The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-12-30

ENGLAND

UNITED Press Leased Wire Servicel
LONDON, Dec. ao.-That Lewis v.
Harcourt, member OF the British cabt-
net since 1907 and strong opponent
Of compulsory service has resigned,
was reported, but unconfirmed today.
Harcourt, whose wife 10 an Ameri-
can woman, is said to be slated to
become viceroy Of India. Whether
his opposition to conscription has led
to his RECLAMATION, could not be learn
ed definitely today.
Harcourt entered the cabinet IN
1907 and held the post Of secretary
Of state for the colonies until the
formation Of the coalition ministry
last May, when he accepted the port.
folio Of first Commissioners OF works.
He is a liberal In politics.
Mrs. Harcourt was Mary Ethel
Burns Of New York, cousin Of j..
P. Morgan, her mother being sis
ter Of the late J. p. Morgan. II tho
report is true, she will be the second
American woman to become the vice
refine Of India, the first having been
Lady curzon, formerly Miss Mary
Letter Of Chicago.
Rumors Of Harcourt's resignation
began to circulate too late for edi-
toral comment In the morning pa
pers. Despite optimistic statements
Of certain newspapers, It was 0ener-
ally believed one or two designations
were certain as the result Of the
adoption Of the conscription policy,
though there was q noticeable, slack
ening Of. tension today.
Conscriptionists raliying to the
support Of the new government, have
adopted az their slogan, the admis-
sion Of g. n. Roberts, labor member
Of parliament and for years bitter
opponent Of compulsory service, that:
There 10 something worse than
conscription and that 10 national de-
i feat"
The cabinet will meet tomorrow to
consider the form the conseription
| bill will take. !.
Arthur Henderson, labor represent
alive In the cablnet conferrsd with
trades union leaders this afternoon
explaining the reasons beiIfrd the gov
ernnent's adoption Of policy OF moo
lifted conscription. He will report the
sentiment Of the trades union head'
TO the cabinet tomorrow.
WHY coNscRlPTloN Is RE-
uuIRED.
/ TBy Wilbur s. Forrest, United Press
STAFF Correspondence
LONDON, Dec. 30.-Why the volun
tary system Of obtaining men for the
British armies has failed and con
scription has been declared neces
sary, was explained to the Unitee
press today by an officer who fo'
| four months was In charge OF Lon
don't "cream" recruiting station.
Just come out and m give you
nractIcal demonstration" he said, and
he stepped into the Strand from the
recruiting house that stands Just cas-
Of Charing Cross.
II was at the hour when the metro
politan popuiace was homewars
hound. Hundreds Of men from stores
and shops were hurrying home. Ihs
recruiting officer stepped into ths
crowd and touched the arm OF sleel
clerk, not over 20, with the polite
"Why don't you join the armyT
"'m married and my job would b'
nInohed II I did," was the reply. Ih'
prospective recruit disappeared quick
ly. -
! The next two men approached, ao
| oirabIe specimens Of manhood, swor'
they were In the government service
In The India office. The fourth wa
a farmer boy with his "girl" on M
arm. He was SO startled at the re
cruitInu officers request that he dash
al awav into the crowd. The fifth
.Ixth. seventh and eighth men ac
eosted claimed physical unfitness
Ninth said his wife was sick. Tentl