view raw text
COMPULSORY MILITARY | SERVICE IN ENGLAND | ---4 LONDON, England, April 26.— In a history-making announcement, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain told the House of Commons today that his government was launching immediate conscription of all eligible men between the ages of 20 and 21. Thus, for the first time, England will have compulsory military service in peace time. About 200,000 men are expected to be affected by the initial draft. The prime ministers announcement, while expected, was nonetheless breathtaking. It marked a thoroughly new departure in Great Britains relations with Germany, for, it was especially timed to precede Reichsfuehrer Adolf Hitlers eagerly awaited speech to the Reichstag on Friday, at which time he will reply in detail to President Roosevelts appeal to the dictators for a "guaranteed peace." Only one thing served to soften the impact of the prime ministers declaration. This was his disclosure in reply to a question that Britain was ready as always to discuss arms limitation and a general European settlement with Germany or anyone else. Before he addressed the House of Commons, Chamberlain assured the trades union congress that there would be no discrimination by class or caste. All men of the specified ages will be liable for service. Exemption will be allowed for medical reasons alone.
