CHAPTER VI

METHODS OF RECRUITING

The first need was men 364 A call for volunteers the only way of meeting it 364 The second need was a system to provide men as required over the period of the war 365 No system was devised 365 The Government shrank from exercising its authority 366 Trusted to indirect pressure 366 And sensational appeals 367 They secured a new army of the highest quality 368 But they demoralised public opinion by their methods 369 Public opinion at the outbreak of war was admirable 372 It was ready to obey orders 373 No orders came 374 The triumph of the voluntary system 376 From the point of view of a Belgian or a Frenchman the triumph is not so clear 377 The voluntary system is inadequate to our present situation 379 Folly of waiting for disaster to demonstrate the necessity of National Service 380