MEDALS OF OTHER COUNTRIES France.—Before 1802 gallantry in the field was awarded by grants of swords of honour, muskets of honour and other weapons but in that year Napoleon instituted the Legion d'Honour. The original cross of the Legion of Honour was a white enamel gold badge, with five rays of double points, each point tipped with a silver ball, the whole on a wreath of oak and laurel: in the centre of the obverse, Napoleon's effigy with "NAPOLEON" inscribed around it. The present badge is much the same in appearance but instead of Napoleon's effigy on the obverse there is a female head, and inscribed round it, "REPUBLIQUE FRANcAISE, 1870." The order is divided into five grades : Grands Croix, Grands Officiers, Corn mandeurs, Officiers and Chevaliers. The Legion of Honour is the premier order of France and is only conferred for gallantry in action or for 20 years' distinguished military or civil service in peace. The Medaille Militaire, instituted in 1852, is comparable with the British D.C.M. It is only conferred upon general officers in command of armies and to N.C.Os. and men of the Navy and Army for distinguished service in action. It was awarded to the late Field-Marshal Lord French. As regards commemorative war medals the first is interesting, viz., St. Helena Medal, instituted in 1857 for operations between 1792 and 1815. The medal is bronze and bears on one side the effigy of Napoleon, and on the other, in French, "Campaigns of 1792 to 1815. To his comrades in glory, his last thought. St. Helena, May 5, 1821." Another interesting war medal is the Pontifical Cross, instituted in 1867, by Pope Pius IX., and granted to all members of the French forces who took part in the defence of Rome in 1867.
Germany.—A renowned German decoration was the Iron Cross, instituted in 1813, as a reward for distinguished service in the War of Liberation. It was revived for the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and was again issued for service in the World War. The cross is a Maltese Cross of cast iron edged with silver. On the upper link is a crown, on the lower link the date of the campaign, that for the World War being "1914," in the centre the initial or initials of the sovereign at the date of issue. There are three classes of the Order of the Iron Cross. The Grand Cross, dou ble the size of the ordinary cross, is worn round the neck, and is awarded solely for the winning of an important battle, or equiva lent exploit. With the rank and file the cross carries with it a
gratuity. The Order of Military Merit (Prussia), founded in 1665, was bestowed for conspicuous war service.
Belgium.-The Order of Leopold II. was instituted in 1900. There are six classes. It is awarded to N.C.Os. and men and "ranker" officers for exemplary service after a number of years (2o-3o). The Ordre de la Couronne, instituted in 1897, was origi nally the premier order of the Independent Congo State but was transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1910. It is awarded to officers after a number of years' exemplary service (20 32) and to N.C.Os. after 38 years' exemplary service. The Mili tary Medal, instituted in 1902, is comparable with the British Military Medal.
Japan.-The Order of the Rising Sun, instituted in 1875, is awarded to all ranks of Army and Navy for gallant service in war or distinguished service in peace. The Order of the Sacred Treas ure, instituted in 1888, is awarded to both military and naval offi cers for meritorious service. The Order of the Golden Kite was instituted in 1891. There are several classes, the higher for officers and the lower for N.C.Os. and men. It therefore corresponds approximately to the British D.S.O., D.S.C., M.C. and D.C.M. The medal to commemorate the Russo-Japanese War of is made of light bronze.
Italy.-The Order of Saint Maurice and Saint Lazarus was founded in and revised in 1831, 1837 and 1855. The Mili tary Order of Savoy, founded in 1815, is awarded for special distinguished war service. Medals for military valour are awarded for acts of bravery in much the same manner as British gallantry medals. The Messina Medal was awarded by the King of Italy to officers and men of the British men-of-war and to certain others who assisted in succouring the injured after the terrible earth quake at Messina and Reggio in Dec. 1908. The ribbon is green with white edges.
Serbia.-The Order of the White Eagle, instituted in 1883, consists of five classes. The badge consists of a double-headed eagle in gold, ensigned with a crown. The Star of Kara George, instituted in 1904, consists of four classes.