The Washington times., 1917-12-25
FRENCH TOTS
GLADDENED
BY AMERICAN
SANTA CLAUS
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY
IN FRANCE, Dec. 25.-A twenty
one-year-old Santa Claus took "com-
Inand" Of the American army on
Christmas eve and will retain con-
troll until tonight
Generals, colonels, majors, and
everybody down the line to the
humblest doughboy are obeying his
orders and are working like beav-
ers to provide a merry Christmas for
= the thousands of little French chill
dren whose fathers will never come
home for them again to play Santa
Clause.
Drink Toasts in Camps.
There were big Christmas dinners
at all of the camps, where French.
British and American officers drank
toasts to the success Of the allied
cause.
1t was the day OF the big feed" for
the doughboys. and there was much
hustle unpacking packages OF Christ
mas gifts.
But the outstanding feature of this
first Christmas that an American
army has ever spent on European soil
was the whole-hearted way in which
the officers and men Of the various
organizations devoted practically the
whole day to the task OF bringing
happiness to the poor little children
Of war-harried France.
"BIE show" Last Night.
The first entertainment on a large
scale was held on Christmas eve in
the headquarters towns OF the division
first to arrive in France. Finding ID
Impossible to secure the use of the
church the officers borrowed the big
Y. NJ. c. A. hut for the celebration.
Santa Claus arrived in this town on
Monday afternoon and set to work i'm
mediately with the assistance OF an
American colonel, a major. and several
privates, assisted by a British cap
tain and several French officers
Meanwhile sentries were posted
about the building shooing away the
curious, because the work was not to
be interrupted. French youngsters.
whose curiosity had been aroused TO
the highest pitch by the announce
ment of big Christmas doings" were
20 excited that they could hardly re-
strain themselves.
They Jabbered in French like little
magpiea, and made unsuccessful ef-
forts to run the blockade"
Children Flock In.
When the doors were opened at Z
o'clock more than 100 village chill
dren Of varying ages, from tiny
toddlers to husky red-cheeked boys
of twelve and thirteen, fled into the
building IN orderly fashion, escorted
by their mothers or, in the case OF
ang for them The lights were sud
denly flashed on and at one end OF
the hut there arose an excited chorus
Of childish voices crying "Ooh la la"
There stood = big Christmas tree
at least thirty feet high glittering
with tfnsel and lighted up by scores
Of candles.
At the top Of the tree were the
American and French flags. inter
tvined, while the tree was just loaded
down with drums, horns, dolls, jump
ing Jacks, and every other conceivable
kind OF toys. Around the base were
piled boxes OF toy soldiers, toy ami
mails, red and yellow tops, sewing
sets for the older girls. and sacks
containing candy. nuts. and fruits.
Also there were Jackets and muffiers
and warm wooden mittens. for the
weather is cold in France and the
people have not money with which to
provide themselves with warm cloth
ing.
There was another cry. more ex-
cited than before, from the assembled
children, when a real, live Santa Claus
from the good Did L s. A. logged up
in his furs and beard. stepped out !
from behind the tree.
His real job is interpreter at di-
visional headquarters bu, he made
perfect Santa and II he ever loses his
job he can be sure OF getting another
one driving a set OF Ieindeers on
Christmas eve.