"DOWN WITH AUSTRIA!"

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 151, 1 August 1914, Page 11

"DOWN WITH AUSTRIA!"

CROATIANS AT AUCKLAND. A VIOLENT DEMONSTRATION. Press Association. AUCKLAND, August 1. A large and enthusiastic meeting of 'Croatians was held last night, at which a proposal was made to burn the Austrian . and German - flags to-day in front of the Austrian Consulate. The idea appeared to meet with general approval, and, despite wiser counsels, an arrangement was made to carry out this programme and, further, to parade' the Servian and British flags. Information reached the police, who intimated that no such demonstration would be permitted. At 2 o'clock this afternoon, about one hundred Croatians assembled before the Austrian Consul's office, in Customs Street. Producing an Austrian field marshal's flag, which they had had specially made, they poured kerosene on it and attempted to set it ablaze. The participants were too excited to carry out their plan effectively before the police were attracted by cries of " Down with Austria!'' They quickly appeared, and the demonstrators thereupon wrestled for parts of the flag as trophies. They tore it into shreds, and they then formed a procession and walked bare-headed through the main streets singing the Servian National Anthem. The police watched the proceedings, but did not consider it necessary to make any arrests.