BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1915, Page 5

BRITAIN.

CALLED TO THE COLORS. STRANGE SCENES IN THE CITIES. THE PRIME MINISTER'S PLEDGE. London, Dec. 19. The proclamation calling up recruits led to novel scenes in London and elsewhere. Bill-posters went round the streets in the forenoon affixing the proclamation, but it attracted little notice, presumably because notifications have become almost a habit. Really the newspapers announcing that four groups had been called up gave the first intimation. The news fled round, and every copy of the proclamation became a magnet for small crowds, a large proportion of whom read it eagerly and with evident personal interest. The proclamation v,:is dated December 20, and was issued in Lord Kitchener's name in virtue of a Royal Warrant. Four groups were directed to report at a date and place specified, instructions to be received later. Many of those affected frankly admitted that they did not understand the proclamation, for such the War Office issued an explanation later which closed their doubts. It pointed out that the posters were sufficient notification, and informed the men who want their recruitment postponed that claims for postponement must be delivered by December 30. Men will begin to present themselves as required on January 20, receiving a fortnight's warning. A fresh hatch will be warned daily to prevent undue pressure on recruiting officers. Lord Derby points out that the calling up of groups is a novel task, and appeals to all to facilitate the working of this new machinery of our national life, that the order may work as smoothly as possible. Lord Derby, speaking at Bolton, disclaimed credit for the group system. He owed it to three Lancashire officers. All estimates of the results were guesswork. He himself did not know. Some people were saying that a conspiracy was on foot to induce Mr. Asquith to break his pledge with married men. He did not know nor care if it was true. He knew that if anyone was more determined to keep the pledge than himself it was Mr. A»nuith. "Wo in this country," he said, "do not treat pledges as scraps of paper. The pledge will be kept in spirit and letter.' 1 FROM 19 TO 28. Received Dec. 20, 7.25 p.m. London, Dec. 19. Number 1 group consists of youths of 18 who are under the military age. The four groups that have been called up embrace unmarried men from 16 to 22.