New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-12-24
YANKEE CHRISTMAS
FOR OVERSEAS MEN
Red Triangle Will See That
Soldiers Are Not Forgotten

tide project of the American Expedi-
tionarN Force, aided by the Young
Mems Christian association Thou
sands OF tinselled trees decked with
presents have been distributed in
readiness for the day, thousands Of
red Santa Claus costumes with ac-
compa:1ylng white .whiskers havebeen
provided and thousands of Christmas
entertainno entS have been prepared
for presentation on Christmas eve in
the Red Triangle huts,-"his home
over there
The americans have shown the
French what they can do in the way
or fshting. and now will present their
peculiar ideas in the way of cclebrat-
ing the day of universal good will
the birthday OF the Prince Of Peace.
Last Decem Der, when there We're less
than 100000 American soldiers in
France, and these mostly busted
training for the great Knockout
which they delivered to militariSm
this summer, the boys in khaki and
the "Y" workers managed to show
a small sample Of the American
Christmas idea to the French. This
year the 2,00o,oO0 Americans here
viii inn port Americas Nuletide bodily
and set ii down on the sacred soil Of
France where the people have learned
to expect the Yanl1S to DO everything
on the grand scale.
The celebration will divide into two
parts, the Christmas for the American
boys so far from their own fresidcs
and the sift day for the youngsters
Of France, so long denied a real OBJ
servation of their beloved Noel
To each Of the 100000 soldiers
in the American Expeditionary Force
the Y. NJ. G.. A. will present a Christ
mas box containing two bars of choc-
olate, a package of cream CANDY two
packages of cigarettes and a tin Of
tobacco In addition each man will
receive a Christmas card.
The Red Triangle organization has
arran ged for the Christmas eve enter
tainm ents in the W huts, 1900 in
number, as we'll as in the 1900 Foy-
erS du Soldat maintained with the
French Army. A comedy sketch writ
ten exclusively for the American SOL
diers in France. has been in the
course of secret rehearsal for weeks
and will be given the greatest preni-
CT in theatrical history.-hundrcds Of
first nights simultaneously on the
original oasis. The entertainment de-
partment Of the Y. NJ c.. A. sent out
the dramatic coaches who rehearsed
the sold!er-actor> in their parts and
furnished the necessary costumes
and m ake-up.
This same entertainine depa rt-
ment also arranged to put on as
many professional vaudeville and
dra tic shows in as many hutS as
the eighty-ninc professional Compan-
les Of actors al its command could
give on Christmas eve and Christmas
day and night. BY using the fast
travelling motor transport OF The ''Y'',
these actors. who were sent over by
the T I'd Triane1c's entertainment de-
partm emit and Am erica's Over There
Theatre League. will be able to give
from four to six shows In DAY.
bringing Joy to thousa nds Of men in
uniform.
Amateur talent, however. will be
the mainstay OF the festivals enter
tainment. Working on the theory
that young men enjoy most the en-
tertalnm ent which they get UP them-
selves, the "Y'' secretaries have ar
ranged unlimited minstrel shows at
which plenty Of local "hits" and en-
core verses taking off the members OF
particular units will count heavily in
smashing the black beetles" back
beyond their Hindenburg line.
In every hut will glsten the Christ
mas tree. Where the hut has electric
lighting. the greenery will be illun-
ined with little vari-coorcd incandes-
cents. At the appropriate time Santa
Claus will make his initial bow in
France. His first appea rance. For
the familiar old saint Of England and
America is not so widely known in
France, although he will be q fixture
from this year on if the present ar
engagements for his debut count for
anything.
During the long, hot summer
months while the Germans were be
ing forced back from Paris and the
Big Bertha MISSY es we're dropping
around, patient unseltish women
scwed away on Santa Claus costumes
at the Paris headquarters Of the Y.
M c. A. AS result, there are
thousands OF these in readiness to be
worn in the Christmas festivities.
After the distributions to the sol
diers at the huts the duly selected
impersonator of Santa Will fare forth
on Christmas day to carry the fight
er's gifts to the children of Franco.
Toys had been provided in abundance
on the theory that the boys in khaki
unable to celebrate with their own
families, would find happiness in
the lives Of these little
ones of another land.
Soldier choruses drilled by souG ,
directors, will sing carols in the
camps early Christmas morning ,
Special religious services will follow
in the 1luts with the chaplains Of eV-
cry denomination Invited to preside !
addresses will be de- |
livered in English and French. The !
day of good will and gifts will reach !
its climax at night. when a dance |
will be held il each hut. the wo.