The North Wales Chronicle and Advertiser for the Principality

THE PRIME MINISTER'S TRIUMPH. We do not disguise our satisfaction that the discussion in the House of Com- mons on Monday on the subject of the Rapallo plan and Mr Lloyd George's Paris speech, in which that plan was announced to the world, ended not merely in the com- plete vindication of the Prime Minister's statesmanship, but also in a great personal triumph for him. Mr Lloyd George, after all, is one of the most considerable assets of the free nations in their great fight against Prussian militarism for in him, more than in any other man in Europe, are embodied the ideals of democracy and the practical mind that gives to those ideals a substance and a form. There is no necessity to enquire into the resources of the British Empire in the matter of statesmanship. Ic is the height of folly to waste time and energy in girding at people who are, probably stupidly, sup- posed to regard any one man as "indis- pensable." We are far from believing that Mr Lloyd George himself has any illusions on the matter. Had the Prime Minister, in fact, considered himself u in- dispensable for the triumph of the great cause with which his name is now and forever indissolubly identified, he would surely not have made one of the most significant statements of the Paris speech. There is one quality that not even his detractors will deny to Mr Lloyd George. His detractors have never denied it. Even when political rancour was at its fiercest in the old days of party politics —when Mr Lloyd George was as well hated as ever politician was in our his- tory-we never for a moment doubted his courage. And if he thought himself "indispensable" no consideration on earth would move him to talk of quitting his post. The fact is, of course, that the theory of indispensability is set up as an easy way of venting spleen against the Prime Minister, of indulging in sarcastic rhetoric, and perhaps of satisfying ancient grudges. Mr Lloyd George's indispensa- bility is not the question the qfltestion is whether lie is the fittest and best for the high oflice which he holds for the purpose of giving the utmost effect to the resources of the British Empire in War and to give unity and direction to the combined resources of the Allies. That he is the fittest and best isunquestionably the settled opinion of the overwhelming masses of the people of this country as well as of his colleagues and associates. Not without show of reason has Mr Lloyd George been called the Prime Minister of Europe, and his countrymen may well be proud of the fact that this British Statesman is accepted in France, in Italy, and amongst all our Allies as a symbol of high purpose, of invinciWe strength and of unalterable resolution. And the justice of the estimate of the Allies corroborated even by the enemy,, in his own peculiar way. Let us not for- get that Germany's principal interest in our so-called political "crisis" of the last few days was centred in the hope that Mr Lloyd George was in some way or another to be discredited so that his Government would be brought to the ground. The "crisis" has entirely dis- appeared. Mr Lloyd George dissipated it all in his masterly speech in reply to Mr Asquith. On the subject of the Rapallo plan there was, indeed, no case to answer, for the need of greater unity and of closer co-ordination of plans and aims among the Allies has been admitted all along by every thoughtful well-wisher of our cause. The Rapallo plan—or something like it-was even adumbrated by Lord Kitchener two years ago. It has been in demand amongst the mili- tary authorities ever since. It has been carefully considered by our own War Government Mr Lloyd George took it with him when he went to Italv after it had been, line by line, under the anxious consideration of himself and all .his col- leagues. The recital, of these facts is a complete answer to the foolish vapour- ings of the sour critics who put the whole plan down to Mr Lloyd George's impetu- osity Even his Paris speech was a shrewdly premeditated act. The Prime Minister wanted the Rapallo plan to be something more than a mere "scrap of paper." He was determined to get real unity of plan and purpose and he struck for the reality in his speech. We are all delighted that he achieved the end he had iii view. The Paris speech was a fine act of War and in itself is an illustration of the great part which statesmanship plays in strategy. There is no necessity to deal with the mischievous attempts of some people to misrepresent the Prime Minis- ter's plan as a reflection on our magnifi- cent military chiefs. Mr Lloyd George has himself dealt with this ugly business. We can only regret that men who not merely ought, but who really do, know better should have taken a hand in the dirty work of trying to set the politi- cians and the soldier by the ears.

