🚀 go-pugleaf

I just received a DECstation 3100 and I am running
the uwm window manager.  (either manually or under
the dxsession manager)  When I press the "Compose Character"
key, which is my Meta key to move windows around, etc as
described in my uwmrc file, the LED labelled "Compose" 
comes on adn stays on.  If I then move the mouse into another
window and begin typing, the first several characters are
lost, a "beep" occurrs, the "Compose" LED goes out and then
everything is normal again (until I use the Meta key).

We have other 3100s around and they don't seem to do this.
Running xmodmap reveals that the key is called "Multi_key"
and it is mapped to "mod1" modifier.  Does anyone know
what is going on here?  It seems like the Compose key
has some feature intentionally that is getting in the way
of normal operation of uwm.   Any help appreciated...
(BTW, swapping keyboards did not help)

thanks
Gordie Jacobs