Evening star., 1939-04-26
Sy the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, April 26.-Prime Min
lister Chamberlain, in a statement
carefully timed to precede Chan
cellor Hitlers address in Berlin Fri
day, announced to Parliament to-
day that all British men in their
2lst year would become liable to six
months of military training
Announcing that the first con-
tingent of Britain's World War
babies would train for six months
and ,then be given choice of en-
tering the Territorial Army ma
tional Guard or the Army Reserve,
Mr.. Chamberlain said he decided
on conscription ito impress the
world" with the nations determina-
ton to resist any attempt at Euro
pean domination.
The Prime Minister earlier said
during questioning. however, that
Britain was ready to discuss gen
eral settlement" with the German
movement if satisfied it was wei
come" and likely to have useful re-
suits"
He told questioners also that his
government was ready to partici-
pate in any world conference, al
though no specific invitation had
been received from President Roose-
welt, who appeared to Italy and Ger
many for 10 to 25 year peace agree
ment.
10000 to Be Liable.
Mr.. Chamberlain estimated the
number of 20-year- youths liable
to conscription at 10000 year. but
added there would be deductions
which will reduce the figure very
considerably
tween the ages of 20 and 2l" An
official spokesman said it would ap-
ply to all able bodied males be
tween their Goth and 21st birth
days. Belief was expressed that
calling this age group would cause
less dislocation to the national life
than any other. i
After Mr.. Chamberlain statement
there was talk in Parliament lob
bies of changes in the cabinet. Some
believed the basis of the government
might be widened."
+ Opposition Plans Fight.
The prime minister said he would
Introduce a bill next week to put
conscription into force, and the op-
position Labor party announced i'm
mediately it would fight the bill. 1t
generally was believed, however, that
Mr.. Chamberlain would have no
trouble in getting it passed.
Mr.. Chamberlain prefaced his con-
scription announcement with a
promise to introduce a mo war
profits" bill
He said British ENJOYS to Ger
many, Italy, the United States, Brit
ish allies and the dominions had
been instructed to advise the gov
ernments to which they were ac-
credited of the conscription program
ENJOYS were instructed to tell the
German and Italian governments
"as matter of diplomatic courtesy"
that the British government was
adopting conscription "as a purely
defensive measure because of the
alarming developments on the con-
tinent."
Not Peacetime Now.
The Prime Minister brushed aside
previous promises not to enforce
military service in peacetime by
saying, 1--WE are not now at war
- but no one can pretend that
this is peacetime in any sense in
which the word can be fairly used"
He also announced that it would
be necessary to call up certain
territorial and non-regular air
force personnel to reinforce the
nations anti aircraft defense during
the present period of tension which
may last for a considerable length
of time"
The new conscription bill, he said,
would be introduced for three years,
with a provision to extend it If
necessary
Lord Smell. a Labor leader, said
that the government has no ex-
fnr fe