The Washington herald., 1909-02-21
ORDERS FOR WOMEN
Many OF Them Established
by European Powers.
WERE FOUNDED IN RUSSIA
Legion of Honor Only Decoration
Lest in Franee-HighIy Prized Or
der In Germany that Of Louisa
Established by Frederick william
in Is1@ReIic of True Cross.

Prom the Ctisf European Correspondent Of the
JaHan News Bureau
London, Feb. 20-The decoration Of the
Royal Red Cross which King Edward re-
Gently conferred upon Queen Elena of
Italy for her conduct at Messina IS one
OF many orders Of merit that may be
won and worn by women The Oldest OF
these Is the Order OF the Ak. estab-
lished in the twelfth century by the last
Duke Of Barcelona, Ramon Berenguer.
Its establishment was inspired by the
devoted courage OF the Spanish women in
repelling the AIoors, with whom the Span
iards were then engaged IN life and
death struggle.
The first order in recognition Of wom-
ems personal bravery on the field Of bat
tie was founded in Russia. IN the battle
Of Pruth. when Peter the Great led
the Russian army against the Turks. de-
feat seemed almost inevitable. For long
the fortunes OF the Russian empire hung
In the balance, and the Emperor de-
elared afterWard that IL he had not been
accompanied by the valorous Catherine
the entire army would have been deci-
mated
Bestowed on Wife.
On the conclusion Of peace Peter irsti-
tuted the Order Of Liberty and bestowed
IL upon his wife. During his lifetime il
was conferred on no one else. But in
1877 Paul I modified its character so that
il might be conferred upon the higher
nobility connected with the imperial
house. Each member was especially
charged with the care. manners, and
morals Of a pupil in the royal household.
Il is now known as the Order Of Cath
eTine.
The most highly priced order for wom-
en- IN Germany IS that Of Louisa. estab-
lished in 1S15 by Frederick William III.
It was 10 commemorate the self-sacrifice
OF the women Of Germany during the Ma
p0leOnic campaign which terminated al
Waterloo. The women Of Prussia then
sold their jewels and rings 70 raise money
for the soldiery. and many accompanied
the army into the field Of battle 20 min
lister 10 the wounded and dying.
After the FrancO-P -Prussian war the Serv-
ice Cross for Women and Girls was estab-
Hshed in recognition Of their aid during
the war.
Legion Of Honor.
The Legion OF Honor is now the only
French order left. all others having been
abolished during tbs revolution Il was
established first as the Order Of the Eagle
by Napoleon in 1872 The nrst woman 10
weaer it was Marie Jeanne ScheHnk- IN
179s she enlisted IN the Second Belgian
Battalion and went through several cam
paigns, in the course Of which she was
wounded more than once. After the bat
tie Of AUsterIi1z she was made ueUJen-
ant colonel and was decorated with the
order by Napoleon himself.
Noble work IN the cause Of humanity
entitled a woman to the Order Of Sidonia,
established in $50 by King John OF Sax
Ony.
The Cross OF Mary was founded 10 en-
courage service among the sick and
wounded in time Of war. The decoration
Is that OF the TeUtonic knights. and was
originally limited 70 members Of the Cstn-
ole faith, but that limitation no longer
obtains
In England there are three orders con-
fined to women. In 1S77, when Queen
Victoria assumed the title OF Empress OF
India she founded the Imperial Order OF
the Crown CT India. which may be con
ferred upon priucesses Of the royal house
and wives and female relatives OF Indian
princes, and Of the holders OF nigh or1ce
in India, such as the viceroy and CON-
msnder-in-chief. ard others.
Explains Itself.
The Royal Family Order OF Victoria and
Albert. founded in 1852. explains itself.
The third British womau's order IS that
OF the Royal Red Cross. founded Just
fifty years ago as an Acknowledgement OF
services in nursing the sick and wounded.
The Order Of Merit. instituted By King
Edward IN 1902, is really q mans order.
but It was conferred on Miss Florence
Nightingale.
The LADIES' Order Of ST. Anne, at N.Y.
mich, was founded by the widow of the
Elector Maximilian III in I7s3. and origin
ally was composed OF ten women who
could prove sixteen generations Of nobil!-
ty- There are now three classes, with
twenty-five members in the first. forty
Two IN the second, and third class 10
which daughters OF military officers are
eligible.
The order Of the Starry Cross vas
a
tria in less. After q great fire had de-
stroyed the imperial palace there vas
found in the ruins a little crucifx, said
10 contain a relic Of the true cross. Ac-
cOrd!ng 10 the traditions Of the family
It had been worn by an protected the
Emperor Macmillan in the perilous cam
paign against Martinsward Il was nre-
served in a casket Of crystal and enamel
and after the great fire was entirely IN
injured.
OF Royal Blood.
out OF gratitude for this miraculous
preservation the Empress decided 10 com
memorate the event by establishing an
order for women Pope Clement * con-
frmed the order. and intrusted the
spiritual management TO the Prince
Bishop Of Vienna The order Is con
ferred only on ladies' OF royal blood who
have done notable work for the relief
Of the poor and among the sick IN hos
pitals.
Quite one Of the most exclusive orders
IS that OF Maria Louisa, Of Spain. the
membership Of which is confined 10 the
ladies OF the royal house and thirty ladies
Of noble lineage.
WAR SHIPS ARE OBSOLETE.