Evening star., 1915-12-29
CABINET Of BRITAIN
BACKS CONSCR|PT|ON
IN MODIFIED FORM
Decides to Present Bill, Giving
Government Necessary
Power, Next Week.
ALL MINISTERS FAIL
TO LEND SUPPORT
Strong Opposition Offered to Pro-
posed Scheme Forcing Unmar.
ried Men to War.
RESERVATIONS ARE LIKELY
Premier Asquith Will Seek to Pre-
vent Split Which Would React
Against England's Best
Interests.
ALL MINISTERS FAIL
TO LEND SUPPORT
RESERVATIONS ARE LIKELY


LONDON. December 90. 3:17 a.m.-The
cabinet decision yesterday in favor of
modified conscription became known
too late to be considered in the edi
torial comment of most of the morning
papers. The conscriptionist newspapers
naturally are pleased with the decision
while the opponents of the plan mostly
content themselves with stating that
no considered opinion can be ventured
until the Earl of Derby's recruiting
figures are known.
The Times says the precise scope of
the proposed bill will be the subject for
further discussion, and the cabinets
decision was largely due to the strong
advocacy of the project by David Lloyd
George, the minister of munitions, and
some of his unionist colleagues.
Effect on Country.
The Times anticipates that there will
be at least two cabinet designations
Reginald Mckenna, chancellor of the
exchequer. and Walter Runciman, presi-
dent of the board of trade. The news
paper remarks that designations some
times are infectious. Concerning the
effect of the project on the country, the
Times says:
Few persons ever advocated the
principle of compulsion for its own
sake, and most people would prob
ably have been glad if the war could
have been won without it. But
the dominating desire of the country
is to win the war, and if compul-
sorry recruiting is shown to be imper-
ative we believe the nation will ac-
cept it in the same determined spirit
. ha, tIA fot
The need for men has become very
real and urgent.
The Daily Chronicle, an anti-con-
scriptionist journal, admits that the
country will accept compulsion if 1t is
proved to be necessary.
100000 Not Invited.
The Manchester Guardian asserts that
Lord Derby's canvass was done so hur-
riedly that at least 1000 unmarried
men were never invited to enroll. More
over. it is maintained that there is
necessarily enormous difficulty in ana
lying the Derby figures, and a con-
siderable portion of the slow moving
English public opinion revolts at jump
ing hastily at conclusions, which would
mean a change in the organic law of
the country.
The supporters of the voluntary sys-
TEN are emphatic in declining to aban-
nOU IL until some means nave DeeH
taken to insure that the Derby scheme
cannot be made a success.
For Modified CONSUMPTION.
1t is stated on excellent authority
that the cabinet virtually decided upon
a modified form of conscription bill, to
be introduced in the house of commons
next week, giving the government the
necessary power. should it be found
needful, TO bring in single men and
preserve Premier Asquith's pledge to
married men.
Yesterdays cabinet meeting, although
il failed to secure an agreement of all
the ministers upon the yexed question
0 the voluntary system versus con-
scription, was OF very critical and de,
cisive character. ard virtually reached
tre decision that the application OF
o-c- may become necessary before all
-.leibie single men are effectually
-ht TO the colors.
T T.a-efore 1t was resolved that at the
-a.l.-st opportunity a bill should be
Introduced in parliament in order that
tn government might have the neces-
sarZ power, should il be found that no
otner course was effective to this emu
Will Make Statement.
Premier Asquith is expected to make
a statement on the whole question in
the house of commons Wednesday o.
Thursday OF next week. and announce
the speedy introduction of a bill of a
permissive character. making service
in the army obligatory on unmarried
men who have failed to attest under
the Derby scheme.
The anti-conscriptionist ministers Of
fered strong opposition. and IL is still
unknown whether any designations will
follow. II is believed. however, that
this is quite likely now.
Policy Adopted.
The line of policy upon which a
majority Of the ministers agree. indi-
eating that some, at least, of the anti
conscriptionist section of the cabinet
so far waived their principle as to
consent to a modified application of
force, is as follows:
First that the premiers pledge to
married men is binding on the whole
government
Second. that the pledge should be re-
deemed forthwith.
Third, that the principle of compul-
sion should be accepted.
Fourth. that the premier should an
nounce this policy at the earliest op-
portunity after the reassembling of
parliament.
II is believed that the actual formal
resolution on the new policy has been
postponed until another meeting of the
short interval Mr.. Asquith will be EN- =
ployed in asserting the strongest in
nuence TO avert disruption of his cabi-
net
United Front Important.
The importance. as far as military
operations and political prestige are
concerned. Of the ministers presenting a
united front to the nation and her al
lies. to say nothing Of the effect pro-
duced by disruption in encouraging the
enemy. is fully grasped, and this In
fuence cannot fail to have its effect.
There is a further possibility to be
considered. This Is that the announce
ment OF an immense number of appli-
cations would have such an Immediate
effect upon the laggard that 1t may
never become necessary to put the
measure in operation.
Chance to Preserve Unity.
Should the week intervening before
the introduction of the bill show such
a sudden rush of recruiting as to
justify the hope that II would be un-
necessary to resort to compulsion there
will be great chance for the cabinet
to preserve its unity. Premier As
aufth has always shown a marvellous