Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-26

New York, Dec. 25-New York to- day celebrated it's greatest Christmas since war clouds envelcped the world. In every cnm ch was poured forth praise that peace had come again 10 mankind while in homes without num- Der were offered prayers of thanks giving for loved ones spared in the iiercest conflict of all time.
 The spirit Of unselushness was abroad as never before. The trials which the nation had endured in the anxiCN months before Germany Was beaten 10 her kRees apparently hao purged the citys millions of petty de- slres and had taught them the true Joy Of giving. from the BOWeIy tO t1tth avenue, New orkerS joined ip common celebration.
 Soldiers and sailors were teted at every hand and while the celebration Centered on the military, the civilian poor were not neglected. " welfare or saniZations entertained thOusauos from dawn uatu tar into the night, and countless men and women Wtth- out formal alliance. took boys in khaki and blue into theM homes tO share their own luleide cheer. The sDrt ol sivins reached even to the water front. WheIe oil tho giant Leviathan and other ships, thOusJnds Of orphan rd children were made tU feel that santa Claus was indeed d very real person.
 ID the Hudson, where the home ie-t s at anchor ready tO welcome to- LUTON the American W1Ish.ps r,- Lining from overseas. ,arlIoN..nate.y -u,tyU sailors ate their Christmas dia- ger at noon in mess rooms gaIy Gecc- .ated with holly and NrlatEa. Eho tl z E. l1 singing carols and later ,ClearcG tn, Iuh Tor stag dances. maue pus- 'lpie hy jazz bands organized amol- ihc crews.
 The men were given shore Iibarty huI many, strangers in td,5 port, pre- fcrred tO remain aboard for dinner. Later however. cutters darted rem Narships to landing stage, and ny dusk only skeleton crews remained aboard.
 Tonight greet Christmas trees abiaze with electric bu!bs, were seat tered through the city's squares ICm the Battery to the BronN. and eroup- a around each tree Were thuusanes s who, In giving or receiving, foUlG there the real spirit of UhAsunas.
 Glfe Rcd Toss distriDutCd lIciss Y s Co and provided entsrlaiumCHt for se, DOC soldiers and sailors W ECslI.ais and camps. Ten thousand flml-sa opened their homes to tWo CT mCr- service men who were provided hol;- days At war camp community hts throughout the city Ij.Q00 soldiers were bencGciarics of s.fls amusement and food. At many Brol lWay thea jers the men found admittauce fIe-. The J. M. C. A. Y. W. C. A Salvation Army and other war work urEamla- tions contributed similarly to maly ,Eis day a joyous one i0r dougAuoy dRd tar In every hospital where these men lie sick O. wounded, bundles of presents were placed at ;he beds.
 At the battery md in Madison Square outdoor Yuletide celebrations were held tonight, men in uniform and civilians jciniIs in festivities around tall Christmas trees ahlaZe with col ored lights and giitterinE tinsel Chil dren of the allied nations were the guests of army and navy men at these ceremonies. and the service men were transported from all parts of the city in amnibuses communicated by wei fare war workers.
 Individual Red Cross gifts to sol diers included sWagger sticks eacl bearing a silver band with the in- scription American Red Cross 1915"
 Men oi the allied merchant marin; who have survived U-boat attacks found their welcome at the Seamen', Church Institute, where 'GCS Christ mas dinners were served and usefu presents distributed.
 The Salvation Army abandoned il; customary programme of dinners fol down and oVts.' but instead provided 10000 meals for needy families, anC presented safety razors 10 army an( navy men who visited the organiza t.on's headquarters. For men Wht cculd not come because of thei wounds, Christmas trees and enter tainment were provided in some of tn hospitals.
 Santa Claus visited many of the DO lice stations and ministered to th children of the poor with candy, cloth ing, fruit and toys. and told stories 0 St Nicholas.
 To the wives and children of nun dreds of men who are in prison tn Volunteers of America sent package containing clothing and other usefu articles within the Tombs and othe penal institutions men and womel were provided with dinners, gifts an entertainment to make their Christ mas day a happier one to bear. churches Of all denominations, ser vices were held the clergy preachin sermons appropriate to the day, an choral and orchestral music chimin in each edifice.