Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-12
January, 1910 when he was persuaded to
transfer his attentions to Cardiff where
he has large shipping interests.
Almost Fanatically Earnest.


Almost Fanatically Earnest.
Into his politics Mr.. Thomas imported
that fiery. almost fanatical earnestness
that one associates with the typical
Welshman. During the South African
war he was second only to Lloyd George
in the bitterness with which he assailed
MIR. Chamberlain for what he believed to
be the mistaken policy that had brought
about that struggle. On other questions
he was never a model party mamie was
the radical government assumed office in
1906 he was continual thorn in the side
of the chief whip because of the fire.
quency with which he was identified in
revolts in the radical camp in those days.
One of the ambitions associated with
Mr.. Thomas political career was the de-
sire for leadership of the Welsh radical
party. Here he came into rivalry with
another powerful Welshman, Lloyd
George. and here may have been the be-
ginning Of a struggle that is even now
being fought out along different but con-
verging lines. 1t is one of the ironies OF
life's cycle of change that today the gov
eminent In which Lloyd George is SO
biggest industrial problems ever raised
a problem in the settlement Of which D.
A. Thomas is the power to be reckoned
with. And 1t was Mr.. Thomas who went
abilities went unrecognized. Although
there were only twelve members in the
whole house of commons with a record of
service equal to his, he was never asked
capacity.
rs A Man With a Mission.
When there is trouble in Wales the
cabinet seeks the guidance Of Lloyd
George. and 1t is certain that the cham
cellor Is now exercising his conciliatory
gifts with view to inducing the Welsh
owners to recede from the uncompromis-
ing position they have taken up. But the
difficulties of the conciliator are increased
manifold by the fact that the man whom
he most needs to conciliate Is the man
to whom Lloyd George Is least acceptable
as peace messenger.
II there is one thing more than an
other of which Mr.. Thomas Is firmly
convinced, it is that he is a man with
a mission. and that mission he. as a
his people from socialism. He is deeply
concerned at the extent to which the
teachings OF the more extreme socialist
school are finding acceptance In the in
dustrial districts of South Wales. and the
stubborn stand he is now making may
be fairly ascribed to his rooted convic-
ton that to yield on the minimum wage
issue would be to increase the prestige
VI tHc SOCldHSt lcducTS WHO uOW uO1Ill-
nate the Welsh Miners Federation.
Apart from his opposition to socialism
on public grounds. Mr. Thomas has pri-
vate reasons for pursuing his campaign
In South Wales He cannot forget that
in spite of the fact that in 1900 he threw
his mantle around Keir Hardie, who was
then standing for the second seat in
Merthyr Borroughs, Mr.. 'Hardie and his
friends lost no opportunity Of under
mining Mr.. Thomas great influence in
the Merthyr district, and he was con-
tinually harassed with the threat of a
second socialist candidate for Merthyr-a
| threat that contributed to his decision to
retire from the representation Of Merthyr
in order TO seek that safer seat which
he failed TO find at Cardiff.
Keen Against Socialists,
At Cancellation board meetings and
other places where mining matters are
discussed the socialistfc section of the
miners has no keener opponent than
Mr.. Thomas. His active intellect and
intimate knowledge Of all things pertain
| ing to coal mining enable him to meet
and promptly refute the arguments with
which it Is sought to obtain concession
of socialist demands.
On this account no man among the
Welsh coal owners is more feared by
! the miners leaders, and. paradoxicai as
| Ii may seem, no man Is more popular
| with the Welsh miners. Born fighters
| themselves, the men in the Welsh col