The Irish standard., 1916-12-23
100000 men ARE
ENLISTED IN CANADA

100000 men for the British Army. But
few of this number have been secured
during the past six months. Recruit
ing in all French and Irish Catholic
parishes is at standstill. The April
rebellion in Ireland had a paralyzing
effect on getting volunteers among the
sons of Irish emigrants and a most
successful organizing secret but effect
i've campaign was waged among the
members of Irish societies.
The Minister of Justice, c. J, Doherty,
who is friend of Mr.. John Redmond,
and holds a place in the Cabinet, was
put forward to influence volunteering
among the the Irish available element
but this eminent statesman made no
progress in that direction.
The frightful list of Canadian casu-
alties at the front has staggered and
depressed the country. The number
of casualties is now greater than the
remaining total number of men en-
braced in all the Canadian cOntingents
The country is proud of their valor
but there is growing suspicion that
the Canadians have been needlessly
sacrificed and have been badly led in
the first lines. The cocksureness of
the war party is yielding to gloom and
uncertainty. Premier Asquith was a
prime favorite among the Liberals and
his downfall, through the means of
London cheap press cabal, is the first
sign of losing war.
How to replace the Canadian army
wastage with Canadians is a growing
serious problem for the Borden admin
istration. The French and Irish Cath
Ollie elements constitute nearly one
third of the population, the American
immigrants cannot be reached.
What is feared to be the beginning
of CONSUMPTION movement is seen
in the National Service Commission
fathered by the Premier Sir Robert
Borden who recently told different
story in New York of his troubles
here. The great French population
of Quebec are opposed to the war and
their allies are the expatriated Irish
emigrants. The French Canadian is
often a Nationalist who dreams of a
Quebec free and a national life. He
.sympathizes with the mother country
France but takes no stock in English
pretences as savior of small nations
as French Quebec and Manitoba were
two small nations destroyed by Eng
land.
Last evening there was a scene of
disorder in the Monument National
hall when French orators attempted
to follow the Grafton of Sir Robert
Borden in defending the National Ser
vice Commission plans. The govern
ment has undertaken to ascertain the
number of men available for army
duty, those who cannot be induced to
join the army, to be enrolled in an
industrial army for munitions, supplies
and transportation. Every man and
woman. if possible, is required to rem
der some national service.
Sir Robert Borden at this exciting
meeting, as Premier, warned his audi
tors that German cruisers might yet
be Smelling the towns on the coast
1t was not impossible, he said, that
German war vessels would sail up the
St. Lawrence taking the people of Que
bee as captives for ransom. He ap-
pealed to the various nationalities to
fight for the empire which was in peril
The man power of Canada, of Austria
liza, of ireland must be thrown into the
scale. The human energy of Canada
is to be determined by card system
where all persons answer twenty-four
questions. A week is to be given to
this census. At the conclusion of the
Premier's appeal, a French government
leader, Patenaude, arose. He was not
permitted to finish his address on &C.
count of jeers and Interruptions. When
Patenaude said that the peasantry was
saving France all cheered but when
he said that England had come forward
to save the liberty of the world he
was jeered by the galleries. He said
that England was the savior of small
nations, the liberator of Serbia, of
Belgium-"How about the martyrs Of
Canada, how about Ireland, what of
Greece" cried the disturbers. Mr.
Patenaude was forced to take his seat.
Director Bennett was interrupted by
cries of-"Why don't you go to the
front?-Tell us about the Dublin Mas.
sacre." He said that National Ser
vice cards would be placed in the
hands of every male between the ages
of 16 and IS. The Laval University
students deny that they were respon.
sible for the hooting of the cabinet
outside the building. The Irish clergy
are advising their young men to re.
main in Canada.
FUND FOR NATIONAL SHRINE