EDITORIAL NOTES. I Next Tuesday Captain Philip Ralph Davies- Cookc, tli3 heir to the Gwysaney Estate in Flint- shire, and tho Owston Estate in Yorkshire, at- tains his majority. But as the young squire is engaged on military duties with his regiment, the Royal Dragoon?, the event could not be cele- brated with the ceremony which would have been the cast under ordinary circumstances. For- tunately the gallant captain's visit home on a brief furlough afforded tho tenantry and estate |* employees an opportunity last week to present him with tokens of their esteem'and good wishes. These presentations reflected sincerely the cordial relationship which has always existed between landlord and tenant as well as employees on the Gwysaney estate. The congratulations so spon- taneously extended to Captain Davies-Cooke were undoubtedly as gratifying to him -is they were to his parents, Mr ;:nd Mrs P. T. Davies- Cooke. < The mansion of G wynasey occupies a command- ing site in the neighbourhood of Mold. It was built in 1608 by Robert Davies, and was the paternal seat and residence of that family until after marriage with the daughter and heiress of Sir Peter Multon, Llannerch, in the Vale of Clwyù, became their residence. An old historian states that Gwysaney was built "of sufficient strength to be garrisoned, in the time 06 the civil wars, and wao taken on the 12th of April. 1645, by Sir William Brereton." When John Davies, the owner of the Gwysaney and Llan- nerch estates, died unmarried in 1785, the estates vested in his two sisters as tenants in common. A partition was effected, one sister taking the Llannerch property and the other sister, the widow of Philip Puieston, of Ilafod y Wern, near Wrexham, taking Gwysaney. By the mar- riage of the lattei's daughter and heiress to Mr Bryan-Cooke, of Owston. Yorkshire, the property camo into the present ownership. « • • • War Agricultural Committees are improving upon farmers the urgent necessity of ploughing more land and the seriousness of the situation demands that there shall be a very material in- crease in home production of food. Last week this was emphasised :it meetings held in .connec- tion with the Denbighshire and North Carnar- vonshire committees. The Government have al- ready stipulated the additional acrearge of land in every county which must be- ploughed, and it rests with the farmers to arrange as expeditious- !y as possible for this to be done. • ft « Mr Bortbwiek, in a letter which was read at the Abergele meeting, condemned v, hat ho termed "superfluous officials, and urged that agriculture must have free scope to develop its energies and not be fettered and bound by red tape." The new departments which the exigencies of the war have called iyto existence have, we feel sure, no desire to run counter to agriculturists, but the latter, like most other people, when cal!cd upon to make drastic changes in their mode of con- ducting their business find that things at first do not go quite as smoothly as they would like. Speaking for tho farmers, Mr Bortfiwick re- marked, "All we ask of the authorities is an open market and a sufficient st.pply of men and machinery, and farmers tiiemselves will supply the brain and muscle and all the rest that is needful It stands to reason that jf the Gov ernment, expects farmers te cultivate the soil moro extensively they should have every facility to do the wort, The Fooa Production Department of the Board of Agriculture, as well as the Board of Educa- tion, are urging the desirability of training teacheis no qualify them to give instruction in gardening to pupils in their schools, with a view to increasing the production of food next season. The idea is an excellent one, and might be adopted with advantage in places where special attention has not been given to the sub- ject. School gardening has been carried on with much success in many districts in North Wales, and th;s year plot3 of ground cultivated by school children produced good crops of potatoes and ether vegetables The work has readily appealed to boys and girls, to whom the necessary instruc- tion has been imparted without undue interfer- ence with their scholastic work. More might naturally be accomplished under the direction of trained teachers, ujii the young horticultur- ists would socn be strong rivals of their seniors, many of whom never realised their own capa- bilities until they became allotment holders. *■ « Educati-jnkts have been looking forward to M1- Fisher's Education Bill passing through its various stages in Parliament, and they feel disappointed at its withdrawal for the pre- sent. The. Court of the University of Wales and the Central Welsh Beard, both of which held their meetings at Shrewsbury last week, cm- bodied in the forrr. of resolutions thcr hope that the Bill would yet be proceeded with They do not thereby commit themseives to the full mea- suro of Mr Fisher'3 educational proposals. Whilst expressing appreciation of the measure tho University Court safeguard themselves by a phrase in their resolution that they do not ex "press any opinion on some of ;ts administrative provisions." The "Central Welsh Board are also cartful to state that they trust the Bill will be carried into law "in its mail, educational pro- posals" at an early date. We live in strenuous times, and are beconvng accustomed to so many strange things that it is not at all surprising to reali of person being almost too busy to get married. Yet such was the fate which a Rhyl baker narrowly averted, as he told the local Tribunal 011 Saturday. So hard pressed with work were other bakets in the town that when he wanted to take his .bride to the church he could not find another man to take his place for the time being. He nevertheless otereame all obstacles by baking his bread on Sunday, so as to be free on Monday to enter into tIte0bonds of matrimony. It is to hn hoped that the worry and anxiety which marked the last stage of his bachelor (Lays will be moro than counter balanced by future happi- ness in the ranks of the benedicts Ii ft • Those who heard Mr Neil Primrose speak at the Carnarvon demonstration on the occasion of Mr Lloyd George's visit early this year experienced a shock when, they read of hia lamented but heroic death in Palestine, light- ing at the head of his men. At. that time he was acting, at the Prime Minister's special re- quest, as Chief Libera: Whip, and no one will forget tho very favourable impression he created amongst the great audience by his brief though inspiring speech. Universal sympathy has been expressed with his father, Lord Rosehery, at the loss of his gallant son, for whom the future held so much hope and promise. • « • • One of the daughters of the late ColoncJ Cornwallis-West, Lord Lieutenant of Denbigh- shire, marr:ed the Prince of Pless, whom Major Hunt has destribed in Parliamentary questions as an ilieri enemy figfcrting 011 the German side. Major Hunt has been inquiring of the Board of Trade \,hether the Prince holds mortgages in this country on the estates of the late Colonel West or has acquired some part of the estates. There is no information at the Board of Trade to this elfect. But inquiry has been made in regard to certain property which was alleged to belong to Prince or Princess Pless, and the information furnished by Colonel Cornwallis- West to the Public Trustee was that the pro- perty in question was his own. Further inquiry is promised into the matter. « • » • The Director of Food Economy (Sir Arthur Yapp) is anxious to impress on everyone the importance of using potatoes whenever possible as a substitute for bread. It is estimated that if tho surplus of this year's crop—much over two million tons—were Ufed instead of bread, half a million tons of wheat, equal to 300 million bread rations or enough to keep everybody in England in bread for two months, would be saved. The Ministry is experimenting at pre- sent in the production of starch from damaged potatoes, in order to save the transport of starch from Japan. The worst of the potato crop is being utilised to obtain industrial alcohol. w < < Siir Owen Edwawfe, t'.iie chief inspector for is a bnilliaiut conveieationjaliB't, and who- ever tries to pull! his leg can make suire of com- ing off second best. Sir <)wen (who had tra- velled from Birldlgend), Ahleiman Dv. T. II. MOOTS, and other local oelefcrit-'os were journey- ing to Shrewsbury, on Fiddlay, to attend a Cen- tral Welsh Board mosting, when the conversa- tion tunned natm-alliy uipcn matters cducatronal, and it was hinted tfaat posuobly the pnre;ent-day t,ii-idi2-iiov in t,iik, schools was to turn out the pupils on sitanidlaaidised" models, and thereby d^reoiurage t-113 development of indlividuaJiitv. The Chiief In.:ip?cto»r wa,3 a.iked in which part of Wales ho found most cirigimli.ty in ideas. The instantaneous reply was. In the Bridgend1 Asylum. Owing to tlle petcxnl rcstnictione, owners of iia- unable to use thedtf cars except 011 Govcirnin:ie:it business or wwk of national im- poirtiMice. Motorists living in the couidu-y and a,t long distances frcin tOWJlS cr railway s-tcticiiis are eanse-quently in a predicament. W'hiie not wishing to use thoir cars for mere pleasure rid1:6, they have been dependent upon rhicm to get to th ei.r hornet. In fact, were it not f o.r".iIi.Wll means cif tiravellling, it ie almost certain tlfct many families weald never have taken country houses. The otter day we of a weli-known mem ber of Parliament redding in Anglesey, who, in view of the p.t!# had decided to live in London. • • • « The modi feasible way of meeting the prct-ent difficulty is the use of coral gas, and many 1 Motor- itta are already havin.g the neces-ary apparatus fitted to theiir ca:is. It has been satisfactorily dcmoiiL'tiuIed th.it the attachment of ga6ddem t-a ex ??.ti  com,pc,,rLt i ve ea6e, to exiting ca;is is dione with comparative ease, and that by ttoeor uce a ma!t:Mjat saving is effect- ed in the fuel biill. Several motto-rists in pant of tih" country are having their cans fitted with the "Looker" gas-bag, by Mesons Jones Bros., of Bangoir, who are the r;ole agents for Angle- coy, So it Hi CarnaiAontshire, and the towns of BangCM- and Ca.nnai'von. As experienced motor engineers, the firm aire convinced that this new •innovation willll wo k sa ii><faoto.<i'>y, and enable nDotcc.'ieito to make full i-tice o,f their oars, which they could not dto if they drpt -ln-'ed upon patrol for motile powelr.

