RECRUITING PROBLEM IN BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2656, 30 December 1915, Page 5

RECRUITING PROBLEM IN BRITAIN

LONG CABINET SITTING • THE POSSIBILITY OF A GENERAL ELECTION By Telegraph—Pros/ AJi'ocii.lkJi—Copyright London, December 28. Gabinet had a two hours'sitting yesterday. An historic meeting is expected to-day. The general impression of the newspapers is that the division in the Cabinet really concerns conscription, while the matter of the treatment of unattested single men is relatively subsidiary. 'The "Daily Telegraph" says there are indications that the Cabinet is divided over compulsion and voluntaryism. Resignations may occur, and even a general election be resolved upon. \ The "Daily Chronicle" deplores the fact that political wire-pullers are contemplating the desperate expedient of a general election, which is a gambler's plunge. The cream of the voters are m the Army, and there is no issue before the electors. Mr. Asquith is bound to keep_ his pledge to the married men, but there is not the slightest need to rush precipitately to compulsion. That way discord and disunion lie. • , The "Daily Mail" states that Mr. Balfour resolutely opposes compulsion, also Mr. Henderson, while Mr. Bonar Law and Lord Kitchener have not stated their attitude definitely. Apart from those and Mr. Lloyd George, the Cabinet is divided on Liberal and Unionist lines. Mr. Asquith desires to keep his pledge strictly, but as uniformity of opinion was not attainable Cabinet adjourned. On to-day's meeting depend the continuance of .the Government ana the possibility of a general election. The "Morning Post" says the matter is properly one for a General who alone knows the real requirements Tho decision rests with Mr. Asquith, but, whatever he resolves upon, Cabinet will certainly bo reconstructed. The "Manchester Guardian" says that it is admitted that half a million eligible men may have stood out of the Derby attestations. It is believed also that hundreds of thousands of single men were not canvassed. It may not be Lord Derby's fault, but he did not make anything like a complete canvass. Mr. Asquith's pledge must be fulfilled, but the Derby pledge of a complete canvass must De fulfilled firstr WAR COUNCIL MEETING FOLLOWS CABINET MEETING. London, December 28. The Cabinet,meeting lasted two and a half hours. Mr. Asquith immediately afterwards held a War Council, Lord Kitchener, Sir Edward Grey, and Mr. Balfour being present. GOVERNMENT DECIDES IN FAVOUR OF CONSCRIPTION, . Sydney, December 29. A "Sun" special message from "The Times" states that the Government has decided to compel the enlistment of unmarried men. . Minor resignations from the Ministry are threatened. CONFLICTING REPORTS AS TO THE RESULT OF THE CABINET MEETING. (Reo. Decomber 29, 8.5 p.m.) London, December 28. There was a full attendance of Ministers at the Cabinet meeting. The crowd was so great that the police cleared Downing Street. Mr. Lloyd George was heartily cheered. _ Tho "Daily Telegraph" states that Cabinet has not come to a. final decision, but Mr. Asquith's pledge will be fully honoured on the lines of Lord Derby's letter of November 19. The whole matter will be debated in the House of Commons on Wednesday, after Mr. Asquith has announced Cabinet's decision. The "Daily Chronicle" states that Mr. Asquith informed Cabinet that tho time had arrived for the compulsion of unmarried men, and that he proposes to introduce a Bill forthwith. ■ . < The "Evening Standard" says: ".Mr. Asquith's only course is to act boldly and promptly, and the country will Vespond enthusiastically. It will not be a misfortune if the Cabinet is purged of certain notorious elements of woakneSßThe "Star" says the crisis is purely fictitious, and due to intriguers using for months past overy available weapon to break up the unity of the GovernmellThe "Pall Mall Gazette" expresses tho most confident conviction that Mr. Asquith will adhere to his pledge, and adds: "Let Lord Derby's figures be published then the countrv will quickly settle what action is necessary." Tiie "New York World" says conscription may be a cover for the attacks on Mr. Asquith, but behind all remains tho irrepressible conflict between Liberalism and Toryism, in which Toryism knows no truce, however imminent the national peril. CONSCRIPTION BILL TO BE INTRODUCED! (Rec. December 29, 8.50 p.m.)' London, December 29. "The Times," "Daily News 7" and "Daily Mail" confirm the report that a majority of tho Cabinet lias decided in favour of immediate legislation for tho compulsion of unmarried' men. , The "Daily Chronicle" says: "Cabinet is expected to reach a decision at a meeting to be held on Thursday. Mr. Asquith, in tho House of Commons on Wednesday, will announce that a Bill will be brought in, thus fulfilling his pledge to tho married" men. Despite this tho question of calling up the married men cannot arise for nearly three months. Tho suggestion that Mr. Asquith was coerced into an unyielding, attitude by the threat of .Air. Lloyd Gcorgo's resignation is without foundation. Lord Derby opposed a further canvass, believing that it was only postponing the difficulty. The "Chronicle'' ■further states: "Of six hundred thousand unmarried men unattested, under three hundred thousand will bo available ..after excluding tho unfits, mtiliitlon workers, soamen, ami railwayman. Tlio mast Important quantUm arlhcsi Quit Mr. Asquith introduce convulsion o^^binotii'-i

ESTIMATING THE PROSPECTS OF THE BILL. (Rec. December 29, 10.30 p.m.) London, December 29. The "Daily Chronicle" says: "It is no 6ecret that soveral Cabinet Ministers loathe tho idea of compulsion. Mr. W: Runciman (President of the Board or . Trade) is likely to resign, but an intimate friend of Sir Edward Grey (Foreign Secretary) may influence his (Sir Edward Grey's) attitude. Mr. M'Kemia (Chancellor of the Exchequer), Mr. Lewis Harcourt (First Commissioner ot Works), Sir J. A. Simon (Home Secretary), Mr. T. MacKinnon Wood (Solicitor-' General for Scotland), and Sir Stanley Buckmaster (Lord Chancellor) are other sceptics. If Mr. Asquith keeps these colleagues he will have achieved a wonderful exploit.' Mr. Henderson's (President of tlie Board of Education) attitude depends upon the Labour Party, which will also govern the action of Mr. W. Brace (Under-Secretary for Home' Affairs), Mr. Lloyd George (Minister of Miinitions), Mr. G. H. Roberts (Lord Commissioner of the Treasury). It is possible the Irish Nationalists may be placated if Ireland.is excluded from conscription. If the Bill is impeded by obstructive tactics, the Government may appeal to tho country, POINTS ON WHICH MAJORITY OF MINISTERS ARE AGREED. (Rec. December 30, 1 a.m.) London, December 29. "The Times" states that the majorfff of Ministers are agreed to the fallowing policy:— (1) That Mr. Asquith's pledge is binding on the whole Government. (2) That it should be redeemed immediately. (3) That the principle of compulsion; should be accepted. (4) That Mr. Asquith should make aii announcement to this effect immediately tlio House reassembled on Tuesday. \ wr. Reginald M'Kemia and Mr. Runciman, heading a considerable minor- } ity, opposed this course, believing it would prejudice trade and finance. resignations and possibly of other Ministers are by hio means out of the quesfion. When tho number of unattested unmarried men was disclosed it was larger than most Ministers expected. The majority of the Cabinet decided SSe matter and not a negligible minority, and the difficult eosner of Cabinet (Rscusston was thus safely passed.