3-THE LI a very negligible percentage thereof consist Lord Derby's Test. of young fellows who apparently are eligible for enlistment. Proceeding with our investi- FOOTBALL Towards the close of a friendly conversa- gations of this small percentage of supporters CENSUS. tion, Lord Derby made the following state- we find that it comprises (a) medically unfit, ment:- Accusations are being levelled freely (b) employees precluded by their employers LORD DERBY'S NOVEL at the head of those who are football devotees from enlistment, and (c) employees of firms SCHEME. on the ground that the players, a particularly engaged in Government work, With respect strong and athletic type of men, do not enlist, to the professional player, it should at once RECRUITING POSTCARDS FOR and, further, that the crowds that witness be stated that the number of such in England SPECTATORS. them play show by their unwillingness to join does not exceed 2,000. As we have demon- the new army that they have not realised the strated in several conferences with you, we A systematic and, it is to be hoped, an seriousness of the position. I do not myself are keenly desirous of supporting you in attractive plan to secure recruits, not feel convinced that these charges are entirely your efforts to encourage enlistment, and for new battalions but for the reserves justified, and I should like to put my views to cordially approve of the plans you have of existing local and other units, the test in Liverpool. With that object I suggested and are suggesting to this end, and from the ranks of football players and have asked and received permission from will do all in our power to assist you at our spectators was last evening agreed upon Lord Kitchener to endeavour on somewhat forthcoming matches on Christmas Day and between Lord Derby, as representing the novel lines to raise recruits who will serve Boxing Day. We therefore propose to issue War Office, and the leading officials of together by a method of registration which I an appeal at the matches at Goodison Park the Everton and Liverpool Football will explain as briefly as possible. Men will and Anfield on Christmas Day and Boxing Clubs, at a conference at the offices of be asked to register their names and will be Day respectively to those apparently eligible the West Lancashire Territorial Associa- duly attested and medically examined at such among the spectators urging them to register tion, in Islington, Liverpool. Lord time as is most convenient to themselves and their names for enlistment and to invite our Derby, who presided, was accompanied so as to avoid interference with their civil players to similarly register. by Major Parkes and Captain Finch, and occupation. They will not be called up until the football clubs were represented by after due notice, and when called up facilities May Join Any Regiment. Messrs. W. R. Clayton (chairman of the will be given to the players to continue their Everton Club), J. Asbury (chairman of engagements on Saturdays. Instructors will Mr. Clayton.-I see, my lord, that the post- the Liverpool Club), J. McKenna be provided at various drillhalls to give card asks the men to join the reserve (president of the English League), Tom preliminary instruction to all who in their battalions of the Liverpool Regiment. In the Watson and W. C. Cuff (secretaries). spare time can attend, but these drills would event of their wishing to join other regiments The conference was the last of several, not be compulsory, though it is hoped that as could not the opportunity be given to them and the plan suggested by Lord Derby, many as can attend will, and as often as to do so? with the approval of Lord Kitchener, possible. Such is the scheme. Now as to Lord Derby.- Most certainly. I put in was, after discussion, endorsed with the method of putting it to the test. I sug- reserve battalions of the Liverpool Regiment enthusiasm. Briefly, the idea is to make gest that at one of your typical big matches because, being Liverpool men, I hope they a test of the crowds attending the big recruiting officers should be placed at suitable will, as far as possible, support their local local matches on Christmas Day and points and hand to such men as in their regiment. Boxing Day, by the distribution among opinion appear to fulfil the conditions of ser- Mr. Clayton.- Is it possible for men to those apparently eligible for service of vice in Lord Kitchener's army a card. choose the arm of the service they will join- some 12,000 postcards to be returned to Whether willing to join or not, recipients the artillery, for instance? Lord Derby. The main purpose, of would be asked to at all events sign the card, Lord Derby.- I understand that at the course, is to secure promises of enlist- which would be posted as addressed to me, present moment the cavalry, the Royal Horse ment when the men are required; but and if as I hope, the response to serve was Artillery, and the Royal Garrison Artillery there is also a secondary object in view- large it would, I think, silence some of the are closed to enlistment; but I dare say I namely, to obtain a rough census of accusations that have now been made about should be able to arrange for anybody who football spectators, showing the reasons footballers. If the result were unfavourable desires to go into them to do so. The Royal why they do not respond to the country's it would show that other methods must be Field Artillery is, however, open. Proceed- call. forthcoming to secure the men Lord Kitchener ing, his lordship said that the thing he was The results will be tabulated, and the wants. most anxious about was that the men should public and the authorities will then have return the cards. They wanted a proper an estimate of how many of our young TEXT OF POSTCARD. census of football spectators, showing who football enthusiasts are (1) able and were eligible, who had been found medically willing to enlist, (2) able but unwilling The postcard would read as follows:- unfit, and who were prevented by their to enlist, (3) medically unfit, and (4) Your Country Wants You employers from joining. The return would prevented from enlisting by pressure (For the duration of the war). possibly take off the attack from football, and from their employers. I promise to join the Reserve of Liverpool possibly justify the existence of the game. It is to be hoped that all the recipients Regiment when called upon to do so. The cards of those willing to enlist would be of the cards will be manly enough to fill Signature ......................... handed over to the military authorities, and them up with the desired information Address ........................... when Lord Kitchener was ready to go on and post them to Lord Derby. If every If unable to sign in affirmative kindly give an intimation would be sent to the men as to man does his duty in the matter there reason for not doing so, and state whether reporting themselves for medical examina- will be a rapid filling-up of the local already rejected for medical reasons. This tion, &c. reserves, and in addition a very fair information will be treated as confidential. estimate will be available on which to If reason is that you cannot be spared by No New Battalion. base judgment in regard to the continua- your employer kindly give employer's name tion of the great winter game during the and address. Asked if any distinctive name like "The war. Name .............................. Pals" would be given to the new recruits, Address ........................... Lord Derby replied in the negative. There was no question of raising new battalions. It Football Director's Sympathy. was just as well that prominence should be given to that fact. They had got, he thought, Mr. Clayton replied:- Speaking on behalf all the battalions they wanted in Lancashire. of the Everton and Liverpool clubs, we beg What they had now to ensure was an ample to thank your lordship for your remarks. In reserve for them. That was why "The Pals" your statement you referred to accusations were being brought up to 250 over strength. against the professional football players and If any of the footballers were found eligible their admirers of lack of patriotism due to they could join "The Pals." their unwillingness to enlist, and we may Mr. Clayton said that there had been an say that the accusations you referred to have excellent response from the members of the for some considerable time given us great Everton and Liverpool football teams, many concern. We are, however, glad to note that of whom had signed the cards. you, with your great knowledge of this sport, The conference then closed. do not consider these charges justified. Under normal conditions, and having regard to the fact that our teams are giving very attractive exhibitions of football, the weekly attendance at our matches would have been greatly in excess of those of former seasons. The war has, however, notwithstanding the extra attractiveness before-mentioned, resulted in our gates being reduced from an average attendance of 30,000 to 44,000, thus plainly demonstrating the large number of our foot- ball supporters who have already enlisted. Small Number Eligible. During the past few weeks we have made a careful examination of the individuals con- stituting our audiences, and we find that only