Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-27

yesterday presented on behalf of the
government proposals foreshadowing
general military compulsion unless
success attended immediate efforts to
obtain men required by voluntary en-
llstment from amongst manifested
married men," The governments pro-
posals We're publicly announced in a
long statement to the press. The gov
eminent, MIR. Asquith said. will forth
with ask Parliament for compulsory
power unless at the end of four weeks
ending May %. fifty thousand men
have been secured by voluntary en-
listment. The same course is pro-
posed if in any one week after May
81, fifteen thousand men have not been
secured by direct enlistment. These
arrangements are to hold good until
100000 unattested men have been OBJ
tanned.
Recruiting Falls Short
Owing to the length of time required
to sift individual cases under the pres
ent system, the press statement said
recruiting to date has fallen short
of requirements which were neces-
sary to fulfill our proper military eff
fort
The statement in part follows:
The premier in moving the adjourn
ment OF the House gave the particulars
Of the expansion of the army from
the first days of the war up to the
present time and of the total military
effort of the empire, including con-
x,.:L, =, colt mo- do
minions and India. He reviewed in
quiries conducted by government or
der to examine all considerations rel
evant to the recruiting problem, in
Guiding demands made upon our sup
ply of labor in providing for the needs
Of the navy, mercantile marine ports.
munitions and other essential national
services.
THE bearing Of finance on the ques-
ton of recruiting, and in particular of
financial assistance rendered to the al
lies, was then explained.
Results Of recruiting more particular
ly since August last, when registration
was carried out, were reviewed 1t was
shown that the results obtained to date
had fallen short of requirements which
were necessary to fulfill our proper mill
tary effort. This was due not to an over
estimate of the number of men available.
but to the length of time which must be
occupied in sitting individual cases with
out imparing other essential national
services or causing grave cases of hard
ship.
ITO meet the situation the government
determined upon three relatively minor
proposals:
Proposals Drawn
First. prolongation until the end of the
war of the service of time expired men
whose period of service under the present
law can be extended for one year only.
Second, to empower the military au-
thorities to transfer men enlisted for ter
ritorial battalions to any unit where they
are needed.
Third, to render the exempted men
liable to military service Immediately up
on the expiration of his certificate of eX-
emption.
with a view to ultimate addition to
forces available. they will further pro-
pose to bring under the terms of the mil
itary service act all youths under IS on
August 10 last as they reach that age.
After Unattested Married Men
Further, the prime minister stated:
First, that the government, recognizing
that the necessary numbers required for
the discharge of our military obiga-
tons will not be available for service at
the time required under present arrange
ments, agrees that immediate effort shall
be made to obtain men required by vol
tested married men.
Second. if at the end of the four
weeks ending May 81, 10000 of these
men have not been secured by direct
enlistment the government will forth
with ask Parliament for compulsory
power.
Third, that if in any week after May
q, $4,000 men have not been secured
by direct enlistment, the same course
will be taken. any surplus over $4,000
in one week being carried over to the
next.
Fourth. that arrangements in para
graphs , and are to mold. good until
100000 manifested men have been OBJ
tanned.
1T was pointed out that as under
lnlS SCHo1nS ali dNdtldple uId ltSSlSu
married men would be enlisted either
voluntarily or by compulsion, the main
ground alleged for the release Of at
tested married men would disappear.
Mems Civil Liabilities
THE premier also referred to the
question of assistance to be given to
enable men in His Majesty's service
10 meet civil liabilities On the 29th of
March Mr.. Asquith informed the House
of Commons that His Ma. Usty's gov
eminent proposed to take certain steps
with a view to meeting cases of hard
ship, which arise out of civil liabilities
of men joining the forces. AS the stat
utory committee found that he could
not undertake this work, it was decid-
ed to set up a special committee for
this purpose.
THE committee has made consider
able progress with the scheme and
have obtained the concurrence Of the
treasury to the following general prin-
ciples:
First, the scheme of assistance will
apply to all men VINO Joined the forces
since the fourth Of Augusta. 1914, or
who may join hereafter and to single
as well as married men,
Second. items in respect Of which