There are many signs that the latest military difficulties into which the Government has floundered in defence of the ragged outposts of Empire are once again posing the question of the desirability of conscription to the military establishment. On January 6th the Times roported that Thorneycrofts recent visit to Hong Kong is likely to result in a cut in the 6,000 strong force which is situated there. Tho need to police Malaysia, as well as Aden and nov again Cyprus, has placed a severe strain on the warlords. The most serious problem they have faced has been the need to cut the NATO force in Germany by 3,000 mon, which has resulted in the order to the 6th Infantry Brigade to stand by for service elsewhere,
"i frequently canvassed suggestion," reports the Times "is that the Government may be forced to return to a measure of compulsory military service — possibly to introduce a form of selective service on the Amer~ ican pattern." "Nor some years," the urticle continues, “papers have circulated within the War Office at intervals to domonstrate how the gap between the Army's requirements and its resources could be met by calling up, either bysolecticon or by ballot, 20,000 to 25,000 men a year for a two-year term." Mr. Julian Critchley, Tory M.P. for Rochester and Chatham, has tabled a question to the Prime Minister suggesting the selective conscription of 30,000 men a pear. Critchley is a member of the Bow Group and believes th .t an army 220,000 is needed, which could be achieved if 60,000 National Servicemen wero included.
A serious tailpiece to this story is provided by the reported speech of Dennis Healey, Labour defence spokesman, made in York on 5th January. Jie is alleged to have said: "Unless the Government acts...it may have no alternative to some form of selective service."
It should be made clear to Mr. Healey, at once, that if the Tories wish to kill Indonesians and Arabs in defence of their plundering inter— ests, they must go and do it themselves. This is a task which young people in Britain are no longer willing to perform, and anyone who tries to impose it on them must and will be sharply checked. It is a matter of high importance that Young Socialist branches, trade union, and C.L.P.jS, together with CND groups, should begin to warn their members of this threat and take steps to meet it in the strongest possible way.