Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-12-25
NOW
SHOWS PRE- WAR
SPIRIT IN NATION
Mails Are Heaviest of Record
and Buying Greater Than
Ever Before Known In
America.
tpr MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED w,srI

/
Washington Dec. 24.-With peace a
de facto If not a de jure condition, the
American people tonight began the
celebration Of Christmas In pre-war
spirit.
Evidences Of the nation wide return
to the spirit that dominated prior to
1914 when the war. although then con-
fined to Europe cast q reflection
across the Atlantic has been noted
in unprecedented buying of gifts, ac-
cording to reports. christmas malls
one of the most exact indications of
national participation in the spirit of
the holiday-have been the heaviest
on record. it was said tonight by post
office department officials
President Wilson, owing to his ILL
ness, will spend tomorrow quietly, all
though his Christmas eve was marked
by announcement Of his decision with
regard to the return Of the railroads
in private ownership, Because of Mr.
Wilson's illness there will be no Christ
mas 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 Christ
mas decorations.
President Can Eat Turkey.
Restrictions on the presidents diet
have been removed. Members of the
presidents official family will spend
tomorrow at their homes and many
family gatherings have been arranged
Vice President and Mrs. Marshall went
to Indianapolis early in the week. Sec
S',- BntJng left today for
Watertown NJ ", and Secretary and
Mrs Glass are to spend the day at
their home at Lynchburg, va.
All departments Of the government
closed at nooI. today until Friday
morning, to permit officials and en-
ployes to enjoy the holiday.
Officers and men of the country,
whether in camps In this country, in
Europe, in Siberia or in the island pos
sessions had received tonight the
wishes for a merry Christmas sent out
by Secretary Baker. A Christmas din
ner will be served in all camps and
cantonments
Jackies Rendered.
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 usuai
TO prepare for the occasion so that
every man Is insured Of turkey din
ner Entertainments have been ar
ranged, many of them for tonight
Naval radio stations today broad
casted the following message from
Secretary Daniels:
Christmas greetings to all in the
naval service Demobilization has
lost many shipmates who we're with
us last Christmas when we celebrated
the peace the navy had helped to win,
but they are still our comrades. the
glory of achievement abides with all
who served in the world war May
the blessings of the peace won, and
the blessings of the Prince of Peace
cheer every heart this Christmas
time"
For the men of the army, navy and
marine corus convalescing in hosp'-
'nls from, war wounds most elaborate
preparations have been made both by
the military authorities and by CRATE
ftl citizens of the communities in
which the institutions are located.
Secretary Lansing tonight Issued
the following statement addressed to-
the American people;
Lansing Issues Statement.
"Christendom on the twenty-fitth
day of December celebrates the ami
versary of the birth of an era which
gave to mankind divine message OF
peace and those principles. when
have been the foundation stones Oh
modern progress and civilization.
To-day IL is heralded abroad that
we have entered upon new era OF
peace and of higher standards of in
,ernationaI and national life. IT Is moi
new era but the old era, which was
ushered in by the birth of Jesus, per-
fected by His teachings and consecraf-
cd by His death, the old era, to which
we return after a time of madness. of
agony and of evil Clothed in the an
cient peace proclaimed over nineteen
centuries ago on the hills of Bethle-
lem the world, with conscience
awakened by the fiery ordeal through
which IL has passed, should find re-
newed hope that Christian principles
will triumph and become the domi-
rant force in the affairs of men and
nations"