Old Order of Knights Wins New Prestige

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 810, 2 November 1929, Page 13

Old Order of Knights Wins New Prestige

Bulwark Against Growing Communism

A ROMANTIC HISTORY

The celebration at Malta of the anniversary of the memorable victory in 1565 of the Knights of Malta over Jne Turkish Army, several times as trong, gives occasion for a consideration of the series of developments that has recently brought a new lease of life to this ancient order, and to another series of developments that ma y shortly restore to the tiny Mediterranean isle something of the prestige she acquired through the rictory gained there against the Moslems nearly four centuries ago. Fame came to both knights and island when, following the siege of 110 days, the Turks finally were driven off, for through this valiant defence their power in Western and Southern Europe was definitely checked. 'The Knights of Malta, or the Knights of Saint-Jean of Jerusalem, as they were originally called, then reached the pinnacle of their power anil the flower of Europe's nobility docked to be enrolled in their ranks. Tire riches and power that the order thus acquired brought a certain amount of degeneration, but the knights continued to render important services to Western civilisation irom the island seat as a centre until a severe blow was dealt to them by the French Revolution. Napoleon seized the island in 1798 and as a result of the vicissitudes of the Napoleonic wars Britain gained permanent control of the strategic Mediterranean point. ,In recent .ears Malta has served as the base !if the British fleet. The dispossessed Snights continued their existence despite the loss of their centre, finding protection first at the court of St. Petersburg and finally establishing a new seat at Rome. The order long ago lost its military character, retaining only' charitable functions. During the Great War the Knights of Malta iu several European countries rendered important service in caring tor the wounded, and in the post-war period various Governments have taken a new interest in the order. Last year the French branch gained the full recognition and support of the French Government, and a few months ago President Doumergue received the Grand Cross, the highest honour bestowed by the blights. The renaissance of the order was aided this spring through the extensive historical exposition at the French Library in Paris. While not referred to by the oflieers of the organisation or by Government officials anywhere in Europe, it is blown that one reason for the sudden Governmental interest in the blights is the belief that through their charitable activities and general conservative influence they will serve as. i bulwark against the growing Communistic. tendencies in Europe. As for the minuta Mediterranean islands, certain native Maltese political leaders look forward seriously to the day when, with national navies a thing of the past. Malta will be, as they hope, neutralised and made the base of that section of the League of Nation's international navy which will be charged with policing the Mediterranean area.

Thus, as in the 16th century, the island may become again an international centre for the protection of civilisation. Some observers go so iar as to believe that with Malta neutralised and serving as an international naval base, the knights might be reestablished in the old insular home awl vested with some semi-political function under the supervision of the Laague.