The Topeka state journal. [volume], December 27, 1905, LAST EDITION, Image 8

About The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980

Image provided by: Kansas State Historical Society; Topeka, KS

                
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At the capital of the United States are
a number of boys and girls who celebrate
Christmas In a manner very different from
that followed by American young people.
Tbe participants In these holiday celebra
tions, which appear 60 strange io the
eyes of L'ncle Sam's subjects, are the
sons and daughters of the diplomats who
are stationed at Washington as the agents
or accredited representatives of the lead
ing governments of the world. There ore
at Miss Columbia's seat of government
more than 100 of these alien homes, occu
pied by people from three dozen different
countries, and in a largo proportion of the
habitations there are young folks to
make Christmas a tangible reality.
In some of the households of this Inter
esting foreign colony American Yuletlde
customs have been ndopted to a greater
or loss extent, but for tbe most part
these young people from far-off climes
cling to the ways of their native lands,
and In this their fathers and mothers en
courage them, since fill these children
are. like their parnnts, but temporary resi
dents of tbe republic and will ultimately
ret urn to their homes over sens instead
of making the United States a permanent
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Xout average bluejacket Is In One spir
its at Christmas that is. If he be an
American bluejacket. The tara of no other
navy make bo much of the Joyous holiday
as do the seamen serving under the Stars
and Stripes, and certainly the enlisted
men of no other nationality understand so
well bow to provide a befitting celebra
tion, no matter in what part or tbe world
the Yuletide may overtake them. Jack Is a
big-hearted, whole-souled, generous fellow,
and be enters into the plans and prepara
tions for Christmas with an enthusiasm
that It warms ones heart just to witness.
Very often, too, the jackles have to
work out their Christmas schemes in an
environment that is In sad contrast to the
old fashioned conditions back In "God's
country," for many a holiday season Onds
numbers of our tloating fortresses exiled
In out-of-the-way corners of the globe.
Sometimes rhe sailor lads are at their
wits' ends to even tiud a substitute for a
Christmas tree. If a northern pine Is not
to be bad, however, tbey will put up with
a tropical bamboo, and there have even
been occasions when L'ncie Sam's naval
seamen have been obliged to content them
selves with cactus the only living thing
within reach of some isolated ship.
Strictly speaking, Christmas In Cncie
Ham's Navy begins et noon on December
li4, when most routine work ceases. This
year, when tbe '24th falls on Sunday, the
commanders of mo"t of our war vessels
will probably permit the crews to knock
off work soon after noon Saturday, and
tb. the fun-loving men-of-war's men can
enjoy nearly tK) hours of liberty and
merrymaking.
As soon as the regular round of dnties
on shipboard is interrupted the prepara
tions for the holiday frolic begin. This
la Id reality pretty bard work, but, of
course, tbe sailor lads doot regard It as
uch. Especially does the burden of tbe
preparations fall heavily on the cooks In
the "galley," as tbe ship's kitchen is
coiled, and. Indeed, in order to bake the
hundreds of cakes and pies required for
"ik'a Christmas treat the pastry men
?xcaxs covins TC-IXX' jg if , ' - .' n
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abiding place.
The children of German diplomats who
have at one time or another been sta
tioned at Washington have ail celebrated
Christmas very much after the fashion
of their American playmates. The little
Teutons all believe In Santa CIaus, and
one and all have firm confidence that the
Christ Child will, on Christmas Eve, go
Into every German borne and leave a
tree loaded with presents In token of bis
lover Tbe present German Ambassador
has no children, but liaron Bnssche. the
blond giant who acts as first secretary of
the embassy, and his dark-complexioned
South American wife have a winsome
daughter, Matilda, who Is the pet of the
entire embassy staff, and so at the Kai
ser's branch office in America there Is pro
vided for little Miss Bnssche and her ju
venile friends a gorgeous Christmas tree,
crowned with a Bethlehem star, and shad
ing with its branches a wax figure repre
senting the Saviour la the manger.
In France Christmas is primarily a re
ligious festival, and the happiest event
in the children's caleudar falls on January
H, or what is known as "King's Day
the day that commemprates that on which
must keep their flres going all night
something that Is permitted on no other
occasion In the year.
With the first streaks of dawn on
Christmas morning a number of blue
jackets are up aloft "dressing the ship"
with a festive array of holiday greens
that are perched on each masthead and
other vantage point. Between decks
there are festooned garlands that pro
claim the occaslou, and mayhap a devoted
gun crew will bedeck their big "barker
with huge Christmas wreaths. Of course,
fir or pine is preferred for this decorative
work, but If tbe Jackles are compelled by
force of circumstances to substitute
branches of bamboo or banana It does not
seriously disconcert them.