The Exchequer returns from April 1st to Nov- ember 17th show that the leceipts amounted to L3,32,718,701, and the expenditure to £ 1,671,541,000. For the corresponding period la.st year the receipts were L235,353,092, and the expehditure 91 242 425.472.

) SOCIAL NOTES. I Mrs Lloyd George and Mrs Carey Evans, on Tuesday, opened 1 canteen at the "White City," London, where 8000 workers arc employed. Lady Bankee was among the stall-holders at the annual sale of work this week 1Jl aid of the funds of the Bel gravid, and Pimlico Associa- tion for the Care of Friendless Girls. Lady Osmond Williams, wife of Sir Osanond illiiaxrifi, Bant., arrived at Penrhy 11<ieuc!raetli, on Wednesday, having recovered after under- going a serious operation at Bath. The Prime Minister enertained at lunch, ai Iv. Downing-street, on Wednesday, the members of the American Mission and those who attended the War Cabinet at Tuesday's sitting. Much pleasure has been occasioned to Majcxf and Mrs Wynne Corrie's many friends in Shrop- shire by the announcement of the birth, on Wed- nesday, of a son and heir. Mrs Wynne Ccirria ie a daughter of Mr G. Butler Lloyd, M.P., whose -faiiillv has long and honourable associations wi tai the borough of Shrewsbury. At Powis Castle, on Thursday, a deputation ot the Welshpool Town Council presented to Earl Powis (who, accompanied by the Countess, re- ceived them) the massive gold cup subscribed for by the people of NVelslipool and iielghbour- hood to commemorate the coming of age of the lato Viscount Clivc. Major-General Lord Treowen, better known at Sir Ivor Herbert, who has recently visited the chief recruiting centres in North Wales—is be- coming very popular in the position of Director of Recruiting for North Wales. He was the first to make a suggestion of a National Re- gister. Lord Ireowen has a fine lighting record and was one of those who, in the Nile Expedi- tion, made the desert march to Matemmeh.

MR JOSEPH HOULT'S WILL- A FORTUNE OF £ 330.713. Provisional pncba-te of the will of the late :M:&I Joseph Hoult, Rocklandij, Thornton Hough, Cheshire, and Bowecar, I-eiiii tli, Cumberland, the weU-known Liverpool shipowner and philan- thropift, who died on the 13th October hit, haa been granted to the executors, his son (Capt. J. M. Hoult, Royal Field Artillery) and his son- in-law (MB Thomas Warren Trevor). The csta-te is sworn at 1;330,713 9s 10d, go far <1<3 at present can be ascertained. Mr Ho-jit stated in his will:—" I do not leave anything to public charities, having had the plea- sure during my lifetime of meeting my inclina- tions in that respect."

