The New York herald., 1920-01-18


which now are reflected in England's con-
cession.
THE thrills OF that siege and the hero
ism displayed are unsurpassed. OF the
5000 Maltese who fought with the Knights.
practically all were killed. Characteristic
of the knights valor was that of the de-
tenders OF Fort St. Elmo. Wounded and
desperate, the few survivors OF months OF
fighting went to a small chapel within the
fort, embraced each other. received the
Eucharist and prepared to die. The little
company was cut off from all assistance.
but fought on. Many fell with sword in
hand. Fearing they would be extermin-
ated before the assailants were beaten
back. Maltese was sent 10 swim across
tn harbor by night to inform the Grand
Master OF the danger.
''The messenger delivered his message to
Garcia by diving and swimming mostly
under water. Hold the fort. or die fight
ing was the command he brought back.
Every man obeyed-and died. But the
CONSERVATION wrought by their frenzied
resistance worked such havoc among the
assailants that the news of it spread to
other divisions of the Turkish forces. and
turned the tide toward a Maltese victory.
"In command of the Turkish sea forces
was Dragut. who Iose from cabin boy and
galley slave. to be admiral of the Turkish
Navy, and was mortally wounded before
Malta
"Scenlcally Malta has been we'll named
precious stone set in a silver sea-
Agriculturally is deserves the appellation
OF New Testament times, Melita, meaning
''the isle of honey" 1t domiciles some
230.0oU people. though 1t does not entirely
support them It's area is only one-tenth
that OF Rhode Island. but it has twice the
density in population of that most densely
populated State in the Union.
"In addition n fha main island the Malta
group consists OF Coco. Comino. with
Cominotto. an islet. and Filfla rock.
Imagine Malta Island TO be superimposed
on the District of Columbia. Then the
nearest Italian shores would be no farther
away than Richmond is from Washington:
Sicily would be little north of Baltimore.
the nearest point on the African shore
would be at New York city. and Asia
Minor would be not far beyond Chicago.
This mental diagram shows why Br tain
regards Malta as the key and safety lock.
of her entire Eastern Empire.
Napoleon recognized this strategic
value by taking Malta on his way to
Egypt. But even Bonaparte hesitated at
the virtually impregnable, and used trait
ors instead Of force for the capture.
THE dark hood. or faldetta. which
Maltese women wear to this day. Is as
cribed In popular legend to their desire to
hide their faces because Of the infamies
Of invading soldiers. A characteristic fea-
ture of the landscape is the terraced
fields. A geographical curiosity is the
absence OF streams. because water is alb
sorbed by the porous sandstone.
The present capital and principal sea-
port of Malta is Valletta. named for the
Grand Master Of the knights at the time
of the memorable siege. 1t was literally
a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen
II contained the palace Of the Chiefs Of
these knights. originally the Knights Of
the Order Of ST. John, who resorted to
Malta after the Turks had captured their
stronghold at Rhodes. Both the main
island and Coco contain numerous relics.
like those of EnGlands Stonehenge, Of the
Mediterranean race that antedated the
arrival Of the Phoenicians."