THE BRITISH CABINET CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2752, 22 April 1916, Page 4

THE BRITISH CABINET CRISIS

; The official announcement that tlie British Cabinet has found a way of settling its internal differences regarding the demand for general compulsion in order to bring the Army up to the required strength will be received with satisfaction throughout the Empire. The exact terms of settlement had not been announced at time of writing, but the fact that they have been accepted by Lord Kitchener, Mr. Lloyd George, and Mr. Bonar Law may reasonably be regarded as an indication that an important step'forward is to bo made. It is stated authoritatively that Cabinet has arrived at an agreement which will njeet the demands of the military situation, and also satisfy all sections of opinion within the Government. ' It is to be hoped that Lord Lansdowne's wish that the Government may be able to meet Parliament with a united front and announce a policy approved by the whole' Cabinet will be fulfilled. But it would be deplorable if the Ministry has permitted its desire to hold together to outweigh its imperative obligation to do all that is necessary to win-.the war. The more timid members of the Cabinet, appear to favour a, wait-and-see policy, which would postpone action until the emergency foreseen by the military authorities had actually arisen, whereas Mr. Lloyd George, and those who think with him, urge that a general compulsion Bill should be introduced forthwith, so as to remove the recruiting problem from the area of political controversy and provide for emergencies without further delay. Whatever the precise nature of the compromise may prove to be, it is satisfactory to be told that goneral compulsion is now considered to be inevitable. The election of Mr. Stanton by the working-class constituency of Merthyr Tydvil was a convincing reply to those who declared that Labour was opposed to compulsory service, and now Colonel John Ward, a _ Labour member, declares that he is prepared to go to the country as a Supporter of compulsion and to lead a party really representing the views of the workers. Speaking on the Compulsory Service Bill, which was passed in January, Colonel Ward declared that it was the duty of the House of Commons to deal _ with those who were shirking their duty in this world struggle. If men were determined to shirk, compulsion should bo brought to bear upon them. He went on to say that Labour members would be cowards if, for fear of some charge of inconsistency as to opinions advocated in.peace, they by one inch from what they believed the circumstances justified thenv in doing. He did not give the Bill "merely .a grudging support—no fear." He was prepared to sec the last farthing of our wealth and the last man thrown into the scale before_ he would surrender the position Britain occupied to a brutal domination. This speech by a democrat of the democrats, who did not cease to be a champion of Labour when he became an officer in the Army, made a profound impression. The working men of Britain arc just as determined as other sections'of the community to crush German militarism, and arc ready to make whatever sacrifices may be necessary to achieve that end.

Tlio secretary of the Wostland Art Union' announces that tickcts will only bo obtainable l'or five more days. Messrs. W. and G. Tiivnbull and Co. will hold their nsiml sutc.l at MMtetton tlua jrsels.