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ANTI-CONSCRIPTION  MEETING AT TUMBLE. Back Page
A huge crowded public meeting was held last Monday evening at Tumble Public Hall to protest against Conscription. The workers from the neighbouring collieries had congregated in large numbers, and the speakers at the meeting were men appointed from among the workers.
The chairman was Mr. Rees. Morgan, New Dynant Colliery, and speeches were delivered by Messrs. John Jones, J. D. Scourfield, W. Rees, and S. O. Davies.
The Chairman made it clear that the meeting was purely an Anti-Conscription meeting, and could not in any possible sense be interpreted as opposed to voluntary recruiting. In fact, he was a member of the local recruiting committee, and was an active enthusiast on behalf of the voluntary system.
Strong speeches in opposition to Conscription were delivered by the other speakers. They repudiated most indignantly the absurd untruth that had been circulated by the owners of the local colliery, that some of the speakers were Pro-Germans. The gathering humorously ridiculed the accusation, and it was treated as a joke.
Reference was made to the disastrous effects Conscription would have upon the Trade Union movement. It would deprive them as workers of its power to withstand the exploitations of the capitalists.
The crippling of the French railway strike and postal service strike some few years ago by the mobilisation of the French workers, who were conscripts, and commanding them to return to their work not as postal or railway workers, nor as Trade Unionists, but as soldiers of the French Republic, was also referred to.
The Government was severely criticised on their present system of raising the money necessary to carry on the war, and the latest project of raising money by forced loans from the workers was strongly resented in face of the fact that the Munitions Act had turned out to be almost ineffective in its naïve attempt to prevent huge fortunes being made as the result of circumstances consequent upon the existence of the war.
The talk of “forced loans” could hardly be expected to appeal to the workers when they in the South Wales collieries were at decrease in their earnings, while side by side with this we found that the shares of the big South Wales combines and companies were rising in price on the market.
Before we would ever allow Conscription, it was only reasonable that for the sacrifice of our lives we should see our industries and land conscripted in order that we might all realise that what was at stake was the common lot of all citizens of the kingdom.
The speakers’ addresses were next enthusiastically received, and the meeting closed after they had replied to the many questions asked by members of the audience.

Private Thomas Harries Lewis, B. A., of the R. A. M. C., and Private W. J. Davies, 2/4th Welsh, are home on leave.

On Tuesday night, the 31st ult., at the National Schools, a reception was given to Lance-Corpl. Archie Dallen, 8th R. W. F., Private Garfield Evans, and Gunner Michael Guerin, R. F. A., who are home on leave from the front.

The Vicar (Rev D. W. Thomas, M. A.) ably presided over a crowded and enthusiastic gathering, and also handed appropriate gifts to the returned heroes. Speeches were made by Mr. R. Mathews and the Rev. J. Crwys Evans.

The musical programme was entrusted to Mr. D. Morgans, and Mr. Dan Jones and friends in the following order : —
 
Duet, “Gwys i’r Gad,” Messrs. Tom Lewis and Dan Jones;
Recitation, “Charge of the Light Brigade,” Miss Maud Evans (Llanferch);
Octette, “Seren Bethlehem,” Mr. D. Morgans and friends;
Solo, “Gweld y Delyn,” Mrs. Haines;
Duet, “Lle treigla’r Caveri,” Messrs. Dan Jones and Morgan Griffiths;
Solo, “Songs of the Sea,” Mr. J. Beynon;
Octette, “Marseillaise,” Mr. D. Morgans and friends.

A most enjoyable evening was brought to a close by singing the National Anthem, Mrs. Haines taking the solo. The accompanist throughout was Miss Nellie Evans, A. V. C. M.

The Literary and Debating Society has contributed a sum of £5 to the Soldiers’ Reception Committee. Are there any full nesteggs left in the village?

