Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-05
Appealing to the People

n AVID LLOYD GEORGE starts his work as
II Minister of Munitions exactly as we ex-
pected and predicted he would start it-by
taking the country into his confidence. In
speech at Manchester Thursday night he told
the employers and workingmen of that great
manufac curing center that the success or
failure of British arms depended more large
ly OH them, and on other men like them, than
on any other single factor.
He discussed the situation with an almost
brutal frankness. He described without
hesitation or effort to gloss the facts the ter
rbe reverse the Russians had SUFFERED
reverse attributable he said, to Austro- Ger
man superiority in munitions of war. He as
serted that, had the allies in France and Bel
GUM been in position to use ammunition on
the scale that the Germans used it in Galcia
the Germans would have been turned out
of France and driven halfway across the de-
vastated plain Of Flanders. They would have
been we'll out Of the country they have tor
tured and tormented with dastardly cruelty
More than that, we should actually have pene-
trated into Germany.
The need, Lloyd George said was not
for men, for the rush of recruits to the colors
had supplied more men than could be utilized
to advantage with the arms and munitions
on hand. Then he continues:
1t depends more upon the masters and
men occupied in running workshops than
upon any part of the community whether
Great Britain will emerge from this
colossal struggle beaten, humilat ted
stripped of power. honor and influence
and a mere hondslave of cruel military
tyranny. or whether it will come out
triumphant free and more powerful than
ever for good in the affairs Of men,
come here to tell YOU the truth. Unless
you know 1t. YOU cannot he expected to
make sacrifices.
These words send the appeal home They
make Of every citizen Of England participant
ana partner in his country's struggle.
Every citizen must feel he shares his
countrys confidence. Service becomes a
privilege, as we'll an obligation when it is
interpreted by the voice of democracy We
little understand democracy's workings or
spirit if this method of dealing with
Britains great problem fails to win success
Coercion and compulson do not jibe with
the institutions or the manner of thought of
ireemen Freemen cannot be driven into
the workshops any more than they can be
driven into battle; they go willingly and of
their own accord. or not at all. If they are
to have masters rather than leaders and
guides, it ceases to be Of particular conse-
quence who these masters may be.
rms applies, of course. to the mass For
the individual shirker and poltroon other
methods may have to be used, and Lloyd
George did not hesitate to point out that in
the defense OF the realm act adequate powers
already had been provided. Democrac ies
have used CONSUMPTION to fill the depleted
ranks of their armies. and in England those
who fail 10 answer the call to duty NAV be
compelled to make arms, rather than TO use
them.
our belief is that the direct appeal that ha g
been made will have an immediate and ire
mendous influence. and that compulsory ser
VICE VIII have to be applied to a relatively
small number OF English workingmen.