New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-24

clarped their hands for JOY at little things
worth little more than the price OF a loaf
Of bread
Those who gazed Ianguidly at the rich
" dccked tree in the hotel knew not ot
the delight that palmer tree was CIV
ing 10 young and old within the grim
walls Of the dining room Of the deten-
ton building at Ellis Island. Those VINO
were happy at their first Christmas tree
in America were not able 10 see how
their children children In years 10 come
would act Those at the Ritz would
have scorned suggestion that their
forebrars were immigrants. Those at
Ellis Island we're proud that at last they
had reached country where they could
enjoy civil and religious liberty.
Twelve hundred immigrants detained at
Ellis Island for one reason or another
were the guests OF Uncle Sam yesterday
at their first Christmas celebration In the
New World. For some OF those who were
present It was the last because not few
of them are TO be deported, but for others
It was a treat that viii linger long In
their memories, a glimpse Of the way
lulUBS dlt eNill'bllil'r hOii' III @NlA''' 49,
One Song in Many Tongues.
More than a score Of tongues were
spoken by those who assembled In the
vast dining nall, but the words OF "The
Star Spangled Banner had been printed
on slips I'm many languages, and when the
three orchestras began 10 play the
anthem hundreds joined in. and II they
ct, ko al In.
chorus was added to by several hundred
voices composing the New York German
Sangerbund.
When the big crowd assembled IN the
dining hall they saw two large Christmas
trees, upon which were hanging hundreds
of presents and many candles. II was
then that the orchestras struck up The
Star Epangled Banner" and as the strains
of music filled the great hall there fiut-
tered from the roof two great American
flags and two strings of smaller flags rep
resenting every nation on the globe. The
eyes Of those from over the seas rested
for a moment on the Stars and Stripes
and then sought eagerly for the flag OF
the country from which they had come
There was more applause. ard then
stirred 10y memories OF Christmases IN
other lands, no matter that they had been
left behind perhaps forever. not few of
the strangers vert.
And then came the Christmas presents
Not elaborate presents of course. but little
things that would serve TO cheer the
hearts Of the new arrivals. that would
remind them that America at least would
be friendly toward them. and though the
gifts were inexpensive they were more
than came TO some who have been longer
in the land and who have prospered.
Appropriate Presents for All.
Each little child received toy. There
were dolls for the girls and mechanical
toys for the boys, rubber balls for the
small ones and even rattles.
For the women there were brushes and
combs and small pieces OF jewelry, and
for the men briar pipes or IL they did not
smoke a card Of collar buttons or purse
| When the presents had been distributed
( luncheon was served II consisted OF
chicken sandwiches, jelles. candies. fruits
chocolate coffee tea and milk
Addresses were made in different Ian
Guages by the following clersymen who
J look after the interests OF immigrants