MUST CONSCRIPTION COME ?
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:]
SIR,—The catalogue of excuses for non-recruiting which you publish in your last issue from a Glasgow correspondent tells a humiliating tale, or else betrays an almost unaccountable insensibility in relation to a solemn and critical situation. Personally I incline to the latter alternative. Until the eleventh hour, and even until nearer midnight than that, I shall pray that conscription may be averted. It would lower the tone of the troops. It would hurt British pride. Here and there I have seen recruits drilling, and I have talked with a few of them. Forgive me if I add that I have a son who told me of his resolve to enlist with as much high seriousness as that with which I told my father long ago of my call to the Christian ministry. I cannot but feel that the pure gold of patriotism which I have witnessed, and I think it is representative, would have become dim at the touch of the press-gang. " But we must have the men," you say. Exactly, and, if necessary, conscription will, of course, be imposed. Only will it not yield servants rather than SODS of Empire? Your footnote to the letter in question about " willing horses " sharply impresses me. In every generous sphere of life they are found. Too often they are shamefully overworked, and one would like to flog the "slackers." Yet, without "willing horses," how much poorer life would be ! Must we not honour them and plead for them still, and not least in regard to the war ? Remember, Sir, most of us are disgracefully unimaginative and very slow in the uptake. And somehow I feel, for one, that Lord Kitchener and the Government will come across one or two persuasive recruiting packets even yet before they dip to the bottom of the bag where the whip of conscription lies. Truly, every young man in the land ought already to be trembling and thrilling at the thought of the perils and the glory of the war. If some there be who will not stir till the coming of the bogy- man—well, they have their reward.—I am, Sir, &e., J. EDWARD HARLOW.
80 Cauldwell Street, Bedford.
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