Editing Saunders Lewis (section)

==Second World War==
Lewis maintained a strict neutrality in his writings through his column ''{{lang|cy|Cwrs y Byd}}'' in ''{{lang|cy|Y Faner}}''. It was his attempt at an unbiased interpretation of the causes and events of the war.<ref name="Davies_599">{{harvp|Davies|1994a|p=599}}</ref>

Outside of the party's initial position on the war, party members were free to choose for themselves their level of support for the war effort. ''{{lang|cy|Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru}}'' was officially neutral regarding involvement the [[Second World War]], which Lewis and other leaders considered a continuation of the [[First World War]]. Central to the neutrality policy was the idea that Wales, as a nation, had the right to decide independently on its attitude towards war,<ref name="Davies_598">{{harvp|Davies|1994a|p=598}}</ref> along with opposition towards the UK government's decision to involve Wales in the conflict.<ref name="Davies_598"/> With this challenging and revolutionary policy Lewis hoped a significant number of Welshmen would refuse to join the [[British Armed Forces|armed forces]].<ref name="Davies_599"/>

Lewis and other party members were attempting to strengthen loyalty to the Welsh nation "over the loyalty to the British State".<ref name="Davies_598"/> Lewis argued "The only proof that the Welsh nation exists is that there are some who act as if it did exist."<ref name="Davies_599"/>

However, most party members who claimed [[conscientious objection]] status did so in the context of their moral and religious beliefs, rather than on political policy.<ref name="Davies_599"/> Of these almost all were exempt from military service. About 24 party members made politics their sole grounds for exemption, of whom 12 received prison sentences.<ref name="Davies_599"/> For Lewis, those who objected proved that the assimilation of Wales was "being withstood, even under the most extreme pressures".<ref name="Davies_599"/>