Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-12-30
DRAFT MAY MEAN
REVOLT, BRITISH
PAPER PREDICTS
Daily News Declares Dras-
tic Compulsion Will Open
Deadly Breach in Nation
CABINET TO MEET FRIDAY
Press Divided on Conscription.
Ireland and Labor Are
Opposed

LONDON, Dec. 30.
Revolution in Great Britain is predicted
| by the Daily News IL the Government
adopts conscription. While the newspa-
per does not use the word revolution
| it says that drastic compulsory service
would probably make deadly breach in
the unity of the nation, lreak ;he splendid
traditions of the country and unsettle the
spirit OF the people.
The reported decision of the Asquith
ministry to adopt modified conscription
was both defended and at cked by the
press.
A Cabinet council will be held tomor-
row, when the opposition of the Irish
National and Labor parties will be dis
cussed. A tentative agreement to exclude
ireland from the workings of conscrip-
tion bill has been reached, but 1t would
be impossible to eliminate the working
class, as virtually all the conscripts
would be drawn from this element of the
people.
LABOR IN OPPOSITION.
II begins to look as though organized
labor in the United Kingdom will line up
In "a solid phalanX against the Govern
ment If conscription is put into effect.
Sir Edward C"ey, the Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs, has turned pacificator
in an effort to heal the breach which grew
up in the Cabinet Ger the question of
Conscription.
As result of his efforts. 1t is now be-
lieved that a. J. Balfour, first Lord of the
Admiralty, will support tn Premier on
any action which may be taNrn in Parlia-
ment next week. Hitherto Mr. Balfour
has opposed compulsory service as a dan
gerous precedent.
There is much speculation - to the
terms of the so-called modified conscrip-
tion bill According to the Chronicle it
will provide for the compulsory enlist
ment of all unmarried men between the
ages of 10 and 10. who did not enroll them
selves under Lord Derby's enlistment
Royal influence is being eXerted in an
effort to bring the ministerial factions
together. King George evidently fears
the effect of Government strir, upon
England's allies and so regards 1t as
ammunition for the German propaganda.
Many persons are waiting for public
utterance by Lord Kitchener upon con-
He has been regarded by
favOring it. Proconscription newspapers
today expressed the belief that Lord
Kitchener had been won over"
The Cabinet at its late meeting definite
ly decided on the principle OF compulsory
service for single and married men who
have not been attested under Lord
Derby's group system according to ex-
There will. however. be no announce
ment respecting this decision until Par
lament meets next Tuesday. The Gov |
arnment is certain to carry the compul-
sion bill in Parliament by n coalition of
Cnionists and majority of the Liberals. |
The Irish representatives will vote soidly
against it and they will be supported by
l few Liberals who are uncompromsing |
opponents of compulsion.
EENER AEREENIyNF ETDRErAGp'
1t has become known that the Prime |
Minister found greater support than had !
1een supposed, some of the anti-con- |
icriptionst ministers having realized that |
, peculiar situation calls for exceptional |
reatment Among these are A. j. |
Salfour. First Lord of the Admiralty |
whose influence is very great, and Arthur |
henderson, who however. will be guided |
~ the views of the Labor party.
Lord Kitchener, the War Minister also |
las at last defended his opinion that |
he time is ripe for compulsion Much
depends now on the attitude of Reginald
'lcKenna, Chancellor - the EXchequer
nd Walter Runciman, president Of the |
3oard of Trade, both important members
# the Cabinet. But there is tonight a
opeful feeling that they may yet be
induced TO support the Premier in the
interests of ministerial unity.
Much will depend upon the attitude OF
y opposed to compulsion. may possibly be
wayed by Mr., Henderson's view that the
EXCEPTIONAL circumstances Justify eXcep-
ional means.
According to the Daily Chronicle the
lew bill will be a short measure calling
pon unmarried men between the ages of
8 and 40 years to attest in their age |
roups, within a specified period of time
nd under the same privileges as the
Derby recruits, with serious penalties for
The Times says Mr.. McKenna bases his
ppostion to the scheme partly on per-
onal doubt regarding the size of the
military forces required of Great Brit
in to win the war and partly on Great
Iritain's financial commitments, both at
ome and by way of loans TO her allies.
lr. Runciman, the newspape adds, is
oncerned to maintain the volume of
rade which he regards an indispensa-
lie factor in the British war equipment.