What the result of the Derby Scheme is has not yet definitely transpired. It is, however, fairly clear that the number of single men who have joined is extremely disappointing.
Cabinet meetings have been held to discuss the situation, and it appears there is considerable division in regard to the necessity of instituting compulsion upon the shirkers. The Prime Minister is expected to adhere to his pledge to married men.
The Cabinet (says a political correspondent) was faced with the fact that a surprising number of single men of military age in this country have failed to attest under Lord Derby’s Scheme.
Many estimates have been made. One put the number at 400,000, but this is probably under the mark, and the total is more likely to be over the half-million.
This failure on the part of the single men is due to many causes. Many of the total are in starred trades; others, no doubt, are physically unfit; some have dependants; but when every allowance is made there is no doubt – and the supporters of compulsion in the Cabinet have no doubt – that the failure of the single men is large. It is understood that Lord Derby himself is of opinion that his scheme has failed to secure the number of single men who should have come forward.
What then, will the Cabinet decide? Mr. Asquith’s pledge, first made in Parliament on November 2nd and reiterated in more definite terms to Lord Derby on November 19th, is the governing factor. The pledge in its later form was as follows : —
Married men are not to be called up until young unmarried men have been.
If these young men do not come forward voluntarily Mr. Asquith will either release the married men from their pledge or introduce a Bill into Parliament to compel the young men to serve, which, if passed, would mean that the married men would be held to their enlistment.
If, on the other hand, Parliament did not pass such a Bill, the married men would be automatically released from their engagement to serve.
This pledge and the failure of the single men has led to a Cabinet crisis. There are a number of Ministers who consider that a Bill for compulsion of single men must be introduced into Parliament immediately it reassembles on January 4th and passed as quickly as possible. There are others who remain entirely opposed to compulsion, and even if face of the Prime Minister’s pledge are asking at least for further delay and another chance for the single men.
There is good reason for saying that Mr. Asquith is now determined to interpret his pledge in the strictest sense. He admits that those members of the Government who have all along been in favour of compulsion have very loyally been silent as to their views while Lord Derby’s Scheme was on trial, and now their opinions are of the utmost importance.
What those opinions are may be judged by the fact that some of the most prominent Unionist members of the Ministry are likely to resign unless the Prime Minister’s pledge is most strictly interpreted.
It should be added that a suggested compromise has been put forward by a group of anti-compulsionists, and it is this: “Let every single man who has not attested be summoned to give his reasons to the local tribunal. This further canvass shall be completed in the briefest possible time –say, a fortnight after the re-assembling of the House of Commons.
When it re-assembles the Prime Minister shall announce to Parliament that it is being adopted, and shall promise that if at the end of it the Cabinet find that the response of the single men is still unsatisfactory, compulsion shall be at once introduced. In the meantime, while this final canvass is proceeding a Bill providing compulsion shall be introduced into Parliament which the Government can bring into force subsequent to the canvass if they so decide.”
“Under these conditions,” say this group, which includes one or two Ministers of note, “we will not resign on the introduction of compulsion.”
All that need be said of this scheme at the moment is that the compulsionist Ministers as a whole are opposed to further delay. It is doubtful also if Lord Derby would be favourable to a further canvass.
The House of Lords is in a position to exercise great pressure on the Government, for they have not yet passed the Bill to extend the life of Parliament. If the policy of the Government displeases them they may decline to do so at all, in which case this Parliament must come to an end on January 31st, and a General Election.
