The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-06
German Embassy Alone Lets Bitterness In At Wilson's
 Bier
INCIDENT HAPPENS s ! OVER FLAG ORDER
Berlin Government At First In- : structed It's Emblem Not Be
 Placed At Half Mast
WAVE or .RDIGNAYl0N
 SPREADS OVER NATION
Disc0urtesy % Deeply Resented Statement Issued Announc- \ ing Flag Will Be Lowered

WASHINGTON, Feb. .5.--war-time bitterness flared up over the bier of Woodrow Wilscu until the German government, reconsidering it's former decision. consented to lower the flag on its embassy here to half f-mast dur ing the funeral Wednesday. sse
 Still nursing the hatreds of the great conflict, the Berlin government i'm structed its embassy here not to fly it's flag at half-mast, as it regarded Mir. Wilson as q private citizen and saw no reason why his death should be off cially~ recognized.
 When this was learned cry of in- dignation went up through the capital, where political animosities have been submerged in common sorrow at the passing of this great war figure. Sew eral hours later,, after high officials, members of Congress and American 1e- zion officers had voiced their disap- proyal of the discourtesy and called it to the attention of the State depart nieuf,1 the embassy issued statement announcing that it would lower its flag to half<mast on the day of the funeral. This statement &aid:
 Decision Changed
 'It having been officially announced this afternoon that there will be gem eral mourning for : the late President Wilson tomorrow after 12:30 o'clock, the German embassy will join the ex- pression of the nations mourning by Flying its flag at half-mast."
 The embassy had said: "The German government considers the late Mir. Wilson private citizen and therefore instructed the German embassy to refrain from official display of mourning"
 This incident is bound to produce an unfortunate effect, because it comes just at the moment when the United States is engaged in the humanitarian work of alleviating starvation among g1do1al relief oyxanizatiop{ heade4 hx tae American army 0f occupation, is soliciting funds from the public for food. relief and this aifront will ge- riously interfere with the flow of gifts.
 Food Relief Bill Now in House
 Furthermore, the incident happened at the very moment when American citizens were testifying before com nittee of the House of Representatives, which is considering bill to appro- priate $50,000,000 of government mon ey for food relief.
 With; this exception, the whole caP- ital was in mourning and moved for ward with preparations to make the Wilson funeral, private as 1t is in a sense, the greatest tribute which the capital has ever paid to depa;Sed private citizen. All other embassies and legations, including those of Aus tria and Hungary, and all public build inss, flew colors at half mast.
 The Cabinet met as usual, but at the request of President Coolidge nothing except plans for honoring the memory of Mir. Wilson, was discussed. He cut the red tape and directed that govern ment departments close on the after noon of the funeral, although there is law .forbidding it. Coolidge got around this by simply directing that no work be required on Wednesday af- ternoon. A
 For two minutes, as the coffin is be- ing lowered into the crypt, the whole city will stop in silence. Street cars will stand still, automobiles and taxi cabs will draw to the curbs. Pedes- trians will stand wherever they may happen to be, with heads bowed. All business will. suspend. Chairman John
 tGanfiuusd ea Paae Tvs column Eeurl.