Evening star., 1942-12-24
President Halls
War Gains in
YuIe Message
Sees Forces of Evil
Not So Confident
Of Final Victory
Earlier Story on Page B-ID

President Roosevelt this after
noon wished the country good
cheer for the Christmas season
and stated that this is a happier
Christmas than last year in the
sense that the forces of dark
ness stand against us with less
confidence in the success of their
evil ways"
The President delivered his mes
sage from the south portico of the
White House as the feature event
of the Goth consecutive national
community Christmas tree celebra-
tion here. Crowds gathered about
the Christmas tree placed on the
south lawn of the White House
The tree stood unlit on the White
House lawn because wartime pre-
cautions forbade illumination. How
ever, the tree was decorated with
hundreds of ornaments donated by
the children of Washington from
supplies of other years. The orna-
ments we're collected through the
recreation centers of the city. No
new ornaments were purchased for
the decorations this year
Message for Allies.
"This year I am speaking on
Christmas eve not to this gathering
at the White House only" President
Roosevelt said. but to all of the cit
liens of our Nation, to men and
women serving in our American
armed forces and also to those who
wear the uniforms of the other
United Nations.
''I give you message of cheer. l
cannot say Merry Christmas for I
think constantly of those thousands
of soldiers and sailors who are in
actual combat throughout the world
but can express to you my thought
that this is a happier Christmas
than last year in the sense that the
forces of darkness stand against us
with less confidence in the success
Of their evil ways.
ITO you who toll in industry for
the common cause, of helping to win
tire war, send message of cheer
that you can well continue to sacri- |
fee without recrimination and with
a look of Christmas cheer-a kindly
spirit toward your fellow man.
Good Will Toward God.
ITO you who serve in uniform l
also send a message of cheer-that
you are in the thoughts OF your fam
lies and friends at home, and that
Christmas prayers follow you wher-
ever you may be.
To all Americans I say that low
ing our neighbor as we love ourselves
is not enough-that we as a Nation
and as individuals will please God
best by showing regard for the laws
of God.
There is no better way of foster
Ing good will toward men than by
first fostering good will toward God.
II we love him we will keep his
commandments
Lauds Men i'm Uniform.
The President made special men
tlon OF our uniformed men who
guard remote islands and bases and
will, in all probability never come
Iibc dNtlNt COIllDdt VIII JIle common
enemy" OF these men he COM
mented
They are stationed in distant
places far from home. They have
few contacts with the outside world
and want them to know that their
work is essential TO the conduct of
the war-eSsential to the ultimate
victory-and that we have not for
gotten them"
President Roosevelt remarked that
In this year Of war, Christmas is
really the only holiday because it is
the one day of the year on which
the factories will be stilled."
L like to think this is so be-
cause Christmas is holy day" Mr..
Roosevelt concluded may all it
stands for live and grow through
out the years"