Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-19
Canada's Achievement

Canada'S Achievement
The prime minister declared that ev
cry man in the country had been Civ
IN the opportunity under the voluntary
enlistment plan to do his duty to the
country and 10 the cause. Under this
rlle canada had done well. he said.
There had been dispatched 326, 900
m,u for the Canadian force across the
Atlantic. Including British, French
and ether reservists, not less than $780,
go men had gone from Canada for
o,cr seas military service.
But More Men Needed
hut more were needed. Sir Robert
announced. There were under arms
enough rnen TO supply reinforcements
~ keep the five Canadian army divis-
ions up 10 strength for some time. he
said but losses We're great and provis-
ION had To be made for the future un-
loss The five Canadian divisions were
to dwindle to four. to three and to two.
The prime minister said that the
message has been brought back from
the Canadians who had held the Ger
mans at Ypres and beaten them from
Nimy Ridge was that they must be
supported and their losses made good.
4 have promised them that sup
port" said Sir Robert, land so far as
am concerned. I am determined that
the help they require the men of this
country shall give Them. 1t is there
fore my duty to announce that we
shah bring down n measure providing
fnr compulsory military enlistment on
& selective basis and under that plan
We shall raise not less than $4,000 and
probably 100000 men"
Laurier's Stand
Sir WiIfred Laurter. the Opposition
l,nder. declared that Canada must re-
main in the war To the end and that
PROVISION must be made to enable her
10 do so. As to the measure which the
Premier had announced. Sir Wilfred
said when 1t was laid before Parlia-
ment In detail IT would receive from
IN. opposition full and fair consdera-
ton. At the present time he would not
say whether the opposition would adopt
or reject II, but again he would say
that Canada must remain in the war to
the end. The announcement of compul-
sorry service was received with applause
from both sides of the chamber.
great struggle lies before us in
fhS war This is the message l bring
YOU from Great Britain and the front"
said SIR Robert
"At the commencement of this
springs campaign Germany PVT into the
field . million more men than she put
iHto the field last spring
The organization of the man power
Of that nation has been wonderful. That
million was provided by Germany alone
md not by the whole of the Central
Powers II we are going to win this
war. aud u is absolutely uncomfortable
20 mo that we should not win the war.
great effort must be made by, the Allied
nations Unsettled political conditions
in Russia undoubtedly have handicap
ped the effort on the eastern front. and
enabled Germany TO make great effort
an the western front.
Neighbor in War
against these considerations is the
fact that a great kindred and neighbor-
ing nation. the United States, has en-
tered the war on the Allied side. The
event must exercise a very important
influence indeed. not off1y upon the is
sues Of this war. but upon the future of
thu world The fact that the citizens of
the United States are TO fight, side by
side with the soldiers of our Empire.
cannot but have a splendid influence
upon tho future of the two nations.
Although their relations have been
good IN the past for many years. the new
alliance must do much to wipe out GER
tain memories. The Canadian forces at
the front will rejoice to fight by the side
~ soldiers from our great neighbor to
tie south There are in the Canadian eX-
dictionary force more than 5000 men VINO
wrr' b. rn il the allegiance Of the United
States
Although the United States has enter
81 this war we do not know how long IL
Win I've before the tremendous power or
VIA. rntlon can be transmitted into mill
tarl effort Il cannot he done in few
VEGAS, it cannot lie done fully in few
months We know that from our own eX-
tr.tru,c. Britain knows il. and therefore
4 urst not lead to any relaxation OF Ell
frr' On the part Of the empire or on the
lf' ~ any Of the allies.
81 uaus,. 10 say few words about the
Submarine campaign. Perhaps its seri-
u'.,Yces may not he realized by those who
VAST, no; been brought closely into touch
Wfh events from week to week. ana with
incidental information which has been
uI.lr available TO those who have at
tended the imperial war conference
leA,,e that the submarine campaign VII
Dc net. believe there is enough deter
pinuiiun. enough resourcefulness, enough
self-denial and enough courage in TINS
empire To- meet and defeat II. but wouin
NJ De doing my duty IL did not empha-
size TIA seriousness.
Germany's Belief
4 need not do more. in order TO en-