DECISION FOR COMPULSION QUIETLY ACCEPTED

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 310, 30 December 1915, Page 5

DECISION FOR COMPULSION QUIETLY ACCEPTED

SILENT PRESSURE OF THE ENLISTED MILLIONS.

SLACKERS REAXISINC THB, 3TEED FOR GREAT EFFORT. IRELAND MAY BE OMITTED FROM CONSCRIPTION AREA. (Received 8.55 a.m.) LONTJOX, December 29. The newspaper announcement that Cabinet has adopted the principle of compulsion has eased public tension. Tlie opposition to compulsion has notably decreased during the last few weeks, even in extreme Radical circles. This is largely due to the silent pressure of the millions who attested in Lord Derby's groups and their friends. The unmarried who joined, as well as the married, feel that they are directly interested in the fulfilment of Mr. Asquith's pledge. It is realised that the growing seriousness of the military situation is another factor. This is also seen in the rush at the recruiting offices after the holidays due to men home on furlough from France showing their friends the necessity for the strongest national effort. When Cabinet's decision was announced the first impression was that a number of resignations were certain, but pourparlers with the dissentient Ministers followed the Cabinet meeting, and as no immediate resignations were announced there is now a general hope that a crisis will be averted, though it is thought that some rearrangements of offices may follow the appointment of a member of Cabinet to the Yiceroyalty of India. It is expected that the leaders of the- Labour party will accept Mr. Asquith's decision regarding the necessity for compulsion, but the party will meet early to discuss the matter. It 'is anticipated that only the noisy Socialist section under Mr. Philip Snowden and Mr. Ramsay Mtcdonald will eventually oppose the Government. Possibly Ireland will be left out altogether, though the question of whether exclusion of Ireland means the exclusion of Ulster will have to be decided. The "Daily News" states that twenty-three classes of unmarried men must be called up before the married men are free from the protection of the pledge. With only a million and a-quarter men in the field out of three millions under arms there can be no question for months of shortage of reserves, even with the net wastage in the interval. There is therefore ample time for determined efTort to avoid compulsion, which will be strenuously opposed in the House of Commons. PLEDGE TO MARRIED MEN TO BE REDEEMED. 600,000 UNMARRIED MEN FAIL TO ATTEST. LONDOX, December 29. The London "Times" states that the majority of the Ministers have agreed on the following policy: — (1) Mr. Asquith's pledge to married men shall be binding on the whole Government. (2) It should be redeemed immediately. (3) The principle of compulsion ehould be accepted. (4) Mr. Asquith should make an announcement to this effect immediately tho House reassembles on Tuesday. Mr. McKenna, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Mr. Runciman, President of the Board of Trade, are heading a considerable minority opposed to this course, believing it would prejudice trade and finance. Their resignations, and possibly those of other Ministers, are by no means out of the question. When the number of unattested unmarried meiuwas disclosed it was fouud to be larger than most Ministers expected. The majority of the Cabinet decided it was not a negligible minority. The difficult corner the Cabinet was negotiating was thus eafely passed. The "Daily Chronicle" says that Mr. Asquith will announce in the House of Commons on Wednesday that a bill will be brought in, thus fulfilling his pledge to married men, dospite that the question of calling up married men will not arise for nearly three months. Tho suggestion that Mr. Asquith was coerced by the threat of Mr. Lloyd George's resignation is without foundation. The Earl of Derby opposed a further convass of single men, believing it would only postpone the difficulty. The "Chronicle" states that of GOO.ORO unmarried men who did not attest under 300,000 will be available after excluding the unfit, munition workers, seamen and raihvaymen. The most important question arises whether Mr. Asquith can introduce compulsion and preserve the unity of the Cabinet.

MEMBERS OF CABINET WHO LOATHE CONSCRIPTION. The "Chronicle" says:—"lt is no secret that several members of the Cabinet loathe compulsion. Mr. Runciman is likely to resign, but he is an intimate friend of Sir Edward Grey, and may be influenced by Sir Edward Grey's attitude. Mr. McKcnna, Mr. Harcourt, Fir John Simon, Mr. McKinnon Wood, and the Lord Chancellor are other sceptics. If Mr. Asquith keeps these colleagues it will be a wonderful exploit. Mr. Henderson's attitude depends on that of the Labour party. It is possible Irish Nationalists will be placated if Ireland is excluded from conscription. If the bill is impeded by obstructive tactics the Government may appeal for a general election." The "Daily Chronicle states that Mr. Asquith informed the Cabinet that the time had arrived for compulsion to be put on unmarried men. He proposes to introduce a bill forthwith. The "Times," the "Daily News" and the "Daily Mail" confirm the statement that the majority in Cabinet has decided in favour of immediate legisla : tion for the compulsion of unmarried men.