More Men for the Army It is not at all
surprising that the Government should have decided on a new call-up which will make more men available for the Army—the total required being 250,000 men. It had become obvious that the fullest provision must be made for fighting the Germans in Europe at least throughout the first half of the coming year, that is, for a somewhat longer period than might reasonably have been expected a few months ago. This does not mean that the war is going badly—the arrangements were doubtless made before the set-back on the American front—but that it is essential to have all fighting units up to strength for the attack on Germany, and to fill the places at the front vacated by men on leave. The wastage among troops in action from sickness as well as casualties is always considerable, and any prolonged operation requires a steady flow of reinforcements to keep units up to establishment. A certain number of men can be obtained from the other services, and from men in the Army no longer needed at home or engaged on non- combatant duties. Some also can be released by sending more women of the A.T.S. to France or Belgium. There is not the least reason why women should not be employed overseas in this war as in the last. They will not, of course, be used at the front, and their services abroad will be much the same as their services in Britain— it has been explained that they will not be sent even as volunteers to India, Burma or West Africa. But most of the men obtained will have to be diverted from industry, and in the main those sections of industry where production is being slowed down.
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