Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-26
American Soldiers Join in Celebration to Gladden.
 Little Folk.
FIGHTERS RECEIVE
 GIFTS FROM HOME
Railway Engineers Spend Christmas Eve Under Fire, but Even There Yankees Not Too Busy to De.
 light Children.

uknV SulluFeHs
 With the American Army in France, MonGay, Dee. 24.-tBy The Associated Press. )-The American expeditionary force tonight capitulated to Santa Claus. With a light snow falling throughout the zone, every man in General Pershings army-'dough- boys" cavalrymen, artillerymen, ma rine engineers, mule skinners-stop- ped work as the sun went down and started in to do the bidding of the jovial saint temporarily in command.
 First there was a rush to open the Christmas packages from home. for during the day mail truck after mail truck had arrived in the various towns where the troops are quar- tered, loaded to the top with presents. The mail arrived at the base port late, and extraordinary efforts were made to get it to the soldiers promptly. Many lonely American fighter who had about come to the conclusion that his friends at home had forgotten him had cause to rejoice With their new sweaters on, new pipes in their teeth, some of them skoing fragrant cigars. the men of the army then set to work in earnest, making it merry for the children of France.
 At some distance from the Amer ican zone, the railway engineers at the British front and other engineers at the French front were spending their Christmas eve under fire, but even there the children of nearby neighborhooGs were being cared for. 1t was at the headquarters of the France that the most elaborate enter tainment was held however. Because the church there was pretty small, the Y. M. C. A. hut was commandeered. During the afternoon the American officers and men worked hard erect ing gigantic Christmas tree and dec orating 1t, while sentries posted out side kept inquisitive youngsters at safe distance. Finally the doors were opened and the procession filed in, each little French boy and girl. dressed in his or her best and accom- panied by the mother, or in the cases of the little refugees. whose mothers and fathers are missing, by the Wom- en who are caring for them.
 French Children Delighted.
 There was a tense air of expectancy until the lights were suddenly flashed on the tree and Santa Claus revealed. The revelation was the signal for 2 chorus of shrill, joyful cries from the assembled youngsters, who were all eyes for the tree with its glittering tinsel set off here and there by the customary red. white, green and pur- pie lights Crossed American and French flags were numerously dis played, and from every branch there hung boxes of candy, jumping jacks, candy sticks, drums. dolls and other playthings and plentiful sprinklinS of apples and oranges. Piled high at the base of the tree there were many boxes containing toy soldiers, guns, uniforms. tops, sewing sets, heavy woolen mittens, mufflers, warm coats, dresses and shoes.
 Then the real, live Santa Claus. who in reality was none other than the French interpreter at headquarters, stepped out His springing activity called forth another appreciative chorus from the youngsters. and a host of soldiers standing in the rear, some of them still covered with the mud of the training grounds, joined in the shouts.
 Each gift had been intended to fill as nearly as possible the hearts desire of the individual child, and as quickly as the child's name was called from the box containing the present, the smiling bashful young citizen Of France walked up and received it. Then Santa Claus assistants, who were certain designated soldiers, dis tributed the candy. fruit and small toys to all.
 There were entertainments of sim liar nature throughout the army zone on Christmas eve. while the activities were planned for Christmas day at some places.
 The men themselves, in addition to the presents they received from rela- lives and friends, got many from other sources, such as the Red Cross and the tobacco fund which latter distributed quantities of 'smokes" on behalf of many newspapers in the United States.
 turkey famine many of the units man. aged to purchase number of these birds in France, while others who were less Fortunate were provided with chicken or goose.
 TOMATOES SUPPLANT FLOWERS