Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1916-12-15

that great loosely knit empire Where the Greek
church prevails the celebration fortnight
later than ours; that is, on January 7. 1t is ac-
cOmpanied by feastng and by various local Gus
toms The SlOvacs Of Bohemia and Morava have
curious Christmas usages in which superstition
has entirely triumphed religious significance.
This is the great day of the year when the peas
ant appeases all the invisible world of spirits
On the afternoon of Christmas the whole
household marches in solemn procession TO the
stables and houses carrying bread. salt and
beans. These are offered TO the animals with
tain hallowed words. and great is the dismay If
any COW or chicken is Indifferent to the offering.
Returning TO the house. the parents sprinkle
all their unmarried daughters with water sweet
ened with honey. thus insuring them honest. good
tempered husbands. The entire family then sip
of svovtza. a strong native liquor distilled from
plums. A small quantity of this is then poured
on the floor to conciliate such other spirits
may have been overlooked. Everyone then falls
on the Christmas feast without ceremony.
But this year has reached out TO the
mote districts and blighted even such simple
Christmas celebrations this. The of the
families all gone Only the very young and
the very old remain. There will be no blessing
of the kline this year. for there kline to
bless. All have long since gone 70 supply the
army. There viii be Christmas feasting. for
food was long ago reduced TO the smallest quanti-
~ that win sustain life. And every day. in every
village the list of the widowed and orphaned
grows longer and longer. go
Vienna is known as gay nght-hearted city.
Its Christmas observance is ordinarily a happy
combination of religious ceremony and Teutonic
good cheer. But this year the brilliant midnight
masses will he attended by black-robed mourners
and there will be good cheer in Vienna.
The Christmas celebration in all the countries
where the Greek orthodox church prevails
much the same. AS the holiday itself is preceded
by severe fast the Christmas feast takes on a
highly important character In many parts of
Russia. especially in the cities the gft-hung
Christmas tree has been borrowed from the Ger
while pudding of rice and raisns is the
feature of the Christmas eve feast. From this
feast has been taken its GROWING glory. the
vodka bottle.
In only one other part of Europe has the heel
of war pressed so hard as in Russian Poland; in
only one other place has the land been utterly
devastated by fierce and continued fighting; in
only one other place viii the of peace
and good will be such a bitter mockery TO
the hunted and starving Poles.
And this is in Serbia. poor brave, beaten Ser
bia with its whole population. an entire people,
fugitive before hated and terribly feared invad-
ers. During three years Serbia has been swept
by three wars the present one so relentless and
so overwhelming literally TO wipe out the ordi-
nary relationship of the people TO life. They have
ceased TO have homes; they have ceased TO pos
sess property: they must burrow in the earth for
shelter and forage for their uncertain food like
Wild animals. With her army making heroic
md desperate struggle. with her people dying with
heir spirit yet unbroken. the birthday Of the
Prince of Peace win not be celebrated this year
n Serbia.
The sorrows of Belgium this year compared
With last are OF the spirit than of the flesh.
The voice of Christmas OF peace and good will
oes not speak vexy loud TO a captive people.
With its army terribly decimated its beloved king
II but driven out of his own country. with its
ally life subject 10 the scrutiny and the
rol OF a stern captor. there is room In Belgium
or any OF the old light-hearted Christmas spirit
hat used 10 show itself in crowded churches for
Midnight masses and gay all-night supper parties.
'elgium waits as all Europe waits for the end
the war-waits with faith and hope and de-
as grim 1t must be silent
Happily the physical condition of the stricken
eople is better than last year. There is the
.ghtfu confusion. the separation of families.
he pitifu terror and want that went with the
ght before the invaders. All relief
re organized. Belgium is no happier this year
ian last. but she is less cold and hungry.
If the Belgian people again have united
nrstmas they will find themselves with many