Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-20

famous schools of the order. founded like
wise by Napoleon.
But for civilians-and for foreign le-
gionaries-the cross and red ribbon indi-
Gate the intangible thing l have described
the highest honor within the gift of the
French republic and that is enough. Dur
ing his life in France he with the bit Of
red ribbon i'm his buttOnhole will be hon
Ored by authorities. from policemen up to
projects: he will be shown difference by
the crowd and individual citizens with
whom he comes In contact, and, If he
should die in France. soldiers of the re-
public will convey him amid solemn music
to his resting place.
In their own land the decorated Wrights
will have peculiar brotherhood with many
famous. talented or meritorious Ameri-
can. They are Americans whom the
French government recognizes to have de-
served we'll Of France of all humanity.
These American members of the Legion
of Honor-be they chevaliers. officers.
commanders, grand officers or grand croix
are an interesting lot of people.
*.
Natura lily, those who most easily catch
the eye of the French government are
those who, from their official position,
come in direct contact with it-diplomats
who please in delicate negotiations. and,
of late, such as have held high positions
in worlds fairs where France has shone.
Then there are Americans of science
recognized already by the French acad-
emies or university, and, with them. men
of worldwide distinction like Edison,
Santos-Dumont and these same Wrights.
After such. until lately. it seemed as If
American artists resident in Paris would
carry off about all the remaining bits
of red ribbon. but-within fifteen years-a
great change has been wrought. as the
following list will show. The French
government has. more and more. con-
ferred its coveted decoration on meritori-
American business men-Americans
in just plain commerce, industry or
finances.
Perry Belmont is commander of the
order. his family have long been the
American representatives Of the Roths-
child banking firm so powerful in France.
but it is possible that it was his connec-
ton with the congressional committee on
foreign affairs and with diplomacy which
occasioned his promotion.
.Pierpont Morgan is an officer Of the
legion technically for certain exhibits
which only he could have made at one Of
the eXpositons; but France has not for
first great loan to her after she had been
crushed by Germany in war
Mr.. Harjes of the Paris banking house
and William Seligman Of the Paris house
of Seligman Bros. are also officers-the
latter as member of the American
Chamber Of Commerce of Paris and for
services rendered to the DEVELOPMENT of
commercial relations between France and
the United States. Officers are also the
two Havilands, who have so long manu-
featured china. at Limoges that. their
grandchildren Observation-Disclosures
citizens. TIN these countries a resident
American family remains American only
two generations. Thus. in Spain, the
Boston Lorings who went there to build
railways are now grandees, with the title
of marquis.)
Pierre Lorilard of New York, whose
family three generations ago was French,
of Marseille: knoedler, whose family
for two generations have been introduc-
ing French paintings TO American buyers;
Mackay of the Commercial Cable Com
pany. Van Bergen. for lifetime residing
in the Champs Elysees as an exporting
merchant to the United States: Cook vice
president Of the Tiffany Company, whose
jewelry showrooms are in the Avenue de
IOpera, after making such a wonderful
display at the xposition Of 1900; DeerinR
of the harvester company and Mccormick
of the harvesting machine company