The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-03-10
BIRTHDAY OF
TIE IRON CROSS

While the exact number is not
known, it is probable that not less
than half million iron crosses have
been conferred upon German soldiers
since the outbreak of the present
war. While the intrinsic value of
this decoration. is small. the total cost
has probably reached an amazing
sum. Lavish as has been the distri-
button of these badges of honor, they
are still highly priced by their pos
SCISSORS, while the owner Of an iron
cross of the first class is everywhere
| hailed as a hero.
This is the birthday of the Order
of the Iron Cross, as it was Instituted
103 years ago today. March 10, 1913,
by Fredrick William III. of Prussia,
great-grandfather of the present
Kaiser. Its purpose was to reward
those who had performed conspicu-
Gus services for the fatherIand during
the Napoleonic wars. After the con-
cldsion of the struggle with the Corr
sican the order was in allegiance I'M
til the Franco-Prussian war, when it
was revived by William I. About
100000 men were decorated with iron
crosses in 1870 and 1871. That rec
ord was passed in the first few weeks
of the present war, and at the end of
eight months S3S,261 crosses of the
second class and SASS crosses of the
second class had ben oxsSr.Duted. 1t
is probable that not less than thirty
tons OF metal has been used in fash
Joining the decorations SO far distri-
buted, and that the total cost has
been upward of million dollars.
In making the crosses of iron it was
the purpose of King Frederick Will
liam, the founder of the order. to re-
mind the wearers of the hard times
they had been through. The ,,=Isgitaal
iron cross was a small maltese cross
with q narrow silver band inside the
beveled edge. In the center were
three oak leaves, the royal initials F.
w. surmounted by a small crown, and
the date 1873. There were first and
second class crosses, and a grand
cross. The latter is conferred only on
commanding officers who have won a
decisive battle followed by the forced
retirement of the enemy, for the cap
tuTe of an epemy's fort, or for sue
cessfuny defending a fort against the
enemy.
When the order was revived by Will
liam /. in 1870. on the same condi-
| lions as originally instituted, the de-
sign of the three oak leaves was drop
ped. and the letter w. and the date
1870 substituted for the original in
itials and date. In 1895 the imperial
council ordered the restoration Of the
three leaves, and the present crosses
bear that design.
Only a comparatively small pro-
POELlOu OF II0 CROSSES 0lSII1puI0o III
the present war have been for indi-
viduaI acts of bravery. The larger
number have been conferred upon all
the members of regiments that have
performed conspicuously meritorious
service.
The iron crosses of the first and
second classes are similar in design,
but the first class is suspended from
ribbon, and the second class medals
are worn at the breast. The grand
cross, given only to victorious COM
manders is worn at the neck, and is
twice the size of the ordinary crosses.
All of the, sons of the Kaiser and
nearly all of the scions of royal, du-
cal and princely houses of Germany
have received the iron cross, while a
score or more of high officers have
had the grand cross conferred upon
them by the Emperor.