The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1915. MILITARY COMPULSION.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 6, 8 January 1916, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1915. MILITARY COMPULSION.

(With which is incorporated The Taitape Post and Waimarino News.)

By this time, in all probability, compulsory military service is one of the laws on the Statute book in Great Britain. An extraordinary cablegram received late yesterday afternoon, which was at once distributed throughout the town in the form of an “extra,” informed us that the “Compulsory Service Bill” had passed its first reading by a vote of 403 to 105, a most unexpectedly large majority, but one that will strike terror into the hearts of the Empire’s enemies and overwhelming joy and satisfaction in the rank and file of her friends and Allies. It Is also a most gratifying indication to all parts of the Empire. more especially those at this f greater distance, that the insane suggestions for a general election, ministerial resignations and break up of the Coalition cr National Government are over; that the 'attack cf delirium has abated sufficiently tc enable a levelheaded prosecution of tho war to continue. The adoption of the Compulsory Service Bill does not, a& will

have been learned from the scraps of Intelligence coming to hand, mean general conscription, for it has many important exemptions, but we may rest assured that it will reach those emasculated, spiritless ones, who, in thousands went so far as to disregard •the law in not registering their names when called upon. The passing of the Bill does not now mean that it must be put into operation. The authorities know in England, as our authorities know here, who the shirkers 'are, and if numbers come forward sufficient for requirements there is a very slender chance that the law may not be put into force. But the exigencies of the situation are such that anything short of compulsion , would create dangerous delays. Britons may regard the law as a reproach, but most people will realise that its operations will prove an important “shortcut” to the end of the war. and to the saving of thousands of precious lives. Had Russia been able to increase her muniitoiig output similarly to Britain compulsion may ont have been considered necessary. Russia has a plethora of men which she cannot arm, Britain can arm but w&nts the men, now, however, she hag the machinery for acquiring both.

(NECESSITY FOR COMPULSION,

The necessity for the enactment of

compulsory measures became obvious when Lord Derby’s report on his recruiting scheme wag submitted to Paliament, the most significant 'and perplexing feature of which was that no less than 657,000 unstarred (men not dealt with) single men were not accounted for; single men that had skulked and had endeavoured to keep their existence a secret from the authorities. Mr. Asquith had pledged the Government that married men would net he called upon until single men with ne dependents were first curdled, and it was a'question of either breaking his pledge or instituting a meang of bringing the to a sense of their duty as men, compulsion was the only alternative he

could honourably resort to. Even now, despite the circumstances, cue is not on sure ground in stating that the voluntary system has failed, for it Cannot be said, at present, what motive impelled the minds of those 607,000 young men who did not comply with the registration law. We cannot believe that among Britain’s single men there are so m'any effieminate, or miserable cowards, afraid to enter the lists against the enemies who are striving to destroy them, their homes and loved ones, anything so unnatural is too difficult of belief, and it may he found that Parliament’s later act will arouse them to a sense of their responsibility so as to leave little for the Compulsory Service Bill to otherwise achieve.

THE WAR. The most prominent feature in Germany’s conduct of the war at the present time is the seeming want of design. Leading Generals are reported ■to be quarrelling and movements of troops are being made at a great cost of money and time for no good mili-

t'ary purpose. The Kaiser is certainly ill and confined to his hed in Berlin, but whether the loathsome cancer Jias reached the stage indicated in latest cables, i s still matter for doubt. Yet it seems quite clear and believable that he is entirely incaacitated for carrying on the important part he has hitherto taken in directing the operations of his armies. There are now no visible intentions from Germany’s general staff, and although guns arc said to be arriving in Macedonia the report is not regarded with any concern by the Allies at Salonika. On no front does there appear to be any intelligible plan of action. AustroGerman forces are rapidly and disastrously being driven back on a very long : line stretching from the Roumanian border to Pripet; the Russians have captured the capital of Bukovma, and are advancing further into the enemies territory, inflicting colossal losses, and, obviously, there is not sufficient force available to check them. Roumania stands over the border impressed with what Russia is doing, imbibing the enthusiasm that will eventually impel her people to take up arms by the side of their brother Slavs. Germany knows this and is hopelessly incapable of preventing it. The Bulgarians are obstinate and will net go one step beyond the baigain they made with Germany, which was, they have disclosed, the conquering of Servia and the opening of the Bel-«rade-Coiistantinople railway. R Germany wants anything more from th em a fresh contract must be enterd into in which payment in territory k . to be the outstanding feature. Little has been heard of the promised attack on Egypt, and no doubt preparations for its reception has damped the ardour of the Arabs and Turks that, were to be Germany’s catspaw. In Mesopotamia the British force lias resumed the march on Bagdad, and reinforcements arriving will speed up the forward movement toward final success. Artillery duels, mine explo-

sions and grenade attacks ! are fairly

general along the whole western front, ending in "almost every instance in the Allies favour. Taken altoge-

ther, the trend of events and indications distinctly promises well for the Allies’ cause, giving a much more satisfying feeling and eliminating the anxiety caused by Germany’s spasmodic fireworks and brutal slaughter in weakly defended countries. She wanted the Constantinople railway to effect a decisive defeat on the B'ritish A Gallipoli, but Servia has been slaughtered and Germany arrives at Gallipcli to find that the British have moved out of reach, and to a position where they will be able to work devastating reprisals on the guarders of the line Germany was so anxious to acquire, and which is now of considerably lessened "value to her.