The Clio messenger., 1918-11-15
WAR RELIEF AGENCIES TAKE
YULETIDE INTO CAMPS IN
FRANCE.
SANTA CLAUS TO BE THERE
Funds Raised BY United War WORK
Campaign VIII Aid In Cheering
Soldiers.


that shakes when he laughs like
bowl full of jelly" is going to pay his
nrst visit to France.
The French children have never
known so real or lovable a character
as Santa Claus. Their Christmas has
consisted of leaving their little sabots
in the chimney corner while some kind
spirit came in the night and left a gift
there. But this Christmas will be Wis
ualized for them in a manner they
can never forget.
Inside the funny red suit and wear
ing the snowy beard and wig may
be a Y. NJ. C. A. or Knights OF Colum-
bus Secretary, a Jewish Welfare or
Salvation Army man, for the service
organizations are going to take an
American Christmas to France, the
last one on the other side OF the At
lantic. Oh, yes, it is too. the last war
time Christmas.
The organizations will be guided In
their Christmas program by the one OF
last year, except that II will be more
extensive and much more elaborate.
When our boys were asked last sea.
son what they wanted most for Christ.
mas, they replied with one voice
"children."
Who could conceive Of a real Christ.
mas without children? Not any mem.
ber Of the A. K. II. certainly.
"You might Just as well include the
children in whatever you plan." the
Canteen Girl warned the Christmas
Committee when II met in Paris. III
you don't. the boys will make their
own Christmas. They miss the little
ones at home and will find substitutes
In the French babies" And the Can.
teen Girl knew because she spent the
previous Christmas in a heavy artil.
lery camp somewhere in France" So
this year the French children are In.
cluded in the festivities as a matter
OF course.
1.-THE Flag"
The hut was as near a dream as one
could be with a mud floor. no glass
in the windows, very little heat, and
many, many rats. But holly and mis-.
tletoe were used without stint. Bright
banners and posters adorned the walls,
and the fag-"THE FLAG, the Brit.
ish say we call 1t, "as II there were
no other nag"-was suspended over
the canteen counter In a frame of ivy
while rays from an electric lamp cast
from a reflector fell on its glittering
stars.
Army trucks arrived loaded with
children gathered up for miles around
The poilus came from the camp across
the way. and all the guests were there
The Chaplain made an address OF
welcome in his faltering, French. then
suddenly two hundred childish voices
pitched high In their excitement, sang
all four verses of the Marseillaise. In.
stantly every cap was off, and three
thousand artillerymen stood stiffly al
attention. A burst Of applause, fol.
lowed by the singing of THE Star
Spangled Banner!"
Then the real fun began.
This little picture is painted from
last years celebration and is a sam.
pie Of hut Christmas
Early In the morning of this grea,
holiday, the generals, colonels and all
the other officers will be awakened by
Christmas carols sung by khaki Glad
of hAu
gathered In the huts. the religion :
services will be held First a Mass
will be said by Catholic Priest,
then, perhaps a Rabbi will talk to his
boys. and later the Protestant minis,
ter will hold worship.
In all the hu;s Will be plenty ii.
Xmas cards supp led by the agencies
for the boys to send the folks nj,
home. And for soldiers in out of the
way places. cards will be issued,
with the compliments of the servica
agencies, which will entitle them to
a certain amount OF smokes and eats
at any hut canteen.
But the real Christmas gift from
the agencies will be a booklet con
tanning some OF the wonders of Am
erica. There will be a picture Of the
highest building In New York, beauty
spots OF Yellow Stone Park and i'm
portant points In American history
The French believe everything the
Americans tell them but the English
are apt to be dubious at times,
"Come now, said an English
Tommie. you cawn't expect me ue
believe that stun about a ffty.ons
story BUILDING In New York, YOU
know"
After they get this book the sol
diers will be able to convince these
"doubting Thomases" II they have q
make 'em count the stories.
Make your Christmas present 4;
him through the fifteen thousand mer
and women wearing the service uni
form by giving your share OF the