DEFYING THE STARS AND STRIPES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 99, 9 December 1911, Page 3

DEFYING THE STARS AND STRIPES.

A young British schoolgirl who refused to i salute the “Stars hud Stripes” and swear allegiance to the United States lias set the entire State of New Jersey in an uproar. It is the patriotic custom in parts of that State for school teachers to begin morning school by standing on a platform and unfurling the national Hag. The boys and girls rise and perform a solemn salute, and chant “I pledge allegiance to my flag and the Republic for which it stands. One nation, indivisable, with liberty and justice to all.” A few'mornings ago a teacher in the town* Of Perthamboy noticed to her horror that the lips of Catherine King, a British girl, remained tightly closed during the patriotic recital. Catherine is the daughter of British parents resident at Perthamboy, and her little brother had some time previously aroused the indignation of his school-fellows by neglecting to exhibit a proper degree of enthusiasm when the “Stars and Stripes” were waved. The teacher censured Catherine, who refused to perform the salute properly, and was excelled from the school. Catherine’s father referred the matter to the Department of Education, which has been gravely pondering over the problem, while the processions of school boys and girls marched round Mr King’s residence waving American flags. As the result of the Department’s cogitations, - the decision has been come to that the regulations made by the local superintendent with regard to the proper method of saluting the (lag must be observed by all scholars. If Catherine continues to neglect to salute, she cannot be admitted to the public school. Mr King has given the following explanation of the affair to interviewers:—“My daughter Catherine asked ‘me some time ago whether she was a British subject, although born in the United States. 1 told her that as long as I was British she also was British. Catherine then asked if she could truthfully salute the Hag and repeat the oath of allegiance. I answered that she must at all times be absolutely respectful and reverent in her attitude towards the United States flag, but that -she could not. own allegiance to it.” The incident has been treated at great length in the American press, which, in a spirit of truly admirable toleration, inclines to agree with Mr King that too much fuss has been made by the education authorities in regard to Catherine’s scruples. Catherine will in future attend a private school, where it is not necessary to swear allegiance to the American Hag.