Welsh Journals

GWYNEDD AND THE GREAT WAR, 1914-1918* The problems of peace are in a sense greater than the problems of war. We rejoice with great happiness that the agony of the boys has passed away but it is not at once. that the swell of the sea abates after a great storm. Y Genedl Gymreig, 12 November 1918. Attitudes to the war During July and early August 1914, in response to rumours of an impending war, most political and religious leaders in Gwynedd argued that British neutrality should be maintained. The declaration of war by the Liberal government on 4 August, however, proved to be a critical turning-point.2 Henceforth, with but a few exceptions, the leading figures3 in Gwynedd life aligned themselves squarely behind the government's policies and supported the war with a profound patriotism and deep sense of moral purpose. The response shown by the general public was much more complex and exposed not only the divisions between the English- and Welsh-speaking communities in the region but also the cleavage separating the leaders and ordinary people in an essentially deferential society. While some members of the public shared in the excitement induced by the first flush of patriotic fervour, most responded a good deal less vigorously than their leaders. 'When war broke out', wrote one novelise with reference to the ordinary people in the slate areas of Caernarfonshire, 'no one knew what to make of it.' With the zeal of the recently-converted, Sir Henry Lewis expressed a harsher view that 'Bangor and Caernarvon people are stunned, mentally paralysed and need to be shaken up'.5 During these early weeks, however, the indignation of patriotic leaders could not dispel the public's perplexity and bewilderment. Ordinary people in Gwynedd, as *The author gratefully acknowledges that the research on which this article is based was carried out with the assistance of a grant from the British Academy. Y Goleuad, 7 August 1914; The North Wales Observer and Express, 7 August 1914; Y Dinesydd Cymreig, 10 August 1914. 2 'The die has been cast', noted Sir Henry Lewis in his diary. Belmont Papers, 301, 4 August 1914 (U.C.N.W., Bangor, Library). This diary, by Bangor businessman and nonconformist leader, provides valuable insights into Gwynedd people's responses to the war. Lloyd George's initial response and doubts are noted in C. Hazlehurst, Politicians at War, July 1914 to May 1915 (1971); W. George, My Brother and 1 (1958), p. 24. William George, Lloyd George's brother, was also hesitant at first but at a public meeting in September announced that his initial responses were mistaken and that he considered the war to be 'a worthy cause' (The North Wales Observer and Express, 25 September 1914). 4 Kate Roberts, Traed mewn Cyffion (1926), p. 158. 5 Belmont Papers 301, 25 August 1914.