The Editor of the Amman Valley Chronicle has received the following letter from a well known Ammanford man, Saddler Jonah Joshua, with D Battery, 5th Brigade, R. F. A., in the Dardanelles : —

“I take the opportunity of writing these few lines to inform you I am in good health, hoping it will find you the same. Glad to read in the Amman Valley Chronicle that the boys of dear old Ammanford who are in France are doing their bit the same as we are doing it here, happy and contented.
The chief thing here is health; then you can be cheerful and happy. I was in hospital for fourteen days under treatment for dysentery, and I can assure you if you have it once, you pray not to have it again, as it weakens you so much that you can hardly walk.
I am looking forward every weekl to the Chronicle to have news of dear old Ammanford. I get the paper from Q. M. Sergt. W. Morgans, Tycroes. His dugout is only thirty yards away from mine, so I spend a lot of my spare time with him. He has been a good friend to me.
When I was discharged out of hospital I had two days’ complete rest, as I was too weak hardly to walk. With him I spent my two days’ rest. Anything he could do for me he would do it with pleasure, and anything he had I was quite welcome to. He has been a good father to me when I was sick. We are the only two together from Ammanford in the Brigade out of the good crowd that went up together to Woolwich.
Ike New Inn, Lewis Thomas Coch, Dai Walters and Tom Walters, and the two Prices from Tycroes, and also the Ammanford footballers were all parted from us, and only me and Bill Morgan sent to join the Brigade at Leeds. Hard luck that was to lose all except one of my dear friends.
I have met a lot of Ammanford boys out here, with the 4th Welsh Territorials, when they were relieved out of the trenches for rest. They used to visit me every day or night, and we spent some happy hours together. Oh, what a blessing to see somebody you know, and some of them relations of mine from dear old home, and have a chat in this monotonous place.
Nothing to see but hills, mountains and water, but after all we are not downhearted, not likely; not as long as we have our Jack upon the sea and our brothers on land hand in hand to give the enemy socks. The 4th Welsh did good work here. I think they are worthy of the name.
Sergt. Dd. Thomas, Hall Street, visited us, that is, W. Morgan and myself, mostly every night while they were for rest, but we haven’t had the pleasure of seeing them since.
I hope some day in the future we shall meet again at dear old Ammanford, although there will be many a face missing, and probably by then many more, but we all pray and hope to return home some day.
I have had three very narrow escapes. Once three of us were tying the horses up, and a Jack Johnson burst within a yard to us; killed two of the horses and we three escaped, enveloped in black smoke from the shell. It wasn’t His will for us to go then, and we were saved.
I shall never forget my first experience under fire. What an excitement; perspiring and thirsty, could drink a well, but now we have got quite used to them and dodge them the best we can. I have dodged them all so far, and I hope I will do so in the future, but I think if there is one for you won’t be able to dodge it; you have to take it as it comes.
Well, I must conclude, wishing you and all my friends at dear old Ammanford a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.”

To the Editor, Amman Valley Chronicle

Sir,  — Just a few lines to you asking you kindly if you could get me a football from a few of our leaders, as we would like to have a game to pass the time away a bit after being in the trenches for a while, and then coming out to the rear of the firing line for a rest.
We have your paper sent from home every week, and we would be thankful if you could send us one to cheer us up a bit. Hoping you will kindly oblige, and thanking you all. —

Yours, &c.,

Private F. SPINKS 14072
A Co., 11th Batt. R. W. F.,
B. E. Force,
c/o G. P. O., London.

[On behalf of myself and the following Amman boys – Ptes. B. Hughes 13777. W. H. Williams 14071, D. Jones 13765, and W. Pares 13881.]
[These boys are all good lads, and out here a football is much appreciated whilst they are resting. – Regimental Censor.]

“CIGS” ACCEPTABLE

Lance-Corpl. Jack Hughes, B Co., R. W. F., writing from France to a friend says
 : —

“Just a few lines, hoping it will find you in the best of health the same as I am at present.
Thanks very much for the cigs you have been sending to me. I am very sorry that I haven’t written sooner. Dai Tim has been in hospital. He is out now, but Dai Rees is not out yet.
Albert was wounded about a week ago. I have not heard anything about him after he was taken from here. He may be in England for all I know.

Twm Daniels is keeping the same all the time.”

