Welsh Journals

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VOLUME XV THE NUMBER XI WELSH OUTLOOK Where there is no vision the people perish NOTES OF THE MONTH NOVEMBER 1928 LAST Friday the Albert Hall was the scene of the celebration of the tenth birthday of the League of Nations Union. The great floor space was full. The tiers of galleries had scarcely an empty seat. On the platform were ladies and gentlemen distinguished in every phase of our national life. High Church and Low, Catholic, Protestant and agnostic were there. Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Clynes and Lord Grey of Fallodon sat cheek by jowl. It was Britain in miniature- the warp and woof of the national fabric brought together on the loom of Peace-a noble birthday party. Waiting for the proceedings to begin, we wished that others from Wales could have been present, humble workers for peace whom we know up and down our countryside, men and women who all these years have been giving of their best in their own small circles, doubting perhaps if anything could come of their modest efforts, seeing no outward sign of progress to hearten, but steadily, persistently, patiently labouring on and on. This great crowded hall with its eager, straining audience would at once have answered their doubts and furnished their ample reward. THEN came Mr. Baldwin's speech. He began with a review of the League'^ growth and achievements, a theme for u* worn threadbare in many a country chapel and village institute, yet ever worth the telling. We looked at the microphones into which he spoke, and wondered how many listeners-in were hear- ing the story for the first time. Not many, per- haps, in Wales-but elsewhere? This man was speaking to the world. His words were those of the Prime Minister of Great Britain. We realized suddenly the need for caution, for his weighing every phrase, for rigid exactitude, and we waited eagerly for the definition of our country's policy. The assurances came in measured, straightfor- ward sentences delivered with an earnestness and a sincerity which left no room for doubt. "I must contradict the idea that we have to some extent abandoned our position of impartiality and conciliation which we assumed at the time of the Locarno Pact. That is not so. We have made no new engagements. There is no change in the orientation of our policy." Again: "The policy of His Majesty's Government is to render such assistance as may be possible in order to help and complete the great post-war task of eliminating mutual rivalries and suspicion." And again "Our policy in naval building is to go slow. We have no intention of building in com- petition with the United States of America." SO far Baldwin the Statesman, speaking more perhaps to other statesmen than to the audience before him. Then came Baldwin the Man, in heart-to-heart talk with his fellow- searchers for "some moral equivalent to war.' He pleaded for the establishment of the "will to peace, not only the machinery, but the heart and mind and soul." He reminded us of our frailties -of our feelings when the first open town was bombed "and how we longed for the day when the big bombers would get over Berlin," and he warned us against the "tiger instincts" that lie deep down in human nature. Then he named two bodies "most potent to rouse these ancient im- pulses"-Politicians and the Press-and urged them to realize their responsibilities. Turning to the members of the Union whom he was address- ing, he added "remember it is your duty to try and make them realize them,"