THE CHINA MAIL, APRIL 26, 1939.
Ballery, Supreme Court
CABINET DECIDES ON CONSCRIPTION
Premier Sees The King: Another Stern Warning
LONDON, TO-DAY.
course of training with the Regular
HEADLINES BLAZONED THE GOVERNMENT'S REPORTED DECI- SION TO INTRODUCE A MEASURE OF CONSCRIPTION IN THE EARLY EDITIONS OF THE MORNING NEWSPAPERS, BUT THE NEWS CAME TOO LATE TO ALTER THE PREVAILING EDITOR- IAL COMMENT WHICH IS CONFINED TO THE BUDGET. Displacement of the Budget from the leading posi-
tion on the news pages gave late night work-Army, for six months or so, and then be drafted into the Territorial ers and West End revellers their second stern Army, involving one day's training reminder within a few hours of the seriousness each week and from of the times through which Britain is passing. At the same time the shock was not great, for the nation had been fully prepared, reading the signs and warnings in the press for the last few days, for further sacrifices affecting not only their pockets.
Speculation among political cor- respondents over what the Govern- last following ment is planning
meeting night's surprise Cabinet
His and Mr. Chamberlain's call on Majesty, shows remarkable unanim- ity.
There is not entire agreement on the age group stated to be con- templated it ranges from 18 to and 20 in the "Daily Herald" "Daily Telegraph" to 18 to 21 in the "Daily Express" and "Daily Mirror" and 18 to 25 in the "Daily Mail" but in other essentials the correspondents have the same in- formation.
months
Thus it is agreed that the young men affected will serve a short period with the Regular Army-three or four months-and ill then be drafted into local Territorial units, for, as the "Daily Mail" insists, four
years.
EXEMPTION REVISION? The list of reserve occupations announced at the time of issue of the National Service handbook, and since added to, is considered likely to be revised in order to free the greatest number of men.
The "Daily Telegraph" calculates that 450,000 would be conscripted according to the 1931 Census figures.
It is recalled by the "Daily Ex- press" that there were over a million between the ages of 18 and 20 in Great Britain at that time.
APPEASEMENTI
Some reports assert that the necessary Bill will not be rushed the through the House but will subject of some debate in order that
be
weeks in camp.
two to four
It is also anticipated that the National Service Register will be made compulsory.
Acceptance of both these men sures by the House of Commons is regarded as certain, for there are
RUSSIAN
A.R.P. DRILLS
Moscow, April 19. -
Mass drills in auti-aircraft and anti-chemical defence are being held in 60 cities of the U.S.S.R., including Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev, Khabarovsk, Baku, Minsk, and others. As soon as the alarms are given, the working people put on their gas masks and continue thus with their work. The drills will last until May 1.—Tass.
JUNKER JU52 DELAYED
The German Junkers plane of the Lufthansa Company,
on a
flight from Berlin to Tokyo, is proceeding ahead of schedule, but, according to latest reports has not yet arrived at Hanoi.
The plane, according to the original schedule, is expected to land at Tokyo on May 3, but it is arrive now possible that it may
The plane is not expected nation's
arrive in the Colony to-day.
many on the Opposition side who would be prepared to give support, though there is certain to be a with demand for mobilisation of other earlier. besides the Arthur resources
Trans-Ocean. lenders, man-power.
STATEMENT EXPECTED Mr. Chamberlain's meeting Mr. C. R. Attlee and Mr. Greenwood, the Labour after to-day's Cabinet meeting (where it is likely the Government's conscription deliberations will be completed) will no doubt have an important bearing on the attitude of the Opposition:
Possibly a statement can be ex- pected at the end of question time in the House of Commons this afternoon (Wednesday).
A brief editorial in the "Daily Mail" comments: "The Govern- ment has decided, on the measure
long
and
and the country will support it.
LONG FORESEEN "Compulsory service has been foreseen as inevitable will be patriotically accepted conscription is a warning to world that Britain is determined to protect her Imperial interests and to live up to her pledged word.”
the
The "Daily Express" says: "Hit- tler is the real author of both mea- sures (conscription and the Bud- get). Hitler, when he frames his reply to President Roosevelt Friday will know where we stand.
on
"Make no mistake. Conscription is being introduced because it was the will of the people."-Reuter
CABINET DISCUSSION.
London, To-day. It is understood that a special meeting of the Cabinet held last evening decided to introduce com- pulsory military service for all men between 18 and 21.
After the meeting, the Prime Minister was received by the King at Buckingham Palace.
A statement from official quar- the Opposition may be "appeased." ters regarding the detalls is not
The Daily Herald" diplomatic yet forthcoming. correspondent says that intense It is, however, stated that many feeling has been aroused in Opposi- of the 1,000,000 men lable under tlon circles by news of "Mr. Cham- the Bill that would have to be** berlain's sudden abandonment of passed, are subject to exemption, his reported declaration that peace and provision will be made for time conscription is not under con- extension of the age to 27 years if sideration."
it in found, fo
This would potential
Much reference is made to presentations from
cularly from
re-
PLAN
total of 0,000,
he maximum Flunk or service
FREE
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