Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 28, 8 January 1916, Page 5

Great Britain

i MILITARY SERVICE BILL. bJjSUJiU i Aj-OkS .London, January i. The Militarv otir.ee L.a was read a tiist uiiie uj u./ it- rJo. j lae House of toiimums »as 'ed, and tJie division was received wmi 'cheers and counter-cheers. Tmrtyone Liberals, including Messrs Tianeiinan and Burne, and oir John Simon, voted with the minority. Tv.eive Labor members, including Messrs Barnes, Ward, Hodge, and Bowevman supported the Bill. Messrs Henderson, Brace, Roberts, and the O’Brienites did not vote. ( Hon. J. M. Campbell, speaking on Sir E. Carson’s behalf, protested against Ireland’s exclusion. It was 'an injustice and a slur. The Empire’s !difficulty was Ireland’s opportunity, 'and if the Nationalists could reeonI sidfcr their political ambitions with the I decision to throw in their lot with their fellow subjects in Britain, con'seining to Ireland’s inclusion in the Bill, they would have done more for the realisation of their hopes and ! ideas than had been done for the last twenty years. Mr J. N. Barnes (Labor) said he intended to vote for the Bill, to redeem the pledge, although he was aware that his constituency opposed it. Ho had just concluded a month’s visit on the West front, and could say that there would not have been such large casualties if all young men had done their duty. v

Right Hon. A. J. -Balfour said the debate disclosed an unalterable determination to advance they interests of the Empire and the Allies. It \A - as feared that a division Avould do harm Avithin and Avithout Britain, but impartial critics Avould realise that- never Avas a move united front shoAvn- than uoav. He repudiated the suggestion that it Avas the thin edge of the Avedge for future conscription. ItAvas intended for the present occasion only. The/exclusion of Ireland Avas not an insult to Ireland. Outside of Mr Asquith’s pledge every member of the Government believed that the Bill Avas a military necessity, but there Avas a danger that in future we might he inclined to rely too much on the belief that Ave could call out armies by a wave of the Avaud. Our recent achievements might delude ais into the false security that a similar miracle would be again possible. The opponents of the Bill Avould convoy' to our enemies and foreign Poivers that Ave \A r ere a divided nation.

Mr Herbert Samuel, in speaking during the Compulsion Bill debate, said the fact that six millions had volunteered Avas the greatest vindication of democracy in history; hut he must support the Bill, against his convictions, because of hard facts. Mr Runciman said it had been estimated that a million more were spareable from industrial life, therefore they ought to he sent. , Mr -I. Robertson contended that Mr Asquith, in giving his pledge, spoke on behalf of the House of Commons, Avho acquiesced, therefore they shared the rsponsibility. There Avas no reason to fear that the measure Avoiild result in universal conscription. Mr Alden did not believe the Bill would raise the men necessary to decide the war, and there Avas a possibility that it would alienate the support of a million munition-makers, men engaged in the transport service, and miners, whereon the nation Avas dependent. Colonel Ward said that a third of the Labor men Avere either in the trenches or preparing therefor, consequently it was impossible to say that the Labor Conference represented the opinion of the majority of trade unionists.

Mr Henderson will explain in. the House of Commons on Tuesday why lie and his colleagues have resigned from the Cabinet.

Twelve Laborites supported the Compulsion Bill. The Minority included forty-one Liberals and fortveight Nationalists

THE LABOR CONFERENCE. HUGE VOTE AGAINST NATIONAL SERVICE. SIGNIFICANT STATEMENT BY RAILWAYMEN’S DELEGATE. “WAIT AND SEE!” 8 London, Tanuary 7. The Labor Conference’s amendment ’avoring national service during the var was negatived by 1,580,000 votes. Mr Bellamy, the railwaymen’s delegate, said that probably some people vould ask how they would oppose •ompulsion, and “Are you going to trike ” His answer was: “Wait and ;ee.” • Mr Havelock Wilson said that if Mr \squith’s )iledge had not been given eoruiting would have been less satisactory. If the pledge was not carried ,ut there would he grave dissension 11 the country. He did not believe hat the umittested single men beouged to the middle class. The proceedings throughout were umctviated with uproar. Mr Thomas, M.P., said he must gnore the threat of a general elec,iou. and he would refuse to carry out tis instruction to support the Bill. Mr Henderson said that if the Congress decided that he must oppose the till lip would refuse to do so, and rould ask his constituents to endorse lis action.

Mr Rluusay MacDonald said it was impossible to have conscription of the unmarried men vwuiout the married men. He opposed compulsion and the Bill.

x ..<? conference, hy 1,998,000 votes to 78 LOGO, aiu.pKea me amendment re-

am,...mg nio uecision ol the Bristol Congress, unanimously protesting in the name ol three million organised ’workers ag.i.nso compulsion, characterising the Government propose.s as I economical;., disastrous to me h.e «t I the nation, and recommending Parliament to oppose the measure in all its stages. The London Labor Congress was marked hy acrimonious scenes. it was held in the great Central Hall, which was crowded, there being a thousand delegates present, representing 400 unions. The result of the vote was awaited with anxiety hy the House of Commons. At the conclusion of the Congress the Parliamentary Labor Party met and privately discussed the result. The railwayman's amendment is felt, in view of Mr Henderson’s speech, likely to he serious. A great sensation was created when it was announced that Mr Roberts, Junior Lord of the Treasury, and Messrs Brace and Henderson had resigned. At the Congress, Mr Henderson sail!: We have reached a crisis in the history of the nation, and a greater crisis in the history of our own movement. There are people in the audience who would like to see us win the war. There are also anti-warites. Lord Kitchener wanted by the spring thirty thousand recruits a week, and also thirty thousand a week till the end of the year, or a total of a million and a-lialf. Would the Conference place its opinion against Lord Kitchener’s ? I

Mr Henderson added: I would rather have a by-election than oppose the Bill. Mr Philip Snowden can come to my constituency and fight the issue.

