Weihnachtsfest

Throughout the week Berliners gradually resumed their normal health and spirits after a period of torpor induced by the consumption of the following yuletide viands, as estimated by Der Tag: 3 1/2 million pounds of meat, chiefly geese and heavy cuts suitable for roasting; slightly under one million pounds of carp, the traditional and indispensable dish of the German for Christmas Eve; 4 million eggs; 1 million pounds of sugar; 125 tons of fruits and nuts; and "at least 210 million marks' worth of beer and wine."

Statisticians recalled that the population of Berlin is now estimated at 3,804,000, which places the festal gustatory expenses of Berliners at roughly 105 marks a head, including liquid refreshment.

Four famed Germans might have commented upon their yuletide activities as follows:

President von Hindenburg: "I personally superintended the decoration of the Executive Mansion and assisted at the trimming of the Christmas tree. I reflected that 50% of the cost of the tree had been paid to the Government as a luxury tax.

"I was observed to take particular delight in the joyous exclamations of my two little granddaughters over their gifts. Later we all joined in coffee and beer."

Acting* Chancellor Luther: "I am a widower. I occupied myself in making things merry for my only daughter."

Acting* Foreign Minister Stresetnann: "My wife and my two sons rejoiced with me in true German felicity. "I expressed satisfaction that a Christmas address to the American people, which I had spoken into a new recording device, the Panatrope, was being re-created and broadcast over the radio at Manhattan, while I remained at Berlin.

"The Panatrope reproduced my words in flawless German to the following effect:

'Over thousands of miles I am speaking on the first hopeful day of this year to the proud American people to whom we Germans are united by so many ties of blood and friendship.

'The American people, so united in their national pride, have a different standing in the world. Hardly another people is so fit to form a solid foundation of future world-political development. . . . '"

Wilhelm Hohenzollern: "I invited all my children and their families to spend Christmas with me at Doorn. Later I canceled all the invitations except that to Wilhelm, my eldest son.

"None the less I personally chopped down my own Christmas tree and superintended its decoration. Later I donned the full regalia of a Prussian Feldmarschall, inspected the servants' quarters and distributed gifts among the domestic staff. With the approach of evening I clapped a black skull cap upon my head, and delivered a sermon on the Nativity to an audience composed of Hermine (my wife), Wilhelm and members of the Dutch nobility. Finally Hermine and I seated ourselves upon an improvised throne in the Great Hall. Behind us was placed a huge scowling bust of Frederick the Great. I presented Hermine with a lavishly fitted leather traveling case."

*Since the Cabinet of the Reich has resigned (TIME Dec. 14 et ante), Dr. Luther and Herr Stresemann hold these titles and offices only provisionally until such time as a new Cabinet shall be formed.