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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance, 1917-12-06, Page 7eatag Metall • fi CANADA AND U.S. ON THE SAME WIN -WAR PLATFORM. THE POPE'S PEACE PROPOSAL TWE UNION POLICYS OUTL. iNED S dRobert Borden's Appeal to the Canalian Electors To Wig the War, to Strengthen and Purify Ca ada internally, to Tax the Well-to-do and Lessen the Burdens of the 'Poor The policies of the new Union Government, as laid down in two statements to the Canadian people issued by Sir Robert Bor- den, place the Union Administration in the front line of political progress. They are: The vigorous prosecution of the war by the immediate re- inforcement of the Military Service Act: . Adequate taxation of war profits and increased taxation of incomes. Effective arrangements for demobilization, care and voca- tional training of returned soldiers. • Effective measures to prevent excessive profits, to prohibit hoarding and combinations for the increase of prices and thus to ;reduce the cost of living. Encouragement of co-operation amongst farmers to, lower cost of production and marketing in the interests of both producer and consumer. Civil Service reform ,for .the purpose of abolishing patronage and filling places on single standard of merit. Extension of franchise to women, with suitable provisions for Improving woman's status under the law. ' Strong and progressive policy of immigration and' coloniza- tion, Development of transportation facilities, with co-operative management of the „various .railway, systems, to make the best use of available equipment. Co-operation with the provincial Governments for the im- provement of highways. Reduction of publicexpenditure, avoidance • of waste and en- couragement of thrift. Development of all the resources of Canada with co-operation and assistance of the state where practicable to the best advan- tage of the people. Maintenance of good relations between' employers and em- ployed, care for industrial population and their right to suitable standards of living. Development of a national spirit in Canada by consistent work for a sympathetic understanding between the various communities. Creation of a new portfolio, Immigration and Colonization; also, a permanent cabinet committee to oversee prosecution of the war and a second committee for carrying out other lines of policy. • 1 illetN-FORMi•LITARY'SERVICE. With regard to the Military Service Act, Sir Robert Borden's state- SEWS : When it became apparent that the voluntary system was not providing dequate reinforcements for the army, it became necessary to consider the provisions of the Military Service Act empowering the Government to enforce compulsory military service upon ,all male citizens of Canada be- tween the ages of eighteen and sixty inclusive.. The selection under that law is to be made by ballot, that is, by chance. Under present conditions -the public interest cannot be served by a chance selection, but it demands instead an intelligent selection, based upon a wise and careful considera- tion of the country's -needs; both la the'fi"ghting.line and at home. Accord- ingly, a new measuie:lo utii©rize , ; sefeetive-draft• of Persons between the ages of twenty and forty-five was prepared and submitted to Parliament. Much care was taken to ensure that the measure 'would not be unfair or unjust in its provisions, that there would be no prejudicial interference with agriculture or industry, that there woui.d be no' preferences for groups, classes, sections or interests. The Military Service Act is a democratic measure, calling the rich as wellas the poor indeed, bearing more heav- ily upon the rich in that it is more difficult for a young man of means to claim exemption on the ground that his labor is needed at home for the • support of his relatives. It is eminently 'fair as between the provinces and as between those portions of our people. who: are of different racial origins, because it .pays no attention whatsoever to provincial boundaries or racial groups, but calls up all young Canadians of the same circum- stances wherever they may live.- There 'w s'no thought of compulsion until compulsion became imperative.- There was no hesitation to seekauthority for enrolment by selection when the necessity for greater reinforcements were indubitably established. It was the enemy—not the Government— which issued the call to arms and compelled a mobilization of all the re- sources of the Empire. The Government appeals to the people with con- fidence that the vigorous prosecution .of the war is 'their immediate and supreme concern, and that the Military Service Act which authorized the ?elective draft is but a reflection of the temper and will of the nation. THE UNiON CONSTiTUT1ON. PRESIDENT WILSON ON COMPULSORY SERVICE SIR ROBERT BORD'EN. PRESL PEN 7; WILSON. When the United States went into this war its first act was to establish the Selective Draft for Military Service. This was not done because it was necessary to get recruits. With its hundred million population America could have raised an army of ten millions by the. voluntary system, on Can- ada's proportion of enlistment. But President Wilson insisted ori. the Compulsory Service plan because it Is the only fair and logical and democratic as well as the only efficient plan for a nation at war. Here is his masterly justification for it, in his official proclamation issued May 18th last, ordering the Selective Draft into force; EACH MUST DO HIS PART. The Power against