tinues. A "hundred miles
from Moville we turned back, and headed South for Queenstown; thence to
the Channel; put in at Portland; a squadron of battleships; arrived here
this morning."

The problem presented itself to him as to many another. The decision was
made. To go back to America was to go back from the war. Here are the
words: "It seems quite impossible to return, and I do not think I
should try. I would not feel quite comfortable over it. I am cabling to
Morrison at Ottawa, that I am available either as combatant or medical
if they need me. I do not go to it very light-heartedly, but I think it
is up to me."

It was not so easy in those days to get to the war, as he and many
others were soon to discover. There was in Canada at the time a small
permanent force of 3000 men, a military college, a Headquarters staff,
and divisional staff for the various districts into which the country
was divided. In addition there was a body of militia with a strength of
about 60,000 officers and other ranks. Annual camps were formed at which
all arms of the service were represented, and the whole was a very good
imitation of service conditions. Complete plans for mobilization were
in existence, by which a certain quota, according to the establishment
required, could be detailed from each district. But upon the outbreak
of war the operations were taken in hand by a Minister of Militia who
assumed in his own person all those duties usually assigned to the
staff. He called to his assistance certain business and political
associates, with the result that volunteers who followed military
methods did not get very far.

Accordingly we find it written in John McCrae's diary from London:
"Nothing doing here. I have yet no word from the Department at Ottawa,
but I try to be philosophical until I hear from Morrison. If they want
me for the Canadian forces, I could use my old Sam Browne belt, sword,
and saddle if it is yet extant. At times I wish I could go home with a
clear conscience."

He sailed for Canada in the 'Calgarian' on August 28th, having received
a cablegram from Colonel Morrison, that he had been provisionally
appointed surgeon to the 1st Brigade Artillery. The night he arrived in
Montreal I dined with him at the University Club, and he was aglow with
enthusiasm over this new adventure. He remained in Montreal for a few
days, and on September 9th, joined the unit to which he was attached as
medical officer. Before leaving