24/9/1914

GENERAL FRENCH'S ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE: BRITISH CRUISERS SINK.

THE ENEMY'S DESPERATE STAND

ON THE BANKS OF THE AISNE

THE ANGLO-FRENCH FORCES AGAIN PUT THEM TO FLIGHT

BRITISH LOSS OF CRUISERS

06/08/14
13/08/14
20/08/14
27/08/14
03/09/14
10/09/14
17/09/14
24/09/14
01/10/14
08/10/14
15/10/14
22/10/14
29/10/14

AMMANFORD HEROES OF MONS . THE FIERCENESS OF THE FIGHT. P4
Private D. Moriarty, of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, who has been invalided home at Ammanford, is a hero of the Battle of Mons, and is now rapidly recovering from shell wounds in both legs, and will this week again be ready for service. Moriarty, it may be mentioned, had experience of active service in the South African war, but the fighting there (he says) pales into insignificance compared to the battle of Mons. The horrors which he there witnessed weighed upon him like a nightmare. The German artillery wrought havoc upon his regiment, and no less than 600 of them, he computes, were mowed down within an hour. The roar of the cannon and the screaming overhead of the shells made the scene indescribable. It was hellish. Nevertheless, he is anxious to “get at ’em” again. Another Ammanford man who went through the battle is Private Murray of the Lancashire Fusiliers. He had a most narrow escape form death, a German bullet grazing the crown of his head. Both are receiving a cordial welcome at the hands of their friends and acquaintances, and their realistic accounts of the exciting experiences they have undergone are listened to with the utmost eagerness.

NATIONAL RELIEF FUND. P6

The following is the text of a letter addressed to the Press on September 12th, by the Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, M. P., explaining the aims and objects of the National Relief Fund : — The administration of the Prince of Wales’s fund has been the object of a certain amongst of criticism in the public Press, and I have reason to believe that this gives expression to a real feeling of doubt and dissatisfaction prevailing both among some of those who have contributed to the fund and among some of those who are, unhappily, suffering from the distress which the fund was designed to alleviate. It is because this dissatisfaction is, I think, largely due to a misconception as to what the fund has done, is doing, and can do, that I venture to ask you to give publicity to this communication. Let me begin by contradicting two errors which seem to have obtained a wide currency. The first error is that no part of the fund is to be used to relieve civil as distinguished from military distress – it being wrongly supposed that the whole sum subscribed is destined for the wives and families of soldiers and sailors. The second error, equally baseless and even more absurd, is that among the civil population eligible for assistance women are not to be included. For my own part, it is the women thrown out of employment by the war who seem to have the strongest claims upon our sympathy and aid; and so, I believe, think my colleagues on the Executive Committee. These errors of fact which an inquiry at the office of the Executive Committee would at once have corrected. But there are criticisms of a different kind which require more consideration. It is alleged that in the use of the fund there has been avoidable delays, as well as some mal-administration. I would ask those who wish to form a judgement on these points to consider the conditions under which alone any central fund for general purposes can give satisfactory results. The advantages of a central fund are great. It makes possible a fairer distribution of our charitable resources between areas which are rich and areas which are poor, between areas which have suffered much from the ware and area which have suffered little or not at all. It also does something to diminish the evils of overlapping. But evidently it cannot be administered from the central office directly to individual sufferers. It must work through organisations which either already exist or which it brings into being. Now the creation of a new organisation, covering (as it must) the whole country, would not only be a work of extreme difficulty, but it would take much time. The Executive Committee of the fund have been charge with dilatoriness. What would have been said of them if they had waited to employ their money till they had devised a new machinery for its distribution? Evidently existing organisations had to be used; and the only question was which organisation. So far as (what may be called) the military side of our work, there could be no doubt. The Royal Patriotic Fund is a statutory body which deals with the dependents of soldiers and sailors who die in the war; the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families Association, or where it has for local reasons become inefficient, the Local Committee take up the work, and they also have been provided with the necessary resources. I observe that cases of mal-administration on the part of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families Association have been referred to in the Press. I hope its critics will remember the conditions under which it works. It is carried on wholly by voluntary effort; in some parts of the country it has lost, during a period of peace, much of its efficiency; it has thrown upon it without warning a strain greater than it has ever had to bear; its work involves following up, often harder great difficulties the feelings of soldiers and sailors suddenly summoned to the colours. It has in the last month, in addition to is old work, bee called on to deal with the Territorials and with the New Army. Now wonder that even the un-grudging labours of those who have devoted themselves to the work of the society have not suffered wholly to avoid errors both of omission and commission. If now we turn from the military to the civil side of the fund’s work, what organisation is available corresponding to those I have mention on the military side? It must be observed that a central fund requires a central organisation in addition to local organisations (such as the Mayors Committee) which administer assistance in particular areas. Without some means of examining not merely the intrinsic merits of this or that scheme, and the reality of distress in this or that district, but also the comparative needs of different parts of the country so reasonable distribution would be possible. Where is this central organisation to be found? There is but one, namely the Government Committee for the Prevention and Relief of Distress. This has behind it, in addition to great primary resources, and official staff acquainted with the whole of England. The Local Government Board and the Board of Trade have unique means of informing the Government Committee about the needs of every area and the merits of every scheme; while the Government Committee possess unique advantages in dealing with the very difficult problems which the relief of industrial distress must always present. The Executive Committee of the Prince of Wale’s Fund have therefore requested the Central Committee to lay before them any schemes which they think the Prince of Wale’s Fund should assist; and every suggestion made by the Central Committee for the mitigation of civil distress has been immediately followed. The Executive Committee have been charged with “bottling” their money. They have done nothing of the kind. Already they have paid out more than £350,000 sterling which has been already distributed or is now in course of distribution. As the schemes of the Central Committee for dealing with industrial distress matures; as the number of soldiers’ dependants grows with the growth of our Army; as husbands and fathers die in their country’s cause, so will the demands on the fund increase. None can guess how long the war will last. As I write the course seems favourable. But he must be sanguine indeed who thinks the contribution already received, magnificent as has been the response to the Prince of Wale’s appeal, are in excess of the necessities of the situation.

