The Monticellonian., 1917-10-19
By EDWARD B. CLARK.

Washington. = Military censorship has not forbidden the publication of a story from one of Uncle Sam's great training camps established for seiec- tive service men, to the effect that the chances are the thousands of young men gathered together for the first time in this particular cantonment will be sent to France before the winter is half over.
 This story. which reaches the public with the taeit approval of the war de- partment makes 1t seem certain that the prospects have frightened for the thorough equipment of all our young soldiers at a much earlier date than it was supposed would be the case.
 The camp concerning which the story of comparatively early depar- ture to France was written is located In Maryland, but there is no reason to suppose that its personnel will be further advanced in their training than will be the case with the young men In the other training places scattered throughout the country. Therefore it would seem that the logical military conclusion is that Uncle Sam's men of the new National army are to go to France much earlier than it was thought would be the case.
 It is said that when the story of only four months training on this side in- stead of the expected six months was spread through the camp, the young soldiers who had been in the service only few days at best hailed the re- port with cheers. It still seems true that the spirit of the men of the new army apparently is just as high as that of the regulars and the National Guardsmen
 Regulars May Be Fighting soon
 In this connection it can be said that there is a feeling in Washington to- day that Uncle Sam's regulars now in France probably will be found on the fighting line before the snow begins to bank up about the trenches. It was late in June when report was received on this side of the landing in France of the first large armed body of American troops.
 Our men in France under Generals Pershing and Sibert started their in- tensive training back of the lines about July l. Therefore they now have had three months of seasoning. of bayonet exercises, of trench digging. of bomb throwing and of general instruction along all the lines which the methods of modern warfare travel. The men today are at the highest pitch of their speed and some military men here be- lieve they soon must get action or, like athletes. they will "grow stale"
 It is the hard military logic of the thing which leads one to say that our soldiers probably will get active fight ing service more quickly than most people thought would be the case Nc military secret Is disclosed when this is written. because the Germans have known that our troops are in France and they. being wise as other nations in military sense. know that men cannot be kept going at top speed for ever in a training way. They must be allowed to see some of the results of their work and so it is believed in
 
 read a story of an engagement in France in which our troops took part.
 Their Sector Not Revealed.
 Nobody on this side knows, and if he did he would not tell, on just what part of the line the American troops now in France will be given their first baptism of fire. The Germans unques- fn So if they were given an advance notice it is to be taken for granted they would be met by check if not by ac- tual defeat. The Germans would work for the moral effect as well as for the military effect of the thing.
 Army officers seemingly wish to have the American people understand that it is a terrible ordeal for troops who never have been under fire to plunge into battlefield where the fire is cer- tain to be terrific It takes all the re- serve forces that man has to keep him steady under the conditions. Later when he is seasoned he recks little, so army officers say. of danger and of the noise and tumult of the battle, but as the old saying goes in the American army. 'it takes six months training and two fights to make a regular.'
 Effects of Lansine's Disclosures.
 The letters and telegrams in punches of scores and hundreds which have been coming in to the various departments in Washington attest, so the recipients say, the belief of the people that the disclosures of the secretary of state concern ing German intrigue within the bor- ders of this country are bearing fruit in making the American people under stand thoroughly that the war must be carried to the end of Hohenzolernism. l In fact there are words in these let ters and dispatches which make 1t seem that the country is aroused as never before to the necessity of driv- i ing the war to a conclusive end. The 1 administration unquestionably is 1 pleased over the determination which ]