London, Dec. 25.
The King's message to the merchant navy, broadcast at midnight Christmas eve, said:
"It has not beea possible for me {10 send a Christmas "card to each member of the British Merchant Navy and fishing fleet, as 1 have done to members of the' fighting forces, because our ships are so widely scatter fed over the seven seas. Insiead I send to each one of you this personal Christmas. message of goodwill and Sood cheer.
"You are facing special perils, which in these days surround seamen, with coolness, courage, fortitude, (which are the admiration of all-at Theme, and 1 know I speak not only for myself but for all" your fellow countrymen when 1 wish you a happy Christinas." "Wireless through Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.