which we are arrayed has sought to impose its will upon the world by force. To this end it has increased armament until it has changed the faceof war. In the sense in which we have been wont to think of armies, there are no armies in this struggle there are entire nations armed. Thus, the men who remain to till the soil and man the factories are no less a part of the army that is France than the men beneath 'the' battle flags. It must be so with us. It is not an: army that we must shape and train f or war; it is a nation. To this end our people must draw close in one compact front against a common foe. But this cannot be if each than pursues a private pu rpose. All must pursue one purpose. The na- tion needs all men; but it needs each man, not in the field that will most pleasurehim, but in the endeavor that will best serve the common good. Thus, though a sharp -shooter pleases to operate a trip-hammer for the forging of great guns and an expert machinist desires to march with the flag, the nation is being served only when the sharp -shooter marches and. the machinist remains at his levers. .�.- • The'whole nation must be a team, in which'eadh man shall play the 'part for which he isrest fitted. To this end, Congress has provided that the nation shall be organized for war by selec- tion; that each man shall be classified for service in the place to which it shall best serve the general good to call him. The significance of this cannot be overstate& It is a new thing in our history and a land- matk in our progress, It is -a. new manner of accepting and vitalizing our duty to give ourselves with thoughtful devotion to the common purpose of us all. It is in no sense a conscription -of the unw lltng; it is, rather, selection frozrn,a--oat on;r which has avolttnnteered in mass.' It Is no = more a choosing of those who shall march with the colors than it is a selection of those who shall serve an equally necessary and devoted purpose in the industries that lie behind the battle line. A CONSPICUOUS MOMENT. The day here named is the time upon which. all shall present therrnselves for assignment to their tasks. It is for that reason' destined to be reiriembered as one of the most conspicuous mo- i:xitnts" irajanr history. It is nothing less‚;than the day" upon wllich othd 4rfianhood of the count shall step forward in one solid rank in defence of the ideals to which this nation is consecrated. It is important to those ideals no less than to the pride of this generation in manifesting its de- votion to them, that there be no gaps in the ranks. As to the constitution of the new Union Government, the Borden mani- festo reads: . . The administration in whose name this appeal is made is not the agent or organ of any group, section or party. There .are those among its mem- bers who must assume reaponstbtlity for the conduct of the war thus far; and such members do not seek to evade that responsibility. There are those also among its members wbo have no such responsibility. For the Military Service Act all assuine the fullest responsibility, as do all for the future conduct of the war and for future measzres of policy and acts of admtnfstratton. Tt is not suggested that the Government which held of.. flee for six years is immune from criticism because a Union Government has been organized, but only that the war 1s the first consideration and that to Its energetic and successful prosecution union among the people ie} as necessary as the coalitt'on of political leaders. I POGRES$3VE POLICIES. After explaining the need for union in time of war, the manifesto proceeds: But there are other reasons Why the 'Union Government should be entrusted with power. rt has pledged itself to the extirpation of old abuses and to a. wise and bold policy of constructive reform. The system of pat- ronage in the distribution of eontra.ots and offices which hast prevailed in Canada for generations has been the root at many political evils. It has fostered local and sectional interests incompatible with the national wel- fare and injurious to the efftctency of the stational services. It has troubled representatives of the people, permttted the ascendetncy ,of organized min- orities in the constltueneies, and affected the independence of Parliament itself. It may be that these evils should have beth overcome long ago. Censure may tie upon successive Gloverntnentet whieh have tolerated the system. But inveterate diseases succumb only to heroic treatment—and • heroism has not distinguished Canadian parties In dealings with patronage. generally Governments have lived long in Canada and when for many yeah: distribution of patronage has been confined to the party VII power -there is a natural ,disposition to adjust the batanet when at length the 'other party succeeds to office. Once cornnnttted to the system„ Influences are recognized and interests created that are not easily resisted or dia- ., 1odeed. It le believed that a Government derived from both politfcat parties and strengthened by special representation of agriculture and or- ganized labor, can set with greater treed'om and Independence than a goer- ernment which held offtee under the old conditions. Hence the resolution ,to abolish trading in patronage, to 'f111 publto offices by merit and not by favoritism, and to esta11l1sh honest and open. competition in awarding cop.