HEERINGEN.

Interviewed recently, General von Heeringen said: "The English first-line
troops are splendid soldiers, experienced and very tough, especially on
the defensive."--[_Photo. Bain._]]




__________________________________________________________________________
THE ILLUSTRATED WAR NEWS, DEC. 30, 1914--[Part 21]--3


[Illustration: CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS ON A BRITISH WAR-SHIP: EVERGREENS
FOR THE MASTHEAD.]

[Illustration: THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE GRAND FLEET AT SEA: ADMIRAL
JELLICOE.]

Christmas celebrations in the Navy were naturally curtailed this year, but
even in time of war the festival is observed to some extent, under the
limitations caused by the necessity of being ready for immediate action.
That the Navy did not allow Christmas festivities to interfere with duty
is shown by the brilliant air-raid on Cuxhaven on Christmas morning. The
Grand Fleet which keeps its silent watch on the seas, under Admiral
Jellicoe, did not, we may be sure, relax any of its vigilance. One of the
Christmas customs in the Navy is to decorate the mastheads with holly,
mistletoe, or evergreens. The mess-room tables are also decorated, and the
officers walk in procession through the messes, the Captain sampling the
fare.--[_Photos. by Newspaper Illustrations and Alfieri._]