Albuquerque morning journal., 1916-01-06
Sir John Simon, Who Has Re-
signed From Asquith Cab
met, Makes Severe Speech
in House of Commons.
PREMIER INTRODUCES
BILL FOR C0MPULSION
Declares Young, Unmarried
Men Must Take Their
Share in Defense Of ASSaiI-
ed British Nation,
ICY sosrise JOURNAL SPECIAL ls.sso w,psi

Icy noRriNG JOURNAL SPECIAL LeAsgp wiRul
! London, Jan. 4:45 p. m.)-Sir
John Simon, whose resignatoh as
home secretary was announced yea
terday, made a speech in the house
of commons today in which, after
expressing regret that he had found
! il necessary TO sever his relations with
Premier Asquith. he pleaded for rejec-
ton of the compulsory service bill.
! When the national register was
taken Sir John said the country was
given pledge that 1t had nothing
! 20 do with compulsion.
The present bill, Sir John said rep
resented legislation first, and inquiry
afterwards
"voluntarsm is q birthright of the
nation" he continued Let the gov
ernment be sure that if they sell 1t
for mess of pottage they are get
! ting a square meal
Sir John denied that the facts JUS
titled the assertion that young men
had refused to pay their debt to the
country, adding;
do not let us pay Prussian mill
tarism the compliment of initiating
the worst of it's institutions"
Under the terms of the compul-
sory military service bill, Introduced
in the house of commons today, all
males between the ages of IS and Al
who are bachelors or widowers with
! out children dependent on them, are
liable for military service.
Ireland is excluded from the terms
Of the measure.
The largest assembage of MEM
bers since the war began faced thu.
lpreuier Many members had OBJ
tained leave TO return from the front
so that they might be able to vote
on the bill.
The Earl Of Derby. who conducted
the recruiting campaign was in the
peers gallery.
Mr.. Asquith said no case had been
made out for general compulsion.
and that the bin he was introducing
could be supported by those opposed
to conscription.
Mr. Asquith opened his address
with an analysis OF the figures in the
Derby report. He emphasized the
fact that during the Derby campaign
nearly 100000 men had offered
their services. Even dedueting those
rejected on the ground of physical
disability, the total was still in ex-
cess Of 100000.
"These are wonderful, encouraging
figures" the premier continued.
"They ought to convince both our
allies and our enemies that the peo-
pie Of this country have their hearts
In the war
What the Report Shows.
The Earl of Derbys report on his
campaign, which BEGAN October 90
aud ended December H. explains why
the cabinet found 1t necessary to
bring forward g measure for compul-
sorry enlistment of unmarried men.
More than 100000 men in England.
Scotland ana Wales enrolled them
selves, but after those engaged in in
dispensable industries and medically
unfit have been winnoWed out about
100000 available men to bear arms
remain. But there are $4,000 un-
married mon who failed to come for
ward and the government will now
attempt to redeem Premier Asquith's
pledge that the married men should
not be called out as long as a consid
cradle fraction of unmarried men held
back
In his report, which IS addressed
to Earl Kitchener, secretary for war, |
the Earl of Derby says:
"Many difficulties have been met
with, but the chief difficulty has been
The unreiability of starring, as dis |
between those who should |
and those who should not be taken |
for the army. Instead of starring |
being an assistance il has been u |
distinct hindrance to the canvass.
Unequal Treatment.
Another obstacle to recruiting has
been the unequal treatment of indi- |
Parents and relations. espe-
;ially, cannot understand why their
sons, husbands or brothers should |
Join while other young men hod back |
md secure lucrative employment at
home. Apart from the number Of |
men who have actually. enlisted and |
ittested there are many who haycI
promised to enlist when SO and so
has also promised to 80. There may
)f course. be a number of men whol
make this answer as an excuse But
hat II is genuine in very large
number of cases and is accumulated byI
bad starring there is no reason to
ioubt.
Courage Not Lacking.
The canvass SHOTS very distinctly
hat it is not want of courage that is
keeping men back nor is there theI
slightest sign but that the country as
/ whole is determined to support the
prime minister in his pledge made at
he Guild hall on November .. 19f4.I
Regarding the calling out of married
nen) as II was when the pledge was
made There Is an abundance Of ev-
dcnce Of determination 10 sec the war
through to "a successful conclusion.
(SIgned) DERBY"
The foregoing il dated December
". Ia o supplementary report made
,n December 20. tho Earis Of Derby
'ays
Figures Not Enough.
iafga sa are the figures, ! am
ifrald that on an analysis they do not