GERMANY: One Flag

Dr. Otto Gessler, German Minister of Defense, startled the Reichswehr by ordering that only the black, red & gold flag of the Republic shall be displayed on Reichswehr buildings and by officers and men of the German Army. The order also included the families of Reichswehr soldiers and all civilians housed on Reichswehr property, although display of the flag in this case was made optional.

Berlin, a city that has long been accustomed to the defiance flung by thousands of black, white & red monarchist flags, waxed hot and cold at this decree. Fiery Royalists announced that the government was going too far. They argued that personal liberty had been infringed by the mandate, that it was monstrous to prevent good monarchist soldiers from waving their flag, under which many had fought and bled for their country.

Stalwart Republicans made light of these remonstrances, saw nothing unusual in forcing the national army to use the national colors, adding that permission to fly the monarchist emblem might lead to a part of the army fighting against the Republic, if they so chose.

Discussion grew tense when it was discovered that the imperial flag might not even be used at a military funeral and that wreaths might not be tied with black, white & red ribbons. Nor would monarchist ire be allayed by the sop that imperial uniforms might still be worn by veterans at anniversary reunions and at the private burial of comrades,