- tracts and buying supplies. IHE RAILWAY PROBLEIih. On the railway problem, the 'Uniion policy is outlined as follows: 'dor many years in Canada railway polt'oy was determined not so much by the needs of transportation as byY the demands of Heed groups of rail- way builders. Asa result we hula a great railway mileage,, constructed at heavy rest-, with long stretehes of parallel lines where a dingle eystem could have handled all the traffic and at lower charges upon a smaller in- vestment of capital. It IS believed, however, that Canada will yet develop traffic in excess of present rail facilities; and i» the nneantime the Gov- ernment will endeavor to eo-ordinate existing services and improve end „tsrotoot the national railways Without injudtioe to private companies. THE NATIONAL Eh1EfttiENCY. The runt of the Pinion governmernt pledges ie contained in the closing words of the second 'Borden itnaaifedto: • !the Government thoroughly realizes that itt this ll'ational omergeney there is imperative necessity for fulfilment of its poiioiest with the tenet possible delay. It pledges itself to prosecute the agar with ceaseless vigor, to strive for national unity, to administer the nubliu departments with 4001101111' and efficiency, to deride ntbasuree of taxation Which Will ret<axel 'a justioe, and to neglect nothing that may be requited tel reuatkln the soldiers sion astvioe or to oottntOt thou St th it households whore they hate kei LAURIER AND THE WAR. • Sir Wilfrid Laurier says that though he is opposed to conscription, he would, if elected, endeavour to stimulate voluntary recruiting. What has he ever done to stimulate voluntary recruiting? Look at this ! Last February a letter was sent to him by the recruiting committee of the Canadian Club of Hamilton, asking him to give a written endorse- ment of their effort to arouse new interest and activity in recruiting. A similar appeal was made to Sir Robert Borden and Mr. Rowell, both of whom gave authoritative encouragement to the idea. Here is Sir Wilfrid Laurier's answer: ---- "OTTAWA, Ont., Feb. 26, 1917. ''Dear "I have have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 20th inst. I am sorry that I cannot send you at once an affirm- ative ffirmative answer. I will look into the matter, but will keep it under advise- ment. "Believe me, Yours sincerely, "WILFRID LAURIER." The matter is still under advisement. This took place in the third year of the greatest war that humanity has ever experienced, a war which in- volves the future of civilization and human liberty. The urgent need for reinforcements at the front was known to all Canada. He declined on that occasion to say one word which would aid the national purpose or give support to the men who are holding Canada's battle line. He had P to' look into the matter, and he has been looking into it ever since. L President Wilson's Strong Statement of Allied Cause We Must Fight and Vote to Win the Victory and Smash Forever the Prussian War Menace There has been no better statement of the Allied Cause in this great war than President Wilson'snoble reply to the peace overtures made last August by the Pope. To deal with such. a power as the present rulers of Germany upon Pope Benedict's plan, declared the President, would involve a recuperation of the strength and renewal of the world domina- tion of that power, now balked, but not defeated, after sweeping a continent with the blood of innocent women and children and the helpless poor as well as of soldiers. Permanent peace must be based, he declares, upon the faith of all the peoples and upon justice and fairness and the common rights of mankind. This is the cause which the electors of Canada are asked to back with their ballots in the coming elections. The text of the note follows: - - "To His Holiness, Beneilictus XV., Pope: , "In acknowledgment of the communications of Your Holi- ness to the belligerent peoples, dated August 1, 1917, the Presi- dent of the United States requests me to transmit the following reply: "Every heart that has not been blinded and hardened by this terrible war must be touched by this moving appeal of His Holiness, the Pope must feel the dignity and force. of the humane and generous motives which prompted it, and must fervently wish that we might take the path• of peace he so persuasively points out. But it would be folly to take it if it does not in fact lead to the goal he proposes. Our response must be based upon the stern facts and upon nothing else. It is not a mere cessa- tion of arms he desires ; it is a stable and enduring peace. This agony must not be gone tbrough,rwath -againr�". and it must be a matter of very sober judgment what''will ensure us against it. "His Holiness in substance proposes that we return to the status quo ante-bellum and that then there, be a general condon- ation, disarmament and a concert of nations, based upon an ac- ceptance of the principle of arbitration; that by a similar concert freedom of the seas be established; and • that the territorial claims of France and Italy, the perplexing problems of the Balkan States, and the restitution of Poland be left to such conciliatory adjust- nients as may be possible in the new temper of -such a peace, due regard being paid to the aapitationsaof the pdoples ,whose political fortunes and affiliations will be involved." OBJECT OF WAR DEFINED. "It is manifest that no part of this program can be success• fully carried out unless the restitution of the status quo ante furnishes a firm and satisfactory basis for it. The object of this war is to deliver the free peoples of the world from the menace and the actual power of a vast military establishment controlled