The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-07-11
JAPAN DEPLORES
INSULT TO. FLAG
Foreign Minister Calls and
Expresses Regret
PREMIER ORDERS INQUIRY
Government Informs Diet II Will
Guard Against Further Incl
dents-shidehara Offers "
Apology.

j. lGS-s 49, -,s--------- ~ ,s.{ syis'y'
Toxic. - The cutting down of
the American flag at the United
States Embassy here by a un-
identified japanese was discussed
in the lower house of the Diet,
while it was officially indicated
that a special meeting of the
Cabinet might be held to discuss
the affair. K
The matter was reported to Premier
Kato during session of the House OF
Representatives. With Foreign Min
lister Shidehara and Home Minister
Wakatsuki, the Premier Immediately
left. the Chamber for a conference as
to what action should be taken. Fol
lewing the conference a most
thorough police search for. the man
who cut down the flag was ordered,
together with an investigation into all
phases of the affair.
"A. formal statement of the incident
was issued by the Foreign Office. y
realize what the American flag means
to the American people," Minister
Shidehara said in making public the
statement, land we are most regret
full that this has happened
The Foreign Office statement read:
"A man apparently about ~ years
old secretly entered the compound OF
the United States Embassy, stealthily
lowered the embassy flag and then
made good his escape. The action was
discovered by several policemen dis
patched thither in connection with
the anti-American demonstrations
which had been going on in the city
since morning. Chase was given i'm.
mediately The police lost sight of
the man they sought after hot chase
for short distance. Thereupon pc.
lice authorities Immediately took
vigorous measures to restore order. A
thorough search for the malefactor is
being made" =.
II regret this incident exceedingly
Minister Shidehara told Jefferson CAT,
fiery, the American Charge d'Affaires
when the latter called to report the
matter to him. The baron added that
the affair was causing the Government
great worry as well as regret Premier
Kato, he said, had ordered, first, the
apprehension of the flag cutter at any
price, and, second, the most rigorous
police search and investigation.
Il hope that no American believes
this incident represents the sentiment
of any thinking Japanese or has the
approval Of any member Of our in
telligent or responsible classes" Baron
Shidehara concluded.
The remnants of the flag, now in
possession of Charge Caffery, show
that the flag proper was ripped with q
knife from the canvas band whereby
it was joined to the halyards. Only
one band was left, with few clinging
shreds of the flag ITSELF
The police have forbidden publica
ton of the news in local newspapers
The discussion in the House of Rep
resentatives followed the introduction
of an urgent resolution changing the
order of the day and permitting an
Interpolation of the Government on
the flag incident The resolution was
presented by Chu il Shimooka, one
time Vice Minister of Home Affairs
and leader Of the Kenseikai, the
strongest party in this Parliament.
"The Government extremely regrets
the United States flag incident" Home
Minister Wakatsuki declared In reply
ing to the Interpolation. "The Gov
eminent will exercise increased pre-
cautions to guard against such Incl
dents in the future"
In his address on the subject Shi
mooka expressed the regret of the
House of Representatives that any
such demonstration should have taker
place. He asked the Home Minister
to explain Sin order to avoid any mis-
understanding by the American PEG
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