New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-15
Reckoning British Resources.

If In the early Gays OF Ine wal Dii'iSi
statesmen had seen fit to deal as plainly
with the people as Mr.. Lloyd George and
Lord Lansdowne have done of late the
country would not now be debating the
first steps toward reckoning its resources
in men. It is indeed preposterous that so
all important an undertaking should be
entered upon after whole year of fight
ing, fighting for the nations very exist
ence; yet even to-day this obvious precau-
ton is looked upon with apprehension and
suspicion by a considerable part of the
British public, who see in it the first step
toward compulsory service.
Lord Lansdowne has wisely refused to
follow the example of some timid and
short-sighted statesmen in dismissing such
apprehensions as absurd. Quite truly he
points out that the bill establishing a Ma
tional Register does not in itself impose
compulsory service; but at the same time
he admits frankly that it would be of in
estimable use should compulsory service
prove necessary; nor does he pretend to
think that the country can rely to the last
on the voluntary system. In short, he re-
CARDS the matter exactly as Lord Kitch-
ener regards it. If the voluntary system
works, well and good; if not, there is moth
ing for it but compulsion.
Of late the question Of munitions has
been the chief cause Of concern to the
rulers of the country. By drastic meas
ures something approaching reasonable or
ganzation has at last been established in
the factories. In the mean time enlistment
has proceeded fairly well and men have
been raised about as quickly as they could
be equipped. But is it to be supposed that
the haphazard methods of to-day will al
ways meet the requirements? Are we
quite sure" as Lord Lansdowne asks, chow
long it will be before the case may stand
exactly the other way, when the stream Of
men may dwindle to a small trickle?'
This is the problem that the government
must be prepared to meet, and the lesson
they have already had in the shortage of
munitions should have taught them the
folly of trusting to smooth words. 1t is
very evident that the nation is prepared to
face the conditions if only the nations
rulers will make the conditions known.
The readiness shown in subscribing to the
prodigious war loan, the comparative ease
with which the trade unions, the contract
ors and the workers adapted themselves
to new requirements as soon as the Min
lister of Munitions chose to take them into
his confidence-these and many similar
instances should show that the country is
willing to save itself if it be allowed to see
what it must face and what sacrifices are
required. One thing is certain: that if
some months hence the British army is
again at a standstill for want of men. as
it has been lately for want of munitions,
the government will surely be wrecked.
Lord Lansdownes speech on the second
reading of the bill "to provide for a reg
lister" was in effect grave indictment of
the late government. He laid all the blame
for the present state of affairs not on the
people but on those whose duty it was "to
collect in good time the necessary knOwl-
edge, to marshal the facts, to take stock
and to classify" If there was some ex-
cuse for the laundering that left the armies
so i'll equipped, there is none for repeti-
ton of such laundering to-day. The fact
is that England has been overconfident, has
enormously moderated the sacrifices de-
manded of her. 1t should be obvious to all
men by now that half measures will not do
that there are worse things even than com
pulsory service. But if any are still doubt
full and still hope to muddle through, it is
fortunate that there are one or two states
men like Lord Lansdowne who do not fear
to tell them the truth.