Jay an irresponsible gove>:nmenttwhiela ;1 avingQ sgctretly "planned to dominate the world, proceeded to carry the plan out without regard either to the sacred obligations of treaty or the long-es- tablished practices and long -cherished principles of international action and honor; which chose its own time for the war; delivered its blow fiercely and suddenly; stopped at no barrier, either of law or mercy; swept a whole continent with the tide of blood -- not the blood of ;;oldiers only, but the blood of innocent women and children also and of the helpless poor; and now stands balked btit•not defeated, the enemy of four-fifths of the world. , "This power is not' the -German people. It "i5 the ruthless master of the German people. It is no business of ours how that great people carne under its control or submitted with temporary zest to the domination of its purpose; but it is our business to see to it that the history of the rest of the world is no longer left to its handling. "To deal with such a Power by way of peace upon the plan proposed by His Holiness the Pope would, so far as we can see, involve a recuperation of its strength and a renewal of its policy; would make it necessaryo create a permanent 'hostile combina- tion of nations against the German people, who are its instru- ments; and would result in abandoning the new-born Russia to the intrigue, the manifold subtle interference, and the certain counter-revolution which would be attempted by all the malign influences to which the German Government has of late accus- tomed the world. NO SECURE PEACE BASIS. "Can peace be based upon a restitution of its power or upon any word of honor it could sledge in a treaty of settlement and accommodation? Responsible statesmen must now everywhere see, if they never saw before, that no peace can rest securely upon political or economic restrictions meant to benefit some nations and cripple or embarrass others, upon vindictive action of any sort, or any kind of revenge or deliberate injury. . "The American people, have suffered intolerable wrongs at the hands of the imperial German Government, but they desire no reprisal upon the German people, who have themselves suf- fered all things in this war, which they did not choose. They believe that peace should rest upon the rights of gov- ernments, the rights of peoples great or small, weak or powerful —their equal right to freedom and security and self-government and to a participation on fair terms in the economic opportunities of the world --the German people, of course, included, if they will accept equality and .not seek domination. ( "The test, therefore, of every plan of peace is this: Is it based upon the faith of all the peoples involved, or merely upon the word of an ambitious and intriguing government, ori the one hand, and of a group of free peoples on the other? This is a test whichgoes to the root of the matter; and it is the test which must be applied. (Continued from peg. two.) MAJOR -GENERAL L. J. LIPSETT. "On the battered ramparts of Ypres, on the rolling hills which border the Somme, on the historic battlefield of Vimy, are scattered hundreds of Somme, s e s which mark the restingplaces of Canadians who only three wooden crosses , , cears ago were peaceful civilians. When war was forced upon us these men me forward, for they felt their n ianhood demanded it as a duty that they should pass n the honor of our nation unsullied and her liberties secure. There is no grander monument erected by man than these simple crosses, for gany . possess, finely, the show that, Canada has the realest asset nation can ossess namely, - thinkis right. But these sons ready to lay down their lives for what they g wimple crosses also remind Canada of the trust bequeathed by those w:e resting place they mark, namely, the cause for which they died. " • SEEX NO MATERIAL GAIN. "The purposes of the United States in this war are known to the whole world—to every people to whom the truth has been permitted to come. They do not need -to be stated again We seek no material advantage of any kind. We believe that the in- tolerable wrongs done in this war by the furious and brutal power of the Imperial German Government plight to be repaired, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of any people—rather a vindication of the sovereignty, both of those that are weak and those that are strong. Punitive damages, the dismemberment of empires, the establishment of selfish and exclusive econotnic leagues, we deem inexpedient and in the end worse than futile, no proper basis for a peace of any kind, least of all for an en- during peace. That must be based upon justice and fairness and the common rights of mankind. "We cannot take the word of the present rulers of Germany as a guarantee of anything that is to endure, unless explicitly supported by such conclusive evidence of the will and purpose of the German people themselves, as the other people of the world would be justified in accepting—without such guarantees, treaties of settlement, agreements for disarmainents, covenants to set up arbitration in the place of force, territorial adjusttilents, ►e- constitutions of shall dations, if In*" with theI ,_an Govern- ment, no man, no nation could now..epend on. 'e must await some new evidence of thl purposes of the great peoples of the Central Powers. God grant it may be given soon and in a way to restore' the confidence of all peoples everywhere in the faith tit nations and the possibility of a covenanted peace."