Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-01-26
ENGLAND FEARS
TROUBLE ABOUT
HER CONSCR|PTS

LONDON, Jan. 26.-The position Of
the British government regarding two
matters of prime importance will be
determined as the result of proceed
ings under way today. One of these
subjects is the attitude of labor to-
ward the compulsory military service
measure and the other is the proposed
blockade of Germany. Both are of in
tense interest to the British empire.
and bitter debate has already been in
dulged in by advocates and opponents
of the government program.
Two million union men belonging
to numerous brotherhoods and local
organizations are in session at Bristol.
The conference there will decide the
attitude to be maintained by union la
Dor toward the measure and may seal
the fate of compulsory military ser
vice. Considerable hostility has al
ready been widely manifested to-
ward Premier Asquiths measure.
Labor leaders in the house of commons
have, however, declined thus far to
openly oppose the government meas
ure. The bill was passed through
the lower house largely through the
hesitating attitude adopted by labor
members.
The Bristol conference promises to
lie the most important ever hled in
England, and great anxiety is felt re-
gGrding the attitude to be officially
taken by the gathering. The so-calIed
"dilution of skilled laabor, with un-
skilled workers will undoubtedly be
arranged in manner satisfactory to
the authorities. This plan, in fact. is
already in operation in many mum
itions plants and industries scattered
throughout the United Kingdom. The
attitude of labor toward compulsion.
however, is hardly likely tc prove so
satisfactory to Premier Asquith and
lis supporters. In the House of Lords
the Asquith bill has thus far encoun-
tered little opposition.
There are intimations from unoffi-
cial sources today that the government
will decide against formal block
ade of Germany, though the debate
in commons on this subject was both
heated and partisan during the morn
ing session. English newspapers are
Urging that the establishment of such
blockade might weaken British sea
superiority elsewhere Another CON
dition urged against the blockade, is
the possibility of creating friction with
neutral nations. The government, it
is known, is anxious to avoid further
controversy with the United States
and the Scandinavian countries. The
matter of delays to neutral mails, it is
said, has about been decided.
The Austrian drive down the eastern
shores of the Adriatic continues. The
latest achievement there constitutes
the capture of San Giovanni di Medua,
Albania. This indicates that the whole
CT Montenegro has already been oe-
cupied, though little surprise is ex-
pressed thereat. Rome advices indi-
cate the Italian government is greatly
concerned at this extension of Austrian
Influence. No indication of further
measures to oppose the Teutons in
that quarter are in evidence, however.
1t is said no fear for the safety of
Avlona and Durazzi is entertained by
the Entente The former place is held
by an Italian force, we'll armed ami
equipped, and the latter is in the
hands of Essad Pasha, who has con-
centrated practically the whole of his
army there. Essad Pasha is at ths
head of about 100000 Albanian troops.
A Brindisi dispatch says a Bulgar ad-
sance guard and Albanian troops un-
der Essad Pasha have already fought