Mcallen Daily Press

CONSCRIPTION CHANGES LIFE OF YOUNG MEN
British War Act Brings About Alterations In Social And Business Routine.
By RUSSELL F. ANDERSON
International News Service Staff Correspondent
LONDON, May 23 (INS)—Life in Great Britain today has been thrown into a jumble by the government's decision to introduce compulsory military service.
Young men are being forced to give up apprenticeships, factories and business offices are losing many trained staff members, universities are changing programs of study, planned marriages are being called off, and virtually every phase of everyday life involving the younger generation is being affected.
Under the provisions of the Military Service Bill, all men between the ages of 20 and 21 are conscripted into the army.
Unlike the other nations of Europe, England has never had any form of forced military training during peace time, and thus the sudden decision to put the men into the army has turned the country's routine life into a turmoil.
It is estimated that it will take Britain at least a year or two to adjust itself to the shock of the change.
310,000 Called Up
All the men called up—and the gross number summoned is 310,000—will have to serve six months in the army, after which they will have to serve in the Territorial Army for four years—the latter requiring 20 drills a year and annual two weeks "refresher" training period.
Estimates show that 2,000 undergraduates at Cambridge, and 1,200 at Oxford will be liable to military service. Adjustments in the academic work of these centuries-old schools will have to be made in order to allow students to do their training with a minimum interference with their university course.
The Post Offices have 3,500 men of eligible military age on their staff, and in London alone there are thousands of other young men in banking, insurance, and brokerage houses.
Likewise, many sporting organizations, embracing football players, jockeys, cricketers, and boxers, are being broken up.
An estimated 20,000 unemployed men will be affected by the new conscription bill.
Station Guards
As the result of the new additions to the army, London, and all the major cities of Britain, will have a 24-hour guard stationed at all anti-aircraft battery posts.
In government quarters, it is stressed that the compulsory training scheme is not intended to replace but actually to complement the present voluntary system of recruiting for the Army, Navy and Airforce.
Provisions have been made for "conscientious objectors." They will be required to take up work of national importance—if not engaged in such work, normally, they must leave their place of employment, like any other recruit, and work in a selected type of employment.
The only other exemptions will be those who are ruled physically unfit for service.
It is strongly stressed in government circles that the compulsory training measure is only a temporary one which will be ended if and when the present European tension ends, provided always of course, that the House of Parliament approves.