__________________________________________________________________________ THE ILLUSTRATED WAR NEWS, DEC. 30, 1914--[Part 21]--33 [Illustration: CHRISTMAS WITH THE GERMAN ARMY, ACCORDING TO A GERMAN PAPER; THE ARRIVAL FROM HOME OF GIFTS FOR THE TROOPS.] Full early, the popular German illustrated papers gave pictures of Christmas on the field of battle, and it was very evident that our enemies anticipated a joyous day or two: this, probably, thanks to the idea that at Christmas-time all the Armies might call something of a halt, although it was understood they were not in the least likely to do so officially. It was also anticipated that the conditions of the Christmas spent by the Germans at the front would, like those experienced by our own men and those of the Allied Armies, be ameliorated by the reception and distribution of gifts from home. For a considerable while Germany's women-folk, especially, collected gifts for fathers and brothers at the front; and it is certain that their efforts were much appreciated. __________________________________________________________________________ 34--THE ILLUSTRATED WAR NEWS, DEC. 30, 1914.--[Part 21] [Illustration: UNDERGROUND, WITH GRAMOPHONE, WHITE TABLE-COVER, AND FLOWERS: FRENCH SOLDIERS IN A "HOME-LIKE" BOMB-PROOF TRENCH.] Our photograph reproduces a snapshot, by a French artillery officer, in the trenches to the east of the Aisne. It shows how some of the French are making the best of things, regardless of weather and the enemy. They hollowed out the trench at one point (describes the officer), and roofed it over with planks and earth, forming a bomb-proof. A seat was cut at the sides and a table got from a village near. A roll of sheet-iron found in the village was made a chimney for a fire with a cosy chimney-corner beside it. With some wire, also, a sort of candelabra was constructed. The flowers on the table are in a German shell for vase, and the gramophone was another village "find." It is evident that the war may develop a race of military troglodytes. __________________________________________________________________________ THE ILLUSTRATED WAR NEWS, DEC. 30, 1914--[Part 21]--35 [Illustration: HEADQUARTERS UNDERGROUND: THE BRAIN OF THE BRITISH ARMY WORKING IN A SUBTERRANEAN ROOM, SAFE FROM SHELL-FIRE.]