War on Conscription
By Kimberly Wong
Ottawa—As the war continues to rage in Europe, Canada’s own conflict grows after the Military Service Act was passed yesterday by the Conservative government. Canada remains to be divided ever since the act was introduced by Prime Minister Robert Borden in May. The Military Service Act would make it compulsory for men between the ages of 20 and 45 to enlist in the war. However, the law is causing much controversy within the nation. Three years have passed since the beginning of the war. The number of wounded and dead are tremendous for both sides, and the need for more soldiers is great. Even so, the number of Canadian volunteers is lowering. Likewise, there is a lot of pressure from Britain for Canada to send more troops. Australia, also of Dominion status, has more troops on the front than Canada, and yet has a smaller population. Along with Prime Minister Robert Borden and the Conservative Party, many English-imperialists agree with the Act. To have a stronger relationship and obtain an equal status with Britain, many believe Canada would need to rally more soldiers to help the Allies. But also, some believe sending more soldiers an obligation to the Canadians who fought or are still fighting in the war. “If we do not send further reinforcements, we are betraying the efforts of every Canadian who has died so far in this war...We cannot desert and humiliate our soldiers on the Western Front by not sending them much-needed reinforcements,” said Prime Minister Robert Borden.
