et cetera, by day and night. Supply train organizations were instructed in the transportation of supplies, by day and night. Engineer trains received special instruction in handling the technical material pertaining to the engineer troops, by day and night. Sanitary train organizations specially trained in care and evacuation of sick and wounded, transporting, setting-up and maintenance of field hospitals, under conditions of open warfare and trench warfare, by day and night.

were

In their third month of training, all trains were instructed in liaison with the other arms of the division, in com

the new forms of organization had given them. All of these things the Allied instructors taught us and impressed upon us.

Bayonet training, of course, gives a desire for close combat, and a sense of personal power to the man who is well trained. Certain kinds of games, that make a man more alert, quick and strong on his feet, are very valuable in training. Everything possible must be done to increase the self-respect of the men, to teach them to salute as thoughthey were proud of their profession, and to cause them to take a real pride in being soldiers of the nation.

IME NECESSARY FOR THE FULLEST

bat problems and manœuvres by day T MEASURE OF SUCCESS.

The fundamental principles of warfare are as old as time, but methods of combat change with the introduction of new kinds of weapons and with our increased knowledge of the use of terrain. For this reason it was essential to have instructors who were familiar with modern methods of combat. These instructors were furnished by the Allies and they were of inestimable value to us in our efforts to prepare for the struggle. They impressed upon the men and officers, especially the latter, the underlying principle of reinforcing hard-pressed points not by men but by fire, that is, by the use of automatic rifles and machine guns.

Our officers had not, as a class, learned to appreciate this. Nor had they sufficient knowledge of the handling of platoon and company by modern methods to realize what a wonderfully effective instrumentality

The efficiency of the divisional training will be very largely measured by the amount of time which is available for this work. The doing of things over and over again, under varying conditions of weather, terrain, by day and night, is what makes a highly effective divisional fighting unit pliable, resourceful and competent to adjust itself properly to any problem which may confront it.

The foregoing represents the general procedure which is found most effective for training American divisions for the war of position and the war of movement, as exemplified during the recent war. The building up of morale and the keeping of the elements of a division together, making it an organization instead of an aggregation, cannot be too strongly emphasized.

The training of a division is a big job and an interesting one, and if properly done, insures good Discipline, Efficiency, mutual Respect and Confidence between Officers and Men.

The Course of the War During 1917

NO IMMEDIATE DECISION IS APPARENT THOUGH THE WHOLE WORLD IS IN ARMS

THE year 1917 was a year of alter

nate exultation and depression for both sides, but as it closed the deadlock was unbroken. All Europe was tired of war, but in spite of openly manifest war-weariness no one could prophesy when the end would come. During 1916 military leaders had had full opportunity to reach a decision, but had failed. The peace-makers attempted to end the struggle in 1917, with no better success.

HE FIRST PEACE PROPOSAL BY THE

THCENTRAL POWERS.

Just before the end of 1916 (December 12) the Central Powers proposed a Peace Conference without cessation of hostilities, or suggesting any basis of discussion. Their proposal was forwarded to the Entente Powers by the neutrals to whom it was addressed, and, on December 30, a joint reply signed by Russia, France, Great Britain, Japan, Italy Belgium, Montenegro, Portugal and Rumania was returned declaring that no peace was possible without reparation.

President Wilson had prepared a note inquiring upon what terms the belligerent powers were prepared to make peace, before the publication of the note of the Central Powers. With some hesitation it was published on December 18. To it the Central Powers returned an evasive answer. The

Entente nations, on the other hand, declared that while they could not give specific details of their demands, the groundwork must include restoration of Belgium, Serbia and Montenegro with compensation; evacuation of the invaded portions of France, Russia and Rumania, with reparation; the reorganization of Europe upon a stable basis; the expulsion of the Turk; and the liberation of subject peoples. At the same time they disclaimed the desire to destroy German nationality.

STRIA-HUNGARY SECRETLY NEGOTI

AUSTRIA FOR PEACE.

Austria-Hungary had suffered more than Germany because of less efficient organization, and was less united in sentiment. During the spring of 1917 secret peace negotiations with the Allies were undertaken. The whole truth is not yet known, but apparently King Alfonso of Spain, a relative of the Austrian Emperor, was delegated to approach France. A brother of the Empress, Prince Sixtus of Bourbon, himself a soldier in the Belgian army, made one or more visits to Austria, and conferred with representatives France in Switzerland. Mutual distrust, fear of Germany, and finally the collapse of Russia which gave new heart to the Austrian rulers, all had something to do with the failure of the negotiations.

of

SCOTTISH PRISONERS IN A GERMAN PRISON CAMP

There seems to be no doubt but that British prisoners were treated with especial severity by their German captors, but it was a point of honor among them not to weaken. This group of Scotch prisoners seem to be keeping up their spirits in spite of poor and insufficient food, and the general hardness of their lot.

BARRACKS AT THE PRISON CAMP AT DÖBERITZ

The Döberitz prison camp was about twenty miles from Berlin. Here some of the barracks were of metal. At some camps there were wooden structures and stables, warehouses and other buildings were used at other places. Many English were confined at Döberitz including a large part of the Naval Brigade captured at Antwerp early in the war. Apparently these are civilians, who were, however, usually sent to Ruhleben.

Ruschin