The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-30
Probably Imagined He Was a Consul
or Diplomatic Agent, Instead
of Customs Ofncer.
AN ATTORNEY PROVOKED
DIDN'T LIKE THE LOOKS OF KING
EDWARDS ENSIGN,
So He Cut the HaIyards, the Flag
Came Down, and Then He Gave
His Card to the Agent.

WASHINGTON, June 29-The press re-
port that the British customs officer at
Skagway hoisted the union jack over his
office and that 1t was pulled down by
an American has not been confirmed by
State Department advlces. The officials
say they have not received any representa-
tion concerning the flag incident. Based on
the press reports of the affair. the officials
do not attach serious Importance to the
incident itself. although ii Is recognized
that the matter might assume Importance
IL the raising of the flag was an assertion
Of British sovereignty over that locality.
In that event there is no doubt the State
Department would take cognizance of the
matter But as it stands the flag appears
to be that of the customs officer. for the
convenience of designating where customs
may be paid and not the British emblem
indicating any claim of sovereignty. For
the present no official attention will be
given the incident. as 1t is not before the
department in any form.
The incident is thus reported in a dis
patch from Vancouver. b. c.: THE
steamer Islander from Skagway to-day
brings news of an exciting flag episode
at Skagway. l.. S. Busby, Canadian Gus
from Ottawa, hoisted the British flag on
pole above his office. Several incendiary
remarks followed the hoisting of the en-
sign, and on the following morning a tall,
athletic-looking young man glanced up at
the flag, and. stopping at the foot of the
staff, took out his poclsatknife and, cut
ting the halyards, pulled down the flag
and ran the halyards through the block,
cd ba nd int
a recess of the bidding. Customs Agent
Busby came to the defense of the flag of
his country. When he reached the flag
furler, the latter pulled a card from his
tonished Canadian, turned on his | s
and walked away On the card was
George Miller. attorney at law, Eugene
Ore. Miller is a brother of Joaquin Mil
Ter, the California poet, and is visiting
friends in Skagway.
THE Skagway News says: This Incl
dent, which has caused no end of comment
to-day, has been brewing for several days.
When the flag was put up on the depot
building the matter was called to the at
tention of c. L. Andrews, United States
deputy collector Of customs. Mr.. Andrews
Investigated the matter. and found nothing
in his instructions which he thought justi-
fled the Canadian officer in raising the
British flag unless the stars and stripes
waved above it. He accordingly called on
Mr.. Busby and had talk with him in re-
lation to the proposed innovation. Mr.
Busby showed him a letter from the chief
customs official OF Canada, which stated
In substance that as American customs Of
ficials operating on Canadian soil in con-
ditions corresponding TO his (Mr. Busby 81
Office were permitted TO fly the flag of their
country, he was entitled to the right. and
hypothesis that the Canadian officials
would not go on record with such a state
ment II 1t were not fact Mr.. Andrews
rights and accordingly took no action in
the matter.