After many interruptions and heated exchanges, Mr Henderson said: “Is there a man who dare vote for the releasing of 500,000 attested married men ? Had I left my colleagues in the Cabinet it would have meant breaking the coalition.” Mr Thomas said: “A general election would he a crime against those serving in the trenches.”

THE TRADES UNION MEETING. London, .January 6. The Trades Union Congress, vlrc.h has opened at Westminster, will discuss a motion ili.nmng the Biistol resolution, and deploring the disnnifying actions of compulsionists ) and recognising that Mr Asquith’s pledge should be governed by Lord Derby’s ■ results. Also, though these had not yet justified a Compulsion Bill, it is concluded that Laborites should he left to vote individually as they thought fit. Mr Hodge, M.P., in moving the motion, said he considered that voluntaryism had not failed, but still the only alternative to the Government Bill would be a. general election on the issue of conscription, which would lie one of the worst day’s work in the Labor Party’s history.

Mr Loxton , in seconding, sai'd the war must be won outright. The Government’s proposal was one of the flabbiest, and everyone affected by the Bill would eventually find that he possessed a conscience. * PARLIAMENT AND REGISTRATION BILL. London, January 6. In the House ot’ Lords, Earl .Crewe, discussing the Parliament and Registration Bill,- said it was based on the principle that the majority of the people did not want a general election. Some members of the House of Commons were demanding a more strictly National Government, but an election would not be useful, for it would be merely an opportunity for a welter of personalities directed againt individuals. Lord St. Aldwin commented on the fact that the Parliament Act had created an absurd situation, for the House of Lords would now be able to determine tire life of the House of Commons.

Lord Bryce pointed out that the measure would be an unfortunate throw back into the cauldron of agitation over party differences. Lord Lansdowne said nobody could possibly desire to have an election forced upon a reluctant country. lue House of Lords would not stand in the way when the time came if the people desired a change of Government. Ihe Plural Voting Bill was dead, and it would be impossible to introduce that contentious measure immediately aftei peace.

PRESS COMMENT. London, January 6. The Daily Mail sv.ys the Derby campaign shows-'that a clear majority of die maniiood of the nation favors compute.v icrvico. 1 lie Mad hopes the House of Commons will show the old patriotism and public spirit. The people who are now manoeuvring against Mr Asquith’s pledge am those who favored neutrality at the outbreak of the war.

the Time* says the predominating feeling among all ( lasses is that Lord Derby’s figures entirely justify the Government in introducing compulsion. It is a gratifying fact that after fifteen months’ volunteering a further three million men offered, a thing imposishle in any other country in 'the world. Nevertheless two million had not offered. The Pall Mali Gazette says the .statement in Lord Derby's report that it is impossible to call up married men until the uuattestod unmarrieds are compelled to enlist is undeniable. Lord Derby’s statement that the canvass proved most distinctly that there is no want of courage and no holding back,among men, hut that as a matter of principle they desire that all be equally compelled to serve the country, is gratifying. Lord Derby’s demand that unmarried men lie removed from the munition and other industries and he replaced hy older married men is generally accepted. The Standard says the most comforting feature of the report is Lord Derby’s statement that the country has proved that it is determined to support Mr Asquith’s no peace pledge and is determined to see the war through to a successful conclusion.

The Times’ Parliamentary correspondent says the division will show an overwhelming majority for the Compulsion Bill. The Nationalists are the only party committed to oppose the measure. Labor is divided, and malcontent Liberals make a deal of noise but- carry no guns. The “no compulsion” meeting arranged for Wednesday was a great disappointment. Only a dozen members turned up. The minority at Thursday’s division may muster a hundred votes. The number of exemptions is surprising. Even if the Bill passed this week it will be six weeks before actual compulsion applies. The Daily News and Chronicle urge delay over compulsion in order to avoid disunion.

The Chronicle suggests that the Bill should compel batchelors to appear before the tribunals and give reasons for not attesting.

The Daily Chronicle interviewed Sir G. H. Reid, who said that Lord Kitchener’s Mr. Asquith’s and Mr. Bonar Law’s assurance that compulsion will be necessary to bring the war to a successful conclusion was good enough for the Australians, if not for others. The Chronicle says that Sir Geo. Reid Avill lie welcomed in Westminster as a great Imperialist. SIR G. H. REID. Loudon, January 6. Sir G. H. Reid is the chosen Unionish candidate for St. George’s, Hanover Square. The selection is not altogether a surprise, as it was thought that he would probably enter politics in England. The vacancy is caused by Sir Alex Henderson’s elevation to the peerage. Mr Gibson'Bowles, the Independent Unionist candidate, will possibly retire in view of Sir G. H. Reid’s selection.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. London, January G. Mr Tennant stated in the House ot Commons that the circumstances ot the landing at Suvia had been carefully considered, but that there had not been any formal inquiry. Speaking in the House of Commons, Sir E. Grev announced that he did not regard the diplomatic situation in Greece as other than satislactory. London, January 7. The Times comments on the paralysis which overtook the Government after the refusal of General Hamilton’s request for more men. The actual abandonment was delayed tor four months, giving point to Sir E. Carson’s declaration that the Government could not make up their minds. The Suvia landing was in many respects deplorable but when everybody else has been amply and deservedly blamed, the final question will be: Why if General Hamilton, who was on the spot, knew the right course to follow, did he meekly efface himself at the critical moment.