Welsh Journals

A WORKING ALLIANCE THE War, now drawing to its close, has affected Democracy in two different, and apparently con- tradictory directions, and has brought to light movements, which, on the surface seem inconsistent, but which in reality are complementary. On the one hand, we have a wonderful manifestation and epic expression of an Inter- nationalism overstepping the barriers of creed, class and colour, and uniting peoples differing poles apart in tradi- tions, custom and civilisation with the result that they are brought together into one great organisation having their armies and resources, their statesmanship and policies all pooled for one single purpose, and'marching shoulder to shoulder towards one common goal. This spirit has not been the monopoly of one side in the conflict, but we believe it was more undiluted and unselfish in the Entente than amongst the Central Powers for the time being, there was no difference between Britisher and Belgian, Frenchman and Italian, Serb and Greek, and, with the advent of America, this strange union of peoples became the embodiment of international Democracy before which effete militarism tottered to irretrievable ruin. Now, the world is eagerly and impatiently awaiting the crystallisa- tion and embodiment of the international ideal for which Europe has suffered untold agonies during the last few years, in an effective League of Nations which shall em- brace all the belligerent and neutral nations, and, if states- men fail here, no matter in what they may succeed, they will go down to history as the Apostates of Freedom, the deceivers of the living and the betrayers of the dead. The solidarity of the race is no longer the dream of a few exiled mystics, it has become an axiom of modern politics we now realise, as never before, that no man, nation or race can live, suffer or die for self, and that no earthly monarch can steer a course of aggrandisement, avarice and en- croachment but to the detriment of mankind. All that affects men is of interest to humanity. The Congo, East Africa, Armenia and Poland can no longer be left to the mercy of rapacious companies or avaricious tyrants; they belong to the human race, and men will have:- Earth at last a warless world, a single race, a single tongue." Slow, but sure has been the march towards this goal- even in our own land. Tom Ellis taught Wales to think nationally rather than parochially Joseph Chamberlain helped Britain to think imperially more than insularly at last a voice has been heard above the clash of nations and the howling tempest of war, beseeching Europe to think racially, and that is the voice of President Wilson. But, strange to say, concurrently with that great awaken- ing of Internationalism has been witnessed a wonderful revival of Nationalism all over Europe, and one avowed purpose of warring statesmen is declared to be the pre- servation of the right of small nations peoples scarcely mentioned in history books have emerged from their obscurity into the limelight; names practically unknown. to the average Britisher before the war are of world- By the Rev. J. H. Howard. wide importance; Jugo-Slavs, Czechs, etc., are now playing no mean part in European politics, and small nations make their voices heard in no uncertain manner national aspirations and ambitions are receiving unpre- cedented attention in fact, nationalism has emerged as a determining factor in the Europe that is to be animated and preserved by the power of Internationalism. Welsh Nationalism is no mere figure of speech to readers of the Welsh Outlook this periodical has given new life, breadth of vision and vivid expression to Young Wales for several years, and most Welshmen regard the journal as an important factor in the formation of Welsh opinion, a true patron of Welsh literature and a custodian of Cymric ideals. It is not therefore inappropriate to enquire here how far the war, with its international spirit, accompanied by the attendant new impetus to nationalism, has affected our own specific outlook as Welsh Nationalists. Are the ideals for which this journal stands affected or modified or dropped? Can they be realised, if realisable at all, by the old methods ? Is Welsh Nationalism less or weaker because the spirit of Internationalism is stronger in Wales ? These and similar questions are pressing at present. We confine ourselves in this article to the method of realising our nationalism. Speaking generally, Welsh Nationalism has found three main avenues or spheres of activity. The Eisteddfod has been, and to a large extent, still is, the incentive to national as distinct from sectional, denomina- tional or party thought it is a peculiarly Welsh institution of remote antiquity, endowed with a vitality unknown in the history of other national institutions. We may rightly regard it as the university of Welsh Democracy, and with- in it lie latent limitless possibilities for the future develop- ment of our people. Nonconformity and Welsh Nationalism have been closely allied for over a century. Dissent has fought the battles of Welsh freedom, education and temperance for many a decade; while we gratefully acknowledge the ardent nationalism of Welshmen like Archdeacon Griffiths, Dean Edwards, Dean Howells and many others both amongst the living and the dead, Churchmen who believed in the mission of Wales, it may be observed that they were handicapped in their activities and influence because they belonged to a church, which, rightly or wrongly, the majority of the Welsh people have regarded as an alien institution tending to Anglicise Wales by discouraging and retarding everything distinctively Welsh and imposing another language and other customs upon our nation. That, we believe, is the reason why the movement for Disestablishment assumed a national in addition to its religious character, and received Anglican support in some cases. As a rule, in the past, the aristocracy in Wales were Anglican, whilst the people generally attended chapels, and the chapel moulded not only their religious faith, but determined their social customs and political creed. But is that the case to-day ? To a large extent it is so still in rural districts, but not in industrial centres by