The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-17

Pope Plus appeal for Christmas truce has been turned down by the belligerents.
 The approach of the Yuletide finds Great Britain and Germany trading air blows, Italy and Greece locked in battle in Albania, British and Italian forces fighting in the African deserts, and the rest of Eu- rope watching and waiting to see what will happen next.
 Under those conditions, Christmas will be little more than date on the calendar to most of Europe. The religious note will be stronger than ever, but generally it will be a Christmas of abnegation. A United Press survey showed the following Christmas outlook in some European countries.
 IN ENGLAND
 The war note is strongest even in the toy shops. Toy Maginot lines. heavy gun supplements and other items of static warfare have been consigned to the ash heap in line with the latest military advances.
 At Hamley's Londons largest toy store, the only fort on the shelves is a medieval castle with a draw bridge an dmoat. but camouflaged spitfires that really fly, mobile an ti-aircraft units complete with searchlights and guns, tanks and battleshipS are plentiful
 Anti-aircraft guns that fire sell for $l.50; and complete mechanical armies, consisting of two tanks, trucks, automobiles, cooker, trail CT water tank, trailer searchlight truck and a quick-firing anti-air- craft gun can be purchased for $4.
 In addition to men under arms, thousands of women will spend Christmas in uniform, attached to the army, navy, or air force, or in motor and ambulance units.
 As for Christmas entertainment, the soldiers who come to London on leave probably will wish they had stayed in their camps, for most of west ends theatrical stars have been cast in Garrison theater" Christmas week shows to entertain the troops.
 In contrast with the 20 or 30 showS running in London in peace time, only two are open now, for matinee performances only, and three others are scheduled to open soon. Of the two current shows, one is burlesque and the other is ,@ musical review.
 IN FRANCE:
 Defeated France, divided into two parts, prepared for the Christmas season, with thoughts of many thousands of families turning to husbands, sons and fathers who are war prisoners in Germany.
 Clothes and food baskets for the war prisoners were being prepared, with Marshal Henri Philippe Petain, the chief of state, encouraging ef- forts to relieve the plight of the prisoners.
 The specter of rationing looms over every table as result of tight ened food regulations. Geese and Goose liver, dear to Frenchmen, will be missing from Christmas tables because Germans have taken the Alsace Lorraine flockS for fats and for their own yuletide consumption.
 Shops in Vichy are making a brave display of restricted stocks with the emphasis on practical gifts such as warm clothing. The few toys on display are sober miniature farm implements instead of guns. Silk stockings are scarce and sell. at triple normal prices. There will be little Christmas gaiety. Public danc- es are prohibited and there are 10 D. m. or midnight curfews. Cham pagne is scarce as some 12,000,000 bottles have been shipped to Ger many from the famous Rheims eel lars.
 IN FINLAND
 The Christmas outlook is even less bright than it was year ago, all though the nation now is at peace. Times were hard then and the fu- ture was uncertain, but the heroic deeds of Taipale and Salla left no room for Gloom.
 A year ago, there still was plenty of food and only sugar and coffee were rationed. Shops, although blacked out, were well stocked with Christmas goods. However, this year things are different.
 This Christmas finds all food, ex- g 6 '