The Daily News. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1920. TERMINATION OF CONSCRIPTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1920. TERMINATION OF CONSCRIPTION.

The recent announcement made by Mr. Winston Churchill (Secretary for War) in the House of Commons, that conscription would terminate on March 31, gives a clear indication that the Imperial authorities consider there is no immediate danger requiring the service of a large military force. The cessation of conscription also emphasises the fact that attention is now being concentrated on reconstruction and production. Much as compulsory service is repellant to British ideas, it was the only possible means whereby the victory could be secured. Conscription won the war, and having achieved its object, it passes mto history— not to be forgotten," but to be ever-memorable in the annals of the Empire, made glorious with accomplishment in the face of terrible odds, and an enduring evidence of Britain's might. Before the war, the few hundred thousand men on the fighting strength of the British military forces were so insignificant that they excited the contempt of Germany's autocrat, yet during the struggle Britain raised 5,704,416 armed men, and the Dominions and colonies contributed 1,425,864 while India raised an additional 1,161,789, and South Africa, the West Indies and other colonies contributed nearly 123,000 colored troops, the total enlistments throughout the Empire amounting to 8,654,467. Such a feat is without parallel in history, and proves beyond all question that Britain takes the place of the foremost military power in existence.Henceforth the Territorial scheme will be the normal means of expansion for the British forces in case of a supreme emergency such as that which occurred in August 1914, constituting a large latent reserve of trained manhood and ample war material. The experiences of the late war have shown the illimitable possibilities of aircraft as a fighting force, while the development of "tanks" has revolutionised war tactics, and it is satisfactory to find that the Secretary for War favors a steady increase in the Air Force at the expense of the Army and Navy. The Somaliland campaign has afforded such convincing testimony as to the efficacy of aircraft in dealing with enemy forces that the principle is»to be extended to Mesopotamia, so that there are good reasons for the belief that in future the Air Force will be the principal agency, the army and navy acting as auxiliaries. In view of Britain's new responsibilities, and the unsettled state of the Middle East, it is obvious that the British Army must have a greater strength than before the war, but this can be accomplished easily by voluntary enlistment. Marshal Foch is keeping a ceaseless vigil over German disarmament, and the firm attitude of the Allies as to compelling Germany to carry out the military provisions of the Treaty, lend force to the statement of Mr. Churchill that Germany cannot become formidable for a number of years, though Britain must never again be lulled into a sense of false security. Having terminated conscription—the only nation to do so—Britain must, in the words of Mr. 'Churchill, "do her best with the forces at her disposal to discharge her duties to the Empire, and, should i a great emergency arise, trust to I the fleet and air force to give time to bring her might—irresistible | might, as has been proved—into the field."