British Canada, generally speaking, supports conscription. French Canada is almost solidly opposed, but interest and most exciting political campaign in dominion history is in prospect. Upon the result depends the continuance in power of the present conservative government and the enforcement of the compulsory military service act.
The leading liberal opposition is Sir Wilfrid Laurier, ex-premier and the idol of the French Canadians of the elimination of Canada as a fight for the continent. Canada must raise 100,000 more men and do it quickly.
The province of Quebec. A brilliant speaker and a masterly politician, Laurier is bending every effort to bring to his standard all the elements in Canada disaffected with the den regime. Already however, he has to face the non-French Canadian refusal of 22 liberals in the house from Ontario and the western provinces to follow him in his anti-conscription battle. What strength those conservatives liberal party "bolters" can take with them to the polls has become one of the big question marks of the campaign, its answer may be the final decision. On the part of the conservatives, they have had to face minor but very significant desertions from French-Canadian conservatives.
Great Army at the Front Canada has 406,000 enlisted men. 