made appointments for the distant future. I noticed that
the squad kept pretty close together, as if knowing that soon it must
separate for good. And now, rather seriously, the men are getting ready
for the last Retreat.

(_Evening._)

We have had our final conference, in a little amphitheatre at one side of
the camp. As the dusk fell the General talked to us for the last time. He
took up the subject of preparedness where he left it yesterday--what are
we to do to face an emergency, all our present methods failing, the
emergency, if it comes, sure to be so frightful? The old volunteer system
has broken down in each of our wars--the Revolutionary, the war of 1812,
the Mexican, the Civil. We have seen it, before our eyes, break down in
England now. The volunteer system is unfair--why should one man fight for
another equally fit? It is therefore undemocratic. There is only one
thing left, universal training for all young men, and conscription in war
of all of military age.

Two years ago I should have recoiled from this; a year ago I should have
shaken my head doubtfully. Today I see with relief that there is this
system to save us at need. It will save us whether there is war or, as we
all hope, peace. You know how I have worried over our national future
with this immense immigration, which yearly is less assimilated. The one
thing which will teach the young immigrant American ideals and loyalty to
his new flag, is service with all other young men for the same great
purpose. How can they stand nightly at Retreat before the flag, hear the
"Star Spangled Banner" played, salute the last sight of the colors--how
can they do this for but a single month and not feel pledged forever to
defend the old flag? I tell you, mother, when I realized tonight that
this was our last Retreat something gripped my throat and brought the
water to my eyes. Nor was I the only one, to judge from what I saw about
me.

So when the General asked us, as I suppose he has asked previous
regiments, to vote in favor of universal training, every man of us
shouted Ay!

I have asked some of the squad if they mean to come again next year, in
case the universal training movement does not put the training camps out
of business. The answer is Yes, if they can get away again. Knudsen means
to be in the cavalry; he would have gone with them this year if the
regulations had not required first a peri