COMPULSION CRISIS

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 94, 20 April 1916, Page 7

COMPULSION CRISIS

A COMPROMISE PROPOSAL

FOR SUBMISSION TO CABINET

LONDON, 19th April. The lobbies at St. Stephen's were excited throughoifl the afternoon and evening. The attitude of Mr. Bonar Law and the Unionist Cabinet Ministers was largely influenced by the meeting of the Unionist War Committee, headed by Sir Edward Carson. One hundred andU'.venty-five members wore present, and the speeches showed that the majority of the Unionists were determined to insist on a, final solution of the recruiting question, though Lord Hugh Cecil struck a, note of extreme caution. Later in tjie evening the .situation became somewhat easier, owing to the efforts of the Cabinet Committee—which was formed in the morning—consisting of Mr. Asquith. Lord Kitchener, Mr. Uonar Law, Mr. Lloyd George, and sfr. Arthur Henderson —to try (o find some solution. The Daily Mai! and the ■•Daily News state, that the Committee placed the position bVforc the military "chiefs., explaining the measures favoured by tliu majority of the Cabinet, but the military chiefs, notably Sir William Robertson, expressed dissatisfaction, believing that these would iiot secure the requisite number?. The Committee finally decided, therefore, to suggest at today's Cabinet, meeting the following compromise :— General Compulsion Bill not to be introduced at present, but. if the existing 2nd new measures do not provide sufficient men, there is to be no further opposition to compulsion for married men