Complex sentence: His political leaders, usually signed with two asterisks, always attracted great attention; and his services as a publicist were recognized by Francis Joseph I., who conferred upon him the decoration of the Order of the Iron Crown (3d class) on July 9,1904.
Split into simpler sentences: His political leaders, usually signed with two asterisks, always attracted great attention. His services as a publicist were recognized by Francis Joseph I., who conferred upon him the decoration of the Order of the Iron Crown (3d class) on July 9,1904.