Welsh Journals

Wales and Armenia. Cymru Unllais. No. i. SEPTEMBER 15TH, 1896. PRICE-id. =2= These^papers are issued as a means of daily communi¬ cation between places in Wales, or at least in the North of Wales, during the present crisis. They are printed at Bangor because there exists here a considerable body of in¬ formation from official sources, and because we are already in communication with the movements progressing in London, Manchester, and elsewhere. We wish to put this information at the disposal of all who^ are in earnest in this cause, and to give them the opportunity of expressing their views* directly to their fellow-residents in Wales, so that Wales may speak with one voice. We do not seek either to create a general movement from here or to direct it. The movement must be spontaneous, and it must be directed by those in whom the people in each locality have cdftfidence. If there were a daily paper circulating generally in Wales this paper would be superfluous ; #nd it is quite possible that some of the influential daily papers in the English language may very largely do what is needed for English readers. If that is so, these leaflets will appear chiefly in Welsh, and we offer them to the Welsh press readily as supplying trustworthy information as to the pro¬ gress of the movement. These papers cannot be continued unless there is a demand for th#m. We suggest that those who, in any part of WaTes, desire to promote speedy and decisive action cannot do better%s a first step than circulate copies amongst their neighbour, and amongst those with whom they are associated in other towns. Those who by accident receive more than one copy will probably send them on further. To those who are preared to send a batch of papers to the ministers of any denomination, the Magistrates, Town Councillors, or School-masters in any county, we can as a rule supply gratis postal wrappers properly addressed. In these cases we shall see that there is no duplication. In reprinting matter which has already appeared in the daily press or in official reports, we seek to study the con¬ venience of our readers. We hope that these papers being necessarily short, will be convenient for reference. OUR DUTY. The atrocities at Constantinople, openly perpetrated under the sanction of the Sultan, have at last awakened the Christian conscience of Europe. It is evident that the resources of diplomacy are quite inadequate to put an end to the massacres which, to the disgrace of the Great Powers, have been allowed fo go on for such a length of time. The European Concert is powerless,—the jealousy with which the Powers guard their supposed interests paralyses their activity, and seems to deaden the diplomatic conscience to all sense, of right and wrong. The Sultan knows this and is defiant. England, at least, is beginning to realise the dis¬ grace attached to this protracted temporising in the very presence of crimes to which modern history offers no parallel. The country has suddenly come to perceive that the way in which Europe has looked on at these things amounts to a virtual condonation of the Sultan's murderous acts. It is time that a professedly Christian people, at least, should diisociate itself from this attitude of criminal quiescence. The past few days have shown that the people of England are true to the instincts which have secured for the British nation its fair fame as the defender of the weak and oppressed. To allow the Sultan to proceed on his course with impunity will be to forfeit our character among the nations. And it is of greater concern fo Great Britain, to preserve her honour atAgood name than to preserve the concert of Europe. The popular indignation is not confined to any party, nor are the journals that give it utterance confined to either political party in the State. It is felt that the crisis calls for a united national appeal to Lord Salisbury to stop ffrfese atrocities. The Prime Minister himself is known to be profoundly affected by what has taken place in Turkey. He would interfere if he could ; but the responsibilities of his position compel him to observe the usual diplomatic relations with the other Powers. He might take a different view* of his duties were he to find that he had a sufficient force of public opinion behind him to enable him to take a bold step on behalf of England alone. England, by sending an ultimatum to the Sultan, could force the hands ot the Great Powers. Or, were they to stand by, she could take the initiative alone. The; national conscience declares for this bold action, and all that is needed is to obtain such a gen¬ eral expression of opinion as to convince Lord Salisbury that he has the country behind him in any vigorous measures he may choose to take. Wales has her part to do in this great and just cause. The Welsh people made a generous response to the appeal f#r subscriptions in aid of the affi%ted Armenians. The voice of Wales ought now to go up, in unison with that of the rest of the country, in favour of a policy of action against the Sultan. Wales will be untrue to her Christian character unless she declares herself strongly and unequivocally on this question. Meetings should be held in every- town and village, and mass meetings In every district, to give expres¬ sion to the indignation and horror which all of us must feel. No time should be lost. Fresh massacres may occur every day. Let Wales, without distinction of party, do all in its power to strengthen the hands of our Government in this grave crisis, and call upon it to interfere in the name of God and the Right. _________. EDITORIAL. In these papers there will be no distinction of language. Every letter and article will be printed in the language in which it is written : every meeting will be reported in Ithe language in which it is held. We do not undertake to translate. These papers will be continued if they are found useful. We do not wish to create opinion or to direct a movement. We only provide for those who wish to act the means of knowing what their neighbours are doing. All letters sent to the Editor will be considered as meant to be published, if found useful; if not meant to be published, they should be marked " Private." Correspon¬ dence of both kinds is invited; but we do not undertake to reply to all letters at once. We ask our readers to answer these questions :— 1. Is there a public meeting arranged to be held promptly in your town or village ? 2. Are the resolutions agreed upon, and are they in harmony with our programme, " Wales with one voice ?" 3. If nothing is arranged, can you do something to oring about a meeting ? 4. Are you connected with any working-men's organiza¬ tion ? If so, can you interest its leader in this movement ?