Arizona republican., 1919-12-25
PRE-WAR SPIRIT MARKS YULET|DE JUBILEE TODAY
Service Men, Whether at Home or Abroad, Will Feast on Turkey Dinners New Era of Peace Is Heralded, Says Lansing in Statement to Public.
Republican A. p. Leased WireJ

lHepuDttCdn A. P GedscO WiFel
 WASHINGTON, Dec. 24. With dition. the American people tonight began the celebration of Christmas in pre-war spirit.
 Evidences of the nationwide return to the spirit that dominated prior to 1914, when the war, although then con fined to Europe, cast reflection across the Atlantic, has been noted in unprecedented buying of gifts. ac- cording to reports. The Christmas mails-one of the most exact indica- tions of national participa ton in the spirit of the holiday-have been the heaviest on record. it was said tonight by postoffice department officials.
 Quiet Christmas for President
 President. Wilson, owing to his ill., ness, will spend tomorrow quietly, al- though his Christmas eve was marked by announcement of his decision with regard to return of the railroads to private ownership. Because of MT. Wilson's illness there will be no Christmas tree The interior of the White House tonight. however, was decorated throughout in Christmas style. Mrs. Wilson having supervised the placing of evergreens, holly and other Christmas decorations.
 Restrictions on the presidents diet have been removed. Members of the presidents official family will spend tomorrow at their homes, many family gatherings having been arranged. Vice-President and Mrs. Marshall went to Indianapolis early in the week. Secretary and Mrs. Lansing left today Tor Watertown. N. Y., and Secretary and Mrs. Glass are to spend the day at their home at Lynchburg, Va.
 All departments of the government closed at noon today until Friday morning to permit officials and en- pioyes to enjoy the holiday
 Officers and men of the country. whether in camps in this country, in Europe in Siberia. or in the island possessions. had received tonight the wishes for q Merry Christmas sent out by Secretary Baker
 Turkey Dinner for Soldiers
 A Christmas dinner will be served m all camps and cantonments
 Special preparations have been made for Christmas in the navy, the navy department today predicting that its men, whether in home waters or in remote parts of the world, would have the merriest Christmas in the navy's history. Ship supply officers. it was said. began earlier than usual to pre- pare for the occasion. so that every man is assured of a turkey dinner. Entertainments have been arranged many of them for tonight.
 Naval radio stations today broad casted Secretary Daniels Christmas greeting message.
 Wars Wounded Not Forgotten
 For the men of the army, navy and marine corps convalescing in hospitals from war wounds, most elaborate preparations have been made both by the military authorities and by grate- fui citizens of the communities in
 Secretary Lansing tonight issued which the institutions are located. the following statement addressed to the American people:
 "Christendom on the twenty-fffth day of December celebrates the anni- versary of an era which gave to man kind divine message of peace and those principles which have been the foundations of modern practice and civilization
 Triumph of Christian Ideas
 Today it is heralded abroad that we have entered upon a new era o1 peace and of higher standards of in- ternational and national life It is not a new era, but the old era which was ushered in by the birth of Jesus, per fected by his teaching and consecrated by his death, the old era to which we return after time of madness, of agony and of evil. Clothed in the an cient peace proclaimed over nineteen centuries ago on the hills of Bethle- hem, the world with conscience awak- ened by the fiery ordeal through which 1t has passed, should find renewed hope that Christian principles will tri- umph and become the dominant force in the affairs of men and nations"