The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-20

mallclOuS mlScnleI. The LlC in iail. Allan L. Graham, infantry post of the American Le- zion, and William E. Garden, com mander of the Fred Bunch Post and presiding commissioner of superior court, obtained their release by post ing $50 bail for each one and turned them over to naval authorities. They said:
 '"The act of these men constituted a public service to the people of California in that the display of such flag is contrary to the form, force, and effect of it's statutes" " The flag, they said, was "the sym bol of an organization in violent opposition to organized govern ment" and was "so displayed as to be an aid to propaganda that advocates by force and violence the overthrow of government"
 The sailors - Harold Sturtevant. 9, and E. G. Lackey, 20-said they thought fifth columnist hung out the flag. They wouldn't have touched it, had they known it was being flown by the German consul late, they said.
 On Leave At Time
 Naval authorities said the fact that they were on leave from the Mare Island Navy Yard Psycho- pathic ward Saturday when they shinned up the flag staff on the ninth floor consulate Saturday and shredded the flag while thousands cheered, may have a bearing on the case"
 Sturtevant had been in the ward three months, Lackey entered more than & month ago Both were vic tims of Somnambulism (sleep walk ing) Despite their ailment. their records were said to have previously been good. Presumably they were Incured, because they were sub ject to discharge as unfit for further duty.
 Capt. Fritz Weidemann. German consul general here, said destruc- tion of the flag was "a violation of international law The consulate prepared dossier of the incident, including pictures of the sailors destroying the flag, and of the cheering throng.
 Regret at Capital
 Washington, Jan. 20-(UP)-The state department expressed regret | othe German embassy last night over the tearing of German flag from the German consulate in San Francisco by two United States sailors and three civilians Saturday The state department said it would investigate the incident.
 Captain Fritz Weidemann, Ger man consul general at San Francis co, had reported the incident to the embassy, and the embassy called it to the attention of the state de- partment.
 Berlin, Jan. 20-CUP)-A German spokesman hinted today at further political and diplomatic develop ments growing out of the NaN flag incident in San Francisco Saturday.
 The incident made the worst possible impression here" he said. Tt is regarded as a moral incident and not otherwise. don't want to rule out further political and diplo- matic developments in connection with it."
 Two United States sailors tore the Nazi flag from the German consulate in San Francisco while . crowd cheered. The State Depart ment in Washington expressed re- gret to the German embassy yes terday.
 The spokesman was asked if the State Departments expression closed the incident, and replied: T don't know how the government will react to the State Departments regrets because I am not cognizant of them officially and I don't be- lieve the government is officially cognizant of them"
 Newspapers denounced the incl dent as "an impudent insult to the German flag. Editorially, they said it was the direct result of hatred against Germany stirred up by the United States government.
 Scandal0uS Incident
 The spokesman said that Ger many was presented with the fact of a scandalous incident-the vio- lation of the holiest symbol of the nation by bowling. agitated crowd in the presence of police authorities and in violation of the laws of hos pitality which are respected even in the jungle"
 A news agency report quoting a