ASSISTANCE FOR THE DEPENDENTS OF MEN ON ACTIVE SERVICE. To the Editor of the Amman Valley Chronicle. P?
The committee of the National Relief Fund is extremely anxious that no delay whatever should occur in the giving of such assistance as may be needed by the dependents of men at the Front. As much misconception exists, I should be very grateful if you would publish the following instructions : — Those needing help should apply to the Local Representative of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families Association, or if the address is not known they should apply to the Mayor, or Chairman of the Urban Council or Chairman of the County Council as the case may be, who will either himself give them the necessary help or refer them to the nearest Branch of the Association. General enquiries should be addressed to the Head Office of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families Association, 23 Queen Ann’s Gate, London, S.W.
Yours faithfully,
WEDGWOOD BENN
Chairman Executive Committee.

AMMANFORD BOY. WITH THE CARDIFF COMMERCIAL BATTALION. P5

There is at least one Ammanford boy with the Cardiff Commercial Battalion of the Welsh Regiment. He is Mr. W. J. Lloyd, of Mr. Hamilton S. J. Lloyd, popularly known is sporting circles as ”Min.” Writing to his brother, he states: “The battalion consists entirely of Cardiff boys, who are engaged in the big commercial houses of the city. A jolly, lively lot, we left for Lewes, Sussex, where we are now stationed, on Monday week, and you ought to have seen the send off we got. The station platform was crowded with thousands of people, and it was with difficulty we managed to get to our train. The scene as the train steamed out will be memorable to me. The Lord Mayor of Cardiff has given us a regimental pet in the shape of a goat which proudly walks at the head of the battalion. As regards the venue of our encampment we have been very fortunate. Lewes is fine, and we are able to visit Brighton, which is only six miles away, practically every day. Our battalion possesses a particularly fine Rugby football team, which includes no less than six Welsh Internationalists. We played a Lancashire team on Saturday, before a crowd of ten thousand people, and we had them beaten eight goals to one. He adds that the battalion will shortly be removed to Eastbourne, and indications pointed to the fact that they might see active service before very long. “I am sure you would like to be with us (he remarks). There are here, I am certain the best lot of boys that have yet joined the Army.”

AMMANFORD BOYS FROM KILDARE. ABBOT GRIFFITHS AND THEIR DOINGS. SIDELIGHTS ON THE MORALE OF THE RECRUITS. P4

A fine descriptive letter of the doings of the Ammanford boys who have enhanced Kildare, Ireland, and which also casts interesting sidelights on their morale, has been written by Abbot Griffiths the well know Ammanford inside-half, to Mr. D. J. M. Jones, chemist, Ammanford is a popular committee man of the club“You are probably anxious the (letter reads) to hear something about the Ammanford boys that are stationed in Ireland. We are twenty here in the barracks, and are doing fine. We managed to keep together so far and trust that we will until the end, and return home as good little soldiers that has struck a blow for our dear country. By way of drilling we have done barely nothing yet, the reason being scarce accommodation. We have at last now secured a nice barrack room that is a decent little home. You can understand by that that we are making strides now and will soon have to go through hell. We are all ready and anxious to do our thing – our leaving home was never for a good time. Kildare is no place for a holiday either; it’s the poorest place I have ever dropped into. They are as poor as church mice. “Up to yesterday all the soldiers were penniless. I have wished a few times I were near that grate, full of boys in that little back room of yours. Don’t be under the impression though that we suffer in any way. We get pleasant food, and although it is not all horse, we dig into it as if it were an Xmas bird and each one wears the smile of a saint . I believe we are all going to be plump little soldiers. We often hear the comments passed by our Cockney brothers, “these Welsh lads are hot stuff.” We mean to keep the same ginger as when playing football. Somehow, the lads here have come to know that we played football, and they want us to select a team to play them. We are going to amply beat them. “Pity Stanley and Ossie are not here then we would be more complete We all miss them very much, especially the banter, with his original funny way. Bach makes up a little though but not quite of the same breed. . . . They are bound to be very quiet at Ammanford now, and the little dears must be ---w---. I don’t believe though that I cause a moment’s anxiety to anyone. I can't help observing that the young fellows are rich for girls now, for they must be around ten to one. I have not heard anything of Dai Thomas nor Shaw bach yet. I have no idea where they are, and I don’t think they know we are in Ireland. I see It’s nothing doing with regard to Rugby/Darts for this season on the Cross Inn front if the season goes out without a game played, we will have another year's great record, and then we would certainly deserve a medal each. Ha, ha! What about the blaziers? Have you heard anything? However, I have no doubt Mr. Hewlett will stick to his promise he is very patriotic and honourable. “We had a piece of good news from the Tirydail Colliery to-day, Mr. ---w--- has promised each one of his workers who have enlisted a cheque each on their return. Possibly, though, he will have no one to give it to, for we may yet have to face fire. The Allies are playing havoc with the enemy just now, but who knows what’s going to happen. I hope that it will end soon, but not for fear of fire. I would indeed go today if I were trained a little, and you ---w--- and win that the rest would do ---w---I’ll conclude now; we are about to have our dinner – spuds and bully.”

