Evening star., 1935-08-02
REPLY DEPLORES
NAN FLAG RIOT
U. S. Exchange of Notes
With Germany Completed
Without Apology.
BY the Associated Press.

complete today with State Depart
ment reply that the incident was
in no sense due to neglect on the
part of American authorities"
No apology had been demanded
and none was forthcoming in the
answer given yesterday to Charge
d'Affaires Rudolf Leitner by Acting
Secretary Phillips.
The note did say, however, that
'It is unfortunate that, in spite OF
the sincere efforts of the police to
prevent any disorder whatever, the
German national emblem should, dur
ing the disturbance which took place,
not have received that respect to
which it is entitled"
The German government had in
structed Herr Leitner to make the
most emphatic protest against this
serious insult to the German ma
tional emblem" and expressed the
expectation that everything would be
done by the American authorities to
punish the guilty.
Phillips reply said the persons i'm
plicated in the disorder aboard the
ship last Friday have been appre-
hended and are being held for trial"
Police Report Given.
The note contained a police report
of the occurrence and said the police
authorities at New York had taken
most extensive precautions in order
to prevent any untoward incident"
The State Department said the
police report indicated a considerable
number of police had been detailed
to prevent a disturbance, but that
the officers of the Bremen did not
deem it necessary to adopt" measures
designed to keep unauthorized per-
sons from the decks of the ship.
Detective Matthew Solomon was set
upon and knocked down as he tried
to arrest leaders of the demonstra-
tors, the American note said.
While Berlin had expressed the
expectation" that the American au-
thorities would act to punish the
demonstrators, there was nothing in
the note to indicate the Federal Gov
ernment would intercede in the prose-
cution of the case in New York
The police report said steamship
line officials had been warned of the
threatened demonstration, but that
the Bremen's officers and crew-re-
enforced by SIS special officers-had
declared they were fully competent
to handle any situation aboard the
vessel.
The police said Communists. who
had issued handbillS calling all CathO-
lies, Jews and -Nazis to the pier
for demonstration. we're allowed to
go on board the Bremen by paying a
10-cent fee.
Reds Among Visitors.
1t said among those who boarded
the vessel in that manner were the
small group of Reds" who started
the riot, tore down the flag and Sc
yerely injured Detective Solomon.
The American note said:
Il have received your note of July
29, 1885, in which, upon instructions
from your government, you lodge a
protest against the action of demon
strators in New York in tearing down
the German flag flying from the bow
of the German steamship Bremen
when that vessel was departing from
New York the night of July &C. 1885.
You also give expression to the hope
that everything will be done by the
appropriate American authorities in
order that the guilty persons may be
punished.
THE appropriate authorities in New
York have provided me with a full
report of this matter, and I incloSe
a copy for your information. You will
note that the police authorities took
most extensive precautions in order
to prevent any untoward incidents;
that having learned in advance that
demonstration was planned, they
consulted with the representatives of
the interested steamship companies
and in cooperation with them took
all measures which seemed calculated
to assure order; and that the Incl
dent which actually occurred was in
no sense due to neglect on the part of
the American authorities.
Large Police Detail.
"I invite particular attention to
those sections of the report which
indicate that a very considerable
number of police were detailed to
prevent disturbances; that the police
suggested measures to prevent per-
sons other than the passengers and
other duly authorized visitors from
boarding the vessel, but that the
officers of the steamship line did
not deem it necessary to adopt such
measures; that unauthorized persons,
accordingly, succeeded in boarding the
steamer; that before the vessel sailed
such elements started a demonStra-
ton; that police authorities took i'm
mediate and efficient action with a
view to clearing the ship of all un-
authorized persons, and that during
the course of this action one of the
police, namely, Detective Matthew
Solomon, in attempting to apprehend
the ringleaders, was set upon, knocked
down and sustained serious injury.
Il also invite attention to that
section of the incloSed report which
indicates that the persons implicated
In this disorder have been appre-
hended and are being held for trial.
of the sincere efforts of the police
to prevent any disorder whatever,
the German national emblem should,
during the disturbance which took
place, not have received that respect
to which it is entitled"
Text of Protest.
The department coincidently made
public the text of the German protest,
signed by Leitner. 1t said:
by direction of my government.
have the honor to advise your excel
Iency of the following:
Late in the evening Of July 26.
shortly before the departure of the
German steamship Bremen from New
York Harbor, the German flag flying
from the bow of the steamship was
violently torn of by demonstrators.
IT am instructed to make the most
emphatic protest against this serious
insult to the German national en-
I.In,. ond ivaptttro tn oyprnce tho