On Christmas morning something ot
tbe peace and quiet of Sunday prevails on
shipboard. Indeed, so far as the events
of the opening hours are concerned a
visitor could hardly distinguish between
the two days were it not for the decora
tions and tbe general air of expectancy
which is manifest on Christmas. If the
warship has a chaplain a brief religious
service may be held, but woe betide tbe
parson who oversteps tbe bounds in the
length of his discourse, for his bearers
have. In many instances, one thought for
tbe sermon and two for the meal tbat is
to follow the long-awaited Christmas din
ner. No more inspiring and animated picture
enn be imagined than tbat presented by
the long tables laden with all the good
things to eat tbat money can buy and
surrounded by perhaps half a thousand
noisy, healthy, good-natured bluejackets,
or maybe by twice that number of rollick
ing sailors. If, as frequently happens, the
Americans are entertaining the seamen
of some foreign war vessel that Is tarry
ing over Christmas in the same port. On
such occasions tbe Yankees, who are the
best-paid bluejackets In tbe world and
proverbial liberal spenders, fairly open
tbe eyes of tbetr guests with the lavish
ness of tbe spread."
Just before the plates are helped the
captain of tbe ship, accompanied by bin
THE TOPEKA DAILY STATE
the three wise mm wont to Bothlebem.
Of late years, however, mnny French
children, both in and out of France, hnve
been permitted to Hdopt the American
Christmas, with its Christmas trees and
gift-giving. There are no children in the
Immediate household of the French Am
bassador at Washington, but this envoy,
who, like the German Ambassador, has
fori
v
chief officers, accepts an Invitation which
has been extended hy the crew to visit
their mess. The -old man" and his sub
ordinates in command view the decora
tions, extend the greetings of the season
and sample the good things spread out be
fore them. Often, In doing this latter,
they are treated to a genuine surprise,
for it not Infrequently happens thnt the
jackles who have plenty of money to
spend and begin their preparations early,
are able to decidedly "put it over" the'
caterer of tbe ward room mess in secur
ing Christmas delicacies In a limited mar
ket. For Instance. In Hongkong, China,
a few Cbrlstmases since the energetic
tars bought all the turkeys to be had and
the tardy officers of the ship would bave
bad none had not the enlisted men shared
their supply.
On Christmas afternoon general liberty
Is given to the crew. If the craft be
anchored In an American harbor a num
ber of tbe men may go ashore to spend
the time with relatives or acquaintances,
but if the warship Is in foreign waters
tbe hours from dinner until dusk are
an American "vrr Is strongly in sym
pathy with Christmas traditions, and so
on Christmas Alight all the French chil
dren in the official colony at Washington
assemble with their parents at the French
Kmbassy. Last year there awaited them
three Christmas tree's, set in a row, and
each laden with gifts. After the gifts
hnve been distributed there Is served a
cmes
given over to a carnival of sports. Tne
program Includes boat raciug. boiing.
fencing, wrestling and a variety of other
tests of skill along lines In which tbe
sailors are proficient. Tbe prizes may be
small sums of money made up by sub
scription with a lift from the officers,
bat more likely they are such trophies as
potatoes, onions and plugs of tobacco.
Meanwhile a phonograph Is grinding out
comic songs on tbe quarter deck in Hon
of an orchestra accompaniment, and just
here It may be noted that no human
beings get more real enjoyment out of tbe
talking machines than the lads on a war
ship who may cot see the Inside of a
vaudeville theater once In six months.
At some time during tbe day a delega
tion of seamen, bearing a bucket of
slacked lime nnd a huge brush, call upon
the captain nnd request him to. In honor
of the occasion-, tvbitewasb the conduct
book." thereby wiping out all dements
for past offenses, and, be it said to his
credit, be usually compiles. All bands
assemble on deck . for tbe distribution of
Christmas presents. There is not likely
JOURNAL.
Christmas dinner cooked by the famous
French cooks brought to this country
by the Ambassador of our sister republic.
