New-York tribune., 1917-06-12
Borden Declares Measure
Necessary to Raise
100000 More Troops
Casualties Now $4,000
Losses at Front Greater Than
Enlistments at Home,
He Says

Ottawa, June IA Dill Tor compu'-
sorry military service for Canadians be-
tween the ages of twenty and forty-hve
was presented in the House Of Com
mons to-day by Sir Robert Borden.
The Premier said that on January l,
1915. he had authorized the enlistment
of 100000 men for overseas service.
and the offer was taken as pledge
that the number would be raised.
Under the voluntary system more than
100000 men had been raised and their
services had brought cheer TO the Brit
ish and glory to Canada, he declared.
Lately the number of men volunteer
ing had fallen off. while the demand
for men had increased, Sir Robert ex-
planned. To date Canadians had suf-
fered casualties to the number OF 49,
900. In April and May last. ll,79O men
had been enlisted in Canada, while
there had been 1892 casualties among
Canadians at the front. There were
under arms enough Canadians 10
supply renforcements for some time
TO come. but for military reasons he
could not say how long
IO,O00 Wen Needed
But during the next seven months,
TO keep four Canadian army divisions
in the field, the enlistment of 10000
men was needed, and 20 keep five divi-
sions in the field $4,000 men were
needed. he pointed out. There was a
greater number of suitable men in
Canada. II had been decided that they
should be brought TO arms by compul-
sion. All Canadians. under law
which had been on the statute books
for forty-nine years, were liable for
the defence Of the Dominion.
"The need of reinforcements,' as
serted the Premier, "is urgent, insis.-
ent and imperative. The effort of Rus.
sia is paralyzed. The effort Of the
United States is only beginning.
at present recruiting is not ade-
quate. II is the hope Of Germany TO
win the war before the American ef-
for.s can become effective"
The bill provides that the first three
classes shall be of single men from
twenty TO thirty-four; the next three
married men of same age, then ali
others I'D to forty-iye. The number to
bn raised is 900. The bill provides
for local exemption boards.
of the country and liable 20 be sent
abroad if the government decided that
in defending the country they should
fight beyond its boundaries. To-day
the first line OF Canadian defence was
in the North Sea, with the British
fleet. and in the trenches OF France,
with the Canadian divisions. When
the Canadians at Ypres barred the Ger
mans from Calais on April %. 1916,
they barred the way also 10 London, to
Halifax and 10 Montreal, the Premier
declared.
II will not shrink" he said. from
the determination TO support and main
tain the Canadian troops at the front.
They have seen their friends and COM
rades gasping in torture from poison
gas. They have seen their friends
struck down. They have grimly held
trenches under enemy artillery when
we lacked guns and ammunition. They
swept the height of Vimy Ridge. They
went forth splendid in their youth
they will come back grim, determined
men, who not or twice. but fifty times
have gone over the parapet to seek
their rendevouz with death.
III what is left OF 100000 such men
come DdCh 70 tdUdud Win utlSr IT,
sentiment in their hearts. conscious
that they have been deserted and be
trayed, how shall we face them when
they ask the reason? | am not "a
much concerned for the day when this
bill becomes law as for the day when
these men return. if it is denied"
The Prime Minister asked for mod
Grafton in debate when the measure
came on for discussion al second read
ing. Temperate discussion was prom
ised by Sir Wilfrid Ladrier. who is
expected to oppose compulsion. Re
ferring briefly to the position ne will
take, he said:
81 appreciate that the duties which
devolve upon the Prime Minister are
of great magnitude. Perhaps he will
allow me TO say that the duties that
devolve upon me are as important. IN
one way, as his own, and perhaps he
will allow me TO tell him that the po-
sition which | hold and WHICH ! may
have to define, perhaps. involves as
grave difficulties as those which ne
has to meet"