DO NOT FORGET. P6

Ye nations bow your head and hold your breath,
And reverently kneel and ask for strength
While gallant little Belgium faces death,
That peace and plenitude be ours at length.

Could but the warriors of those ancient times
Let eyes upon they noble gallantry,
How gladly would the sweet harmonious chimes
Of long-forgotten wounds ring out for thee.

Could but the graves of princes and of kings
Be made to open and cast out their dead;
Could but the angel that good tidings brings,
Restore to all dead flesh the soul that fled.

How many a hair would spring and stand on end?
How many a bone in restlessness would turn?
How many a sigh the silent air would rend?
How many a soul would this foul play discern?

Without thy aid fair wisdom would depart,
And leave a help a world consumed in rage;
Ideals fled, subdued the cultured heart
By rude fanatics of an iron age.

But why lament what hath not come to grief,
And mourn as dead what is about to live?
The blood-stained side of this historic leaf
Will bear His signature, and “I forgive.”

Now if the long-gone past can't cheer the deed,
The unseen future shall be all thine own,
And if this earth can't draft they worthy need
Another world will keep thy records known.

For ever will the stain of this disgrace
Remain in scarlet spots on heathen hands.
Not all holy waters can efface
The fault of Huns who trampled His demands

J. W. ANTHONY.
Fferws Hill.

FAREWELL CONCERT AT AMMANFORD. Actors who have Assumed more Realistic Role. P8

Among the many who have responded to Lord Kitchener’s appeal are two members of the Ammanford I. O. G. T. Amateur Dramatic Society – Messrs. Ben Johnson and Evan Lewis, who took part in the production of “The Middleman” at the opening of the New Palace Theatre last May. At the close of a meeting of the Dramatic Society held at the Gwestfa Café on Wednesday night, a farewell concert was given in their honour, at which Mrs. R. Hiley Harries, on behalf of the Society presented fountain pens to the members who had enlisted. Mr. Johnson thanked the Society for their kind gift; and on behalf of Mr. Evan Lewis, who had already left that day, Mr. Fred Lewis returned thanks. The following was the programme :-
Pianoforte overture, Miss Edith Hughes, A. L. C. M.
Song, “Somewhere a voice is calling,” Miss Gwladys Davies, A. L. C. M.;
Recitation, a scene from “Henry VIII.,” “Cardinal Wolsey on his fall,” Mr. John A. Hyams;
Song, “Little Irish Girl,” Mr. W. H. Evans;
Song, “There is a land,” Miss Gwladys Davies,
During the items speeches were delivered by the chairman, Mr. R. Hiley Harries, and Mr. D. J. Edwards, and concluded with patriotic songs.

AMMANFORD RELIEF MEASURES. EXCELLENT RESPONSE TO THE APPEAL FOR FUND. LIST OF PERSONS TO WHOM DISTRESS CASES SHOULD BE NOTIFIED. P5

The arrangements made locally for the inauguration of a relief fund, and for dealing with cases of distress have proved admirable in conception as well as in execution. With great care and with an intimate knowledge of local conditions the area has been apportioned into districts, and in its choice of persons to serve as collectors towards the fund as well as investigators of distress cases the Relief Committee has been particularly fortunate.

