Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-12-30
|CONSCR|P T|0N IN
ENGLAND CERTAIN:
LABOR PROTESTING
Unionist Leaders Arrange Con-
terence In London to Con-
slider Issues Forced BY
Government.
SINGLE MEN MUST ENLIST
Cabinet Takes Vigorous Stand
Split May Be Avoided
Unions Are to Consider
Amending Rules.
SINGLE MEN MUST ENLIST

London. Dec. 3O.-A conference Of
representatives of the labor party 10
pelng arranged to consider the decision
or the cabinet in regard to compulsory
ing canvassed eagerly at trades union
centers
Advocates and opponents Of con-
scflptlon are equally emphatic. Many
members of the labor party are ready
to support compulsory service once
they are satisfied it is necessary and
are assured it will be applied Impair
TALLY.
Some are still insisting on a further
opportunity for unmarried men to vol
unteer, but it is believed the cabinet
has decided against further delay
In view of the expected early activ-
tiles in the field, recruits are needed to
take the places of the men now waiting
In the home camps in readiness to fill
vacancies at the front.
A meeting of the Amalgamated So
ciety of Engineers will be held tomor-
row to consider the plan of David Lloyd
George for relaxation Of trades union
rules so as to increase the number OF
men performing certain classes Of
work. The engineers will discuss Mr..
Lloyd Georges bill amending the mu-
nitions act which will come before par
lament when it reassembles.
London. Dec 3O.-It is stated on ex-
cellent authority that the cabinet has
virtually decided upon a modified form
of conscription bill to be introduced in
the house of commons, next week, Civ
ing the government the necessary
power, should it be found needful to
bring in single Qlen and preserve Pre-
mier Asquith's yNedge to married men.
The Observation-Disclosures ministers
offsrsa strsRg pAes.siGn sRa Il i .t;|, ;|,
tSisoM tSis Is quite Ii i llksla ns& nowsVsr' -
The line OF policy upon which q ma
jority of the ministers agree, indicating
| that some, at least, Of the anti-con-
scriptionists' section Of the cabinet 80
far waived their principle as to con-
sent to modified application Of force.
| is as follows:
/. Pledge to married men is bind
ing on the whole government.
2. That the pledge should be re-
deemed forthwith.
8. That the principle Of compulsion
should be accepted.
d. That the premier should an
| nounce this policy at the earliest op-
portunity after the reassembling Of
parliament.
Bill Ready Soon.
| 1t is believed that the actual formal
resolution on the new policy has been
postponed until another meeting of the
| cabinet on Thursday and that in the
| short interval Mr.. Asquith will be EN-
ploNed in asserting the strongest in
fluences to avert disruption of his cab
! met. 1t is still quite possible that
crisis may be avoided.
| Premier Asquith is expected to make
statement on the whole question in
the house on Wednesday or Thursday
4 of nd %I,
| Introduction of bill of a permissive
character, making service in the army
obligatory on unmarried men who
| have failed to enlist under the Derby
1 scheme.
| Sensational press reports Of the cab
met situation aroused such an unusual
| public interest that the police were
forced repeatedly to clear Downing
| street of the crowds.
| In the absence of any official state
ments, it is difficult to say how se-
llous is the present cabinet situation.
| The members maintain the appearance
| of outward calm, and it is believed the
difficulty is more matter of deciding
on methods and details than radical
| difference on basic principles.
Press Is Divided.
! The press again has divided itself
into two groups, which may most read
| lily be defined as for, and against, the
| government. The latter group insists
| that the cabinet is hopelessly divided
and must surely split on the situation
| created by the results of the Derby
| scheme while the former group de-
| clares that the alleged crisis Is largely
| the product of excited agitation, led
| by the Northcliffe press, and that such
| differences as exist in the cabinet are
still capable of being merged into
| common policy, il the task is not made
impossible by outside agitators.
Irish Oppose Pleasure.
| In the house of commons the bill is
almost certain to meet decided OPP
position from the Irish and labor mem
| bers. The Irish opposition is SO pas
sionate that there are even rumors
| that Ireland will be deliberately ex-
cluded from the operations Of the con-
templated bill. The labor party. while
| it is distinctly anticonScriptionist, so
far has not actually bound its repre-
sentatives in parliament and In the
| cabinet on the question and although
| Arthur Henderson and two other la
| Dor ministers. William Brace and
| George Roberts. regard themselves as
| committed definitely to the voluntary
| policy. the attitude of the party may
| possibly undergo modification inview
! of the opinion that the premier is sup
| porting the military authorities and
that the circumstances make compul-
1 sion urgent. Much will depend upon
the effect of the premier exposition OF
4 the situation and the revelation Of
| Lord Derby's recruiting figures next
| week. Until then no designations are,
| likely to be presented
Asauith Backs Derby.
| 1t is understood that all proposals to
! give the Derby scheme another trial
!! for fortnight We're firmly opposed by
Lord Derby himself, on the ground that
| it would only postpone. not solve the,
l problem. In this view Lord Derby MAS.
/ Moreover. Information has been shown
to the cabinet at its last two meetings
chat single men failing to respond I'm
sufficient numbers had much to do with
what must be regarded as the ronver-
] sion of the cabinet to the compulsory
i policy. AS z
Il The Paris police force iHSto bo In.
creased by the addition of q corps -