§ 40. Mr. KINGasked the Prime Minister whether the War Cabinet has considered the effect on the Military Convention signed at Washington on 19th February, 1918, of the recent Military Service Act; whether, in case it is ratified, all Irishmen who are British subjects between eighteen and fifty-one will be liable to conscription in the United States; and whether, in view of the uncertainties concerning Conscription in Ireland, he will press the United States Government to delay a ratification of the Convention till the position in Ireland is less strained or till the promised Home Rule Bill becomes law and Home Rule is in operation?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the remaining parts of the question in the negative.
§ Mr. KINGIn view of the fact that there are 6,000 American citizens of military age here waiting to be conscripted can we not mark our sense of their desire to serve by hurrying up this Convention?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWWe have no desire to delay anything that will give us increased forces to meet the enemy.