Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-23
MILITARY
DUTY SOON MAY BE
ORDER IN ENGLAND
Even if Germany Is Defeat
ed, Fears Are Expressed
That Russian Acts May
Make Conscription Neces-
sary.
LONDON, Sept. %.

LONDON. Sept. %.
In view Of the war raging in Europe
and the necessity of sending big drafts
of men to the front, Liberals are begin
ming to discuss the possibilities of con-
scription. If conscription comes, and the
probabilities are that it will. there will be
no time for protest, as II would require
merely an order in Council and not an
act of Parliament. Conscriptionist news
papers and they form the bulk of the
press at present are hard at work and
have won the first point They will now
press their advantage, for they know
that such an opportunity may never
come again.
Once conscrption is upon England 1t
will hold good, for it will not pass at
the end of the war, even in the event of
Germany being defeated, Russia will
afford ample excuse for rveting the
thrall ring Of militarlsm more firmly
upon the throat of the English people. A
fortnight ago one had the hope that this
war would see the end of Prusslanism in
Germany: now a diminishing hope is
coupled with a lively fear that it may
see the birth of it here 1t is true no
responsible politician has suggested con-
scriptiOn, but two months ago no re-
sponsible politician suggested war. Lib
erals are asking is no answer to be made
10 all this agitation or are they TO sit
idly by, helplessly trusting in the
stability of politicians under stress. with
out so much as attempting to strengthen
their hands?
M-. Wells suggestion that it ought to
IL. e. L. 10
country between 10 and So to enroll
himself for public service is one that
looked like being carried out. with no
choice for shirkers, a century ago, when
England was al war with France ana
America, and a large number Of the
FnFi!sh troops were tied up in Ireland
At t-le beginning Of 1914 statistics We're
prepared giving the number of males
whom II would he possible to turn into
soldiers The result showed that there
were just 2.744s47 between 10 and 81
capable Of bearing arms. Al that time
the population of the United Kingdom
was under 100000. 4 month or two
later the allied armies entered Paris,
and what might have been a scheme of
universal service was forgotten in the
rejoicinss Of temporary peace.
ENLISTMENT GOING ON
There was one portion of Mr. Asquith's
speech at the Gulldhal banquet which
attracted much notice and will put an
end 70 the frantic appeals of those fussy
people who. in their mistaken sense Of
patriotism, have been doing so much
mischief, II was that in which the
Premier stated that Lord Kitchener's
second army had already obtained be-
tween 2iOyH and 10000 men, II is 10
he noted. therefore, that while over
KE.
ing about with white feathers, employ
ers have been seeking TO force enlist
Weut on their men By threats of dis
missal. and exCitabie people nave been
denouncing cricket and football there
are already more recruits accepted than
have been asked for.
As a matter Of fact. more men have en-
listed than accommodations can be pro-
vded for, for il is a notorious fact that
there are no barracks available, and that
In order n shelter them a vast number
Of buildings viii have 10 be utilized Unl-
forms will also have 10 he provided, horses
for the cavalry, rifles for the infantry and
instructors for all.
Since the war the value OF the British
soldier has gone up immensely in the pub
lie estimation. six weeks agO Tommy
Atkins would have been contemptuously
refused a drink In every hotel bar In Lon
don. Today he is an honored guest, while
the young man who. for some reason, re-
fuses TO enlist, is treated with derision.
II is interesting also 10 notice how the
national emergency and the magnificent
way In which IL has been met by the Gov
erment is being appreciated In the music
halls. quarters not usually svmpa thetic 10
Liberal statesmen. Portraits are being
nightly shown on screens, and the gather
ings cheer as the photographs of Mr. AS
qutth, LLOYD George and Mr Churchill ap-
pear, They cheer these nearly as warmly
as they do that OF Lord Kitchener But
that is not all A portrait Of Mr. Red
nond is generally included In the set, and
Il Is pleasant TO note that the patriotism
and generosity Of the Irish leader is heart
ily appreciated
"hatsyer be the duration of the war
there Is no doubt that II is popular In
England and that the British people viii