No Formal Regret

The Grand National Assembly at Angora ordered that no Government building was to lower the Turkish flag to half-mast on the occasion of the death of President Harding. It is believed that Turkey is the only country in the world which did not observe this custom. The Government was not represented at any memorial service.

Both Mexico and Russia, two countries whose Governments are not recognized by the U. S., expressed their official regret to the Government and people of the U. S. A.

Because of the lack of diplomatic relations with Washington, Turkey was, of course, well within the boundaries of diplomatic etiquette in refusing officially to lower her flag. Although the matter is of no importance, a less rigorous observance in this matter would have left a pleasanter impression and cost nothing.

Caliph Abdul Medjid, as a private citizen, lowered the Crescent to half-mast on the state yacht and palaces. Flags of the Allied warships on the Bosphorus and in the Dardanelles, all flew their flags at half-mast.