The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-10

to most embarrassing situations. 1t Is
a deadly insult to hoist the nag OF one
friendly nation above that OF another
nation, and. in consequence OF this
when national flags are used for deco
ration, each must rave its nag
staff. Trouble has often arisen over
this point on occasions of ship decora-
ton. One OF the naval signal hass
bears the tri-color of France with the
red and blue transposed, and another
is the Dutch flag upside down. The
use of these flags in decoration had
such a disastrous effect - French
and Dutch nerves that at last those
special signals were barred from festive
occasions.
Many hotel keepers who were rash
enough or ignorant enough to show re-
spect to an illustrious guest by hoist
ing the flag of his nation above their
own on their flagstaff have learned
lessons in regard to flag etiquette. In
deed, one Scotch innkeeper walks with
a crutch as the result of an attempt to
honor a famous French guest at the ex-
pense of the feelings of his Highland
neighbors.
The custom Of using a piece OF old
bunting fastened to a cask as a target
for gun practice at sea has furnished
material for other misunderstanding.
While an English man-of-war was In
port at Larnaca, Cyprus, gun practice
was ordered, but, as the ship had been
out a long time, stores were scarce, ana
not a piece of old bunting could be
found. One of the marines came to the
rescue with a kerchief which he had
bought at Malta while disturbances
were pending at Naples. and which bore
the italian colors, red. white and green.
The kerchief was fastened to a cask
and the firms began. In the midst OF
the prorttra a small hOat WAS seen 10 he
lowered from a French ship anchored
at some distance. The little boat, d.
| rected by a g~esticulating officer, APP
preached the target. but did not go very
near 1t. Then the boat scurried off to
shore.
It dinner time the English officer sent
men out to see II the target would do
| for afternoon practice. and they reported
ii badly ~demoralized. but still service
able. While the officers were at dinner
the cask sank, taking the kerchief down
with IL. At midnight the captain was
~astonished by being routed from his
bunk to meet the French and English
consuls and a number of irate French
officers. The French captain had re-
ported that the English were using a
French flag as a target. had stirred up
the French residents to demand repara-
ton for the dissertation and the whole
town was in an uproar. The English
captain explained, but he wasted his
breath. The French captain and Off
GERS a seen the flag. They had gone
close to II, wishing to rescue IL at the
risk of their lives. but la finally de-
cided to appeal to the consul. The next
day the case came up on shore. The
English swore to the facts; the French
denied them.
do you think I DO not kno my
fag?" demanded the French captain.
that piece OF cotton than the man who
has been blowing his nose upon II for
10 months?' snorted the exasperated
English officer.
The target was under six fathoms OF
water and the situation seemed hope
less, but finally a lucky cast of the
grapnel brought up the offending rae
and the muddy, tattered bit Of cotton
was triumphantly borne TO the consul
ate. where it brought about a settlement
OF the difficulty. Trouble of the same
sort arose between English and Turks
at Beyrout and there are other instances
of such Observation-Disclosures.
Honor and respect are shown by dip
ping colors on. land and by hauling
them down smoothly and instantly re-
placing them at sea. In the latter case
they must not remain stationary a sec
ond. for a flag lowered or at half mast
is a sign OF mourning or defeat: and IN
the case of salute TO a visiting digni'
tary, for instance. grief would hardly
be the proper sentiment.
For many years the English demand
ed that all ships met at sea should sa
lutte the English flag, n all nations
were obliged to do so. No exception
were made. and when a Spanish fee
of $50 sail. escorting Philip of Spain e
his marriage with Queen Mary of Eng
land. met IS English ships under How
ard and failed to salute the English col
ors, Lord Howard ordered decks cleare'
for action and sent a OF sho
crashing into the vessels of the Spanisi
admiral. The Spanish took the hint
struck colors TO the English flag an
were permitted to pass on.
Surrender at sea is made by hauling
down colors or sometimes by hoistini
the victorious enemy's flag above tina
of the surrendering ship. At night sur
render is shown by signals.
To hoist false colors in time OF war
in order 10 escape or TO entice an enem,
mitted to be legitimate. but to engag
or TO commit hostile acts unde thes
false colors is considered the depth o
dishonor. Nava authorities also draV
a line between misleading and base
cheating, but the distinction Is a fin
one. An incident In the war of 1888 wi
illustrate the distinction.
The French frigate Sybille. s6 guns
sighted the English Hussar. 3 gum
The Sybille had shortly before been in
jured in a fight and was under jur
J masts, SO she could not give chase. bu