FORTUNES OF THE STRUGGLE

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

FORTUNES OF THE STRUGGLE

HANG UPON PREMIER'S STATEMENT

(Times and Sydney Sun Services.) ' ' LONDON, 18th April. Tho Times, in a leader, bays . "The fortunes of the struggle, and the fate of England and the Empire hang on Mr. Asquitli's announcement to-day. Tho Kmpire has reached a point, when it must state whether it intends to straighten out the confusion of Hie present recruiting method and maintain the forces which are indispensable to victory. The prodigious efforts to make tho plain requirements of the military situation square wrth the exigencies of politicians have., we believe, failed, and nothing short of a single, comprehensive measure for universal service will satisfy the situation. Labour is apparently divided regarding compulsion." Mr.'Join' .Hodge, M.P. (Labour), interviewed to-day, said : "If the Government tells us that general conscription is the only way to win the war, I do not think any objections will be rai^jl. The unions will be with the Government, if the need for men is so pressing." The Independent Labour Party, on the other hand, declares that the National Service Act must be repealed. LABOUR PARTY'S RESOLUTION. LONDON, 19th April. The Parliamentary Labour Party met last evening, and after prolonged discussion resolved against the extension of compulsion to the married men, thus threatening tho resignation of the three Labour Ministers. It is understood that Mr. Lloyd George will propose a compulsion Bill, with a proviso that its powers shall only be exercised if Die yield of unattested married men under the new voluntary recruiting plan falls below 50.000 per month. The Labour members refuse to accept this. UNIONBST CABSNET FORECASTED. / LONDON, 19th April. The newspapers foreshadow a Unionist Cabinet, which will include Mr. Lloyd George, and a general election in May. The Daily Chronicle says : "Unless Cabinet decides upon compulsion, Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Bonar Law, and the Unionist members will resign. The. Cabinet Committee which investigated the Army Council's requirements refrained from r-xiiressint; an opinion on the question of general compulsion. Tho tone of the report, however, suggested that they regarded compulsion as unsuitable for the fimirr. Though our military needs for several months could be satisfied by the enlistment of lads of eighteen, attested married men, and the retention of time-expired men; the Army Council desires to be guaranteed a steady inflow of men up till December. WINSTON CHU3CHILL AND THE SIDE DOOR. LONDON, 19th April. Mr. Winston Churchill has returned from France, and visited Mr. Lloyd George, using the side door in order to avoid the publicity of Downing-street. He then had a conference "with Sir Edward Carson, with whom he was seated on the front Opposition benches when Mr. Asquith explained that there were still points outstanding without which a statement on the recruiting question would be incomplete and inadequate. Mr. Asquith agreed to Sir Edward Carson's suggestion for the Cabinet statement to be made on Wednesday, the discussion to follow on Thursday.