The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-15
This Is Assertion of Minister of National Service in
 Commons
1 1,60O,000 SOLDIERS OF
 ENEMY RELEASED
This Is Estimate of Number of Men to Be Brought From the East to West Front
 by Germany

London, January 14.-Near- ly half a million men from Great Britain alone are to be recruited into the British army at the earliest date possible, and it is probable that many more will be added to that number in the coming months. These will c m mpris e the younger men, who, up to the present have been exempt be- cause of their employment in industries essential to the war services.
 This announcement was in the House of Commons today by Sir Auckland Geddes, minister of na- tonal service, whose statement of the governments man-power pro- posals was replete with interesting details of Britain's strength in the struggle into which she means to throw her full resources.
 The minister set forth the status and needs of the British fighting and munl- tioning forces and the measures the gov- ernment Is taking after agreement with most of the labor leaders for recruit- ment from the classes of skilled workers who were promised exemption when com scription was adopted.
 1 7.5OO.OOO MEN ENROLLED 1 The empire has enrolled 7,500,o00 fight ling and labor battalion forces during the war, according to the statement of the minister, and now has more than four million enrolled, but needs more men to hold it's own against the enemy until the American strength is available.
 He praised the spirit in which the la bor leaders have met the government. but regretted that the Amalgamated So- ciety of Engineers had remained outside 1 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 1 that some of the young men among the million exempted workers apparently cor rsidered themselves privileged class and threatened to hold up by strikes the l building of airpanes and ships. l TIT they dO, ne e&cidiHleu, they VIII meet such blast of hatred it will sur prise them."
 PREFACE TO REMARKS 1 Sir Auckland Geddes. minister of na- l tional service. prefaced his remarks l on the governments man power pro- 1 posal by the declaration that noth- 1 ing could be more misleading than 1 inc suggestion that the man power 1 problem could be solved by dramatic | stroke It was the central problem of | the war.
 | '.It means everything" he said. | .ships armies, munitions. food, light heat and coal At the moment the most anxious problem is not the supply of men for the army. But we have to take steps against the time when II will be-a time. which l believe, ia not far distant
 I Going into the details of the situ' | ation the minister said in part:
 "The plain facts do not support the statement that the armies are melting for lack of recruits and the recruiting has broken down.
 ..The government has examined in detail the position of the allies on tho eastern front and the results are not unsatisfactory Excluding Russia and Rumania. the allies have substan- tial superiority in fighting and ration
 strength over the central powers. From
 a statistical standpoint the strength
 of the enemy gives no cause for
 anxiety.
 1,6O0,OO MEN RELEASED
 ."rhe withdrawal of Russia means
 that not less than 100000 men will be
 made available on the western front.
 Notwithstanding Russia's defection.
 the resources of the allies and Ameri-
 ca are sufficient to assure victory, and 7 tContinued on Page Two)