The Daily News. THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1916. COMPULSION CRISIS IN BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 April 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1916. COMPULSION CRISIS IN BRITAIN.

Sooner or later it was inevitable that Britain would have to face a crisis over the adoption of compulsory military service. Th e Army Council continues to demand compulsion for married men, while Cabinet Ministers are divided on the question, hence an acute political crisis lias arisen. The sub-committee of the Cabinet includes two Unionists— Lord Lansdowne and Mr. Austen Chamberlain—who, with Messrs Asquith and McKenna, decided that'it was not necessary to enlist the unattested married men, meaning thereby that they do not believe a fresh measure of compulsion is yet necessary, but Mr. Lloyd George stands firm in his demand for such a measure, and threatens to resign if Cabinet decides against compulsion, while Mr. Henderson will resign if compulsion is carried. In fact the solution of the problem hardly seems possible without a break-up of the Coalition Government which was expressly brought into being in order to secure unanimity in the prosecution of the war. The question at issue 13 whether party politics, or the exigencies of the Empire as represented by the war, is to be regarded as of the greatest moment at this crucial epoch in the nation's history. It seems incredible that such a choice could for a single moment be in doubt, especially in view of the adoption of the settled policy that the three imperative requirements for obtaining victory were men, money, and munitions. Men naturally come first, for without them the other two requirements are useless. Lord Derby, and those associated with him, have exhausted all their resources for obtaining men by voluntary enlistment, and compulsory service by the unmarried men will not suffice to meet requirements. Mr. Lloyd George estiJ mates that the institution of compuli spry service for married men would add J 400,000 to the army, and would be the only method of complying with the Army Council's requirements. No Britfisher likes the idea of conscription, but when the position is such that the war can only be won by compelling men to fight for the Empire then there should be no hesitation in bringing it into I force. While Britain has enrolled about four million men out of fifty-six millions (one out of 'every eleven), Australia has furnished 210,000 men out of five million (one in every twenty-four), while Canada has enlisted one in twentyfive, and New Zealand one in twentyone. These figures show the magnitude of Britain's sacrifices, but the call is insistent for more men and it seems to be only by compulsion that they can be obtained. We have now arrived at the most crucial period of the intense struggle, and it is more than ever necessary to put into the field and hold reserves that will ensure a sufficiency of men to enable the Allies to go forward to victory. If these cannot be procured under the voluntary system they must be obtained by compulsory methods. A political crisis, though greatly to be regretted, is a mere trifle as compared with the absolute need for men to enable the Allies to win. That one essential is paramount, and the British Government should discard every other consideration but that of defeating the enemy, otherwise all our sacrifices will be in vain, and the consequences too terrible to contemplate. Mr. Lloyd George's compromise may meet the case, if *«, the crisis will be overcome.

menian campaign with great vigor and directness of purpose, while their achievements in that theatre indicate that the forces employed there are considerable, as well as well-equipped. In view of the German preparations for a great offensive in the Dvinsk region, the fact that Russia can spare large and effective forces for operations in Asiatic Turkey indicates that her strength, both of men and artillery, is far greater than seemed possible during the autumn campaign, and it may be taken as evidence of their confidence in meeting and overcoming the Germans in the main theatre. It should be rememberd that by their great offensive against the Turks, the Russians largely prevented the threatened attack on the Suez Canal, and they deserve the heartiest congratulations on their successes in A'ii-icnia, the latest of which is the capture of liebizond.