THE KAISER'S CHRISTMAS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2398, 2 March 1915, Page 7

THE KAISER'S CHRISTMAS

A Copenhagen, message to the "Daily News" describes the manner in which the German Emperor spent Christmas: The Kaiser sat down to Christmas dinner with nearly a thousand of his officers at the Great German General Headquarters, in the city hall of a town in Northern France. An altar was erected at one end of the hall, and in front of it was a manger containing a figure of Christ.

The Christmas festival is described as simple but impressive. . The, hall was decorated with holly and hung with pictures of the Kaiser and his generals. Christmas trees with candles were placed on the tables; cakes, appleß, and nuts were distributed,- and every officer present' received as a Christmas gift a portrait of the Kaiser. Each soldier also got a tobacco pouch and cigars. The festival commenced by all standing and singing the old German Christmas son, '"Thou Glad and Holy Christmas Time." The Kaiser, on rising, was chcered.- He saluted and said:—

' "Good evening, comradejs." After an army chaplain had made a prayer, the Kaiser made' the following speech:— "Comrades, we are here assembled in arms to oelebrate the holy festival, which otherwise in peace we, would be celebrating at home. Our thoughts go back to those whom We have left at home, to whom we owe all "the presents oil the tables before us.

"It has been permitted by God that the enemy should force us to celebrate Christmas here. We have been attacked. We defend ourselves- with God's help. We hope that for us and our country rich victory may spring from this hard fight. We are on hostile ground. The point of our sword is directed against the enemy, our hearts to our God. We say, as once the Great Elector did. 'Down with all enemies of Germany!' Amen." .