File No. 697/60.
Chargé Garrett to
the Secretary of State.
American Embassy,
Rome, November 1,
1909.
No. 70.]
Sir: With reference to Mr. Adee’s instruction
No. 10 (file No. 697/48) of August 18 last, in regard to the display of
American flags in front of various saloons and bars in Messina, Catania,
and other Italian cities, I have the honor to inform you that I
immediately addressed a note to the foreign office calling its attention
to this matter and asking if the Italian law controlled the display of
foreign flags or if there were any other means which could be employed
to prevent this abuse of the American national emblem.
I am now in receipt of a note from the foreign office, a copy of which,
together with a translation thereof is herewith inclosed, in reply to my
note, stating that the Italian law has no control over the hoisting of
foreign flags in Italy, but that the several shopkeepers at Messina who
have flown American flags in front of their respective places of
business have been requested to withdraw them, and this is expected to
be the desired remedy.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Promemoria.
Ministry for Foreign Affairs,
Rome, October 28, 1909.
No. 3.]
With reference to the memorandum handed by the chargé d’affaires of
the United States on the 8th September, the royal ministry for
foreign affairs has the honor to inform that no internal provision
exists in reference with the use and the exposition of foreign flags
by private citizens.
From the investigation made by the competent authorities, it appears
that at Messina three shopkeepers have hoisted the American flag
outside of their shops, and that at Catania, in a shop situated just
opposite the residence of the vice consul of the United States, the
American flag, together with the national flag, has been hoisted on
the occasion of solemn festivities.
However, in view of the unfavorable impression which the authorities
of the United States have received from these facts, the
above-mentioned shopkeepers have been invited not to expose in the
future the American flag, so that the inconvenience may be
considered as having been removed.
