CHAMPAGNE AND SEDITION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 1 August 1911, Page 3

CHAMPAGNE AND SEDITION.

GERMAN FLAG HOISTED BY FRENCH WINE GROWERS.

The wine-growers of the Aube district are protesting against the Government decree which legally defines their wine as "champagne for the second zone," and therefore inferior to the product of the Marne, by inviting the German Emperor to annex them (says a Paris message of June 11). German flags have been hoisted over a number ,of public buildings near Bar-sur-Aube, and seditious inscriptions posted in prominent positions. Mass meetings were held to-day, at which incendiary speeches were made, urging the citizens not to support a Government which has betrayed them. Baroville is a hotbed of sedition. The German flag flies over the town hall, and an imperial eagle is at the top of the staff. The word "Deutschland" has been painted on a house over an arrow painted in the German colours, and pointing east. Wine-growers have painted an inscription in large letters on a white wall at Couvignon, asking the German Emperor to "help himself to champagne," and near by is a house which has hoisted a flag with the words "Long live Prussia!" The German flag flies over the public school at Colombey, a red flag on the church spire at Rouvres, and there are German flags in several other villages. In one village is a poster, dated "Berlin, June 8," which reads, "My dear Monis, —Remain obstinate, and the people of Champagne will come to me. I greet you.—Wliliam." On another house is a "telegram" from M. Monis, the Premier, to the Kaiser. It bears to-day's date, and reads—"Bazaine sold Alsace for £2,000,000: you can have the Aube district for £400,000."