ND ANGELIC SONGS HEARD

Grey River Argus, 29 December 1915, Page 7

ND ANGELIC SONGS HEARD

SOUL-STIBEING NARRATIVE

THE .SPLTTTTER OJf.DEATH. | [PEE PSESS ASSOCIATION— "COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, December 27. Mr Philip Gibbs writes :— "Tlie only carol heard in tEe trenches was the loud, deep chant of guns on both sides, the shrill soprano whistling of the shells and the rattle of the machine guns. If Father Christmas had ventured in the trenches he would have bteen compelled to lift up his cloak waist-high in staggering, slithering sludge. He might at any moment have fallen into deep icy pools. The boys were jesting, hanging up trench waders for Christmas boxes. "Whenever home was mentioned they became sadly thoughtful, contrasting their present life with the former festivities in thei* own homes. Most treated Christmas with humorous irony. 'Christmassy' sentiments were rather out of place where men were lying with their rifles waiting to kill. "There would be no truce this Xrnas. The Tommies have suffered too much to forget or forgive. There could be no friendly conversations while the dead were lying between the trenches and everywhere. It was remarked that owing' to the enemy's monkey tricks, Christmas or no Christmas, we've sgot to get on with the war. "The Irish soldiers assembled in a dimly -lighted shed, amidst the howling of the wind and rain and the rumble of the guns, and responded to the priests' words and prayers for peace. There was an appearance of humility and meekness upon their faces as they were kneeling, 'The Tommies' were like reverent boys in a school chapel. "The dawn of Xmas was not greeted by angelic songs, but by a continuous splutter by the death machine on both sides. Everywhere the toast was "May we. beat the Germans before anothex Xmas." A Salonika correspondent says: "I have never seen such a celebration of Christmas. The Allies' camps lost their military atmosphere, music, singing and football being indulged in. The most amusing event was a barebacked, reinless mule race. 'Tommies' were seen struggling for turkeys and geese. Every shop was. depleted of raisins, nuts and . figs. There were boisterous sing-songs in the evening. NEW ZEALANDERS' ENTERTAINED.