THE LEVY EN MASSE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 873, 27 November 1916, Page 8

THE LEVY EN MASSE.

NEW GERMAN MEASURE. EVERY MAN REQUIRED. Renter's Telegrams. AMSTERDAM, November 24. Dr Delbruck introduced in the Main Committee of the Reichstag a Bill providing for the auxiliary service of all men from the age of 17 to GO. He said that besides the millions who were liable to serve in the army there were millions who were liable for other services. This war was not only a war of armies but was a war of political economy. Germany must exert her extreme national power. The Bill aimed at the mobilisation of labour, of which there was now a positive lack, especially for the manufacture of munitions and for keeping up the food supply. Compulsion was only employable in the last resort, but voluntary services had failed. Labour must be taken from the less important industries'. The Bill must prove to the whole world Germany's determination to fight with all her forces to the uttermost. General von Groener, Chief of the War Department, pointed out that the exertions of the British Ministry of Munitions necessitated a considerable supply of German munitions. The Bill proposed to add to the army all who had hitherto been considered indispensable at home. The whole Bill constituted the completion of the general duty of individuals to help their country without social distinction. STRONG OPPOSITION. STORM OF PROTEST. Router's Telegrams. AMSTERDAM, November 26. The Reichstag has opened. The President proposed that the reading for a first time of the Compulsory Civilian Service Bill should be taken on November 29. General von Groener, on behalf of the Centre, moved that the Bill be read a second time the same day. This evoked a storm from both Socialist groups, Herr Ledebur characterising the motion as an attempt to stifle discussion of a Bill which delivered the workers over to the exploitation of slave-drivers.