The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-01-06
RUSSIANS, CELEBRATING
 THEIR CHRISTMAS, PUT BAN ON TREES


 Russia, for in the domiuions of the Czar, where the old Julian calendar is still in effect. this is the twenty-fourth of December, 1 915, and the New Year is still week distant. In peaceful times few peoples celebrate Christmas with more enthusiasm, or for a longer 1engtb< of time, but the grim fact of war, the prevalence of mourning in so many Russian households, and the absence of millions of husbands, fath4 CTS, sons, brothers and sweethearts will make this Christmas a dreamy festival for most Russian families
 One change in Christmas customs brought about. by the war is the plac- ing ofthe ban upon the Christmas tree by the auth critics of the Russian Or thodox church. The reason set forth in the official promulgations on the subject is that the Christmas tree GUS tunn is of pagan ori gin. The real req son, and the one that appeals strongly to the Russian masses, is that the GUS tom originated in Germany, and spread thence to other. lands. Hatred of all things German has become a cult in Russia, and the abolition of the Christmas tree is one of it's fruits.
 As a substitute for the fir tree, the Russians will make use this year of huge stars of crossed pieces of wood, decorated with tinseI and co1ored paper. This star is symbolic of the Star of Bethlehem, and it is likely that it will permanently replace the tree as a medium for conveying g 1uminated with candles.
 In peaceful times the Russian Christmas was characterized by a vast consumption of vodka, and a. Christ was without that stimu1ant would have seemed unthinkabIe./ For all ex- cept a favored few, however, this Christmas in Russia will be entirely dry, as every form of alcoholic bev- craze is prohibited This aridity is enforced. by the military authorities, and, while a few wealthy people may be permitted to smuggle into their homes small quantities of liquor, the peasants will have to be content with coffee and tea as beverages.
 In those parts ofNRussia unaffected by war it is said that the peasantry are more prosperous than ever be- fore, and this is attributed to their enforced abstinence from vodka Much of the. money saved in this way has gone to the purchase of gifts for the women and children. but this material prosperity will not atone for the loss of loved ones.
 Thousands upon thousands of Rus sian men-just how many; will not be known unL11 Cn0 WS1I- IS OESI--W III pass this Christmas as prisoners of the Ger mans The Russian captiyes have. been employed in all of activities, and have had to work long hours at the most arduous toll. but it is likely that, following the precedent established a, year ago. they will be given a holiday tomorrow.
 This is also Christmas Eve for the peoples of the Balkan States-tke un- happiest Christmas Eve ina aginable for the women and children of stricken Serbia, who were left behind to care for the villages and farms when the men retreated before the Germans, Austrians and Bulgarians. These unfortunate women and young sters, especially in the more remote districts, are entirely at the mercy of the rowing bands of brigands who now infest Serbia
 The sBulgarians, flushed with their victories over the Serbians, will have a really merry Christmas in strange contrast to that of the neighbors they helped to vanquish. For the Bu1gars the Christmas season is known as Int white peace,'' as it has long been their custom, when engaged in quarrels or wars, to declare a truce at this time.
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