Show christs village fears uprising As world celebrates nativity q I 1 W IV v NO PEACE HERE british motorized troops patrol the streets street of bethlehem to prevent disorders 0 thile town ol oj bethlehem how still we ive see thee lie HILE america sings of W WHILE christs birthplace this yuletide the little palestine city of bethlehem is should ering under such a deep factional discontent that the event for which it is famous is being observed with cautious restraint this year Bethle hems 1939 christmas will be happier than last year however at that time a shooting melee occurred in a cafe just cross across the square from the curch church of the nativity british troops invaded the place which was wa said saad to be a hideout tor for arab rebels long associated with the religion 0 of brotherly love and the gentle art of the shepherd bethlehem has frequently in its 30 centuries been the scene of strife and bloodshed rachel died there its first mention in the bible is associated with death that of rachel nearly 2000 years before christ tending his sheep around bethlehem Bethle nem was the boy named david who later slew his ten thousands to the mere thousands of saut saul in bethlehem says the bible occurred hernds massacre of the in blanth in the time of christ during the world war new battle lines were drawn around bethlehem when in november 1917 british and turkish german forces lougnot tor for jerusalem 5 miles to the north nearly 1000 years ago one of the turning points of the crusades occurred at an old church just outside bethlehem where richard the lion hearted gave way before sa lidin cafes E encircle nc ircle i church in time of peace modern bethlehem with its people Is a prosperous town with a flourishing tourist trade around the church of the nativity are cafes noisy with radio music soft drink estable establishments and curio shops selling postcards of sacred scenes crosses rosaries carved wooden camels and other souvenirs the present strife centers around arab opposition to making palestine a haven for jews in accordance with great britaina Brit ains plan bethlehem and jerusalem which are connected with a modern highway in contrast with the biblical simplicity s of the surrounding country remain strongholds strong holds of arab leaders bethlehem has no factories big stores or swanky hotels but its citizens keep busy in the fields and vineyards with their flocks or at such modest local trades as tinsmiths stone masons carpenters and shoemakers whole families make their living carving beads and other religious articles out of mother of pearl and olive wood for sale to tourists everywhere in this old country the new jostles the old tor for right of way newsboys call special editions and Bethle hems mayor drives his automobile to the municipal building where his onke Is equipped with telephones and other modern vices an electric star even hangs above manger square |