Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-01-05
Compulsory Act Is Being
Threshed Out for Second
Time in Great Britain.
STARRING UNRELIABLE
Methods Used to Distinguish
Eligibles Found Faulty
by Lord Derby.

London. Jan. 3 (3:46 p. m.)-Under
the terms OF the compulsory military
service bill. introduced in the house
of commons today, all males between
the ages Of IS and Al who are bach
elors OF widowers without children
dependent on them are liable for mil
itary service Ireland is excluded
from the terms Of the measure.
Mr.. Asquith opened his address with
an analysis of the figures in the Derby
rN9ort. He emphasized the fact that
during the Derby campaign nearly
100000 men had offered their serv-
ices. Even deducting those rejected
on the ground Of physical disability,
the total was still in excess of $780,
900.
These are wonderful. encouras
ing figures" the premier said. They
ought to convince both our allies and
our enemies that the people Of this
country have their hearts in the war"
London. Jan. 4, p. m.-tDelayed.)
in the house of commons tomorrow
Wednesday, the compulsory military
service will be taken up. 1t promises
to bring on the sharpest parliamentary
struggle since the war began.
The Earl Of Derbys report or his
recruiting campaigRrlsFbiie -2s-beeaR Oct.
20 and ended Dec II. explains why the
cabinet found it necessary to bring
forward a measure for compulsory en-
listment Of unmarried men. More
than 100000 men in England, Scot
land and Wales enrolled themselves,
but after those engaged in indispensa-
bic Industries and medically unfit have
been winnowed out about 100000
available TO bear arms remain. But
there are $4,000 unmarried men who
failed to come forward, and the gov
eminent will not attempt to redeem
Premier Asquith's pledge that the mar
ried men should not be called out as
long as a considerable fraction of the
unmarried men held back.
Starring Method Faulty.
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 unreliability of starring, as dis
tinguishing between those who should
and those who should not be taken for
the army. Instead Of starring being an
assistance, it was a distinct hindrance
TO the canvass.
Farmers Hang Bach.
More especially is this so in the
rural and semi-ruraI areas, owing tc
the fact that it was known before reg
istration day what branches of the
agricultural industry would be starred
with the result that many men who hac
no right TO do so, claimed to come IN
der these particular headings. The
sense of unfairness thus created anc
the inequality Of treatment to farmers
has been most detrimental in these
areas. The farmer himself is not
starred man, but there are numberless
cases Of his sons and laborers being
starred as cowmen, horsemen, etc.
though in many instances, it is known
they are not really so engaged.
ut is essential that the starred lis
should be carefully investigated and II
cases of misdescription the star re
moved and the man made available fol
military service. This applies t
starred men In all Industries.
THE issue during the process OF thu
canvass of list Of trades which wer'
10 be considered reserved occupa
tons has also proven an obstacle
recognize It was essential that sucl
lists should be issued, but the fact re
mains that trades other than thos
mentioned In those lists have been ap
plying to be included, and the men en-
lCa,tin,od on Dapa NinAl