MR F. S. BARNARD LEAVES £ 71,832- Mr Frfenk Stewart Barnard, of Bryn Brae Castle, Llanrug, Carnarvonshire', and of The Wilderness, Earley, near Reading, Berks., J.P. for CaJliarvonshire and sheriff of the county in I&00, who ded on July 18th, left estate of the gross value of E71,832, of wli Ich P,66,018 is net personality. Probate of his will, dated May 31st, 1917, with a codicil of June 9th, 1917, has-been granted to Mr Daniel Norman Ritchie, of The Holmes, St. BosweMs Roxburgh; Mr Harold Lacy Add-on, of 2, Bont-coum, London, E.C., solicitor; and his brother, Mr Alexander Donald Bernard, of Broom Ha.11, Suriningdaie. Berks., frtockbrtoker. The testator left JMOOO a year to his wife du- ring widowhood, with remainder in tru^t for his dopted daughter, Yvonne Stewart Bartiard j £1000 and his residence and household effects to his wife absolutely E100 each to the executors of his vi'l. provided they act in the trusts of the will for at least a year after his death £32û per annum to hie niece, Minnie Lavender, £ 200 per annum to his sister, Minnie Walsh; je200 a year to his brother, Alexander, provided he acts as a trustee of the will, with remainder to his chil- (ireii; E200 a year to his adopted daughter, Yvonne, and the residue of his estate in trust fOL his Wife for life, with remainder in trust for his said adopted daughter and her issue. The testator was chaimnan of the South Afri- can General Syndicate, Limited, {.nd a director of Messrs W. J. Robson and Co., Limited.

ABERYSTWYTH C.O. TEACHER DISMISSED At a meeting of the governors of the Aberys- twyth County Sdhool, on Tuesday, Mr C. M. WitiEam6 moved that the engagement, of Mr D. J. Daviej as assistant master be terminated. Mr Davies, who is a conscientious -objector, has been granted exemption from military service. A motion to dismiss liim was brought befou-e the governors by AI r Williams twelve months ago, but was defeated. The Clerk read letters from t,he looai branch of the Rai'lwaymen's Union and from the Trades Council, protesting against the proposal to dismiss Mr Davies. A petition, signed by 119 pa £ t and present pu-piis, stating that Mr Davies had never attempted to enforce his view aa a consojentious objector upon them was also put in. Mr Williams said he moved the resolution in tiie internets of the school and the pupils, and at the request of parents. He had been accused! of persecutiiciu, but that was the Ust thing in the world he would attempt. He believed that the moral effect of the present condition of attains in the school was inj urious. Mr Daniel Thomas seconded. Professor D. Morgan Lewis aid thie con- tinual nagging at Mr Dayies wa" not fair, hon- ourable, or mainly. No definite charge had been made against Mr Davies, and it could not be proved that he was an inefficient teacher. The Chairman (the Rev. R. J. Roes) said it was unfair and unjust for the proposer and seconder to say they had several reasons for bringing this proposition forward, and not to state those reasons explicitly. Mr Williams: They have been brought before the Headmaster. The proposition to dismiss Mr Davies was car- ried by five votes to four.

1 I PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF PLESS. I QUESTION OF INTERESTS IN ESTATES OF LATE COL. CORNWALLJSWEST. r-. 1.11 1 lii tiie, House ot Commons, on iliiiirsuay, Major Hunt asked the Prime MiniSter \\}¡e:hel Prince Pless, an ahen enemy fig'itir.g on the Ger mill sice, held mortgagcs in this country on the ('s. tates of the late colonel Coniwallis Weet ,r whether he had acquired some pait of the es- tates; and if so, if ti e interest of Prince Plebs had been taken over by the Publ:c Trustee. Mr. Wardlc. I have, no information that tha Prince of Pless holds mcttgages in this country 0.1 the estate of the late Colonel Corwallis West, but inquiry h :e been made ill rc-garù to certain property which was alleged to belong Prince or Princess Pless. and the informa.- tion furnished by Colonel Corwallis West to th.; Public Trustee was that the property in question was his own, and did iiot be:oiig to the Prince or Princess. I Km, however, causing further inquiry to be made in the matter-

ST DAVID'S DAY The Queen's Hall has been taken for next St. David's Day celebration m London. Mr Lloyd George will probably attend. Mr R-ohard Davies has been appointed chairman of the committee I to make tiie arrangement.

Lord Robert Cecil announced in the House of Commons, on Monday, that he had decided to prohibit further export, of cement to Holland wtil further inquiries bad been made.