BRITISH BATTLESHIP FLIES RED FLAG

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7412, 20 December 1930, Page 22

BRITISH BATTLESHIP FLIES RED FLAG

Queen Elizabeth's Band Playing Soviet Anthem Causes Moscow To Rejoice

HE British battleship Queen Elizabeth (27,500 tons, length 600 ft, beam 901 ft, eight 15-inch guns, twelve 6-inch guns, four 21-inch torpedo tubes,

Queen Elizabeth lay at anchor. The Russian warships were recognised, and the invariable discipline of the British Navy was employed to deal faithfully with the occasion.

complement of 1124) has hoisted the red flag, complete with design of hammer and sickle, the badge of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics. The ship’s band has

“played the “Internationale," and all the ship’s company is ripe for red revolution. That, at least, is the belief of certain innocent members of the crews of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet, which has now returned to its base after a Mediterranean cruise. The Soviet flotilla steamed into the historic harbour of Piraeus, where the

of the British battleship set to work to play what many musicians, but no Communists, consider the world’s worst tune. “At the moment,” writes a Soviet journalist who was masquerading as an able-bodied seaman aboard one of the Russian ships, “every ‘red’ sailor felt the growing power of the Soviets, which had forced the representatives

of British Imperialism to hoist the hated red flag, and had forced the band, which is accustomed to blare glorification of British rule of the seas, to play the hymn which rouses all oppressed peoples to fight capitalism.” This hymn of joy over t,ho might of the red flag has been printed in the Moscow newspapers. It was presented to the British Admiralty for consideration and comment. The Admiralty was amused. The Usual Compliments. “The battleship Queen Elizabeth, ... ui ~, * t like all other British warships, pays World s Worst Tune. the cus t omar y compliments to any The crews of the Soviet ships could foreign warships,” said the Admiralty, scarcely believe their eyes—or their “Every British warship carries in its ears. Their cherished ensign appeared signal locker the flag of every other at a masthead, and the splendid band 'nation, so that it can render the salute

ordered by the regulations. If the ship has a band it is prepared to play any and every national anthem. “The Navy is not concerned with the colour or design of any national flag, or with the favourite tune of any nation. We just cari’y out our regulations. If it caused amusement we do not mind. We at least understand disciplne.”