Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-11

the chief newspapers gave many and very
positive assurances that there would be no
resort to conscription.
Recruiting Insufficient
No doubt It was believed when the war be-
gan that at most Canada would send an army
OF 10000 or 100000 TO Europe. At first re-
crui.s were obtained faster than they could
DO armed and equipped Canada raised an
army Of 100000 before recruiting began TO
drag heavily. Thereafter month by month
appeals for volunteers became more urgent
and the results less and less satisfactory
Moreover, the cost of raising a regiment
steadily increased with the many devices
employed to draw men to the coors.
When 100000 men had been secured the
Government authorized total enrolment of
100000. This was Interpreted as a pledge TO
tho Allies that Canada's contribution would
reach that figure. 1t soon became doubtful
whether the pledge, If pledge it was, could
be fulfilled by the voluntary system. In the
meantime the roll of casualties in France
and Flanders heightened. Tho need for re-
endorsements became urgent and imperative
Newspapers opposed to the general policy OF
the Government began TO attack the volun-
tary system and to suggest conscription.
Military officers became so hostile to the
voluntary method and so dissatisfied with
the results that they gave a grudging and
doubtful support to recruiting agents. Many
patriotic organizations demanded compul-
sion, and throughout the English provinces 4
formidable revolt against voluntaryism de-
veloped. The agitation was strengthened by
the adoption Of conscription in Great Britain
1t was made almost invincible by the deter
mination of the United States to raise its
armies by compulsory selection. This was
the situation when tho Government yielded
to the conscriptionsts and asked Parliament
Tor authority to raise 100000 men by draft.
Canada had obtained in all 10000 men
by voluntary enlistment. OF these $4,000
had crossed the sea when the draft was
authorized. The casualties In the Cana
1fnY ALI tt1,a -
than 10000 have been killed In action or
have died from wounds other causes.
Manifestly by the voluntary system tho
wastage could not bo fully repaired or ade-
quate rc-enforcements provided.
Canada Still Partisan
In the United States there does not seem
to be any division between Republicans
and Democrats on war policy. But in Cam
ada for two or three years most of the Lib
eral newspapers in the English-speaking
provinces maintained continuous attack
upon the general policy and administration
or the Conservative government. They de-
nounced its war management. They de-
manded more vigorous and aggressive war
measures and the organization OF "a union
Cabinet in which both parties should have
equal representation. Through all this tiIno
the1 were loyal to Sir WiIfred Laurier and
preparing for general election under his
leadership.
In Canada many of the newspapers arc
more closely related TO the political parties
than are those of the United States AS
in Great Britain, they are the advocates
of one party, or the other and, while few
are slavish adherents of party, still fewer
are without actual and active party sympa-
thies and interests. For thirty years the
Liberal newspapers were devoted 10 Sir Will
fred Laurier as leader of the Liberal party
and were substantially his organs and mouth
pieces. II IS easy. therefore, to understand
what a remarkable situation deyeloped
when Sir Wilfred opposed conscription and
refused to enter n coalition Government
For these causes many of the Liberal news
papers had contendcd. and to these causes
they must adhere.
Take the situation in Toronto. For nearly
seventy years the Toronto Globe has been
the most powerful organ of Liberalism In
Canada. Indeed, the founder of the Globe
was tho founder of the Liberal party. No
newspaper in the Dominion was more devoted
alike to the personal and political fortunes
of Sir Wiifred Laurier Tho Globe, how
ever in the contest vigorously opposed Sir
Wilfred and supported conscription and u
coalition government under a Conservative
leader The Daily STAR the other Liberal
Journal gave its influential support TO tho
Union government In Toronto. which has six
fred Laurier or opposes the Union govern
ment.
Press Opposed to Laurier
In Winnipeg. where there are three daily
newspapers all opposed Laurier and his pro-
gram. For many years the Free Press,
which ranks among the first two ors three
newspapers In the country, was the faithful
ally of the Liberal party. 1t was devoted