The children of the British diplomats at
Washington usually have a very merry
Cbristmns, for all the families gather as
though In family reunion at the British
Embassy and there is a rousing old-fashioned
English Christmas, with the tree,
plum pudding and all. A Yule log is
placed with due ceremony In the great
open fireplace In the dining-room and ell
those present young people and grown
ups gather before the roaring Are and
sing their Chrlstmns carols. Just as they
would in their homes on the other side of
the Atlantic. The British Embassy Is al
ways elaborately decorated with holly and
Ivy and evergreen. The illumination of
the Christmas tree and the distribution of
the presents occurs Christmas Eve, and
Christmas night is given over to a great
dinner.
In Austria the children know of Santa
Claus as St. Nicholas, and they look for
his coming on the night of December t!,
when be is expected to visit every house,
bringing presents for the good children
and switches for the bad. The little
daughter of the Ambassador from Austria
Hungary docs not receive her presents on
the day cm which gifts are distributed in
her own country, but neither is she com
-ft. --t$f
to be much of an exchange of tokens be
tween Individuals, either officers or men.
In tbe ship's company, but tne mail "from
home" Is heavy wltb remembrances from
dear ones far away.
There are, like as not. letters and pack
ages enough to fill n doseo mall sacks.
If the ship Is on the Asiatic station or In
other distant waters, the Xmas memen
tos have, of course, been started upon
their journeys weeks before, and if tbe
little community afloat has at best only
a weekly mall from home, the holiday
delivery may be made some days before
Christmas. However, almost all of the
envelopes nnd parcels will be found to
bear the Inscription "Not to ba ope.ied
until Christmas." so tbat It Is customary
to hold all incoming matter In mysterious
seclusion until the general distribution
on Christmas Day.
The Christmas dinner for the officers
of a warship Is served in the evening.
Kverything from turkey to plum pudding
is on tbe menu. If at all procurable, and
the meal is made as Jolly as may be for
a feast tbat Is denied the accompani
1 JE'B- .
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pelled to wait quite as late tn the mouth
as are most American children, for her big
Christmas tree la Illuminated on Chrl-tt-mas
Eve and ber father or someone at
the Embassy, personating St. Nicholas, be
stows the gifts at an hotir when the ma
jority of young Americans are fast asleep
drenmiug of the morrow.
It has long been customary for nil tbe
Swiss children In Washington to Join In a
grand Christmas '-elebratlon at tbe Swiss
Legation. The Minister from the moun
tain republic Invites them nil. together
with their fathers and mothers, to be his
gnests on Christmas night, and. although
there are several hundred people In the
party, ns a rule. It Is invariably found
when the distribution of gifts takes place
that none have been forgotten.
At the Mexican Embassy the younjr
people receive their presents In a most
novel manner. Suspended from the cell
ing of the big ballroom Is a huge, open
mouthel Jar. in which have been placed
nil the presents, each neatly tied and ad
dressed to the Intended recipient. AH the
children who participate In the Christmas
party are nrmed with long, slender canes,
and with these one after another makes
a dash for the swinging lar, striking it or
at It In passing. Of course. It Is only a
matter of time nntll :he frail treasure
honse Is demolished, and then ensues a
grand scramble for tbe glfs.
The children in the homes of the diplo
mats from South and Central America
are given each Christmas a very Inter
esting object-lesson in Bible history. From
tbe largest room in the house the children
ore rigidly excluded until Christmas Eve.
and then they enter to find spread out
before their eyes a representation In
miniature of the city of Bethlehem, with
its streets, bouses and people. Over the
whole Is a canopy of stars with, most
prominent of all. the star of Bethlehem
shining over a grotto In which are tiny
figures of the Infant Jesus, his parents
and the three wise men.
The magic vision in the closed room
Is not revealed to the Juvenfle members
of the household until nfter tbe midnight
church service on ChrlstmaB Eve. The
unveiling of the representation of the
nativity Is followed by the distribution
of Christmas presents, and still later by
n feast, which keeps the Spnnlsb-spenklng
ixi
ment of women's voices and children's
laughter, for, be It explained, there are
seldom any feminine guests at Christmas
dinner on an American warship lying In
a foreign port. If the wife of any of
ficer has, however, followed ber husband
to bis place of temporary exile tbe
naval regulations prevent her from trav
eling on the wnrshlp she can count npon
ber husband's brother officers extending
a hospitality that Is simply without par
allel. Even if there be one or two rep
resentatives of the fair sex aboard,
though. It Is Inevitable that tbe thoughts
of many of the men around the board
should be elsewhere, and ao tbe banquet
closes with the toast "To Our Loved
Ones at Home" and that famons navy
health "To Our Sweethearts and Wives
May the Former Soon Ite tbe letter and
tbe Latter Ever tbe Former."
