The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-12
CHRISTMAS CHEER
 IN GREAT VOLUME
 ID FOREIGN LANDS
Foreign Mail Is Estimated to Be Twice as Large as in
 Previous Years
By Associated Press

New York, December 11.-Christmas cheer for the peoples of the war-torn nations of Europe, refugees in the near east and American soldiers abroad is going forward through this port in greater volume than ever before. Post office officials here estimate that the volume of the 1920 Christmas foreign mail will approach twice the amount | of previous years.
 1 Thousands of packages have already l been received here from all parts of the country and postal officials are pre- l pared for an unprecedented rush dur | ing the first two weeks of December. The bulk of the mail, officials state, is being sent to Germany and Poland and comprises principally foodstuffs and clothing. Italy and the Balkan states will also receive large shipments with smaller amounts going to France, i Britain. Norway, Sweden, Belgium and the Latin American countries. In addition to the Christmas pack ages going direct by parcel post and
 by express, various American relief organizations are planning to bring something of the seasons spirit to many thousands of destitute children. The near east relief has made elabor
 ate Chris stmas plans for the refugee youngsters in the near east and the Red Cross has planned cheer for chill dren in the various districts in which 1t is operating,
 The volume of soldier mali this year has materially decreased over recent years because of the withdrawal of most of the American forces from Europe. The several thousand dough boys" still on the Rhine will be well remembered, as a large shipment of gifts has been accumulated at the army transport service In Hebeken. Soldiers serving In the canal zone, Hawaii the Philippines and Alaska will also be re- membered. Some of the vessels bearing gifts for these men sailed during Ne vember
 Men of the navy, wherever stationed, will also be the recipients of Christi mas gifts from home and the navy department has made special arrange ments to give each man the maximum opportunity for a merry Christmas"
 Cooperating with the Junior Red Cross, Secretary Daniels of the navy department has ordered a vessel to take Christmas gifts for thousands of Dal- matian children. This action was taken upon recommendation of Admiral An drews, in charge Of American war ships stationed in the Adriatio. Two thousand pairs of shoes and stockings thousands of cans of condensed milk, uuHuToQS or Dar1 or CnOCotate anu toys from Red Cross warehouses will go to destitute children in northern Italy and in Jugo-Slavia.
 The near east relief has made ar engagements whereby United States sailors and marines stationed in Turk ish waters are to make Christmas merry for thousands of children. Each of Uncle Sam's fighting men there has been asked to adopt" a child and pro- vide some kind of q Christmas pres ont.
 Christmas tree with elaborate ex- ercises will be placed in the near east relief tubercular hospital in Constan- tinople. In Harpoot, where there are 5000 Armenian orphans, another tree will be provided by the near east re- lief organization. At Baum. on the Black sea, where conditions are at their worst. the population Is looking forward to shipment of 1000 tons of flour from America to add joy to the holiday. The flour left here November
 23 and is expected to arrive before Christmas.