No one has yet written the inside history of the struggle we have been through in the last two or three weeks. The majority of the Cabinet would gladly have avoided any resort to conscription, but the figures of—abstention were much too large. The "Westminster Gazette" which is always well informed on Government matters, estimated the number of slackers at 650,000, and this is probably the correct figure, though the "Daily News" contends that the conscription of single men would only yield 200,000. The former figure is nearer" the mark. A good deal to his critics' surprise, Mr. Asquith possessed sufficient, backbone to stand by his promise that unless the single men volunteered in sufficient numbers they would be compelled to serve before the married men, who have responded very finely indeed, were called on.
Some of the Liberal papers—only a few—areendeavouring tosay that he had no mandate to make the pledge, and they are suggesting that he is not bound by it, The majority of people, however, think he is and Mr. Asquith has undoubtedly strengthened his position in the eyes of the country by refusing to disregard his promise.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.