“ADOPTION” OF WELSH WAR PRISONERS. Back Page

To the Editor, Amman Valley Chronicle

Sir, — No doubt your readers have seen the appeal made in the papers for the Welsh Regiments’ Prisoners of War Association, of which the Countess of Plymouth is President, by Mrs. Ivor Philipps, Hon. Secretary of the Fund, and I hope it will meet with a generous response. There is no doubt our prisoners interned in Germany will suffer great privations this winter, especially of food and warm clothing.
We hear that there are between 300 and 400 prisoners belonging to our 20 Battalions of the Welsh Regiments, and it will be impossible for the Central Association to deal with such a number, so we are anxious to get as many prisoners as possible “adopted” either by one person or by a group of persons.
An “adopted” prisoner is supposed to receive a parcel of food or clothing every week worth 2s. 6d., or every fortnight worth 5s., carriage free. The name and address of prisoner will be sent to “adopters” with a complete list of things allowed and articles prohibited. The parcel is handed in at the Post Office and goes post free.
A group can be formed of ten people paying 3d. a week or fifteen at 2d. a week, or in any other proportion to be decided by the group. Two are elected as secretary and treasurer to collect the money and make up parcel weekly or fortnightly, and the “adopted” prisoner gets his parcel regularly with a very small amount of expense and trouble to the “adopters.”
We are anxious to get 25 prisoners or more adopted in the county, and have already several promises. We shall be grateful for the names of any persons or groups willing to “adopt” a prisoner on the lines given above. Any person not willing to “adopt” a prisoner can send a donation or subscription to Mrs. Ivor Philipps, Chantrey House, Eccleston Street, S. W., Hon Secretary for Headquarters, who supply parcels to all prisoners not “adopted.”

The following subscriptions have been received : —

                                                                  £.         s.         d.
Mrs. Gwynne Hughes                                 2          2          0
Lady Dynevor                                            1          1          0
Methodist Chapel, Brechfa,
per Mr. Daniel Thomas, Pantllyn                 1          1          0
Colonel Gwynne Hughes, Glancothi             0        10          0

The following groups “adopting” a prisoner have already been formed : —

1. Tregeyb Group, Mrs. Gwynne Hughes, Tregeyb, Llandilo.
2. Llandilo Group No. 1 Mrs. Williams, The Vicarage, Llandilo.
3. Llandilo Group No. 2 Mrs. Richard Jones, Goleufryn, Llandilo.
4. Llandilo Group No. 3 Mr. Dewse, County Press, Llandilo.
5. Llandilo Group No. 4 Mr. G. Gwyn Jones, County School, Llandilo.
6. Llandebie Group No. 1 Mrs. George Gulston, Derwydd, Llandebie.
7. Ammanford Group No. 1 Ald. W. N. Jones, Dyffryn, Ammanford.
8. Llangadock Group No. 1 Mrs. Lloyd Harries, Llwynddwei, Llangadock.
9. Nantgaredig Group No. 1 Mrs. W. Gwynne Hughes, Glancothi, Natgaredig.
10. Dynevor Group. Lady Dynevor, Llandilo.

Four prisoners have already been “adopted” in St. Clears. We hope that the full number of groups required will soon be made up. Lists will be published as they are formed.

In any person or group is sending parcels to any prisoner in any of the Welsh Regiments, will they send us name number, and address of prisoner, to prevent overlapping? – Yours faithfully.

BEATRICE GWYNNE-HUGHES.
Tregeyb, Llandilo.
MARGARET DYNEVOR,
Dynevor Castle, Llandilo.

To the Editor, Amman Valley Chronicle

Sir, — In your last week’s issue a letter appeared from the pen of Mr. Davies, the Secretary of the Ammanford War Eisteddfod, in which he states that no notice whatever will be made of any letter sent to the Press in connection with the said Eisteddfod unless the writer gives his full name and address.
May I ask Mr. Davies which is the greater wrong, to write a letter asking for certain information in the interest of the public generally under a nom-de-plume, or to sign ones name to a letter written by some other person?
Facts are stubborn things, and the Committee of this Eisteddfod are trying to evade them by talking about “courage and conviction.” Will giving full particulars of name and address alter the facts in any material way so as to make it possible for the Committee to give satisfactory answers to the questions asked?
If I thought that that would be the case I would willingly comply with their request.
The letter states that my first letter is treated with the “contempt it merits” – a very popular phrase. That is just what Germany says about England and the British Army. What do this Committee say about the “programme of their Eisteddfod”? I can imagine them calling it a “scrap of paper.”
I have no objection whatever for Mr. Davies nor his Committee to treat my letters with “contempt,” but that is not what they are doing. They are treating with contempt those brave lads who have left the district and who are laying down their lives for what is right and just. And while our heroes are doing this, the Shylocks of the present day are taking advantage of the circumstances and will have their “pound of flesh,” whosoever may suffer thereby, I again ask the Committee to answer the questions given to them.
The public have a right to know all that is asked and unless the answers will be given shortly a few more questions will be asked, which will not be quite so agreeable to the cultured taste of some people

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