British Recruiting

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21976, 28 December 1936, Page 6

British Recruiting

A London cable message recently reported the conjecture that the British Government was prepared, or preparing, to introduce conscription; and one weekly journal stated that a draft bill was ready. Recruiting figures published from ,time to time had established the fact that the War Office was not obtaining al the men its estimates required; but although these figures might have prompted some speculation about the Government’s policy, attention was fully aroused, as the latest English newspapers show, only by a Ministerial statement in the Hou-e of Lords. Lofd Stanhope said that the War Office expected to get only 21,500 recruits for 1936-37, when 35,300 were wanted; and that the deficit in the Regular Army, in other words, was increasing. He went on to admit that, in present conditions of service, the voluntary system of recruitment was obviously in grave danger. It was a luxury, and, like all like luxuries, bound to be expensive; and although Lord Stanhope proceeded to argue that service conditions must be made more attractive, especially by providing stepping stones to civil occupations, the hint that some measure of conscription might displace the voluntary system was more impressive than the reference to conditions, which have already been bettered. The hint is strongly confirmed in a further message to-day, which reports the Secretary for War as saying that the voluntary system is “ on trial,” since recruiting will “ break down unless there is “ a large and immediate imorovement.” Mr Duff-

Cooper is not to be regarded as the most discreet and guarded member of the Government; but it is impossible to imagine that these significant words represent a purely personal opinion, uttered without the knowledge and approval of his colleagues. If they are taken as they must be, they mean that conscription is almost certain. What Mr Duff-Cooper is prepared to do to save the voluntary system is not reported; but unless Lord Stanhope was speaking airily, no doubt some effort will be made. It may be suspected, however, that the increased inducement will not be very great nor be offered for very long; there will be, against any lavish proposals or long persistence with them, the heavy argument compassed by Lord Stanhope in his few words on expensive luxuries, and that is not so heavy as the argument of time. The Government has put rearmament in the front of its policy. Mr Baldwin has lately indicated that the need for it was seen at a much earlier date than was allowed to be made known; and speech after speech, in recent months, has declared the Government’s anxiety and its resolution. The surprise will not be conscription, if that comes, but the change in international relations which is required to dissolve the Government’s fears and ease its difficulties. Of that, unhappily, there arc too few signs.