The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-26
SETS LIMIT
TO BAR COMPULSION
100000 Must Volunteer in
~ Weeks, Announces
Premier Asquith.
SECRET SESSION Is HELL
special cable Despatch Ia THE SrS

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LONDON. April ?,.-Uniess $4,000 re-
cruits rome forward within the next four
weeks and $4,000 more offer themselves
each week for the next ten weeks fol-
lowing there will be general compulsion
In England. Premier Asquith stated 10.
day at the secret session OF Parliament.
This statement was made in reply to
the clamor Of the opponents Of the Gov.
eminent for a statement OF the attitude
II the Cabinet in regard to compulsion.
The Government is loath to put a
measure Of compu,sion in force IL II is
possible to get voluntary enlistments.
Much criticism has been launched at
Premier Asquith for his attitude in re-
gard to compuision. n the disagree.
ment OF the members Of the Cabinet last
week threatened to result In designations.
Method Of RecruitinG.
The OFFICIAL press bureau after the
secret session Issued the following state
nent
A, tho secret session Premier As
auth state, that the recruiting up to
date had IA. = short OF the require
InthlS ~
tary efforts,
The Government was determined
upou three proposals: First, the pro-
slongation to the end of the wal OF the
service of time expired men: second.
10 empower the military transfer OF
territorials TO any unit In which they
are needed. and third. TO render
exempted men liable "a service imme-
diately on the expiration of the GER
tiiicate Of exemption.
With a view TO ultimate addition TO
the forces the Government proposes
the consumption OF youths under Is
on August Is as they reach the
OF Is.
Mr.. Asquith also stated;
1. That the Government, recognix-
ing that the necessary unb VIII
not be available for service In the
time required under the present ar
rangements. agree to an immediate ef-
fort to obtain men by voluntary en-
listment OF the manifested and mar
ricd.
.. II on May 81, 10000 OF these
men have not been secured by direct
enlistment. Parliament will forthwith
be asked for compulsory powers.
3. II In any week after May -. l5,-
600 have not directly enlisted. the same
course will he taken. The surplus or
one week will be carried over TO the
next.
4. Arrangements two and three hold
good until 1000 manifested men
have been obtained. In the meantime
the Government will constantly re-
view the position.
Under the scheme me main ground
alleged for the release OF tho attested
married men disappears.
Premier .Asuuith stated the particu-
lars OF the scheme to enable men to
meet their civil liabilities as follows:
|. Applies TO all single and married
men who have joined since August 4.
1914, or who will join.
.. The assistance includes rent,
mortgage interest, the payment Of in
stalments on contracts like the pur-
chase of premises. businesses or furni-
ture, taxes. rates, assurances, school
fees.
3. II is not contemplated that the
assistance to individuals shall exceed
flOi N520) yearly,
The members debating included Sir
Edward Carson. Sir John simon. An
drew Bonar Law. John Dillon and
Winston Spencer Churchill.
Tn session adjourned until Wednes-
day, when there Will be another secret
session.
Crowds Of men ana women assembled
10 see the Ministers and Members OF
Parliament enter the secret session. the
first since the beginning OF the war
Every Member OF Parliament who
could possibly attend was in las seat,
for the conscription question IN one Of
the most serious subjects of all the grave
war questions considered by Parliament.