New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-14
CANADA RECRUIT
PROBLEM SERIOUS
Foreign Elements Block
CONSUMPTION of $4,000
Men Needed
BY 6. ROY WEAVER.

bN
Toronto. Nov. 49, Will Canada con-
script her "slackers'? An army Of
$4,000 men has been recruited from
Canada's population of 100000, but
the numerical objective is 100000, and a
determined attempt will be made to at
tain IT, More than half million men
have volunteered for service with the
oversee forces. but the number accepted
as coming up TO military requirements
4 is still $4,000 short Of the total which
the Dominion has pledged, to itself and
to the empire.
AZ present recruits are being OBJ
tanned at the rate Of only about 5000
a month. and il is recognized that new
methods must be employed il the re-
Spouse is 10 be greatly stimulated. The
problem has received much anxious at
,ention by she Cabinet and by the lead
ing men OF the country, and several
interesting suggestions have been
made. Any comprehensive scheme OF
conscription is absolutely out Of the
question, but very moderate measure
of coercion in some form is likely to
be introduced.
Response Has Been Splendid
Let there be no misunderstanding
about the splendid character of Cam
eda's voluntary response to the call OF
the empire. II will ever be remem-
bered with pride that this country, al
though unprepared at the outbreak OF
the war, sent $4,000 men across the At
/ lantic two months after hostilities be-
gan, and that this force was far'more
/ scientifically organized and had far bet
ter auxiliary services than had almost
any army sent forth by much more
populous Britain in earlier wars.
To-day-thrty months after the dec
laration Of war-the Dominion mas
more than 100000 men on the battle
line in France, with fully l4O,OUO IN
England or in transit 10 form add
tionaeNssions and furnish reinforce
ments. Two hundred and sixty thou-
sand men have gone oversee, ana near
ly 100000 men additional are IN tram
ing in the Dominion. Canadas mill
tarv effort has been truly marvellous
I indeed, il will remain one OF the out
standing feats of the war. ms coun-
try's response has been generous with
men and treasure, and its sacrlhce mas
teen great .,
The Canadian forces have incurred
casualties aggregatlng close 10 4o'VVo'
including $500 killed IN action BE
sides the enlistments in the army OF
the Dominion. hundreds of reservists
/ have left the country TO fight. while
/ considerable number of Canadians are
serving with the imperial forces.
| The voluntary system has served IT'S
I nurpose well, but a condition OF affairs
{ has now arisen when a change is nee
( essary. The agricultural and industrial
/ situation will no longer permit general
baphazard enlistments on an extensive
| scale without seriously impairlng pro-
| duction. Nor are military needs still
/ met by such unscientihc recruiting.
] From January / to April 10 of this
/ wear enlistments were at the rate OF
/ nearly 1000 a day. During the last
/ four months there has been a declded
] decrease, ana during OCtOpci VhlS WV"
recruits were secured.
Nearly Half Not Britons
The government recognized that some
new stimulus was necessary and that
the time had come to put recruiting
upon a scientific basis, so as TO pro-
vide the men needed at the minimum
of loss in agricultural and industrial
production. Consumption was advo-
Gated and is still clamored for by
some. but no responsible man who stops
/ TO consider the difficulties in the way
of applying coercion here would vent
ure to advocate CONSUMPTION as prac-
teal measure. Men closely in touch
with the situation declare their convic-
ton that any attempt to enforce gem
eral transcription scheme in Canada
would entail real and serious menace
of civil war.
Milder measures than conscription
alone were possible, and Sir Robert
Borden, the Prime Minister, recently
addressed an earnest appeal to the peo-
pie of Canada:
"To men of military age" he said,
81 make the appeal that they place
themselves at the service of the
state for military duty. To all others
/ mako anpeal that they place them