CHRISTMAS HAPPENINGS

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 December 1934, Page 7

CHRISTMAS HAPPENINGS

\ BOMB FOB MINISTER. [BY CABLE—PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] NEW YORK, December 25. ’ “The Times's’’ Athens correspondent says: The Greek War Minister, M. Kondylis, received as a Christmas present a potassium chlorate bomb, disguised as a book of military strategy, but he was saved from death •when, just'before opening the gift, his orderly brought him a letter that had been left at the door of the War Ministry, anonymously, -warning him not to touch the package of explosives. Experts declared that the device was certainly lethal. . CUBAN OUTRAGE. NEW YORK, December 25. 'That Batin America spent Christmas in perhaps even more than unusually interesting ways, seemed to be indicated in the Yuletide news from South of the Rio Grande. Cuba had a bomb outrage, six persons, including three children, being gravely injured when explosives were planted in the window of the dining salon of a well-known citizen while the family were celebrating the customary Noche Buena supper. The explosives detonated with disastrous effect. A youthful revolutionist is held as a suspect for this crime.

THIEVES ROB BANTRY. BALBOA, December 25. The Guayaquil capital reports that a banquet in honour of President Valasco on Christmas Eve was spoiled by thieves, who cleaned out the pantry during the preliminary ceremonies. The police are not yet able to determine who celebrated with the champagne and caviare intended for the Chief Executive arid other high Government officials. WAR CONTINUED. NEW YORK, December 25. From Chaco comes news that the Paraguayans and Bolivians are still locked in a desperate struggle for the Gran Chaco fortress line. Both spurned the suggestion of even a temporary suspension of the bombardment during Christmas. Fighting continued during the holiday with the usual fierceness and lack of niceties characteristic of this, one of the most bitter of American wars. GERMAN PAGANS. NEW YORK, December 25. The “New York Times’s” Berlin correspondent says: A definite effort to transform the Christmas symbolism into something closer to the Nazi idea of. “blood and soil,” was noticeable this year for the first time, perhaps, since the Christianisation of the Germanic tribes, a Christmas celebration in which rites were introduced, was observed. A selected representative of the 'Labour Service Army, in the presence of the Commander-in-Chief, Hierlat, at Rhulsdorf, fired a solistice pyre, saying: “These holy fires we light to celebrate the turning of the Hun.” Before the pyre the inmates of the camp stood burning torches. The Governor of Brandenburg, in a journalistic contribution, of which there are several similar by leading Nazi figures, to-day spoke of “the day of the winter Solistice. It was holy to our ancestors, and their period was tilled with the fairyland magic of the Nordic soul.”

THE KING’S BROADCAST. The King, in his Empire broadcast message, said that he extended to all his people, everywhere, at Home, in the Dominions, and in the Colonies, Christmas greetings. He would like to think, ho said, that all who were listening to him. in whatever part of the world they might be, were bound together in the spirit of one great family. This spirit was demonstrated ■a month ago at the marriage of his dear son and daughter. He hoped that as time went on this spirit would become stronger. The world was still restless and troubled. The clouds were lifting, but each one of his listeners had his own difficulties and hopes. If the present troubles were met in ,the spirit of one great family they would be overcome, but it would be necessary to put aside all party rivalries. On this day particularly the Empire should unite as a family, to remember those in suffering, in sickness, or out of work, and do all in the power of everyone to help them.

His Majesty extended a special greeting to the people of his Dominions overseas. These people had taken with them to their new homes the memories and traditions of the Old Country and the spirit of Christmas, which knew no barriers. If his voice reached any of his people in India, he asked that they be assured of his continued anxiety for their welfare, and hoped that-they might more fully realise and value their place in the unity of the one great family. His l\lajesty concluded; <>‘Ma_v I add, simply and sincerely, that if I may be regarded as in some sense the head, of that great ami widespread family, I shall be iully re 1 warded for all the labours of my reign, of well-nigh five and twenty years. As I sit in my own home, and speak to a great multitude listening to my voice, whether they be in British homes or in far-off parts of the realm, to all of you, and especially to your children, I wish a happy Christmas. I commend you to Him by whom every family in heaven or cn earth, is made. God bless you ail.”