of Marx's works refutes that claim Quotations cannot do justice to the theories ataohed to h, j name, and where he disagreed with many of his contemporaries was in the fact that he believed in a Socialism which would not be a graft upon present society, but would grow naturally out of it. In his materialist conception of history he showed the ruling class in every age producing its own gravediggers. In your report, upon another page. Mr. Aid- red bemoans that we are more concerned with the vote catcher and Trades Unionism th&O- with real Labour emancipation and Socialism." It is our lack of concern about our Trade Unlorl6 he should bewail, for in them lies our emanci- pation; they are the basis of the future so- piety. Marx saw the failure of the labour un- ions in their guerilla- warfare of a fair day's wage tor a fair day's work," but "the abolition of the wage system is a different proposition. Ihu Socialist should not be driven by the pre- sent conditions to wish to take a leap into the dark The industrial union provides him with an opportunity to first learn to control his own organisation, and finally control and own the in- dustry, thus avoiding State Socialism, which by buying out the present owners would create a large body of bond-holders and State. "-Yotirs. (-tQ., MARK STARR.

CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondents are requested to condeng. their letters as much as possible. J Letters of a personal character will not inserted. The Editor wishes it to be distinctly under- stood that he will not hold himself responsible for the opinions or statements of correspond- ents, nor undertake to return rejected manus- cripts. Correspondents MUST write on one side of the paper only.

MERTHYR. MERTHVR, I.L.P. NOTICE.—Sunday evening; Aprn 16, ail our I.L.P. Women Members are re- quested to meet at the Institute at 8 sharp- Tuesday. April 18: Special Branch Meeting- Business—Selection of a delegate to attend the Annual Conference a.t Newcastle, and discussion of Conference agenda; also other important mat- ters will be discussed. Meeting to commenee Bit 8 sharp. Good Friday, April 21. I.L.P'ers Social Tea. Dance and Whist Drive.; tea from 4.30 to 6.30. Every member should attend on this oe- easion. THE KEIR HARPIE SHIELD—Those who appre- ciate good Schoolboy Football will have excel- lenP tare provided for them on the PenydarreO Park this Eastertide in the competition for the tveur Hardie Shield. Over a dozen schools enter- ed teams, and these have, already, by the first- round matches, been reduced to eight. Ar- rangements are being made to have the second round matches played in the course of the next three weeks. It is hoped that the efforts of the local schoolboys will be well pat- ronised by the public, as the proceeds are to be handed over to a local charitable organisation. The holders of the shield from last year are the Merthyr Vale Schoolboys.

MERTHYR VALE & ABERFAN SOLDIER BROTHERS' HOME COMING. —SOME time ago it was announced in Merthyr Vale and Aberfan that Private T. Lewis, of the 9th Welsh, had been recommended for the V.C., and tlie township prepared to do him honour on his return from the front last week. The Crescent and Taff Street, Merthyr Vale had been deco- rated for the home-coming, and when he and his brother. Gunner B. Lewis (R.F.A.), who arrived from Hospital on Tuesday of last week, put in an appearance, they were given a splen- did reception. Private Lewis has not heard any- thing about receiving the coveted decoration, and is sure there is no foundation for the ru- mour that has gained credenee.

GLAIS PO\RfOTS' (:J) DIRTY TRICK.— On Sunday last a motor char-a-banc was engaged by the So- cialist Party to go to hear the Rev. Herbert Dunnico, Liverpool, at Ystalyfera, but no motor appeared on the scene at the time laid down (2 o'clock). Inquiries were then made. and it was found that the local patriots (?) had got wind of the matter, and had sent a letter to poslr pone the order until the following Sunday. The Secretary of the party came to know of the dirty trick that had been played and took the matter up, with the result that he had the motor at Glais at 6 p.m. ready to go to Gor- seinon, where the Rev. H. Dunnico was also to deliver a lecture. The motor was full, and many were left behind. Between 30 and 40 made the trip and pronounced it and the lecture most enjoyable. TRANSFERRED TO RESERVES—Mr. Aneurin Rees Nicholas Road, Glais. has been transferred to the Reserves. He does not know when he may be called up. SOCIALISS PROPAGANDA.—The local Socialists have decided to hold an out-door meeting in the near future.

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