Evening star., 1924-02-06
Unidentified Men Act in Night
After Refusal to Lower Own
C0Iors for Wilson.
POLICE GUARD PLACED
IN FRONT OF BUILDING
Teuton Emblem Is Flown at Half
Staff From 1890 O'Clock
Today as Tribute.

The German embassy, 1889 Massa-
chuSetts avenue northwest, which
yesterday refused to lower its colors
to half-staff out of respect for Wood
row Wilson-then changed it's mind
and announced the colors would be
lowered at 1890 o'clock today
greeted early morning passers-by to-
day with large American flag.
hung from the porte-cochere, and ap-
parently nailed there.
How It came there will remain a
mystery except to those who carried
it to the embassy and put it up about
4 o'clock this morning. The group
was composed of score or more of
men. one of whom visited news
paper office and told of their plans.
The men apparently tried to scale
the front of the building with the
intention of flying the flag from the
embassy staff, but unsuccessful in
this, hung the flag from the port-co-
chere and left quietly. There were no
eye-witnesses.
Police Remove Flag.
4 crowd was beginning to gather
outside the embassy building to
watch developments early today
when two bicycle policemen. pedaiing
post haste from the second precinct,
arrived and removed the flag. They
had been summoned by a telephone
call complaining against trepass on
embassy property, but who tele-
A. l,,,n mo he
mystery, for the embassy denied hav-
ing called the police and refused to
say anything more about the matter.
After taking down the flag and
dispensing the crowd the officers were
stationed in front of the building to
make sure there would be TO further
demonstra tions. Lieut.. Michael Ready
was placed In charge Of the detail.
Decided TO Lower Flag.
After the German embassy had an
nounced yesterday that because Mr..
Wilson was considered a private citi-
zen the national colors at the EN-
bassy would not be flown at half
staff. it was announced later the
colors would be lowered at 1880
o'clock today. when the government
departments close.
The announcement follows:
1T having been officially an
nounced this afternoon that there
President Wilson. after 1890 o'clock
the German embassy will join the
expression of the nations mourning by
flying it's flag at half-staff.",
In connection with the flag Incl
dent. Paul J. McGahan, department
commander Of the American Legion
of the District of Columbia. last night
issued the following statement:
Protest by Legion Head.
members of the American Legion,
of which Mr.. Wilson was member,
deplore the failure of the German
government in the matter of paying
that the officials at the German en-
bassy here acted as they did.
"There will be no lack Of emphasis
on the part of the posts of the Ameri-
can Legion in this department and
throughout the country IN express
ing their sentiments.
"In order that the full force Of the
American Legion's opinion may be
behind this expression, and the form
it will take, 1 am bringing the Incl
dent to the attention of the national
commander, and requesting him to
take such steps as will fix the re-
sponsibility SO that the people of this
country may be fully informed.
May Appeal to Hughes.
'lf there has been any breach of
diplomatic courtesy or any failure to
cooperate in the matter of official
courtesies on the part of the German
government or its representatives at
the embassy here. there exists no
doubt in my mind but that the prop
er officials of our own government
will be prompt to seek redress.
"The District of Columbia Depart
ment of the American. Legion will in
yite the attention of Secretary of
State Hughes to the incident for such
action as lies within the power of
this government
"When diplomacy fails of action in
pror1iety and courtesy there should
1Continued on page 5, column 81.