The sum collected by means of house to house visits already exceeds £150, and, as yet, several of the collecting books have not been handed in. Eight cases of distress are being relieved. We have been requested by the Secretary (Mr. Mod. Thomas to publish a list of the authorised persons appointed as collectors and investigators for the respective districts, and where relief is needed these persons should, in the first instance, be notified.
The list is as follows :-
Ammanford Square to Tirydail Square , Revs. J. W. Jones, and E. Rosser Evans.
Tirydail Square to Bonllwyn, Florence- road, Brynderwen Road . Norman Road , and Harold Street , Mr. Tom Lewis and the Rev. Morgan Thomas.
Station Road (as far as Wansbeck) and Tirydail Lane , Messrs. Dd. Richards, and E. R. Fisher.
Talbot Road , Brynteg Terrace, and Iscennen Road , Revs. J. Griffiths and D. E. Harries.
Margaret Street , Church Street , and Brynmawr, Mrs. Minnie Rees and Miss Sarah Jones.
Ammanford Square to Pontamman, Messrs. J. C. Shaw and David Lewis.
Union Street , Walter's Road, Oakfield Terrace and Wernddu Road , Rev. A. F. Atkinson, and Mr. R. Hiley Harries.
Pontamman (as far as Ystradamman) and Hopkinstown, Mr. Erne Hewlett.
Maesquarre Road to Coronation Terrace, Messrs. T. J. Hopkin and Ivor Morgan.
Quay Street , Hall Street , Field Street , Lloyd Street , and Baptist Lane , Rev. J. Morgans, and Mr. Joe Phillips.
Pentwyn Road and Rice Street , Messrs. David George and William C. Davies.
Colonel Road and Mill Street , Mr. Rhys Thomas and the Rev. B. Ellis Jones.
Bettws Road , Messrs. J. Harries, and Henry Julian.
Wind Street, Messrs. Evan Evans and William Evans.
Heol Las Messrs, Henry Arthur and Evan Bassett.
Penybank Road (as far as Hillside ). Messrs. Martin Davies and Joe Joseph.
Villiers Road , Bishop Road , and Pantyffynnon Road , Messrs. J Harries Thomas and William Williams.
Pantyffynnon, Messrs David Jones and Sam Roberts.

05/11/14
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03/12/14
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24/12/14
31/12/14

MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S GREAT SPEECH. THE BIRTH OF A NEW PATRIOTISM. How the Nations will Benefit from the Struggle P2
Mr. Lloyd George delivered an historic speech at the Queen’s Hall, London, on Saturday, when in fulfilment of his promise, the Chancellor addressed Welshmen in the city in support of the recruiting campaign. The occasion had been eagerly looked forward to, and the building was packed to its utmost capacity. Among the audience every phrase of Welsh title was applauded. The Earl of Plymouth, whose third son it will be remembered, was killed in action, presided, and opened the meeting with a stirring appeal to young men of the nation to arm themselves in defence of the nation. Mr. Lloyd George, who was greeted with tempestuous cheering, said – My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen – I have come hear this afternoon to talk to my fellow countrymen about this great war and the part we ought to take in it. I had my task made easier after we have been listening to the greatest humble song in the world. (Cheers) (This was a relevance to "Men of Harlech,” which was sung before he rose there is no man in this room who has always regarded the prospects of engaging in a great war with greater reluctance, with greater repugnance than I have done throughout the whole of my political life. (Cheers). I am fully alive to the fact that whenever a nation was engaged in any war she has always invoked the sacred name of honour. Many a crime has been committed in the name; there are some crimes being committed now. (Hear, hear). But all the same, national honour is a reality and any nation that disregards it is doomed. (Hear, hear). Why is our honour as a country involved in this war? Because in the first place we are bound in an honourable obligation to defend the independence, the liberty, the integrity of a small neighbour – (cries of “Quite right!”) – that has lived peaceably; but she could not have compelled us, because she was weak. The man who declines to discharge his debt because his creditor is too poor to enforce it is a blackguard. (Cheer). We entered into this treaty to defend Belgium and her integrity. Our signatures do not stand alone there. This was not the only country to defend the integrity of Belgium. Russia, France, Austrian and Prussia – (hisses) – they are all there. Why did they not perform the obligation. It is suggested that it is purely an excuse on our part. It is our low craft and cunning, just to cloak our jealousy of a superior civilisation – (laughter) – we are attempting to destroy. Our answer is the action we took in 1870. (Cheers). What was that? Mr. Gladstone – (Cheers) – was then Prime Minister: Lord Granville, I think, was then Foreign Secretary. I have never heard it alleged to their charge that they were ever jingo.

TO PROTECT BELGIUM.
What did they do in 1870? That treaty bond was this: We called upon the belligerent Powers to respect that treaty. We called upon France, we called upon Germany. At that time, bear in mind, the greatest danger to Belgium came from France and not from Germany. We intervened to protect Belgium against France exactly as we are doing now to protect her against Germany. We are proceeding exactly in the same way. We invited both the belligerent Powers to stat that they had no intention of violation Belgian territory. What was the answer given by Bismarck? He said it was superfluous to as Prussia such a question in view of the treaties in force. France gave a similar answer. We received the thanks at that time from the Belgian people for our intervention in a very remarkable document. This is the document addressed by the municipality of Brussels to Queen Victoria after that intervention :- "The great and noble people over whose destinies you preside have just given a further proof of its benevolent sentiments towards this country. The voice of the English nation has been heard above the din of arms. It has asserted the principles of justice and right. Nest to the unalterable attachment of the Belgian people to their independence, the strongest sentiment which fills their hearts is that of an imperishable gratitude to the people of Great Britain.” (Loud cheers). That was in 1870. Mark what follows.

