New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-05
Sir John Simon Is Sole
Critic of Ministry's
Stand.
MAY BE DECISIVE
MOVE IN CONFLICT
Passage of Measure Worst News
Germans Could Read, Says
Lloyd George.

London, Mag 4.-The House Of Com
mons tonight passed the second read
ing Of the Military Service bill for i'm
mediate general military compulsion.
a motion by Richard n. Holt. Radical.
20 reject the bill was previously de-
fested, 32s TO SO.
The debate on the bill developed no
important new points. David Lloyd
George, the Minister Of Munitions. pre-
scented strong arguments in its favor,
and declared that he would rather be
driven out Of the Liberal party. and
even out Of political life, than to have
upon his conscience the responsibility
Of refusing the demands for men which
might constitute the difference between
defeat and victory.
Sir John Simon. :he former Home
Secretary, in opposing the bill. reiter-
ated that il WAS not alone q question for
the military 10 decide. There was no
evidence, he said, that the bill would
really add TO Great Britain's national
force and strength. II would create a
maximum amount Of hardship with
minimum results.
Secret Session Convinced Labor.
Nobody who had heard Mr.. Lloyd
George to-day, he commented, would
suppose that he was the same man
who a year ago emphasized the part
England must play in the economics
of the war.
Arthur Henderson, president of the
Board Of Education. and leader Of the
Laborites, in winding up the debate
for the government, said that in the
secret session the government had con-
WINGED majority of the House that
the military situation required more
men, and the government had decided
that 100000 was the number that could
be spared from industry. The govern
ment had not allowed the General staff
20 override its views, and he was per
sonally convinced that the alternative
10 CONSUMPTION was defeat.
Mr.. Lloyd George said he would
rather be driven out Of the Liberal
psrty, even out of political life alto
Their, than have upon his conscience
responsibility of refusing the de
lands of the military authorities for
men which might make all the differ
cree between defeat and victory.
Those who asserted that II the war
lasted until 1917 the nation could not
"stay the course" were both inaccurate
and injudicious. he declared. He had
consulted the leading financiers of the
country and they had not the least
hesitation in affirming that, however
long the war lasted, Britain could out
stay anything that Germany could do,
but in any case 10 was wise TO apply
its full power forthwith.
Mr.. Lloyd George argued that until
Russia had completed her equipment
so as 10 employ her immense reserves
of men it was essential that France
and Great Britain put every available
man in the field.
Bad News for Germany.
Germany, he said, was we'll aware Of
he danger Of this country failing to
AXE the utmost share it possibly could
" this years burdens Immediately,
nd he ventured 10 say that the pas
age of this bill would be in itself
bout the worst news the German Gen
al staff could read.
Pointing out that all the Allies were
,fending their countries by compul-
ry service, he argued that If Great
'itsin had summoned men to her col
s throughout the empire IN the same
oportion as France, there would have
IN twice as many men in service.
de appreciated fully Great Britain's
possibilities in financing the Allies
! in maintaining trade, as we'll as the
nsport difficulties, but taking every
NJ into account Great Britain had
substantial margin of available
n. He wanted both Germany and
Entente Allies 10 know that II II
I'D constitute the difference between
:ory and defeat. between liberty and
mission. this country would summon
whole Of that margin to the colors
defend itself.
Working People Not -Neutrels."
he Minister ridiculed the idea that
scription involved unrest among the
king classes, and protested against
notion that the working people were
be regarded as sort of doubtful
trials.
eplying 10 opponents OF the bill. who
I'D predicted that the results Of the
Measure would be insignificant, he said
hat at the battle of Ypres one division
Of fresh troops, TO relieve the exhaust
ed men on either side, would have con-
clusively decided the issue OF the bat
tie.
"The working classes" said Mr.. Lloyd
George, know that in the struggle for
liberty they would lose more by Prus-
sian domination than any other class