The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1943-09-09

cells must travel to reach our men at
war fronts and stations the world over;
frequent transfers of thousands Of men
from one location to another, which
means forwarding of the mail and con-
sumes additional time; the necessity
for giving preference to reinforcements,
arms, munitions, medicine and food in
allotment Of shipping space, which often
means that the shipment of gifts must
wait. And it is most urgent that gifts
be delivered to the men IN TIME FOR
CHRISTMAS, to keep their spirits high.
The only way to insure against dis
appointment for the fighting men is to
Christmas Mailing
buy at once and mail early mail your
gifts as soon as possible after the Sep
TENDER Is starting date.
Those who ave relatives or friends
in the service should remember that we
have fighting men in Alaska, Greenland,
Iceland, England, Sicily. far-separated
regions Of Africa, the Near Eastern
countries, Australia, many Of the South
Pacific islands, India, China, South
America and other areas.
Weeks are required for a ship to
reach many of these stations. There
can be no assurance, of course, that the
first ship sailing for any Of these loca-
tions will have space available to carry
Christmas parcels. Gifts nay have to
wait until vitality needed supplies and
equimpent have been shipped, to assure
victory and to save the lives Of our
men. II the parcels are not mailed
early, that delay may prove just enough
to prevent their arrival by Christmas
day. with consequent disappointment to
the men who are offering their lives for
their country and ours.
Mail of all kinds is vital to the spirit
of fighting men. Every officer who has
facilities overseas has reported that
thousands of fighting men disregard
mess call when it conflicts with mail
call, and get their letters first. Officers
at our large military and naval stations
report that the spirit and efficiency of
their men receive a distinct lift when
mail is distributed, and that a delay in
mail service caused a decided decline in
spirit with a consequent ietdown in eff
cheney.
A disconsolate soldier or sailor who
thinks he has been forgotten at Christ
mas obviously is not at his best. So
the gifts MUST be mailed on time so
tLct +Lar a I, arr;x,a an TINA
Rules for Christmas mailings to the
fighting forces overseas were made pub
lie in June for the guidance of early
shoppers. They include:
The parcel must not exceed five
pounds, and must not be more than Is
inches in length or SO inches in length
and girth combined. 1t should be mark
ed "Christmas parcel so that it may be
given special attention to assure its
arrival before December 25.
Not more than one parcel may be
mailed in any one week to the same
member Of the armed forces by or in
behalf of the same mailer.
The parcel must be well and strongly
packed, in a container of metal, wood,
strong fiber board, or similar material,
then wrapped in strong paper and tied
with Irvine. The cover should be such
that it can be opened readily for cen
sorship. The contents should be packed
tightly.
Perishable goods, such as fruits that
may spoil, are prohibited. Intoxicants,
inflammable materials such as matches
or lighter fluids, poisons, and anything
that may damage other mail also are
prohibited. Gifts enclosed in glass
should be substantially packed to avoid
breakage. Sharp instruments, such as
razors and knives, must nave their
edges and points protected SO that they
cannot cut through the coverings and
iniure postal personnel or damage other
packages.
Since the armed forces are being
plentifully supplied with food and cloth
ing, the Army and Navy recommends
against these as gifts.
Addresses must be written clearly and
completely. In addition to the return
address Of the sender. g parcel for IN
Army man should show the name. rank.