THE RED FLAG.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12720, 15 August 1919, Page 4

THE RED FLAG.

ITS ORIGIN. Probably few persons know that the red flag, emblem of revolution, was formerly the banner of the Church Militant and of royalty. Yet it was so until Henry VI. of England took also the title of King of Trance. Then red came to be considered as an inimical colour in France, and was replaced by white, which, in its turn, was given up by the English, The red flag was displayed by the Catholic troops of Charles IX- and Henry 111., while the flags of the Protestants were white, says London “ Tit-Bits.” Luring the French Revolution the red flag was hoisted in peculiar circumstances. In consequence of the disorders that took place in Paris in, 1789 and the re-opening of the national assembly in the capital, martial law was proclaimed on October 21,' it being ordered that at the signal of the red flag all riotous assemblies, with or without arms,, would become criminal and would be'dispersed by force of arms.

Thus the red flag became under the republic ‘the emblem of order, destined to safeguard the life and tranquillity of the citizens. Opinion changed, however, during the second republic. In an order issued by the French Government _of_ that period to the local prefects it is stated that: “ The tri-coloured flag and cockade are the only national insignia around which the citizens rally; the republic does not recognise any others. The r &dflng is an appeal to insurrection, recalling memories of bloodshed and mourning. To hoist this emblem means to excite to disobedience of the law and acta of violence.”