A MILLION MEN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2651, 23 December 1915, Page 5

A MILLION MEN

INCREASING THE BRITISH ARMY MR. ASQUITH'S STATEMENT. Br -relegrftpli—Press Asaociation-Ckjpjrisht London, December 21. In the House of Commons, Mr. Asquith, in moving a vote for a million men, said that there were a million and a quarter oombatants in the various theatres, including the fellow-subjects from overseas. The wastage in modern war was enormous, the casualties were very heavy," but, happily, a considerable, percentage of the wounded recovered rapidly. We should aim at enrolling potentially every man of military age not disqualified by physical or domestic conditions, consistent with adequate provision for the production of munitions. There was a vast field of employments on which tho maintenance of the sooial life and export trade depended. Mr. Asquith added: 1 have had only time for a hurried glance at Lord Derby's report, which Cabinet is now considering. Meanwhile, there should be no delay in recruiting. He repeated his pledge to the married men, but apart from thi6 response to patriotic duty he had had many applications from men in far distant places overseas, who wished to come Home and be attested. That was a commentary on the lethargy of some of those at j Home who had not responded. It had I been reported to him that the young unI married men in some districts had not I come forward. He earnestly emphasised how necessary it was for these to follow the example set'by the great mass of the people. STRATEGIC CONTROL IMPORTANT CONCLUSIONS REACHED (Rec. December 22, 9.30 p.m.) London, December 21. Mr. Asquith, in the House of Comtiions, referring to the consultations in Paris with a view to joint strategic control of tho staffs of all the Allies, arrived at important conclusions. _ Complete unanimity was necessary if the Allies were to counteract the advantage the enemy had in a single direction of the war by greater unity and concerted strategical control. He believed this would be surmounted. He agreed with Mr. Lloyd George that the superficial facts of the campaign seemed against us, but the fundamental facts, which really mattered in the long run, were steadily and grovingly on our side. Errors and .miscalculations were not confined to either side, but we and our Allies have never wavered for a moment. Our fighting resources are becoming more ample, better organised, and mobilised for the purposes of the campaign. HICH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. The High' Commissioner's message covers the main points of Mr. Asquitli's speech, and l gives the following edditional particulars'.— Mr. Asquith expressed appreciation and admiration of Lord Derby's efforts. The response was a strenuous exhibition of patriotism and self-denial, and showed invincible determination to win the war. He announced that Lord Derby's report was receiving consideration, but he would not givo the figures at prosent.

HOT DEBATE CONSCRIPTION CONDEMNED (Rec. December 22, 11.35 p.m.) London, December 21. Continuing the debate in the House of Commons, Mr. Redmond said it would be pitiable if the moral effect of Lord Derby's recruiting effort was destroyed by tho compulsion of any section. He did not believe there wore any shirkers. If compulsion were proposed he should oppose it by every possible means. Mr. Stanton, in his maiden speech, said it was hypocritical nonsense that the country was afraid of conscription. He urged that slackers should be gathered in, including the youths who married in order to dodge responsibilities, by hiding behind the sKirts of womenfolk. Sir Edward » Carson said his only criticism of tlie vote was t\at it came too late, and-was not large enough. It was a great public scandal that we had not heard a, single word of tho Gallipoli operations, but now the withdrawal was heralded as a kind of victory. AVliy were the troops left during August, September, and October in a kind of liell, while someone was oiaking up his mind. The want of decision was a blot on the management of the war. _ 1 Mr. John Dillon said Mr. Asqiiith's speech was deplorably lacking in justification for the fourth million, which was the road to financial rum. He warned the Government that Ireland would not tolerate conscription. The debate generally voiced the danger of depleting tlie necessary industries in order to secure reoruits, and it was pointed out that if further men were taken from woollen and cotton industries, these industries would be brought to a standstill. LORD DERBY'S ASSURANCE PRESS AND PUBLIC GRATIFIED. (Times" x and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, December 21. The Press and public are gratified with Lord Derby's uncompromising assurance that the Government does not think of departing from the letter and spirit of the scheme: Tho voluntary response is magnificent testimony of ' the dogged British determination to win the war, but a section of tho Press forecasts al

sharp summons, to ■ which quick response will bo necessary after the first lof Lord Derby's groups are actually called up; if not, then compulsion, becau6o certainly every fit man will ulti-1 mately be needed.