To the State Journal:

When a peaceful government like the United States attempts to raise a large army it is inevitable that disappointedments in the selection of officers should occur. Everyone hopes that the organization at Washington has been so perfected that the mistakes at the beginning of our Civil War also at the time of the Spanish American War and of the English government when Austria broke the peace of the world will not be repeated. Nevertheless some confusion is inevitable. It is a part of patriotism to be patient in times like this and to realize that it is not possible humanly speaking, to organize a great army without friction and with entire fairness to all. University officials regret exceedingly that all students and alumni who ahve applied cannot be received in the first selection for reserve officers' training camps. It wishes that the federal government could have found some plan whereby confusion could have been avoided and the young men would not have been encouraged by the government to leave their studies or other occupations in order to endeavor to fit themselves to become officers. Nevertheless the govern ment could have no notion as to how many would offer them- 82 -3 selves and it is in duty bound to select impartially those whom it regards the best fitted for the service. Learning for the first time that there was likely to be disappointment in the matter the Regents sent to the War Department to Senator Hitchcock and to the Commanding General at Chicago practically identical telegrams reading as follows: "It is unofficially reported from sources of weight that some men under twenty-five who have received certificates of suitability may not be selected to attend the Fort Snelling training camp. In view of the fact that approximately two hundred students in the University of Nebraska under that age have discontinued their work in order to enter the camp at Fort Snelling, the Board of Regents respectfully urges the War Department to make all possible endeavors to use all these men in some appropriate capacity in order that they may feel that the sacrifice they have made in interrupt ing their work and offering their services to the government of the United States is duly appreciated." In all cases courteous and sympathetic replies were received but it was evident that no modifications of orders could be obtained. Those who are disappointed therefore in not receiv ing the desired opportunity for an attractive form of service show a very bad spirit in blaming the University which had nothing to do with the selection and an unpatriotic attitude in hastily criticizing the War Department which is doing its best in this time of inevitable confusion. Yours very sincerely, S. Avery