THE WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16547, 22 November 1915, Page 6

THE WAR

RECRUITING IN BRITAIN. LORD DERBY'S SCHEME: EXTENDED TO DECEMBER 11 ; i LONDON, November 20. , The Press Bureau passes for publication t a letter from Lord* Derby to Mr Asquith, in which he endeavours to cleaT up the , ■uncertainty surrounding the Ministerial statement regarding recruiting. Lord Derby says he understands that married men will not be called before young unmarried men, and that if the latter do not offer for voluntary service married men will be released and a Bill introduosd compelling young men to serve. If the Bill is not passed married men will automatically be released. Lord Derby interprets the words "young unmarried men" to mean the vast majority of those not engaged in munition and other essential national work. Mr Asquith replied that the letter correctly expresses tho Government's intentions. It is assumed that the correspondence was the result of a serious set-back in recruiting due to the contradictory interpretations placed on Mr Asquith's guarantees. Recruiting officers state that Mr Asquith has killed the goose that was laying recruiting eggs. Lord Derby has extended the voluntary recruiting period to December 11. INDIA. NO REBELLION OR DISTURBANCES. LONDON, November I§. The Secretary of State for India (Mr Chamberlain) contradicts as absolutely groundless the reports of the German press alleging rebellion and disturbances in India. SWEDEN. PRO-GERMAN ACTIVITY DENOUNCED. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, November 20. At tho annual meeting of the Swedish Federation a resolution was carried upholding neutrality and denouncing the proGerman activists. EAST AFRICA. THE UNION COMMANDER. PRETORIA, November 20. (Received Nov. '21, at 3.30 p.m.) Colonel Beeves is to command the Union Contingent in East Africa.