Evening star., 1940-03-24
Europe Celebrates
Easter Against
War Background
Jerusalem Is Mecca Of
Pilgrims; Pope Plus
Broodcosts Message
BY the Associated Press.

Broodcosts Message
BY the Associated Press.
Mankind at war paused in trou-
bled Europe today to celebrate in
restrained Easter festivities the
resurrection Of the Prince of Peace
nearly 1000 years ago.
Under the shadow of guns threat
ening to speak out In the long
feared total war, Christians OF all
sects raised their voices In song
and prayer amidst ceremony and
custom handed down through the
centuries.
The holy city of Jerusalem was
the mecca of thousands of pill
grims who gathered to participate
in impressive services around the
Church of the Holy Sepulcher, on
the site of the tomb from which
Christ arose.
The eyes of the Roman Catholic
world turned to Vatican City where
Pope Plus XII personally arranged
to celebrate mass in the basilica
of historic st. Peters.
War Limits Tourists.
The war kept down the usual
throng of tourists attending the
brilliant Easter service in St. Peters,
but the occasion afforded the pom
tiff an occasion for another admon-
ition for peace.
In his homily prepared for deliv-
cry before imparting his blessing
on Rome and the world from the
balcony Of the ancient edifice, the
Pope was expected to appeal for
a return of concord among nations
without, however, suggesting an i'm
mediate truce.
The pontiflcal mass, which the
Pope himself arranged to celebrate
was scheduled to be broadcast by
the Vatican radio beginning at
am. e am. E. S. t.. The program
also called for broadcast of the
Pope's message and benediction, be-
ginning around midday (6 am. E. S
to, with his words being heard in
the United States over a Nation
wide &C. B. S. network. The net
work allotted an hour, from 6 am
to 7 am. E. S. T., for this part OF
the services.
The 40 days of Lent ended yes
terday with the ringing of the
bells of Rome's 400 churches as Holy
Christ's resurrection.
Priests went about the Eternal
City blessing homes and Offices, food
shops strung their fronts with sau-
sages and filled their windows with
stacks Of Easter cakes for today's
feasting.
Strasbourg Choir Sings.
Frances famed Strasbourg Cathe-
dral Choir-its voice stilled since the
wars start-sings again today a,
services in imposing Notre Dame
Cathedral while Frenchmen pray
for peace.
The venerable Able Hoch, who
has not seen the choir since Stras-
bourg's population was scattered
over the countryside and the city
became a ghost, town on the Rhine
joyfully greeted the members, Alsa-
tlan refugees all, who reassembled
in Paris for the services.
Last night Parisians jammed
trains leaving the French capital
for holiday in the country, and
Britons poured in aboard incoming
trains to join husbands or sons or
leave from the front.
American and French churches
arranged special services, but the
music of former years was missing
because of the war.
Services were scheduled for French
troops at the front in trenches and
rear-line rest posts.
Wartime rationing put a serious
dent in Germany's Easter egg sup
ply. Some of Germany's Easter
customs were missing altogether
The traditional roast lamb was q
rarity.
10000 Weddings in Britain.
Some 10000 weddings, with many
OF the grooms and q few of the
brides in khaki or blue, featured
Great Britain's Easter observance
a welcome break in three dreary
months of war.
British churches, from London's
massive st. Pauls to the tiniest viii
lage chapel, were crowded. from
midnight on with wives. sisters and
mothers of men in the fighting
services.
London swapped thousands OF
tired citizens for thousands of eager
visitors. Londoners jammed a full
schedule of holiday trains, making
for the seashore and quiet of the
country, while into the city poured
a mass of "provincials" and soldiers
from the British expeditionary force
or dominion troops training there
The latter. getting their first look
at the British capital, made Easter
eve one OF the gayest nights of the
war.
There was continuous process
sion OF couples at London marriage
registry offices. From all over Eng
land came reports of similar
"booms.'
While there were record train res
ervatsons, many Britons who had
kept their cars in storage because
OF wartime gasoline rationing got
them out for the Easter week end
Hundreds of others who couldn't
afford cars or railway tickets used
bicycles for trips to the seashore
where many hotels and boarding
houses posted full up" signs.
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