LORD DERBY'S GREAT EFFORT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2643, 14 December 1915, Page 5

LORD DERBY'S GREAT EFFORT

THE FINAL RUSH EXTRAORDINARY DISPLAY OP ENTHUSIASM By Telegraph-Press Association— Copyright London, December 12. Tlie close of Lord Derby's campaign was marked by momorable scenes. Every recruiting office had been thronged for sevoral nights, and midnight on Saturday witnessed extraordinary displays of enthusiasm. Long queues stretched 'into the darkness. From i o clock on Saturday morning enormous crowds wore waiting in tlie rain. Lord Derby's report) will bo presented on Sunday, but in order to facilitate enrolment, he issued a statement on Saturday stating that lie would entirely dispense with tho medical examination. The recruiting offices closed at midnight to enable the exhausted officials to snatch a few hours' rest before the final rusli. 'l'ho utter impossibility of attesting applicants fully justified _ the extension of time. So many wcro not attested that to-day promises w> rival Saturday, which easily broke all records. Most of the offices attested at the rato of tlireo hundred hourly. South London enrolled cloven thousand during the day. Tho Lambeth officials were overworked, and were iorced to send live hundred men in ono batch to Camborwell, where-the total was tlireo thousand. Other districts showed excellent results. . The King's Example. The King set an example to employers. Many of his servants enlisted long ago, but it was announced yesterday that, in compliance with the Kilm's wishes, all eligibles w tho Royal ssmca Juid bsen attested and e laced in .their , «sHgo.tise.«fgpaM>

_ Several city banks and insurance companies sent all tbo ; eligible men in their employ to sign on, hoping thjit those essential to the carrying on of the business would be released by'tlie investigation committees. The working classes were predominant in many of the London districts; particularly shoemakers and upholsterers from Shoreditch and hefty dockers from Deptford. All records were broken nt Stratford and Barking.. .Wonderful rallies .are reported from the provinces. • At the Central Offices at Whitehall those who made inquiries oomprised men of every class and profession; top-hatted city men mingled with East End costers and Thames-side workers. For days it was noticeable that the reel niters were silent and earnest, _ realising their responsibilities as breadwinners ; but on Saturday night the crowds cheered and re-cheered the newly enlisted' men. j A feature of the recruiting in Scotland wa9 the tremendous .enthusiasm of the clergy. Many Presbyterian ministers enrolled, and the divinity colleges and theological halls are almost empty. I It is noticeable that papers signed by those who have enlisted included an empty space to record a possible Victoria Cross. The men took the oath, pocketed 2s. 9d., representing the recruiting fee and tho first day's rations,,nnd returned homo with the gratifying feeling that their duty had been done. , Premature Estimates Create a Reaction. Lord Derby's announcement/ regarding the result of his recruiting scheme has necessarily been postponed pending the compilation of the figures of the extra day's recruiting. It was considered a good plan to allow a day's grace. The general impression is that Lord Derby will report that ho is well satisfied, removing the possibility of the continuance of the conscription agitation. Most of tho eligibles aTe not working on Sunday, and will have; the "fullest opportunity to reconsider the position at their ease. Apart from Saturday night's overflow, to-day's recruiting is quieter, but 'despite a snowstorm in tho forenoon, many attested. Large numbers of those who have not had any training chose immediate service. The recruiters are reticent. They do not desire to display optimism, and deplore the publication in to-day's newspapers of the speculation that between 80 and 90 per cent. > of Britain's manhood has enlisted. Tho result of this has been a comparative slump to-day in some quarters. Throughout the provinces to-day's figures continue in the neighbourhood of recent records. Thickly-populated, suburban London, made a magnificent eleventh-hour response. While niany_ married men in the older groups are not' likely ever to be called up, there is reasoil to anticipate that the overwhelming response by all classes and conditions of men, niaking t a remarkable total, mil be such a demonstration of patriotism, _ solidarity,' and stern determination aroused by the seriousness of the situation, that it will have a tremendous moral effect on tho enemy. , . Enlistments for Army Reserve. The Press Bureau has issued a statement to the effect that, owing to the physical impossibility of attesting all the men who offered, it has been decided to allow men to offer for the Army Reserve on Sunday. These instructions have telegraphed throughout,the United Kingdom. Officers have been instructed to make out a list of applicants for attestation under the group system on Saturday apd Sunday whom it. was found impossible to attest before midnight on Sunday. Such will be included in the lists if they attest up to Wednesday night. The Bureau urges citizens to attest, and swell the volumo of evidence of the determination of tho country to resolutely prosecute the war to a victorious conclusion: .„ ' PRESS AND PUBLIC OPINION FINAL RUSH DOES NOT SETTLE THE QUESTION. London, December 12. The "Weekly Dispatch" warns tho public not to imagine' that the filial rush of volunteers settles the question. It points out that success depends primarily oii the single men, whose response before last week had been disappointing. » "Something Like a Miracle !"■ Mr. J. O'Grady, M.P., a member of Lord Derby's Committee, declares that something like a miracle has been performed. He has never been prouder of his country. - Mr.. O'Grady pays a tribute to Lord Derby's influent© over all concerned in the scheme, his cheerfulness, and' his undaunted courage in the smashing of red-tape and the overeoming'of difficulties. He also pays a tribute to the newspapers for their loyalty, irrespective of thoir views on conscription, in backing the scheme. ' AN EXCELLENT IMPRESSION IN FRANCE. _ ; ' Paris, Deoember 12. • The response by British residents to Lord Derby's enrolment scheme greatly exceeded anticipations, and has created an excellent impression amongst Parisians. , result Will be announced on Thursday .(Rec., December 13, 10.30 p.m.) 4 London, December IS. Mr. Asquith, the Prime Minister, will announce the result of Lord Derby's scheme on Thursday. . : • Tho War Office announces that it is ,of the greatest importance that there should be no cessation in the flow of men offering for direct enlistment.