FRANCE’S GALLANT STAND.
Three or four days after that document of thanks the French army was wedged up against the Belgian frontier. Every means of escape was shut up by a ring of flame from Prussian cannon. There was one way of escape. What was that? By violating the neutrality of Belgium. What did they do? The French on that occasion preferred ruin, humiliation, to the breaking of their bond. The French Emperor, French marshals, 100,000 gallant Frenchmen in arms preferred to be carried captive to the strange land of their enemy rather than dishonour the name of their country. It was the last French army defeat. Had they violated Belgian neutrality the whole history of that war would have changed. And yet it was the interest of France to break the treaty. She did not do it.

“A SCRAP OF PAPER.”
It is now the interest of Prussia to break the treaty, and she has done it. (“Shame”). Well, why? She avowed it with cynical contempt for every principle of justice. She says treaties only bind you when it is to your interest to keep them. “What is a treaty?” says the German Chancellor. “A scrap of paper.” Have you any five-pound notes about you? (Laughter). I am not calling for them. (Renewed laughter). Have you any of those neat little Treasury £1 notes? (Laughter). If you have burn them; they are only "scraps of paper.” (Applause). What are they made of? Rags. (Laughter). What are they worth? The whole worth of the British Empire. (Applause). "Scraps of paper.” I have been dealing with scraps of paper within the last month. It is suddenly found the commerce of the world in coming to a standstill. The machine had stopped. Why? I will tell you. We discovered many of us for the first time – I don’t pretend to say that I don not know much more about the machinery of commerce today than I did six weeks ago, and there are a good many men like me – we discovered the machinery of commerce was moved by bills of exchange. I have seen some of them – (laughter) – wretched, crinkled, scrawled over, blotched, frowsy, and yet these wretched little scraps of paper moved great ships, laden with thousands of tons of precious cargo, from one end of the world to the other. (Applause). What was the motive power behind them? The honour of commercial men. (Applause).

ROAD TO BARBARISM.
Treaties are the currency of international statesmanship. (Applause). Let us be fair. German merchants, German traders had the reputation of being as upright and straightforward as any traders in the world. (Hear, hear). But if the currency of German commerce is to be debased to the level of that of her statesmanship, no trader, from Shanghai to Valparaiso, will ever look at a German signature again (Cheers). This doctrine of the scrap of paper, this doctrine which is superscribed by Bernhardi as treaties which serve only as long as it is to its interest, goes to the root of the public law. It is a straight road to barbarism, just as if you removed the magnetic pole whenever it was in the way of a German cruiser – (laughter) – the whole navigation of the seas would become dangerous difficult, impossible, and the whole machinery of civilisation will break down if this doctrine wins in this war. (A Voice “It won’t”). We are fighting against barbarism. (Applause). But there is only one way of putting it right. If there are nations that say they will only respect treaties when it is to their interest to do so, we must make it their interest to do so for the future. What is their defence? Just look at the interview which took place between our Ambassador and great German officials when their attention was called to this treaty to which they were partners. They said. “We cannot help that.” Rapidity of action was the great German asset. There is a greater asset for a nation than rapidity of action, and that is – honest dealing. (Applause).

GERMANY’S EXCUSES.
What are her excuses? She said Belgium was plotting against her, that Belgium was engaged in a great conspiracy with Britain and France to attack her. Not merely is tat not true, but Germany knows it is not true. What is her other excuse? France meant to invade Germany through Belgium. Absolutely untrue. France offered Belgium five army corps to defend her if she was attacked. Belgium said: "I don’t require them. I have got the word of the Kaiser. Shall Caesar end a lie?” All these tales about conspiracy have been fanned up since. The great nation ought to be ashamed – (hear, hear) – ought to be ashamed to behave like a fraudulent bankrupt perjuring its way with its complications. She has deliberately broken this treaty, and we were in honour bound to stand by it, (Cheers). Belgium has been treated brutally, how brutally we shall not yet know. We know already too much. What had she done? Did she send an ultimatum to Germany? Did she challenge Germany? Was she preparing to make war on Germany? Had she ever inflicted any wrongs upon Germany which the Kaiser was bound to redress? She was one of the most unoffending little countries in Europe. (Hear, hear). She was peaceable, industrious, thrifty, hard-working, giving offence to no one; and her cornfields have been trampled down, her villages have been burned to the ground, her art treasures have been destroyed, her men have been slaughtered, yea, and her women and children, too. (“Shame.”) What had she done? Hundreds of thousands of her people have had their quite, comfortable little homes burned to the dust, and are wandering homeless in their own land. What is their crime? Their crime was that they trusted the word of a Prussian King. (Applause). I don’t know what the Kaiser hopes to achieve by this war. (Laughter). I have shrewd idea of what he will get, but one thing is made certain, that no nation in future will ever commit that crime again.

