Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-12-09
PRESIDENT PolNcARE SENDS
GRAND CROSS OF LEGION OF
HONOR TO FORMER OFFICER.
FIRST AMERICAN TO
RECEIVE HIGH HONOR
American Diplomat Given Spectacular
Reception on Arrival at Now York
Honored But "Broks" Herriok Re-
tires 70 Private Life-Work Of Amer
lean Clearing House Society.


OF the legion OF honor Is on It's way
across the sea from the president OF
France to Myron 7. Herrick in recog-
milton of Mr. Herrick's services to the
French people while ambassador to
France. Mr.. Herrick was decorated
yesterday with red ribbon, emblem
attic of the cross by the captain Of the
steamship Rochambeau. acting on wire-
less orders from the French ambassa-
dor at Washington. who said he was
acting under instructions Of President
Poincare.
The decoration was pinned upon Mr..
Herrick's coat as soon as the steamer
reached the three-mile sea limit OF
American sovereignty. Announcement
Of the bestowal Of the honor was made
today when the Rochambeau docked.
The grand cross OF the legion OF
honor is the highest honor which the
French government can bestow. There
are, including Mr.. Herrick. only forty
five livin. persons thruout the world
who have been thus decorated.
Spectacular Reception For Herriek.
A spectacular reception was given
the retiring ambassador and his wife
when the vesse! docKed AS Nj. and
Mrs Herrick walked down the gang
plank. those on board lined the rail and
cneered. The cheers wero taken up on
tho docks oy those who had ssoe to
greet him.
Mr. Herr!ck declined to talk for pub
lication on his experiences In France
or to discuss the politicai situation OF
this country.
Mr.. Herrick appeared to be annoyed
when he heard that he had been men,
toned for the .1916 republican presi-
dental nomination.
Ambassador Comes Home Broke" &
Il do not want to talk politics" he
said. IF any credit Is due me for the
small part played, ] do not want to
capitalize it, l am very tired and very
broke have just learned that the
Ohio Society has engaged rooms for
me at hotel for which will not have
to pay. This is the best news I have
heard in long time.
II want to make particular mention
of the American clearing house society
organized in Paris to minimize the
waste of charity.
The American people have shown
their hearts and sympathy for the op-
pressed in this confagration. There
has been spontaneous response to the
calls Of suffering humanity. but as in
the San Francisco disaster and other
disasters. the help has not been or
ganized and much charity has gone to
waste. The need of clearing house
became apparent to us in Paris. That
resulted In the organization of the
American clearing society and it Is
already saving 20 per cent of the
charity.
Minimize Waste Of Charity.
"The Count Girard de Ganny has
given his house. which occupied and
which was formerly occupied by Am
bassador White. and this is being used
as the society's headquarters. At the
New York end Dock Commissioners
Smith and Whitney Warren are TAX
ing care Of the society's interest.
1.-THE organization does not seek to
raise money. All that is asked is that
people who want to give things keep
the clearing house informed. There has
been dissatisfaction caused by people
being unable TO lind out what wss done
with what they gave"
Mr.. Herrick declined to say when he
thought the war would be over. Mrs
Herrick said that she did not believe
that any of the stories concerning al
legged Germany atrocities were true.
When the war and excitement Is
over" she said, II am sure that all
such stories will be found groundless.'
First American SO Aonored.
Mr.. Herrlck is the only living Ameri-
can to wear the grand cross OF the
legion of honor. So far as known nc
other American was thus decorated In
the 112 years that has passed since the
! order was created by Napoleon Bona
parte, In 1902 Bonaparte was then
first consul and he created the order