The Sentinel=record., 1918-01-15

is Available
 London Jan lt- Nearly half
 million men from Great Britain are 10 be recruited into the British army lt the earliest date possible and it is possible that many more will be added to that number in the coming months
 These will comprise the younger men who up to the present have been ex.
 ampt because of their employment in industries essential to the war ser vices
 This announcement was made in
 the house of commons today by Sir
 Auckland Geddes, minister of national
 service, whose statement of the gov- ernments man power proposal was
 replete with interesting details of Britain's strength into the struggle which she means to throw her full re- sources.
 The minister set forth the status and needs of the British fighting and
 muuitioning forces and the measures the government is taking after agree meat with most of the labor leaders
 for recruitment from the classes of | skilled workers who were promised exemption when conscription was
 adopted.
 The empire has enrolled 7,50000C l lighting and labor battalion forces l during the war, according to the statement of the minister, and now
 has more than four million enrolled l put needs more men to hold it's own ! against the enemy until the American | strength is available.
 He praised the spirit in which the
 labor leaders have met the govern
 ment. but regretted that the Amalga mated Society of Engineers had re- mained outside the conference, adding, however that the invitation was still
 open to the members of this society.
 He paid warm tribute to the work of the women and declared that some of the young men among the million exempted workers apparently consid- cred themselves a privileged class and threatened to hold up by strikes the building of aeroplanes and ships
 If they do" he explained, they will get such a blast of hatred it will surprise them
 Sir Auckland Geddes. minister of national service, prefaoed his re- marks on the governments man power proposals by the declaration that nothing could be more mislead- ing than the suggestion that the man power problem could be solved by a dramatic stroke. It was the central problem of the war
 '1t means everything. he said, 1 ships. armies, munitions, food, light, heat and coal At the moment the most anxious problem is not the sup ply of men for the army, But we nave to take steps against the time | when it will be--a time, which ] be- heve, is not far distant"
 oGlng into the details of the sitda- tion the minister said in part:
 The plain facts do not support the l statement that the armies are melt 1 ing for lack of recruits and that re cruitng has broken down.
 "The government has examined in | detail the position of the allies on the eastern front and the results are not | unsatisfactory Excluding Russia and Rumauia the allies have a substantial superiority in fighting aud ration strength over the central powers From statistical standpoint the | strength of the enemg givs no cause for anxiety
 The withdrawal of Russia means that not less than lG00,000 men will be made available on the western front Notwithstanding Russias de- lection the resources of the allies and America are sufficient to assure vic- tory and nothing but a psychological can save the central pow ars.
 Every day the hitting force of Britain becomes of greater import ince to the alliance Russia no onger strikes for freedom; France las poured forth her strength in the traggIe and cannot sustain the full 5urden indefinitely America is not -et in the field and months must lapse before she can advance with ull stride; Italy has suffered grave 
 .On Britain aud on the skill with