Evening star., 1916-04-30

in the Tower of London.
ment of a complete compulsory enlist
ment system in England, and. as the
weeks go by, his supporters are gain
ing strength. Premier Asquith. who
has been loath to resort to the COM
pulsion plan, still is maneuvering to re-
tain in some form or another the volun-
teer recruiting idea, but even he in re-
cent days has stated that unless there
be more rapid response among the
"slackers" of the nation, both married
and unmarried, the government will
have to resort to some species of con-
scription.
The first step taken during the week
toward solving the perplexing issue
was the holding of secret sessions of
parliament that the recruiting issue
might be discussed with utmost free
dom. Premier Asquith then declared
that $4,000 men would have to be
raised at once and 100000 within the
next few months. This Immediately
was followed by the Introduction of
bringing into the army of all unmar-
ried men between the ages of eighteen
and forty-fve, a measure patterned
along lines fulfilling Premier Asquith.s
pledge to the married men of England
that all single ones would be pressed
into service before the married ones
were forced to respond to the call to
arms. The bill left the question of
unattested married men to be dealt
with later. The opponents of general
conscrfption raised such strenuous OBJ
jections, and, furthermore. were so
heartily backed that the government 8
bilf was withdrawn rather than let it
go to a vote. 1t now is declared by
London papers that vote would have
led to the overthrow of the govern
ment
Although the cabinet was supposed
to have reached a degree of unanim-
to stand by the Asquith plan, it would
now appear that there are such grave
differences that London expects some
designations in the immediate future,
If not the overthrow of the entire gov
ernment when it stands on particular
recruiting measures in parliament
which do not provide out-and -out con-
scription for both married and single
men.
Premier Asquith and his coalition
government has weathered one storm on
the same issue. The delay in fulfill
ment of government promises has led
to keenest dissatisfa ction since that
crisis passed. Now another and what
appears to be graver one. looms up,
il, indeed. the whole recruiting ques-
tion can be said to be divided into
two distinct phases. Possibly more
logical and accurate conclusion today
has faced one crisis from the begin
ming, and has but deferred the final
verdict, which now impends.
From a military standpoint striking
events are expected to transpire on the
western b e
Striking Events in front in the i'm
War Expected. London hs
lieves that the kaiser is now about
to launch a great double -barreled Of
fensive on the west. while at the same
time he will use his aerial and naval
forces to the fullest possible extent
Paris seconds London anticipations.
According to late advices from neu-
trail points the Germans have sent an
additional 100000 fresh troops to the
Verdun region. while 100000 men have
been massed before the British posi-
tions in the region of La Bassee. Loos
and st. Eloi. with the purpose of MAX
ing concerted attack on both sec
tions. 1t is noticeable fact that dur
ing the past week the German frontier
has been closed. and there has been
great activity on the railroads. an
event which invariably has <preceded
concerted German offensives on either
front. Troops have been moved from
Saloniki and additional thousands de-
tached from the armies facing the Rus
SLAMS. according to reliable advices, in
anticipation of the attempt to force
the issue. 1t also is announced that
the kaiser has summoned the head of
the German navy for a conference at
the front. while other high officials in
the German military scheme of things
have been at the side of the kaiser
during the past ten days
All events would lend color to the Brit
ish belief that the allies are soon to re-
ceive their most severe test on the west
ern line.
The great battle of Verdun continues,
but the marked weakness in Teutonic
attacks duripp