FLAGS CAPTURED AT SAMOA

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22307, 22 January 1938, Page 13

FLAGS CAPTURED AT SAMOA

SIXTH CLAIM MADE STORY TOLD BY CORPORAL OF LANDING PARTY (PUSS ASSOCIATIOS TZUGKAHJ WELLINGTON, January 21. Claims concerning the German flags captured at Samoa now number six. For years it has been generally accepted that three flags were taken by the invading New Zealanders, but recently two other claims were made, and yesterday a sixth German flag emerged, smelling faintly of moth balls but in excellent order. It is the property of Mr Justin M. Power, a corporal at the time of the landing. Three of the flags are at the Auckland Museum, with their origin well authenticated. The secretary of the Thames Returned Soldiers' Association (Mr T. McCarroll) has claimed that he has in his possession the first flag hauled down by the New Zealanders, the one flying over the Post Office. He said that he took it down himself. ~-,-, The fifth claim comes from Mr U. Richards, of Otaki. Particulars of his claim are not yet available. §.s corroborative information has to be obtained from England. Mr Power related that he, as corporal in charge of a party guarding Parliament Building at Mulinuu, Apia, gained possession of the Imperial ensign of Germany, the flag flown by Governor Schultz from Parliament Buildings, which was also used on and about the islandMr Vincent Mitchell, at present employed at the Stores Department of the New Zealand Railways, Wellington, was also present at the trne the present owner obtained the flag and vouches for its origin. The flag is interesting apart from its manner of acquisition, as the Imperial ensign of the extinct monarchy Above a double eagle in the centre of black, white and red bands is the Crown of Imperial Germany and a scroll. This flag was used only with the permission of the Kaiser or his representative. It is not often that the Royal Navy resorts to using table linen for flags, but the landing party at Apia on August 30, 1914, had to use a table ncpkin for a flag of truce. "British warships never carry a white flag; it is. one of the age-old traditions, I have been told, said Mr Power, "but on this occasion the rules of war made it imperative that a flag of truce be carried by the landing party when asking for the surrender of the island. It had to be done, and the difficulty was overcome by nailing a serviette to the staff."