TEARING THE GERMAN FLAG.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3589, 16 August 1890, Page 2

TEARING THE GERMAN FLAG.

A Little Tumult Among Frenohmoa. (Sydney Daily Telegraph.) Memories of Gravelotte, of Metz oftiedan,' still rankle in the minds of the sons of Gaul. But till yestor&y it might have been deemed impossible that in this neutral territory any ebullition of national resentment/ against the flag of a victorious foe could have taken plnce. The Freiioh colonists went out yesterday to eujoy their national fete day at Botany Bay.. The rendezvous ia on the shores of that bay, into which the intrepid navigator, La Perouse,' sailed only to find that ho was just too lato to secure in Australia big prize for Franoe, the first fleet having already taken possession. Bound the luncheon table wero hung several ensigns of various notions-British Amerioau, Russian, Austrian and others. . Tho guests had not been long in their seats before it was apparent that something was causing them uneasiness, and following tho direction of the ill-pleased— if not angry—glances of some, it was observable that among other flags was tho Qermau one. Presently one of tho waiters, for a modest '"consideration," was noticed ap- • proaching the flag, and then ho 1 commenced to draw it on one aide and roll it up, There was ,OTttle hand-clapping, not loud, which was suppressed by ominous " sh-li—"a," | and it was hoped, that tho little ; matter would not bo noticed. 1 Luncheon ended, most of the guests moved on. to the lawn, and the flag ' w«s dropped again and waved its folds lazily in the light breeze, Instantly ' oxoited remarks were heard, and one gentleman rushed across the room 1 and gave the flag a pull with the intention of hauling it downiSft had ' only managed 'to tear'lfl about three parts- of . the way ' aoross 1 when ho was surrounded by others. Two parties then arose 1 —one contending that the flag should be hauled down, the other that it shouldtemain where it was. Angry words filled thoair, and it was some time before the tumujt. ceased, and though at times it seemed that violence might be rosorted to, that happily was avoided. ; Meanwhile, a step ladder was scoured, and , ono of the fair daughters of Franoe ' went up, pinned tlie torn flag tdgother j again, aud it was allowed to remain, , The" inoident"gave risa-to-a good '' deal of feeling and commented by the majority of those' present was regarded with extreme regret; 'The e flag iii question, had b'oen sont 0 with others for purposes of deoora- , tion, and by some inadvertence it ' was placed in position. There was an evident desire on the part °pf all t conoerned to hush tho up, and one gentleman said to oar reporter that the attempt to pull down theflag was'not mede in any hostile spirit, but that it was felt that it 3 should not be left there on such an g occasion. Once up there," he said, ; "it should have been loft, for we do not want anything of this bind in a ' land like tbjs whero wo have oome to better ourselves." . While it seemed to be agreed upon on all hands that the presenoo of theflag was objectionable, there was a feeling that it should . have been allowed to remain, seeing a that France and Germany were now 1 at peace.