Welsh Journals

taken at Birkenhead and further advanced at Neath to bring Welsh Societies outside of Wales into relationship with the Undeb, the National Eisteddfod, and the Celtic Conference. This policy will be continued and further developed at the Corwen National Eisteddfod. Renewal of Nothing can be more gratifying to us Activities than to find that so many of our national activities suspended during and owing to the War are showing signs of real revival. We under- stand that before long the work of our University Colleges will be again running a practically normal course, and that in the near future, most important extensions of that work will be instituted. The pages of the "Welsh Outlook" itself show that many of our young poets who had been somewhat niggardly of song (and what wonder) during the last four years, still retain their great gifts. We trust that two or three of them will soon give their countrymen the collections of their songs that they had promised before the War had broken out. We also know that a number of very powerful plays have been written during the last four years, and we shall before very long undoubtedly have an opportunity of seeing whether the Welsh Drama is still likely to fulfil its early promise. Young Wales There are undoubted signs of a certain liveliness among the younger generation in Wales at the moment. We understand that steps have already been taken in London, in Cardiff, and in other places to establish advanced nationalist groups or societies for the purpose of research into current political and economic issues in the Principality, and also for pro- paganda work. Some of these groups are already in com- munication with each other, and a definite effort will be made in the near future, probably through the agency of one of the existing organisations, such as the Union of Welsh Societies, to co-ordinate all work of this kind, and to make the results available. In other centres societies of Young Welsh People are already in course of formation for the promotion of a comprehensive programme on the basis of the following policy Believing that the preservation and enrichment of the inherited traditions and culture of the Welsh people represent the surest guarantees for the future worthiness of Wales, and that consolidation of opinion and concentration of effort are essential to the attainment of these ends, we resolve to do all in our power Champion of Europe, son of glorious France, With will of steel and swift, discerning brain You planned your hour and made no pact with chance: Holding your hosts in leash, you poised the lance Till in the East, across the Syrian plain, The darkness faded. Then you hurled amain With certain hand the astounding hurricane That shook the dawn of our deliverance. 1. To foster the use of the Welsh language in all relationships. 2. To ensure that the language, literature and history of Wales are given their rightful place in our educational system. 3. To make our language, literature, and art the basis of a true native culture. 4. To enrich our national life by drawing directly upon the best in the life and thought of other countries. 5. To give our disinterested support to every movement tending to secure for the Welsh people a fuller and freer national life. The methods of operations suggested are I.-To form ourselves into a circle pledged individually and collectively to further the above ends. 2.-We undertake to promote the formation of similar circles. 3.-It is suggested that the work could be more efficiently dis- charged through sub-Committees, each responsible to the circle for some definite sphere of activity, e.g. (a) Publications Committee to ensure- 1. Provision of a greater variety of readable books (fiction, etc.), in Welsh. 2. That the best in the literature of the world be presented to the Welsh people in their native tongue. 3. The preparation and publication of text books in Welsh on all subjects. 4. The provision of a central Welsh book depot for wholesale and retail distribution. (b) Correspondence Committee to secure close co-operation with other similar circles, and to keep in touch with the Press. (c) Information and Appointments Committee to suply informa- tion upon questions of careers and appointments. (d) Education Committee to study closely the trend of educational legislation and developments. (e) Political Committee to examine the effect of all proposed legislation of national and local bodies upon the interests of Wales. (f) Finance Committee. We heartily commend to our readers the suggested methods of procedure, and particularly so the proposed formation of organisation of sub-committees, and hope that these proposals will command the hearty support and co-operation of Welshmen. Home Rule This month we publish as a Supplement in Draft the Government of Wales Bill introduced into the House of Commons in 1914 under the ten minutes rule by Mr. E. T. John. Our object in doing this is to furnish our readers with a basis for discussion in connection with the campaign in favour of Welsh Home Rule. Our columns will be open for a serious discussion on this subject, and we will welcome any criticisms or suggestions in connection with the matter. TO MARSHAL FOCH. And in the storm, to utter doom there fell The temple of a tyrant's high emprise While o'er its ruin rang the triumph-bell Of Freedom through reverberating skies: And at her portals, Peace, long sentinel, Stood radiant, Goddesslike, with splendid eyes. A. G. Prys- Jones.