AMERICAN OFFICIAL NEWS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14712, 18 September 1918, Page 9

AMERICAN OFFICIAL NEWS.

SYDNEY, Sept. 3. The following official 'wireless message was received 1 m Sydney by the American Consul -General from Washington, via Honolulu : —

President Wilson, m a proclamation on registration day for selective military service, said : —

"Twelve months ago men. from 21 to 31 years of age were registered. Three mouths ago, and again last month, those wlio iH?ached 21 were added. It- now remains to include all between the ages of 18 and 45 years. Itis not a new policy. A century and a quarter ago it was deliberately ordained by those then responsible for 'the safety "aiid defence of the -nation, that the duty o£ 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 solr emnly purpose a decisive victory of arms, and deliberately intend to devote a. larger part of the 'military man-power of the nation to; the accomplishment of that purpose.

'The younger men from the first liave been ready to go. They have furnished voluntary enlistments out of all proportion to their numbei\ Our military authorities regard them as having the highest combatant qualities. Their yoaith fulness and enthusiasm, theiv virile eagerness, their gallant spirit of daring, make them the admiration of all who see them m action. Men of the elder group itre now called upon. The opportunity is now; open, to them,, and it will be accepted with tlie calm resolution of those who realise to the fullest the solemn significance of what they do. They will realise, as perhaps another could hope not to, that , their own fortunes and those of all they love are at stake m this war.

"This will be our final demonstration of loyalty and democracy, and will be a solemn notice" to all the world that w£ stand absolutely together m a common resolution and purpose. It is a call to duty, which every true- man m the. country will respond to witt pric|e» aiiid' with the ' consciousness* thaC'^in doing .so lie is playing his'timapt m tlie yjiidicatioh of a great^^a.use?*r R at : whose stimmons ever\' tiiie^neftrt offers its supreme, iaa'cri-