The Monticellonian., 1917-12-14
against the Teutonic powers from all
 possible fronts will be approved and


 put into effect.
 In the foregoing are included the definite proposition which military opinion here seems to think will quick : on the war impulse of the United States and will aid materially in bringing the conflict to an earlier con clusion than might be reached under present circumstances. It seems finally assured that congress will unite Uncle Sans hands to give him freedom to use both fists against all the enemies of his country. A declaration of war against Austria. Bulgaria and Fur key. military men say. will enable the United States to round up foreign spies and agtators who just now seem to he immune because they are sub jects of countries with which we are not at war
 There have been a dozen political diplomatic considerations to enter into the situation as it concerns itself with war on the three powers with which today America is supposed to be at peace. while actually at enmity. It is believed that the fear of becoming em- broiled in Balkan politics and in "fur- key in Europe" troubles and some oJh- CT things that has been one of the moving factors In keeping the United States from moving"
 Today It Is said by men who seem to have had access to the information closets that the administration and all its departmental branches realize that it Is better to face diplomatic diff culties in the future than to allow Germany to overcome the world and to answer all political questions from her own viewpoint and at her own will In other words. the feeling finally has become fixed that no matter what hap pens so far as politics is concerned. the kaiser must be licked, and licked hard, In order to save the democracy Of France, England and Italy, and last and greatest, that of the United States.
 Arrly men seem to feel that when the United States begins to treat ep- emy aliens and traitors caught red handed in devils work in the newiy delineated military zones, there prob ably will be stoppage of the destruc ton of ships, factories and of food stuffs. A few trials with their Sen- tences quickly carried out, 1t ts held, will put an end to depredations h short order.
 Great Work by Crowder's Office.
 Provost Marshal General Enoch H. Crowder is waiting the events to fol- low the installation of the new selee- tive service regulations and the all-em- bracing questionnaire to regiStrants.
 There has been constructive and in part perhaps destructive criticism of many of the branches of the govern ment since the United States entered vost marshal general has not been im- mune from criticism of individuals, but in q general way the work that 1t has done has received the praise of the people.
 If study, care and extreme thought fulness can make for success of the preparations for the next drafts, then success is certain to come with the same fulness with which il was meted out in the first high instance.
 No one who has not been in daily touch with the office of the provost marshal general can appreciate the magnitude of the work with which this officer of the service has been confront ed from the first The new seleetive service regulations which today are in the hands of every local board in the country were prepared to meet every possible case, and contingency which may arise. If anything has been over looked it managed to escape notice while q score of pairs of trained eye were on watch.
 General Crowder and his staff of of ficers subjected themselves to a ques- tionnaire on their own account. It may be said that in effect a school was established in the generals office. Ev- cry question which it was conceivable that anyone might ask was given con- sideration and the answer was forth coming. The matter was viewed not only from the questioning standpoint of the man who might be drafted, but from that of every official connected in any way with the service of drafting and from that of every person of what ever kind or class who might take an interest in the service subject.
 Law, rules and regulations are the foundations of the selectiye service op- erations It has been the attempt of General Crowder, soldier and lawyer, and of his assistants, also soldiers and lawyers, to strip bare the book of in- formation of all technicalities and con- fusing verbiage.
 The country perhaps has no concep- ton of the tremendous volume of cor respondence which flowed between the public and the office of the provost marshal general at the time of the preparation for the first draft and dur ing the weeks which succeeded it.
 The correspondence of the provost marshal generals office was so tremen- dous that 1t taxed almost to the break ing point the energies of the officers and stenographers who worked within the walls of these Washington army quarters. It Is the belief and the hope apparently of the provost marshal gen erals office that, with seemingly every possible question answered in some part of the regulations which have been forwarded to the governors and to the local boards, the persons who are in doubt about anything will ap- peal to their board members or to any other competent authority willing to