THE SHOOTING OF CIVILIANS.
I am not going to enter into these tales. Many of them are untrue; war is a grim, ghastly business at best, and I am not going to say that all that has been said in the way of tales of outrage is true. I will go beyond that and say that if you turn two millions of men forced, conscripted and compelled and driven into the field, you will certainly get among them a certain number of men who will do things that the nation itself will be ashamed of. I am not depending on them. It is enough for me to have the story which the Germans themselves avow, admit, defend, proclaim. The burning and massacring, the shooting down of harmless people – why? Because, according to the Germans, they fired on German soldiers. What business had German soldiers there at all? (Cheers). Belgium was acting in pursuance of a most sacred right – the right to defend your own home. But they were not in uniform when they shot. If a burglar broke into the Kaiser’s Palace at Potadam, destroyed his furniture, shot down his servants, ruined his art treasures, especially those he made himself – (laughter and cheers) – burned his precious manuscripts, do you think he would wait until he got into uniform before he shot him down? (Laughter). They were dealing with those who had broken into their households: but their perfidy has already failed. They entered Belgium to save time. The time has gone. (Cheers). They have not gained time, but they have lost their good name.

THE CASE OF SERVIA.
But Belgium was not the only little nation that has been attacked in his war, and I make no excuse for referring to the case of the other little nation – the case of Servia. The history of Servia is not un-blotted. What history in the category of nations is un-blotted? The first nation that is without sin, let her cast a stone at Servia. A nation trained in a horrible school, but she won her freedom with her tenacious valour, and she has maintained it by the same courage. If any Servians were mixed up in the assassination of the Grand Duke they ought to be punished. Servia admits that; the Servian Government had nothing to do with it. Not even Austria claimed that. The Servian Prime Minister is one of the most capable and honoured men in Europe. Servia was willing to punish anyone of her subjects who had been proved to have any complicity in that assassination. What more could you expect? What were the Austrian demands? Servian sympathised with her fellow countrymen in Bosnia. That was one of her crimes. She must do so no more. Here newspapers were saying nasty things about Austria. They must do so no longer. That is the Austria spirit. You had it in Zabern. How dare you criticise a Customs official, and if you laugh – (laughter) – it is a capital offence. The colonel threatened to shoot them if they repeated it. Servian newspapers must not criticise Austria. I wonder what would have happened had we taken the same line about German newspapers? Servia said, “Very well, we will give orders to the newspapers that they must not criticise Austrian in future, neither Austria, nor Hungary, nor anything that is theirs.” (Laughter). Who can doubt the valour of Servia when she undertook to tackle her newspaper editors. (Laughter). She promised not to sympathise with Bosnia, promised to write no critical articles about Austria. She would have no public meetings at which anything unkind was said about Austria

INTOLERABLE DEMAND.
That was not enough. She must dismiss from her army officers whom Austria should subsequently name. but these officers had just emerged from a war where they were adding lustre to the Servian arms – gallant, brave, efficient. (Cheers). I wonder whether it was their guilt or their efficiency that prompted Austria’s action? But, mark, the officers were not named. Servia was to undertake in advance to dismiss them from the Army; the names to be sent on subsequently. Can you name a country in the world that would have stood that? Supposing Austria or Germany had issued an ultimatum of that kind to this country. (Laughter). “You must dismiss from your Army and from your Navy - (laughter) – all those officers whom we shall subsequently mane.” Well, I think I could name them now. (Laughter and cheers). Lord Kitchener – (cheers) – would go; Sir John French – (cheers) – would be sent about his business - (laughter); General Smith Dorrien – (cheers) – would be no more, and I am sure that Sir John Jellicoe (ask Allyn) – (cheers) – would go. (Laughter). And there was another gallant old warrior that would go – Lord Roberts. (Cheers).

Lloyd George Continued from previous column-
It was a difficult situation. Here was a demand made upon her by a great military Power who could put five or six men in the field for every one she could; and the Power supported by the greatest military Power in the world. How did Servia behave? It is not what happens to you in life that matters; it is the way in which you face it. (Cheers). And Servia faced the situation with dignity. (Loud cheers). She said to Austria. “If any officers of mine have been guilty, I will dismiss them.” Austria said, “ That is not good enough for me.” (Laughter). It was not guilt she was after, but capacity. (Laughter).

RUSSIA INTERVENES.
Then came Russia's turn. Russia has a special regard for Servia. She has a special interest in Servia. Russians have shed their blood for Servian independence many a time. Servia is a member of her family, and she cannot see Servia maltreated. Austria knew that. Germany knew that, and Germany turned round to Russia and said, “Here, I insist that you shall stand by with your arms folded whilst Austrian is strangling to death your little brother.” (Laughter). What answer did the Russian Slav give? He gave the only answer that becomes a man. (Cheers). He turned to Austria and said, “You lay hands on that little fellow and I will tear your ramshackle empire – (loud and prolonged cheering) – limb from limb.” (Renewed cheers). And he is doing it. (Great cheering).

