The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-05-22
THE FIRST '..
FLAG in
MANILA
Hung Over the Street
in Front of Portland
Hotel Thursday
Went up in the Old City Of
the DOnS When the
Spanish Flag Came
Down Forever

President Roosevelt and every 9th.
er patriotic American who today
passes under the large American flag
suspended high over Sixth street In
front of the Portland hotel, win gaze
on IL with more than usual interest
when they know Il was the first
American flag hoisted on the walls
of the old city OF Manila II took the
place of the Spanish flag. the lower.
ing OF which marked the end OF Span.
ish rule In the Philippines.
The flag was sent ashore from the
battioship Olympia by Admiral Dewey
In charge OF Lieutenant Brumbage.
and two midshipmen. who reported TO
General Merritt, and aftor the terms
OF capitulation had been agreed upon
the Spanish flag was lowered and this
dag raised in its place with the same
halliards. There were two battalions
OF the Second Regiment Of Oregon
Volunteers inside the walls at the
time. and the band OF that regiment
on It's way into the city came along
just as the flag was raised and, halt.
ing. played "The starSpangled Ban,
ner." probably the first time this
AAoAh RAA NhAA hAM NNAN NANn HlMNNu III
Manila. The enthusiasm thus
aroused in connection with the rails
ing OF the flag, can be better imagined
than described. and the heavens were
rent with the cheers OF the Americans
In which many OF the inhabitants
Joined.
General Summers was appointed
provost marshal. and II was his duty
20 give orders for the raising and low.
ering OF the big flag daily. II was
found that the hag was too large for
the stan which supported II. and was
likely TO break H. Then General Me.
Arthur arrived In the city to succeed
General Summer as provost marshal.
and that morning General Summers
ordered the large flag replaced by a
proper garrison flag. which the pole
could sustain.
Having at heart the interests Of the
State OF Oregon. whose troops were
the first To land In the City OF Manila.
and feeling that the large flag would
be souvenir for this state which
would be appreciated by future gener.
ations General Summer took charge
OF IL and shipped IL home before the
troop returned. No state In the union
has a trophy Of the Spanish-American
War more sacred than this
Such trophie are generally sent 10
Washington 20 be preserved but.
owing % the circumstances. Flag
Lieutenant Brumbage could not Sc,
cure Il az tho time. and so II fell 10
this state. As Il had been sent from
the Olympia, Admiral Dewey was de.
sirous OF having II returned, and he
had a hunt for Il kept up for two
months. but II had started for Oregon
and could not be found. and II Is now
the property OF this state by right Of
conquest and possession.
The end Of the flag has been mutil.
ated by relic hunters. II was dis
played here at the time OF the return
OF the Oregon troops from Manila,
and was hung so low that a number OF
persons. knowing It's history. took the
opportunity to cut OF small pieces.
Pains were taken on this occasion To-
have Il hung out OF the reach OF all
relic hunters. Eventually the flag VIII
probably be- placed In the state capi.
toll and as a relic II will Increase In
value as the years roll on.-Oregonian