WAR SOUVENIRS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 46, 22 January 1938, Page 11

WAR SOUVENIRS

FLAGS FROM SAMOA. A FRESH CLAIM. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Jan. 21. The claims concerning German flags captured in Samoa now number six. For years it lias been generally accepted that three flags were taken by the invading New Zealanders, but recently two other claims were made, and to-day a sixth German flag emerged into Wellington’s sunlight, smelling faintly of mothballs but in excellent order, the property of Mr Justin M. Power, -a corporal at the time of the landing. Three of the flags are at the Auckland Museum with their origin well authenticated. The secretary’ of the Thames Returned Soldiers’ Association, Mr T. McCarroll, has claimed that he has in his possession the first flag hauled down by the New Zealanders, the one flying over the Post Office. He stated that he took it down himself. A fifth claim comes from Mr D. Richards, of Otaki. Particulars of the claim are not yet available, as corroborative information has to be obtained from England. Mr Power related that lie, as corporal in charge of the party guarding the Parliament Building at Mulinuu, Apia, gained possession of the Imperial Ensign of Germany. The flag was flown by the Governor, Herr Schultz, from Parliament Building and also used by the Governor on trips about the island. This is the history of the flag ns told to Mr Power by Saga, the Governor’s interpreter. Mr Yincent Mitchell, at present employed at the.- stores department of the New Zealand Railways, Wellington, was also present at the time the present owner obtained the flag and vouches for its origin. The flag is interesting apart from the manner of its acquisition, as the Imperial Ensign is of an extinct monarchy. Above the double eagle in the centre of black, white and red bands is tlio crown of Imperial Germany and a scroll. This flag was used only with the permission of the Kaiser or

his representative: It is not often that the Royal Navy resorts to using table linen for flags, but the landing party at Apia on August 30, 1914, had to use a table napkin for a flag of truce. “British warships never carry a white flag. It is one of the age-old traditions, I have been told,” said Mr Power, “but on this occasion the rules of war made it imperative that a flag of truce should be carried by the landing party when asking for the surrender of the island. It had to be done and the difficulty was overcome by nailing a serviette to a staff.”