LATE NEWS

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 70, 20 September 1915, Page 8

LATE NEWS

A FAIR CHANCE WANTED — » VOLUNTARYISM v. COMPULSION LLOYD GEORGE ON THE SITUATION PUBLIC WARNED AGAINST N HOSTILE PRESS. (»y Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyritht.) (Received September 20, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, 19th September. The Press Bureau states that Mr. Lloyd George, in replying to a constituent's letter says : "You say rightly that 'the Government ought to give the nation a lead upon the question whether the moral obligation of every able-bodied man to defend the country ought to be converted into a legal obligation.' I can assure you the Government is fully alive to the necessity of giving a defi nite lead, and is now examining the subject with the view to rightly deciding. Undue delay and undue precipitancy might be equally disastrous. Let us avoid both. 1 ISSUE IS ONE OF FACT "The issue is one of fact, not of principle. If figures demonstrate that we can win through with voluntaryism, then it would be folly to provoke a controversy in the middle of a world-war by attempts to substitute a totally different method. On the other hand, if the figures demonstrate to everyone not prejudiced that voluntaryism has exhausted its utility, and nothing but legal pressure can give us the armies necessary to defend the honour of Britain and save Europe from a triumph of military despotism, I have not heard of a man who I would under those circumstances resist compulsion. Men who say they will resist if this expedient is proved necessary to save the country and the freedom of the world have not yet appeared in the arena. If they do appear I predict thej will not be found among the workingclasses. WASTING CYLINDERS OF FERVOUR & FEROCITY , ' "The question is wholly one aacer tamable by fact. Why then all this premature anger in determining facts not yet published? When the facts are gifted and made known, the advocates of either view will surely find that whole cylinders of fervour and ferocity have been wasted in attacking positions which they will then discover they ought to defend. Let the Government have a fair chance to decide. All this clatter and racket outside the Council Chamber is fatal to deliberation. Especially I beg the public not to heed the' paragraph ascribing certain attitudes to different Ministers. These are invariably inspired by hostile intent, and the task of contradiction would be endless. When the time comes these Ministers will be quite capable of defining, and will not hesitate to define, their own views. Meanwhile, let personal recrimination drop ; r it poisons all good counsel in every controversy. There are mean little people who assume that their own motives in taking up a certain line are the most exalted and of the noblest character, but that those daring to differ from them are animated by the basest personal aims. They are a small faction, but they are mischief-makers; and have often perverted discussion into dissension, seemingly aiming to spread distrust and disunion among men whose co-operation is essential for national success. These creatures ought to be stamped out relentlessly by all parties as soon as they *re seen crawling along the floor. EXERTION NECESSARY TO INSURE VICTORY "The opinions I have formed regarding essential action are prompted by the sincere persuasion that nothing but the exertion of our whole strength will obtain a victory, upon which so much depends. Having come to that conclusion, I am bound to do my best to secure that effect without the least regard to the effect my appeals may have upon my own political fortunes. The issue is the gravest any country has ever been called on to decide ; let it be settled in a spirit worthy of its gravity. I withdraw nothing I have said regarding the seriousness of the position. Naturally, I take a hopeful view of the prospects of the cause in which I am concerned ; but I know too well that to ignore dangers which one can see with the naked eye is the most fruitful source of disaster in all affairs. Events alone will prove whether I have unduly alarmed the public by pointing out for months the dangers of the present war. I would indeed be a traitor if I did not hope fervently that the | course of the war will prove that I have overestimated the worst evils." "I HAVE NOT WRITTEN WITH. OUT WARRANT" "I have not written without warrant in facts known, both to the enemy and to us, facts which I thought would already have sobered the most fatuous | optimist. Therefore, I felt driven by the jeopardy of my native land to sound a not© of alarm, and have done so in the confident belief that if it succeeds in rousing us in time to put forth all out strength, we shall win. If for any reason I fail, it will be sorry comfort to be able later to taunt with their mistake those who are now abusing me because of my daring to call attention to the coming storm before it overwhelms the land, and because I am striving to induce my fellow-countrymen to prepare I in time for its onslaught."