The Pascagoula chronicle., 1918-10-26
CHRISTMAS PACKAGES FOR
SOLDIERS IN FRANCE.

shington.--American soldiers il
France can receive but one Christina,
package each this year and each pack
age must weigh not more than three
pounds, according to regulations an
nounced by the war department. Boxes
for men in the navy, however, may
weigh 20 pounds.
The regulations governing Christmas
packages for soldiers have Just been
completed after conferences between
the war and post Office departments
and the American Red Cross.
Relatives and friends says the
war departments announcement, "who
are planning to make Christmas for
the soldiers in war zones merry
as conditions will permit, should bear
in mind that each soldier is entitled to
but one of these packages. The war
department will not accept more than
one parcel for each man. 1t is ey-
pected that approximately 100000 of
these packages will be sent abroad
and the amount of shipping space pro-
vided for their transportation will not
permit of any deviation from the
one parcel a-man rule
"The men themselvec will decide
who is to send these parcels. They
are now receiving Christmas parcel
labels with instructions to mail the
labels to the person in this country
from whom they wish to receive the
holiday box. To avoid any chance of
duplication, each soldier gets but one
of these labels. Packages that do not
bear these labels wifi not be accepted
In the event of this label being lost it
cannot be replaced.
mo Christmas parcels will be &C.
cepted for shipment after November
20. The cardboard boxes or cartons to
be provided for these parcels are three
inches by four inches by nine inches
in size. When packed wrapped, and
ready for mailing these boxes must not
weigh more than three pounds"
The American Red Cross has agreed
to provide these cardboard boxes and
to supervise their distribution to rela-
tives of the soldiers who present the
proper Christmas parcel label creden-
tials. The following is an outline OF
the procedure to be followed by Der
sons planning to send one of these par
cells abroad.
On receiving one of these Christmas
parcel labels it should be presented at
the nearest chapter, branch or aux
ilary headquarters OF the Red Cross,
where the holder will receive carton.
These labels. eane.s expected to reach
this country before November 1, but
by that time each Red Cross branch
will have its allotment of boxes, based
on the number of soldietrs in service
overseas from that community.
These boxes may be filed with any
combination of prohibited articles, ex-
cept those on the list barred by the
postal officials. The articles prohib.
tied are all intoxicating liquors, all in
material, including friction
and any composition likely
to ignite or explode cigarette lighters
come under this ciasSiication) liquids
aEd fragile articles improperly packed.
Under the regulations no note or mes.
sage or written matter OF any kind
will be permitted to remain in the
boxes.
In addition to the foregoing list of
articles, relatives and
riends are urged to bear these facts
Il mind.
Don't put in aeticlcs packed in
which will not keep fresh until Christ
mas.
Pack dried fruits and other food
in small tin or wooden boxes.
Give preference to hard candy over
hocolates, unless the latter are in
losed in heavy wrappers.
On ont put in articles packed in
lass. II
Gifts should be wrapped in khaki
olored handkerchifs, 27 inches
quare.
When the package has been packed {
should be taken, unwrapped and un.
ealed, together with the label and !
efficient stamps, to the nearest col s
'ction center designated by the Red
ross, After the package has passed
lie inspection of the Red Cross rep 9
the Christmas label bear |
lg the address OF the man for whom
is intended is placed on it. The per
IN sending the package, in the pres
ice of the Red Cross worker. is re- a
aired to afiix stamps sufficient to il
lry it to Hoboken, n. ]. t
In the navy department instructions l
r Christmas packages to sailors in !
'me waters and abroad, it is pro- o
ded that all boxes are limited to a
pounds in weight and are forward A
in care of supply officer. feet sup a
y base, Twenty-ninth street and r.
lird avenue, South Brooklyn. ". a
Shipment of Christmas packages for
val vessels abroad should be made
as to reach New York not later h
an November Is.
-W.S ..