Omaha daily bee., 1914-12-27
ALL BOW DOWN TO
KHAKI AND BLUE
Christmas Day in London Devoted
Almost Entirely to Recognition
Of the Soldiers.
sEoE.CoMs" EVEN RECOGNIZED
Ragardea ne Matter worthy Of Note
that They Arc Seen MinEIinG
with Officers In Cafes
aud Hotels.

LONDON, Dec. 26.-Christmas OF 1919
Wi long be remembered IN Great Brl-
tain as a military Christmas. Every
where throughout the island men In
Khaki and In blue were the object OF at
teDtion and admiration.
There was a great decrease in the Gus
Aomary railway crowds OF civilians visit
ing their homes for family REUNIONS, but
almost the usual number OF trains was
running.
The cars were filled with soldiers and
sailors taking a brief leave TO visit their
families and all were travelling on
passes. Many thousands OF volunteers
from the training camps and a consider
able contingent from the continent and
the feet had two or three days for a
holiday at their homes, and the whole
country seemed 10 swarm with unlforms.
Canadians Are Prominent.
London particularly was full OF soldiers.
Conspicuous among them were several
thousand Canadians from Salisbury
plains. Christmas Ia London is Sabbath
Ike because ali the theaters are closed
and the hotels and public houses keep
Sunday hours. Tho few hours OF day
right, however. were almost bright. which
a q rare phenomenon in an English
winter. and the soldiers and sailors ap-
pearod to find amusement In tramping
The streets and the parks from the fash
Aonabls West End to the suburbs.
Family parties taking an afternoon
stroll generally had a youth In khaki or
blue az the central object escorted by
admiring relatives. Dinner in the big
hotels was notable for the presence OF
the military, and an unusual feature was
khe presence OF men in non-commlbsloned
uniforms. who have even been nilngllng
hath officers.
Loaded with Gifts.
All ranks OF the troops at the front
and in the home camps were loaded down
. with presents. Princess MAry's fund for
Christmas gifts amounted 20 nearly
ssoaOn. while there were numerous funds
for tobacco. buildings and other luxu-
E1es raised by newspapers and societies
Even the German military prisoners
and civilians in the concentration camps
had Christmas trees and Sits from home
and from wealthy Germans ia England.
Tho German Young Mems Christian assoc
riation and the English Quakers devoted
special care TO the prisoners.
Hundreds OF British and belgian
wornded IN the hospitals were the re-
ripisnts OF many attentions. Three
thousand Belgian refugees In the Earis
Court exhibition buildings wero given
christmas dinner and at night a huge
Christmas tree was presented 70 them by
kerd Salisbury. Twenty-Five hundred
pf thssri In Alexandra palace had q sim
eiar celebration.
Theater PantomGsas. ~
Tomorrow. known In England as box-
ing day secs the beginning OF pantominneo
NJ several large theaters. Some oc the
show houses are giving free matlnSss
eof soldiers and sailors.
A special COMMITTEES formed TO watch
conditions OF distress In London has re-.
ported that there is less pauperism and
Unemployment In the city than on any
Christmas IN thirty years. This IL due
60 the large enlistment In the army. May
Of the workers making room for the I'M
employed.
Nevertheless. the general atmosphere
was one OF sadness rather than that OF
hilarity. Economy was the watchword
OF the day. Christmas trees come from
Germany and misuetoe comes from
France. hence there was a notable scar
city OF both. Christmas turkeys had
slightly increased In prices. but fruit was
cheaper than usuaI owing 70 the smaller
continental demand.
King sends Message.
King George and Queen Mary sent mes
sages and sent Christmas cards with
their portraits 20 every soldier and sailor.
Attendance at the churches was notably
large Dean Ingeg at st. Pkurs. spoke
Of the Anglo-American peace centenary.
Referring 10 the cana6ian-Amefican
boundary. he said
Tor hundred years America end
Canada have been at peace. A true
peaeo-nos watching and snarling al eaoi
Dther Ike two iilbred dogs That Il
Soinsthins 20 thank God for on Christ.
mas day. There are millions In Europ.
who look 70 America as a land OF hop,
and think they are justified in doin,
%. One cannot spend a'week in America