IT

CONCENTRATION.

T is an accepted fact that a divided mind offers a splendid breeding ground for discontent and unhappiness—and that the quickest way to reach a definite goal is by active concentration upon it, to the exclusion of all irrelevant material. The greatest immediate problem of Yale University as an institution of learning, is to find a means of keeping men in college. The R. O. T. C., although it has accomplished much in other respects, has completely failed in this regard, for in spite of all statements to the contrary, it is not, and at present cannot be the most important thing to its members, who are constantly turning from drill to the classroom from military art to Pictorial Art. Either the curriculum or the R. O. T. C. must suffer, and in the majority of cases it has been both.

The root of the whole trouble lies in the fact that the attainment of a degree is essentially a peace pursuit, and war and peace cannot be mingled. So long as the attempt to combine these two diverse elements is persisted in, undergraduates in increasing numbers will give up the fruitless struggle and continue to leave college to enter the ranks.

At present we are not considering the individual, who is always given the privilege of deciding for himself which way his duty lies. We are considering the University, which, in order to maintain comparative intactness, and to realize its

traditional ideals, must find some way of quieting the troubled waters and settling the unhealthy ferment which threatens greater disorganization as time goes on.

As a purely utilitarian measure it is necessary for Yale to offer more attractions to the undergraduate, if it means to keep him in college for a length of time sufficient for him to derive benefit from the excellent advantages offered by the R. O. T. C. Under present conditions, there is no denying that these attractions must be of a military nature. When one hungers for an opportunity to take his place as a trained soldier in active service beside his fellows, he can hardly be expected to evidence even an average interest in the subjects of peace.

Radical steps must be taken and a definite method of operation decided upon before the reopening of College next fall. Perhaps the sanest suggestion for effecting the purpose of the University is one which found its source in a recent discussion among a group of Seniors. It is, in short, as follows: 1, That the University be divided into two separate departments: one military, and one Academic or Scientific; 2, that the military department offer a course (including such studies as French, physics, mathematics and the like) of three years' duration, leading to a commission, and that members of this department be regularly enlisted and subject to military discipline; 3, that the college or scientific department be a four-year course entirely separated from the military, as in peace times; and 4, that provided the war be terminated before the completion of the R. O. T. C. course, the members be permitted to transfer to the second department with full credit toward a degree for the time spent in the military department.

It will be seen that this definite line of demarcation between the departments would obviate the evils arising from the present futile vacillation between the two extremes, curriculum and military work. The regular academic and scientific courses given with an idea of their military end in view, in connection with the purely military work would total a sufficient number of hours to justify the University in crediting them toward a degree, if peace should be declared within the three years prescribed for the course.

The success of such a project depends largely upon the decision reached by the powers that reign in Washington, but there seems to be little doubt that such a complete course will lead to a direct commission upon its conclusion. At any rate, the University cannot continue to serve two masters. The plan, revolutionary as it is, is a good one, and distinctly worth the serious consideration of undergraduate and the Corporation alike.

Philip Barry.

WAR SECTION

CONVOYED.

August 18, 1917.

DEAREST M▬▬ :

Į am in Paris again, this time on my seven days' leave. I had planned to go on a trip through the valley of the Loire, as I told you before, but before leaving camp I found out definitely that I could go to the transport officers' training camp at Meaux and as they weren't sure just when it would begin I had to stay here where they could get hold of me in case it began before my permission was ended.

Since I have been here I have inquired all over the place about an artillery school for reserve U. S. officers, but it still looks like an impossibility for me to get into it and so I shall go to Meaux and play safe on that, hoping to have something else turn up later. Not that I intend to slight that training in the least; I shall do as well as I can in it, for that may help me later.

Paris is just the same old place. P—C—— and I run around seeing the sights and looking for inexpensive restaurants. We are getting our rooms free, bunking with a few dozen other permissionaires in an old chapel loaned to the service, yet even then it is hard to eat within twelve or fifteen francs a day. The best place we have found yet is Duval's; maybe you remember them-clean little restaurants.

Some time I hope to meet some French people of the better class, and really form a fair judgment of this nation. All we see are those walking around the streets-and I am afraid we judge the French by them. The same beautiful shops are here, and I wish we would hurry up and be taken over by the army so that I could draw some pay and get some Christmas presents for you and Spot and Bunch.

C— B—— is here and trying to get into departmental work in artillery. If he once gets in he thinks he will be able to get into active service in spite of his heart, but I am afraid he will find he is mistaken.

It is nearly time for me to meet P and go to the Latin Quarter for lunch, so I'll say good-bye for this time. Much love to Spot, Bunches and all those other dear people.

DEAREST M-:

August 26, 1917.

Yesterday morning about one o'clock I reached camp—after walking from our nearest railroad station-about three miles. -and found ten letters for me from you, L. S. and S. There was nothing to it but to "swipe" a candle and spend the next hour reading them. Then I had to get up at 4:30 so as to find out where my trunk and blankets were before the whole section left in convois, so that I could pack up and get ready to leave for Meaux.

Then last night I took the train for the camp, and here I am in the lap of luxury, as it were, the second round of this ladder of promotion, right ahead of six weeks' training. I say "lap of luxury" because that is what it is. Seated on my small camp stool I can look down the row of cots in the barrack, each cot with sheets as well as blankets. Real sheets, Mud, and to celebrate I have also hung up my one and only pair of pajamas, where, like a candle, they can light up the whole room. The one meal I have had here was very good, and we have our shoes shined every morning by a valet. This army life is certainly hard for would-be officers! But-ah, here's the fly in the ointment-we rise at five o'clock. That sounds like real work, doesn't it, and I hope it means real work, for that is, of course, what we came here for.

What I'll be when I get out of here, I don't know; there are many rumors, but it will probably end by those who prove that they can be officers, getting the commissions. As Mr. M once said, "just because a cat has kittens in the oven, that doesn't mean they're biscuits." Some rumors have it that when we are taken over (that also is as definite as "somewhere