The Dominion. THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1916. COMPULSION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2762, 4 May 1916, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1916. COMPULSION

Me. 'Asquith's definite announcement of his intention to introduce a single measure of - general compulsion will cause as much joy to our Allies as news of a great victory on the field of battle. , It will dash to the ground any hopes that our enemies may have based upon the possibility of the spread of warweariness among the British people. It comes as :a crowning proof of Britain's irrevocable resolve to be content with nothing less than the coniplete overthrow of Prussian militarism. There is good reason to believe that the munition problem has been solved, and Britain's adoption of the system of general compulsion will almost certainly prove to be the solution of the man problem —and Loud Kitchener has staked his reputation'as a soldier on the promise that if his requirements in the shape of men and munitions are fulfilled victory for Britain and her Allies is'absolutely assured.. Me. Asquith states that the Bill which is now to be introduced will finish ! the'controversy altogether. His decision to _ccase from haggling and compromising and to act courageously and decisively will do more to secure that national unity for which ho appeals than , vain attempts to meet the wishes and soothe the fears of pacifists and other comparatively small sectional interests. Far too much valuable time has been wasted in bargaining and in devising halfmeasures, which have weakened tho Government's war. policy without giving satisfaction to anybody but our enemies. ; The Military Service Act passed early in the year was one of theso timid compromises. Tho pacifist minority did not like it, and the compulsionists openly declared that it was only the first instalment of conscription. The controversy went on as -vigorously as ever. The divided Cabinet was in a continual state of crisis,' and a feeling, of unrest and uncertainty pervaded the nation. But the principle of compulsory national service had received legislative sanction. That was the real gain. The compulsionists had won the day, and the General Compulsion Bill which is now to be introduced makes their effective. The Bill, which' was brought down a few days ago, and subsequently withdrawn, was probably another half-hearted compromise measure. The Houss seems to have risen in revolt against any further tinkering proposals. The timidity of the Government had passed tho limits of toleration. The country has been crying out for tho real thing. The inability of the Cabinet to make up its mind on this allimportant question has been actually creating that internal. strife which Ministers profess to bo so anxious to allay. The refusal of Parliament to stand any more futile temporising appears at last to have had the desired effect. Mil. Asquith has now declared in favour of a general and immediate Compulsion Bill, and he has challenged the House to say whether the Government possesses its confidence or not.

The Paris I'cmps probably expresses the general mind of both Franco and Britain when it asserts that the British National Government has too little confidence, foresight, ancl moral forcc, and that the British public is in advancc of its leaders. This criticism is to a greater or less extent true of the Governments of the overseas Dominions as woll as of the Imperial Cabi-

net. They arc all afraid; to trust the people. They havo underestimated tho strength of tho determination of British citizens throughout the Empire to win the war at whatever cost, and underrated their willingness to make the sacrifices necessary to ensure victory. The National Government has undoubtedly been a disappointment from certain points of view. It is too unwieldy for war purposes, and the inclusion in tho Cabinet of men of nearly every shade of political thought has made prompt, decision and decisive action at critical moments almost an impossibility. The conscription controversy has made manifest the inherent weakenesses of the National Ministry. Its hesitation and doublemindedness have fomented discord and intensified the very troubles it sought to avoid. Instead of giving the nation a clear and strong lead, it has had to be pushed along by the pressure of public opinion. Instead erf promoting unity, its own dissensions have tended to keep the party spirit alivo in tho country. As soon as the Government had satisfied itself that the required number of men could not be obtained under the voluntary system, 'it ought to have forthwith introduced a general compulsion Bill, and signified its determination to stand or fall by it. If Parliament declined to pass the Bill, Parliament would have to take the consequences. But Parliament would not havo declined. It would not havo dared to do so. Sir Edward Carson is undoubtedly right in his contention that Mr. Asquith a' year ago could have got the powers which he is now asking for, and if he had done then what he is doing now an enormous amount of trouble and controversy would havo been avoided. Even Sir John Simon admits that the new Bill is the logical consequence of the measure passed in January. But the Government was too timid and stopped half-way, with the result that it hits had to fight two- battles with the pacifists, whereas a final decision could have been obtained by one decisive engagement. Now that the Government has practically told the nation that general compulsion is part of the price of victory, the. pacifist minority that would rather lose the freedom they profess to prize so highly than fight for it will surely dwindle into comparative insignificance. Home of the most influential leaders of the Labour Party have already .expressed their -willingness to support the Government's decision in favour of general and immediate compulsion.