The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-09

| QUEBEC, July 4.-trenCh Canaua mas
virtually adopted n new flag. 1t has al
ready used four or five other flags differing
from the Canadian flag proper, but none
of.them quite expressed the real national
aims and desires of the French Canadians.
Even the new standard is not yet assured
Of universal adoption, though 1t is being
very largely employed by groups OF French
| Canadians throughout the whole Of Canada
and also for church and other decoration in
certain French Canadian centers in the New
England States.
| Suggested in several quarters more than
year ago, it has suddenly sprung into
general use during the various celebra-
lions OF the national festival Of st. Jean
Baptiste, which have been held recently in
the principal French Canadian centers OF
population.
The ground of the new flag is sky blue
and 1t Is divided into four parts by large
white cross, the arms of which run directly
up and down and straight across the bunt-
ing. In each corner of the flag is placed
white spear heaC or fleur de lys, while
standing out in the color of fire, at the inter-
section Of the arms of the cross Is O represen-
taton Of the Sacred Heart.
Visitors have always been strrck with
the number OF French tricolors decorating
the streets and public buildings OF Montreal.
Ottawa, Quebec and other parts OF French
Canada. This year the French coors are
still occasionally in evidence brt are being
rapidly displaced by the new French
Canadian flag above described.
Like all Gallo peoples the French Cana
dians attach a great deal of sentimental
interest to the symbolism of flags. and
there Il consequently considerable signif-
canoe In the present change of standards.
To comprehend this significance 1t "a
necessary to make brief retrospect Of
different French Canadian colors since the
conquest Of the country by Gen. Wolfe.
When Gen. Montcalm's successor, De
Lewis capitulated to the British troops in
Canada 1t is said that he burned all his
flags rather than permit them to fall into
the enemy's hands. For many years after
the conquest the French Canadians do not
seem to have seen any necessity for the Use
Of distinctively French Canadian flag.
When the rebellion of 1928 broke out
several flags were used bearing incen-
diary legends Of various kinds, and there
was standard showing two eagles on
white ground, an American and Canadian
eagle, holding branch of maple. While
this flag disappeared with the ending of
the rebellion. the revolutionary French
tricolor sanctioned by the st. Jean Raptiste
or national society OF the French Canadians,
had taken its place.
The object Of its Use was to testify to
the fact that the French Canadians were
fully determined to maintain their own
French nationality in the New World, dis
tinct from their English speaking fellow
subjects.
After the Crimean War and the fall of
Sebastopol, in which the armies OF France
and England were allied against the Rus
slams, the trcolor OF red, white and blue
was much employed in decorations, to-
gether with the Union Jack, by English
men, both in England and in Canada. 1t
was not pleasing to the French Canadians
to see that what they had been accustomed
to consider as their own special flag in
Canada and az marking their distinctive
nationality in the New World was being
also used by their English speaking fellow
citizens. SO another change was made
in the flag, and in order to localize the
Canadian interest in the French colors
the manle leaf and the beaver were added
to the tricolor.
The Enx':sh element 1.-THE Dominion
soon dropped the use OF the tricolor alto
gether, but appropriated the beaver and
the maple leaf from time to time as en-
blems OF the whole Dominion. and both
are now embodied in the Canadian flag