The courier-index., 1917-09-28

line by the early spring of 1918, when ] the world is confidentially looking ! forward to the final gigantic thrust that is destined to bring triumph mt victory to the allied cause.
 The railroad facilities are taxed to bring these men in from Arkansas, Louisiana. Mississippi and Alabama, and as their coaches arrive on the various roads, they are switched direct to the Camp Pike line and taken to their quarters for regis tration. inspection and quarentine. They are formed into provisional units according to their locality, and not indiscriminately, as some imag- inc The men from each state are put in the same regiments as nearly as practicable, and those from the various sections of the state are organized into companies. This will keep the neighbors and friends to- gether and thereby strengthen the morale of the resultant organiza- tions But Arkansas men will not be placed in command of Arkansas troops. The officefs will be taken from other states, for by this means it has been demonstrated that the best results are obtained.
 The first training is the most diff
 icult for the man who comes direct from the blow, the counter or the work bench finds that he is not readily adapted to the rigorous same ness of camp life and drill ground. But they will learn. Eight hours day, six days a week, will soon make military machines of them, and the nondescript mob will be merged into the ranks or rhythmic marchers before whom the armies of the Teu- ton foe must tremble. The officers trained in the training camps of last summer are assigned to the task of whipping them into military con- dition Thousands of squads for weeks will be drilling all over Camp Pike, and form the squad they will pass to the platoon, thence to the company, and eventually into the larger units.
 The experience through which the nation is passing now has forever discredited the theory held by many until recently that a great army of effective fighting men could be called irto action over night for the pro- tection of the country form invasion or insurrection. Such body of men would be nothing but an armed, ir- responsible mob, however willing and patriotic An army is a rigidly CO., ordinated fighting machine, and not a tumble of wheels and shafts and pulleys Great things have been ac- complished in a few months, and greater things are probable, not the least of which is to transform a peace loving people into tan armed camp.
 Orders are expected at any time for the exemption boards to proceed with the examination of all men Of the selective draft age, so that the physically unfit may be exempted and the status of all others fixed, | that they may be ready for call to the colors at any time The pros pect of a second early call for 5OO,O0O more men is already causing some conjecture as to how many men there will be available in the less than ten million registrants, con sidering the very large proportion ot exemptions. especially under the mar ried men ruling of the provost gen. eral
 %*$%
 A great drive is to be made this week all over the state to secure contributions for the sl0,OoO war Liberty fund to be raised in Arkan- sas. The National Council Is en- deayoring to raise s1,000,O00 for the purpose, and reports coming from various states indicate that It may be oversubscribed. Gov. Brough and the State Council appointed by him