THE LITTLE NATIONS.
That is the story of the little nations. The world owes much to little nations – (cheers) – and to little men. (Laughter and cheers). This theory of bigness – you must have a big empire and a big nation, and a big man – well, long legs have their advantage in a retreat. (“Hear, hear” and laughter). Fredrick the Great chose his warriors for their height, and that tradition has become a policy in Germany. Germany applies that ideal to nations: she will only allow six-feet-two nations to stand in the ranks. (Laughter). But all the world owes much to the little five feet high nations. (Cheers). The greatest art of the world was the work of little nations. (Cheers). The most enduring literature of the world came from little nations. The greatest literature of England came from her when she was a nation of the size of Belgium fighting a great Empire. (Cheers). The heroic deeds that thrill humanity through generations were the deeds of little nations fighting for their freedom. (Cheers). Ah, yes, and the salvation of mankind came through a little nation. God has chosen little nations as the vessels by which He carries the choicest wines to the lips of humanity, to rejoice their hearts to exalt their vision, to stimulate and strengthen their faith; and if we had stood by when two little nations were being crushed and broken by the brutal hands of barbarism our shame would have rung down the everlasting ages. (Cheers). But Germany insists that this is an attack by a low civilisation upon a higher. (Laughter). Well, as a matter of fact, the attack was begun by the civilisation which calls itself the higher one. Now, I am no apologist for Russia. She has perpetrated deeds of which I have no doubt her best sons are ashamed. But what Empire has not? And Germany is the last Empire to point the finger of reproach at Russia. (Hear, hear). But Russia has made sacrifices for freedom –great sacrifices. You remember the cry of Bulgaria when she was torn by the most insensate tyranny that Europe has ever seen. Who listened to the cry? The only answer of the higher civilisation was that the liberty of Bulgarian peasants was not worth the life of a Pomeranian soldier. But the rude barbarians of the North – they sent their sons by the thousands to die for Bulgarian freedom. (Cheers). What about England? You go to Greece, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, and France, and all these lands, gentlemen, could point out to you places where the sons of Britain have died for the freedom of these countries. (Cheers). France has made sacrifices for the freedom of other lands that her own. Can you name a single country in the world for the freedom of which the modern Prussian has ever sacrificed a single life? (Cheers). The test of our faith the highest to sacrifice for others. (Cheers).

GERMAN DOCTRINE.
I would not say a word about the German people to disparage them. They are a great people; they have great qualities of head, of hand and of heart. I believe, in spite of recent events, there is as great a store of kindness in the German peasant as in any peasant in the world. But he has been drilled into a false idea of civilisation – (hear, hear) – efficiency, capability. It is a hard civilisation; it is a selfish civilisation; it is a material civilisation. They could not comprehend the action of Britain at the present moment, (Hear, hear). They say no. “France,” they say, “We can understand. She is out for vengeance, she is out for territory – Aleace, Lorraine. (Cheers). Russia, she is fighting for mastery; she wants Galicia.” They can understand vengeance, they can understand you fighting for mastery, they can understand you fighting for greed of territory; they cannot understand a great Empire pledging its resources, pledging its might, pledging the lives of its children, pledging its very existence, to protect a little nation that seeks for its defence. (Cheers). God made man in His own image – high of purpose, in the region of the spirit. German civilisation would recreate him in the image of a Diesler machine – precise, accurate, powerful, with no room for the soul to operate. That is the “higher” civilisation. What is their demand? Have you read the Kaiser’s speeches? If you have not a copy, I advise you to buy it; they will soon be out of print – (laughter) – and you won’t have any more of the same sort again. (Renewed laughter and cheers). They are full of the clatter and bluster of German militarists – the mailed fist, the shining armour. Poor old mailed fist – its knuckles are getting a little bruised. Poor shining armour – the shine is being knocked out of it. (Laughter). But there is the same swagger and boastfulness running through the whole of the speeches. You saw that remarkable speech which appeared in the British Weekly this week. It is a very remarkable product, as an illustration of the spirit we have got to fight. It is his speech to his soldiers on the way to the front :- Remember that the German people are chosen of god. On me, on me as German Emperor, the Spirit of god has descended. I am His weapon. His sword and His vizard. Woe to the disobedient. Death to cowards and unbelievers. There has been nothing like it since the day of Mahomet. (Loud laughter and cheers).

TO DESTROY CHRISTIANITY
Lunacy is always distressing, but sometimes it is dangerous, and when you get it manifested in the head of the State, and it has become the policy of a great Empire, it is about time when that should be ruthlessly put away. (Cheers). I do not believe he meant all these speeches. It was simply the martial straddle which he had acquired; but there were men around him who meant every word of it. This was their religion. Treaties? They tangled the feet of Germany in her advance. Cut them with the sword. Little nations? They hinder the advance of Germany. Trample them in the mire under the German heel. The Roman Slav? He challenges the supremacy of Germany and Europe. Hurl your legions at him and massacre him. Britain? She is a constant menace to the predominance of Germany in the world. Wrest the trident out of her hands. Ah! More than that. The new philosophy of Germany is to destroy Christianity. Sickly sentimentalism about sacrifice for others – poor pap for German digestion. We will have new diet. We will force it on the world. It will be made in Germany. (Laughter). A diet of blood and iron. What remains? Treaties have gone. The honour of nations gone; liberty gone. What is left? Germany – Germany is left – Deutachland uber Alles. That is all that is left.

