The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-08-24
CAMPAIGN IN CANADA
ST|RRINGP DOMINION
Country Is Facing First Crisis
Since War Opening
SIZE UP The SITUATION
Government Now Split Wide
Open On the Issue of
Consumption
SIZE UP The SITUATION
UNITED Press Dispatch.l


Ottawa, Canada, August 22.-Cana-
da is facing it's first crisis since the
opening of the European war.
"A general election is to be called
by Premier Borden within the next few
weeks for early in the fall. The life
of the present conservative govern
ment expires on October T. This will
be the first opportunity the people of
Canada have had to pass upon the
war policies of the Borden govern
ment since the Dominion plunged in
to the great conflict.
The government has been split wide
open on the issue of CONSUMPTION,
British Canada, generally speaking,
supports CONSUMPTION. French Canada
is almost solidly opposed. The bitter
est and most exciting political cam
paign in Dominion history is in
prospect. Upon the result depends the
continuance in power of the present
conservative government and the en-
forcement of the compulsory military
service act.
Leading the Opposition.
Wilfrid Laurier, ex-premier and the
idol of the French Canadians of the
province of Quebec. A brilliant speak
er and mastery politician Laurier is
bending every effort to bring to his
standard all the elements in Canada
disaffected with the Borden regime.
Already however he has had to face
the refusal of twenty-five non French
Canadian liberals in the house from
Ontario and the western provinces to
follow him in his anti CONSUMPTION
battle. What strength those con-
scriptionists liberal party "belters" can
take with them to the polls has become
one of the big question marks of the
campaign In its answer may lie the
final decision. On the part CT the con-
servatives they have had to face
minor. but very significant assertions
from French Canadian conservatives.
- Has, Number OF Enlisted.
Canada has 100000 enlisted men.
Her oversee force is made up of
five divisions. Four of these are in
France. and one is held in England as
a reserve division. Since the desper-
ate. bloody day at Vimy ridge. heavy
drafts have been made on this re-
serve Canada must provide more men
or. soon Dominion troops will be left
without reserves This would mean
the elimination of Canada as fight
ing factor at7he front. Canada must
raise 100000 more men and do it
quickly.
Voluntary. Permitting is thing of
the past. Canada has no great wealth
If man power. Eight million people is
her top. Already the 100000 men who
so freely gave themselves to service
have SERIOUSLY frightened the labor
market in places Farmers are j.
straits for help
Clerks Given Holidays.
In many cities clerks and runicipa's
EMPLOYEES are given half holidays
from their regular employment in or
der that they may go into the fields.
This shortage is emphasized by the
i-conscriptionists Conservatives
declare there are hundreds of slack
ersp in the cities who could be spared
and assert that these are the men they
want to get too under the law.
Intricate as is this problem alone, it
is intermixed with the racial question,
an ALLEN enemy tangle. a tremendous
ly difficult financial situation. involv-
ing the naturalization of 1000 miles
of railroad and millions of dollars in
advances to others, and a line of hoary
but still virulent political animosities,
which stirred together offer the Can
adian voter political salad unlike
ANYTHING previous in his entire po-
itical experience.
The next few weeks will see stirring
times across the border.