If traditions are 1 ihered to. Christmas
on a warship closes with an entertain
ment by tbe crew preferably an oid
fashloned, uproarous minstrel performance
at which a selected company of the blue
Jackets appear In burnt cork and attired
la costumes that would canse to took se
date iu comparison the gaudiest garb ever
worn in any professional show. The pro
gram will be liberally sprinkled with
hits and jokes at the expense of the of
ficers. None of the Jibes are malicious,
but many of the satirical shafts are well
aimed. Then there are roust j choruses
to the accompaniment of vbe sblp's band,
and, perhaps, some tableaux treating,
seriously or otherwise, historic events.
In consequence of all this revelry. Jack
may unroll his hammock a little later
than UBuai: but it bring Christmas, the
officers are lenient.
WALDON k'AWCETT.
children out of bed nntll all hours, to
consequence the little folks from tbe
lower hnlf of the continent sleep late on
Christmas moratng the on occasion
when tbe young American can be de
pended upon to be up betimes. Tbe re
mainder of the day is chiefly devoted by
the Junior Latin-Americans to visiting In
turn the houses of their various friend
In order to compare presents and Inspect
the miniature Bethlehems. for, of coorse, '
the portrayals differ widely In different
homes.
Of all the young foreigners the ones
who have most completely and most en
thusiasttcly adopted the American Christ
mas In all that It Implies are those that
you might least expect tbe Chinese. Per
haps this Is due to tbe fact that the
present Chinese Minister was educated
in tbe United States, and tbe further cir
cumstance that four of the dozen chil
dren at the Chinese Legation, are half
American. These lntter are tbe little
sons nnd daughters of Mr. Yang Ewal.
tbe Interpreter of the legation a full
blooded Chinaman and bis American
wife, who is a native of Massachusetts.
However, no yonngsters could be more
excited over the Yankee Christmas than
are the children of Sir Chentnng. the
minister, who can scarcely speak the Eng
lish language. Tbe smoking-room In the
basement of tbe $100,000 legation home
recently built by the Chinese Imperial
government Is given over to an American
Christmas tree laden with toys and other
presents for the young Celestials, and
there Is a Christmas feast that is a co
mixture of oriental and Yankee delica
cies. Other foreign children who have been
permitted to adopt the American Idea of
Christmas are tbe little son and daughter
of the Cuban Minister and Senora
Quesada; tbe lad in tbe borne of tbe
first envoy from the new republic of
Panama, and Osmnn Sureya ; and All
Haidas. tbe black-eyed little sons of
Cheklb Bey, the Turkish minister. At tb
Russian Embassy there are two CSrlst
mases, but tbe celebration on December
25 Is not nearly so Impressive as tbat on
January 6, when there Is a Christmas
tree and n banquet whereat are served all
the favorite Russian dishes.
WALDON FAWCETT.
an
'-
Pen Study of William
of Germany.
Emperor William 11. of Germany may
truly be described as one of the most
remarkable monarcbs who ever sot upon
a throne. His restless and untiring en
ergy Is such that often causes all Europe
to wonder what move tbe Kaiser la going
to make next- His power chiefly ilea lu
his extraordinary power of mastering de
tails, whether In the mechanism of state
affairs or organizing bis army or navy it
matters not. He Is always master of tbe
situation. His bas never allowed any
situation to master blm. Tbat may be
said io be the whole keynote of bis domi
nating Influence which bas moved tbe
world on more than one occasion.
He Is a man of many and varied In
terests, being poet, writer, playwright,
mi-siclan, sculptor and painter. As an
educationalist he bas done much for Ger
many. Tbe Kaiser's Interest in his
army and navy is of tbe keenest. Tbe
following story tells bow be tested a
soldier on duty. Wbile on duty 00 soldier
Is allowed to receive any presents. The
Emperor knew this well enough, but on
passing one of tbe sentries ot tbe park
gates he held ont a five-mark piece to
him, but the sentry was not to be caught.
"I am not allowed to take It, Yout
Majesty," be said.
"Come," said tbe Emperor, pretending
to be angry; "If I command yon to take
It who Is there to forbid you?" Tbe
soldier, almost In tears, begged to be ex
cused. "If I put It lu your sentry box,,
will yon fetch it when yonr watch Is
over?" asked the Emperor. Tbe soldier
said be woulu. on looking round bis box
later on the honest sentinel found th
five-mark piece, accompanied by ai'"ther
gold coin of greater value.