THE FIGHT FOR HUMANITY.
That is what we are fighting, that claim so predominance of a civilisation – a material one, a hard one, a civilisation which if once it rules and sways the world, liberty goes, democracy vanishes; and unless Britain comes to the rescue, and her sons, it will be a dark day for humanity. (Loud cheers). We are not fighting the German people. The German people are just as much under the heel of this Prussian military caste, and more so, thank God, than any other nation in the Europe. It will be day of rejoicing for the German peasant and artisan and trader when the military cast is broken (Cheers). You know his pretensions. He gives himself the airs of a demi-God. Walking the pavements – civilians and their wives swept into the gutter; they have no right to stand in the way of the Prussian Junker. Men, women, nations – they have all got to go. He thinks all he has got to say is. “We are in a hurry.” (Laughter). That is the answer he gave to Belgium. “Rapidity of action is Germany’s greatest asset,” which means, “I am in a hurry. Clear out of my way.”

“WE SHALL TRIUMPH.”
You know the type of motorist, the terror of the roads, with a 60 h.p. car. He thinks the roads are made for him, and anybody who impedes the action of his car by a single mile is knocked down. The Prussian Junker is the road-hog of Europe. (Loud cheers). Small nationalities in his way hurled to the roadside, bleeding and broken; women and children crushed under the wheels of his cruel car. Britain ordered out of his road. All I can say is this. If the old British spirit is alive in British hearts, that bully will be torn form his seat. (Prolonged cheers). Were he to win, it would be the greatest catastrophe that has befallen democracy since the days of the Holy Alliance and its ascendancy. They think we cannot beat them. It will not be easy. It will be a long job. It will be a terrible war. But in the end we shall march through terror to triumph. (Cheers). We shall need all our qualities, every quality that Britain and it’s people possess. Prudence in council, daring action, tenacity in purpose, courage in defeat, moderation in victory - (Cheers). – in all thing faith, and we shall win. (Cheers). It has pleased them to believe, and to preach the belief that we are a decadent nation. They proclaim it to the world, though their professors – (Laughter) – that we are an un-heroic nation skulking behind our mahogany counters, whilst we are egging on more gallant races to their destruction, trusting to its fleet.” I think they are beginning to find their mistake out already. (Applause). And there are half a million of young men of Britain who have already registered their vow to their Kind that they will cross the seas and hurl that insult against British courage against its perpetrators on the battlefields of France and Germany. (Applause). And we want half a million more. And we shall get them. (Applause).

THE DUTY OF WALES.
But Wales must continue doing her duty. That was a great telegram that you, my lord (the chairman), read from Glamorgan. I should like to see a Welsh army in the field. I should like to see what the race who faced the Normans for hundreds of years in their struggle for freedom. The race that helped to win the battle of Crecy, the race that fought for a generation under Glendower, against the greatest captain – I should like to see that race give a good taste of its quality in this struggle in Europe; and they are going to do it. (Cheers). I envy you young people your youth. They have put up the age limit for the Army – (Laughter) – but I march, I am sorry to say, a good many years even beyond that. But still our turn will come. It is a great opportunity. It only comes once in many centuries to the children of men. For generation sacrifice comes in drab weariness of spirit to men. It has come today to you, it has come today to us all, in the form of the glow and thrill of a great movement for liberty, that impels millions throughout Europe to the same end. It is a great war for the emancipation of Europe from the thraldom of a military caste, which has cast its shadow upon two generation of men, and which has now plunged the world into a welter of bloodshed. Some have already given their lives. There are some who have given more than their own lives. They have given the lives of those who are dear to them. I honour their courage, and may God be their comfort and their strength. (Applause).

THE COMING REWARD
But their reward is at hand. Those who have consecrated deaths. They have taken their part in the making of a new Europe, a new world. I can see signs of its coming in the glare of the battlefield. The people will gain more by this struggle in all lands than they comprehend at the present moment. It is true they will be rid of the menace to their freedom. But that is not all. There is something infinitely greater and more enduring which is emerging already out of this conflict: a new patriotism, richer, nobler, nor exalted than the old. I see a new recognition amongst all classes, high and low, shedding themselves of selfishness, a new recognition that the honour of a country does not depend merely on the maintenance of its glory in the stricken field, but in protecting its homes form distress as well. It is a new patriotism, it is bringing a new outlook for all classes. A great flood of luxury and of sloth which had submerged the land is receding, and a new Britain is appearing. We can see for the first the fundamental things that matter in life and that have been obscured from our vision b the tropical growth of prosperity. May I tell you, in a simple parable, what I think this war is doing for us? I know a valley in North Wales, between the mountains and the sea, a beautiful valley, snug, comfortable, sheltered by the mountains from all the bitter blasts. It was very enervating, and I remember how the boys were in the habit of climbing the hills above the village to have a glimpse of the great mountains in the distance and to be stimulated and freshened by the breezes which came from the hilltops, and by the great spectacle of that great valley. We have been living in a sheltered valley for generations. We have been too comfortable, too indulgent, many perhaps, too selfish. And the stern hand of fate has scourged us to an elevation where we can see the great everlasting things that matter for a nation, the great peaks of honour we had forgotten, duty and patriotism, clad in glistening white, the great pinnacle of sacrifice pointing like a rugged finger to Heaven. We shall descend into the valleys again, but as long as the men and women of this generation last they will carry in their hearts the image of these great mountain peaks, whose fingers are unshaken though Europe rock and sway in the convulsions of a great war, (Loud cheers).

THE END