The Seaforth News, 1917-12-06, Page 11177
CANADA AND �S. QN THE SA]YIJIJ WIN -
1
•
Sir Robert order's ,Appeal to the
Canadian Electors
TiWin the War, to Strengthen and Purify
Canada hnternaly, to Tax the Wel-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 tb 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 stanchrd 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 public expenditure, 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 hi 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.
UNLON,,FOR-MIL.I.TAR-Y SER\LICE,
With regard to the Military Service Act, Sir Robert Borden's state-
ment says:
When it became apparent that the voluntary system was not providing
adequate 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 -ail male citizens of Canada be-
tweenthe 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 in the fighting line and at home. Accord-
ingly, a new measure to autborize�•a tsglecttiVe Hiatt of persons between the
ages of twenty and irortg'=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'tliere would be no preferences for groups,
classes,, sections or interests.:' The' Military Service Act to a democratic
measure, calling the rich as well as 'the poor—indeed, bearing more heav-
ily upon the rich in that it is more difficult for a young Tuan 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 ;nay live., There was no thought of compulsion until
compulsion became imperative. There was no hesitation to seek authority
for enrolment by selection when the necessity 'for greater reinforcements
mere induhita.bly established. It was the' enetny—not the Government --
which issued the call to arms and compelled a }mobilization of all the re-
sources of the Bmpire. 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
selective draft is but a reflection of the temper and willof the nation.
THE UNION, CONSTITUTION. •
Al to the constitution of the new Union Government, the Borden mau1-
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 responsibility 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 who have no such responsibility. For the
Military Service Act all assume the fullest responsibility, as do all for the
future conduct of the war andfor future measures of policy and acts of
administration. It is not suggested that the Government which held of -1
floe for six years is immune from criticism because a Union Government
has been organized, but only that the war is• the first consideration and;
that to Its energetic and successful prosecution union among the people lel
as necessary es the coalition of political leaders.
PO'GRESSIVE POLICIES.
After explaining the need for union in time of war, the manifesto
larooeeda: '
But there- are other reasons why the Union Government should be
entrusted with power. It has pledged itself to the extirpation of old abuses
and to a wiseand bold policy of constructive reform, The system of pat-
ronage in the distribution of contracts and offices which has prevailed in
Canada for generations has been the root of many political evils. It has
fostered local and sectional lnteresta incompatible with the national 101 -
fare and injurious to the efficiency of the national services. It has troubled
'representatives of the people, permitted the ascendency of organized min-
:hrltlea In the constituencies, and affected the Independence of Parliament
. ,itself. It may be that these evils should have been overcome long ago.
•Censure may Ile upon successive Governments which have tolerated the
system. But inveterate diseases succumb only to herolo treatment --and
heroism has not distinguished Canadian parties In dealings with. patronage.
Generally Governments have lived long in Canada and when for many
years distrlbntion of patronage has been confined to the party Ih power
fliers Is a natural disposition to adjust the balance when at length the
other party succeeds to office. Once committed to the system, influences
aro recognized and Interests created that are not easily resisted or dis-
lodged. It is believedthat a Government derived from both political
parties and strengthened by special representation of agriculture and or-
ganized labor, can act with greater freedom and independence than a Gov-
ernment which held office under the old conditions. ,Bence the resolution
M• ,abolish trading in patronage, to fill public offices by merit and not by
• voritism, and to establish honest. and open' competition In awarding con -
„tracts and buying supplies.
THE RAILWAY PROBLEM.
On the railway problem, the Union policy is outlined as follows:
•
For many years in Canada railway polloy was determined not so much
by the needs of transportation as by the demands of rival groups of mil-
l/my builders. As a result wo have a groat railway mileage, constructed
at heavy cost, with long stretches of parallel lines where a single system
could have handled all the traffic and at lower charges upon a smaller in-
,YBestment of capital. It .Is believed, however, that Canada will yet develop
traffic in excess of present rail, facilities; and to the meantime the Gov-
ernment will endeavor'. to co-ordinate existing services and improve aiid
•detect the national railways without ln.justtee to private companies.
'THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY.
Tho' sum of the 'Union 't overnment pleds°es is Contained In the closing
wo'ds sof .t, a seerdiAlaordel manifesto .
PRESIDENT WILSON ON COMPULSORY S&ICE
SI'R ROBERT BORDEN.
PREst l.7eNT 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 mullions by the voluntary system, on Can-
ada's proportion of enlistment. But President Wilson insisted on 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
rath last, 'ordering the Selective Draft into force:—
EACH MUST D 0 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 face of 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 man 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 pleasure him, 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 grins 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'.,ivhole nation must be a team, in which ,each man shall play the part for which he is hest
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 overstated, It is a new thing in our history and a land-
mark 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 •unwilling; it is, rather, selection from a nation which has yolunteered 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 themselves for assignment to
their tasks. It is for that reason destined to be remembered as one of the most conspicuous mo-
ments
o1 e,11ts in, Qqr history. It is nothing less than the day upon which the manhood of the country.
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.
LAURIER At ` U 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 1
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 Sir,—
"I 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 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 thirdyear
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
to look into the matter, and he has been looking into it ever since.
(Condoned from page two,)
MAJOR -GENERAL L. J. LIPSETT.
"On the battered ramparts of Ypres, on the rollinghills which border
P p �
the Somme, on the historic battlefield of Vimy, are scattered hundreds of
wooden crosses which mark the resting places of Canadians who only three.
a,
years ago were peaceful civilians. When war was forced sed upon us these men
carne forward, for they felt their manhood demanded it as a duty that they
shouldp ass on the honor of our nation unsullied and her liberties secure,
There is no grander monument erected by man than these simple crosses, fpr
ii n '`lxo ti iinS i' ll.• Cedui 13si'i'.i.on.fiR.CA.11L1ssess,
aitrl nea.1ro1k 11..
1
AR PI.
'Lasident 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's noblereply to the peace,
overtures made last August by the Pope. 1
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 andrenewal 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, Benedictus 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 farce 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 through with again, and it must be a
tnatter 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-
ments as may be possible in the new temper of such a peace, due
regard being paid to the aspirations of the peoples 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
by an irresponsible government which, having secretly planned
to dominate the world, proceeedecl'-to—Carty—the pian 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 soldiers only, but the blood of innocent women
and children also and of the helpless poor; and now stands balked
but not defeated, the enemy of four-fifths of the world.
"This power is not the-Gerrnair people. -It is. the ruthless
master of the German people. It is no business of ours how that
great people carie 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 iio 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 necessary to 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 ail 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 nledge in a treaty of -settlement and
accommodation? Responsil?le 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, on the one
hand, and of a group of free peoples on the other? 'This is a test
which goes to the root of the matter; and it is the test which
inust be applied,
ISEEK 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 ought 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 economic '•'`
leagues, we deem inexpedient and in the end worse than futile,
no proper basis for a peace of any'kitid, least of all for at 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 disarmaments,!covenarlts to
set: up arbitration in the place of force, terr4torial adjustments, re-
constitutions of small nations, if made with the German' Govern-
VA,,tpe,d ,o lye'I . no nation enuld stow depend on, We mustiiwa