New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-06

being engaged on work Of national i'm
portance.
Although he had been a strong sup
porter of the system OF voluntary ser
vice, Mr.. Asquith declared he was con-
WINGED of the necessity OF the compul-
sion bill, which, he believed, would meet
with general approval when It's pro-
visions were understood.
Speaking of the exemption OF men
who have conscientious objections 10
military service, Mr.. Asquith pointed
out that similar exemption had been
made by Pitt In favor Of the Quakers,
and said this proposal was modelled
from the laws Of South Africa and New
Zealand. The exemption, however, APP
piled only TO actual participation IN
military duties. and the circumstances
under which it might be claimed had
been shaped carefully so as TO provide
that no person should come under tins
clause unless he had no possible reason
for declining to serve.
A special tribunal to hear appllca-
tions for exemptions would be set up
in each local area, the Premier said,
and an appeal tribunal also would be
established Finally, TO prevent the
possibility Of any miscarriage, there
would be a last appeal through the
body set up in London, under the Earl
OF Derby's plan. The Premier explained
that the Derby scheme did not apply
10 Ireland. and consequently the con-
scription bill did not include Ireland.
The Premier still hoped the compul-
sion contemplated by the bill would
become a dead letter, saying:
Let the men come in now OF their
own free will The military authorities
will allow them 20 attest under the
group system, which will be reopened.
Gaps Must Be Filled.
Seventeen months ago" said Earl
Kitchener. in beginning mis- speech. ~
stated the broad principles Of the mil
itarv steps which | considered neces-
sarv 70 meet the emergency Of the war
The scheme for augmenting our forces
then set on foot was based on DEFINITE
plan 20 secure by successive increases 10
our military strength an army commen-
surate with our power and responslDlli-
ties, with The proper complement OF
reserves and reinforcements necessary
TO KEEP up its effective strength IN the
field during the war.
"F,rthcr. we had TO produce for the
army thus created the guns, ammunl-
tion and military material requisite 10
maintain its fighting value. This scheme
Rad developed under the system OF vol
untarv military service existing in the
country. and this system has given US
results far greater than most OF US
would have dared predict certainly be
yond anything our enemies contemplat-
ed. In the early stages OF the war men
responded TO the call in almost embar-
RAISING thousands, and until rev
months ago we maintained by STEADY
flow of recruits the supply OF men we
required in as large numbers as We
could train and equip them.
"The cadres skeleton organiZations)
of tho large army we now possess hav-
inc, becu formed. IL is necessary 20 Keep
!, nm 20 strength in the field by con-
slant supplv of reserves, replenishing
tho wastage of war. Recently, however.
Tho numbers of voluntary recruits
ceased 10 insure the full provision nee
essarv Of trained reserves. Every EFFORT
was made by the Earl of Derby's can
vess 10 repair this deficiency, and at
tbo mention of the scheme Premier
Asouitb. in behalf OF the government,
gave a pledge in the House OF Commons
regarding military service Tor unmar-
ried men. II is now necessary 70 redeem
that pledge in order TO MAINTAIN the
voluntary principle as regards the ser
vice of married men in the future.
$50 far we have been able TO pro-
vide for the large increase IN the army
and for its maintenance on a purely
voluntary system. and personally al
ways hoped we should be alb lie TO hnish
the war successfully without changing
that system which had done so well,
which had given US such splendid ma
terial in the deld as the soldiers now
lighting in the different theatres. do
not consider the change proposed
should be regarded in the light Of
any derogation of the principle Of vol
untary service in this, country. 1t only
affects during the period Of the war