New-York tribune., 1918-01-15
Britain Will Draft 100000 to
Hold Line Until u. s. Comes
Young Men Exempted by Occupation in Essential
Industries Will Be Called, Declares Sir Auckland
Geddes - 100000 Germans Released by
Russian Debacle

air we must win supremacy, and On
land we must do the best we can 10 fill
the gap Russia has made until America
can take her place. And all the time
We have to keep our vital industries go
ing
While the enemy possessed the ad-
vantage OF an interior position. with
a good railway system, continued the
Minister, they possessed no correspond
ing advantage in stability and soli-
darity CT public opinion.
Disenseifif the age question, he said
that tire Gerrtans were using boys Oh
eighteen on the Russian front and that
Austria has raised the limi.. 70 iifty-tive
years. Analyzing the eneny's strength,
he declared that the Germans would be
able to withdraw 100000 men from the
Eastern front, and the Austrians would
be able to release cnoug'- 10 make the
total 100000.
Sir Auckland assured the House
that the Entente Allies at the pres
ent time, N l.U:..beys and morale. were
on equal terms with the forces OF the
enemy opposed to them, and with the
necessary rcinforcements, which would
be found during the year, could face
any additional forces which the enemy
could bring When the full force of
America came into play superiority
would be established which would be
the sure herald OF complete and final
victory
The naval personnel. said the Minis
ter, had expanded during the war from
10000 20 10000. Tie army today
had more tnaN 100000 men on the
rolls. The combined air service had
increased from 3,0O0 to 125.o00.
Distribution of Troops
The total enrolment in the armet
forces has been 500. 600. England hal
contributed 100000; Scotland, go 900;
dominions and colonies, 900 1000. The
remaining 100000, composed of ma
tive fighting troops, labor corps, car
riers and similar workers, were from
India, Africa and other dependencies
The minister declared that it would
be necessary 10 raise in this country
at once from 100000 TO 100000 men
from civil life as an absolute minimum
More might be necessary during the
coming year lie added that the gov
ernment had decided not to introduce
/ conscrption in Ireland for the present
nor change the military age limit in
I 0icdt Di ltdill anu tle CO'oit4eS.
The government could not give pref
erential treatment to any organization.
! Many young men in essential indus
tries, he said had acted as though they
held previleged position. They must
share the burden with the others and
be replaced by older men.
Sir Auckland praised the spirit shown
by the labor leaders in the negotiati ons
with the government. Efforts were be-
ing made by pacifistS to stir up strife
in munition factories: and young men
were threatening to hold up the out
cut of ships and airplanes ip order
wounded back to the front and drag
out their fathers and stop the leave
Of the me1 at the front.
The men who have acted as directors
Of recruiting, continued the minister
would in the future be regional direc
tors of national service. The govern
ment departments had arranged fol
their requirements. amounting to 10000
men. to be supplied through the labor
exchanges.
Prospective demands for labor at the
munitions plants and under the Ad
miralty amounted to $4,000 men anS
$4,000 women. The appeal for labol
for shpyards had met with a crafty
ing response; NOR, than 5000 men hae
presented themselves in the last month
and 200 had started TO work. Alto
gether, during December 10000 vacan
cies for men and $4,000 for women hat
been filled.
Owing to the way women have come
forward" said the minister, "there has
been no great difficulty in obtaining
sufficient numbers for the work fol
which they are required. Nearly three
quarters Of million women have beer
placed in employment of ono kind o.
another in the last eleven months. BIZ
it is clear that great further cali vii
be made on women OF all classes"
Sir Auckland appealed particularly
to two classes-first. men with private
means, who. with little Inconvenience
and sacrifices. small compared viii
those made by the younger men il
the army, could easily leave thei,
Continued on Page Three