THE GERMAN FLAG.
AN IMPUDENT PROTEST AND ADMIRAL BEATTY'S ANSWER.
London newspapers were informed by the Secretary of the Admiralty that tiie following messages passed between the Commander-in-Chief, Grand Flee^, and the German Flag Officer in command ot the German men-of-war interned in northern ports, with reference to the flying of the German colours in the interned ships:—
November 21, 1918. I.—O>mmander-in-Chief Grand Fleet, to Admiral yon Renter.
The Gorman flag i*. to be hauled down a*, 15.57 (3.57 p.m.) to-day (Thursday), and is not to be hoisted again without permission.
2.—-Translation. "Friedrich der Grosse," Nov. 22, 1918. You ordered by wire-Les^ telegraphy of New. 21 p.m. that the German flag, after being hauled down at sunset, was not to be hoisted again without vpeoia! permission. On Nov. 21 p.m. I urgently requested the Chief of Staff of Admiral Madden that, thi c order should be cancelled, as th e German ships h°ve flown their flags honourably. I have not yet reooived ah answer.
According to the terms of the armistice, the ships were to be interned in neutral harbour s or in harbours of the Allies. As far as I know, during .n--ternment in neutral rarbours during this war and former wars flags have always remained hoisted. Had \ been in terned in a mutral i arbour thi-. wou'd have boon the ease. Neutral harbours and harbours of the Allie.s are, absolutely parallel, according to tho literal condtions of the armistice, and to the sense of J«he. conditions of internmenr Therefor^ I esteem it unjustifiable find contradictory to international custom to order the striking of the war flag m the German ships. In addition, I nra of opinion that thp order to strike the flag is not in keiepinp; with the. idea of chivalry between honourable opponents. f. therefore now enter an emphatic protest against this order. YON REUTER.
THE GERMAN FLAG.
Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17544, 10 April 1919, Page 5
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