Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-16
KNIGHTS OF MALTA
MAY REGAIN GLORY
Anniversary of Victory Over
Turks Recalls Feats Of
Old Crusaders. =.

~ Radio to The Star.
PARIS. September 16.-The celebra-
ton last week at Malta of the ami
verSary of the memorable victory OF
1865 of the knights of Malta over the
Turkish Army, several times as nu-
merous. gives occasion for considera-
ton of the series of developments which
has recently brought new lease OF
life to this ancient order, and to an
other series of developments which
shortly may restore to the tiny Mediter-
ranean isle something of the prestige
she acquired through the victory gained
there against the inf1delS nearly four
centuries ago.
Fame came to both knights and island
when, following the siege of ITO days,
the Turks finally were driven of, for
lnedan power in Western and Southern
Europe definitely was checked.
Made Of NobiIity's Flower.
The knights of Malta, or the knights
Of st. Jean of Jerusalem, as they were
called then, reached the pinnacle of
their power and the flower of Europe's
nobility flocked to be enrolled in their
ranks. The riches and power which
Vic OE0eE CIlllS dCQuucu UIOuB1L d Ger
tain amount of degeneration, but the
knights continued to render important
services to western civilization from the
island seat as a center until they were
dealt a severe blow by the French
Revolution. Napoleon seized the island
in 1898 and as a result of the vicissi-
tudeS OF the Napoleonic Wars, Britain
gained permanent control of this
strategic Mediterranean point. In re-
1,n
base of the British fleet. The dispos-
sessed Knights continued their existence
despite the loss of their center, finding
protection, first, at the court of St.
Petersburg and finally establishing a
new seat at Rome.
The order long ago lost its military
traits, retaining only the charitable
functions. During the great war the
knights Of Malta in several European
countries rendered important services
caring for the wounded and in the post
war period, various governments have
taken new interest in the order.
Last year, the French branch secured
the full recognition and support of the
French government, and few months
ago, President Doumergue received the
Grand Cross, the highest honor be-
slowed on the knights.
t. Exposition Aids Renaissance.
! The renaissance of the order was
aided this Spring through the extensive
historical exposition at the French
national library in Paris. While not
referred to by the officers of the organ
ization or by government officials any
where in Europe, it is known that one
reason for the sudden governmental in
terest in the knights is the belief that
through their charitable activities and
general conservative influence, they
will serve as the bulwark against the
growing communistic tendencies in
Europe. AS for the minute Mediter-
ranean islands certain native Maltese
political leaders look forward seriously
to the day not far distant in the flu
ture when with national navies thing
of the past, Malta will be, as they hope,
neutralized and made the base of that
section of the League of Nations inter-
national navy, which will be charged
with policing the Mediterranean area.
Ehis, as in the Sixteenth century. the is