AMERICAN OFFICIAL NEWS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 27 September 1918, Page 6

AMERICAN OFFICIAL NEWS.

SYDNEY, Sent. 3. The following official wireless message was received in Sydney by the American Constil-General from Washington, via Honolulu: President Wilson, in a proclamation r.n registration day for selective military; service, said: "Twelve months ago men from 21 to ?>l years of age were registered. Three v months ago, and "again last month, ■ those who reached 21 were added. It sow remains to include all between the

ages of 18 and 45 years. It is not a new policy. A century and a quarter ago it was deliberately ordained by j those then responsible for ihe safety and defence of the nation that the duty of military service should rest upon all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 45 years. "We now accept and fulfil the obligation they then established. We solemnly purpose a decisive victory of arms, and deliberately intend to devote a large part of the military manpower of the nation to the accomplishment of that purpose. | "The younger men from the first have been ready to go. They have J furnished voluntary enlistments out of ! all proportion to "their number. Our military authorities regard them as ■ having the highest combatant qualities. Their youthfulness and enthusiasm, | their virile eagerness, their gallant ; spirit of daring, make them the admiration of all who see them in action. Men of the elder group are now called upon. The opportunity is now open to them, and it will be accepted with the calm resolution of those who realise to the fullest the solemn significance of what they do. They will realise, as perhaps another could not iop* ta, that their own fortunes and those of all they love are at stake in thiswar. "This will be our final demonstration lof loyalty and democracy, and willbe • a solemn notice to all the world that ; we stand absolutely together in a common resolution and purpose. It is a call to duty, which every true man in the country will respond to with pride and with the consciousness that in ydoing so he is playing his part in the vindication of a great heart offers is supreme saorifioa. M