1 hp fmwiinMMHBi PrSw?W w v. f. TOti ,f -j j - 4n, "jfjije',. -' .TJfi nriiaittM& r i ''. .cmmvh ' . ft"iTKiMffK'. . J i' r W.I TWWBK7aWai?'iiW 4 tsrtf ,.&, Q d H' VI ..v wa. H 'S . ' '.Vtm&Wf-' "' T i?W"CTWffi r'ttfftj ' t . . .1 " - v&&. - A? V EVENING PUBLIC 'LEDGER-PHIDAIJiiiJjJfJtiiA tjjlvjxpax, y q-v... el ' , '.?v,r PiV FOCUSES tFORLD GAZE ON 'UNSUNG TOILERS' B Y DECORATING Q UIET AMERICAN WOMAN TYPIST 7i :m Land of Rising Sun Singles Out Mrs. Lillian Wenz, Who for 17 Years Has Been Stenographer at Embassy in Washington IS FIRST NATION TO SHOW APPRECIATION FOR SIMPLE LABOR DONE DURING PEACE Value of Usually Submerged Cogs in Great Machine Is Stressed Wrete Speeches for Envoys te Arms Parley FTER entering virtually all ether fields of masculine endeavor women r a i i are new coming into their own in the field of foreign decorations. And in peacetime. Few, indeed, are the men who give such distinguished service during peacetime that foreign nations feel called upon te honor them by special awards. But for a woman te receive such an award is unprecedented. Fer royalty, presidents of republics, statesmen, soldiers and diplomats It is always mere or less open season for foreign decorations. Fer ordinary clerical workers, hidden away in the vast machinery of governmental offices, however, it is net. And for that reason official Washington, the center of the Natien's bureaucracy, sat up and gasped a week or se age when it was officially announced that Mrs. Lillian Wenz, American citizen, stenographer, had been, awarded the Japanese Imperial Order of the Sacred Treasure. ceivcd by Ulysses S. Grant en his tour of the world. Then in private life there are the men who have been honored for dis tinguished service. Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone, who died recently, received from the French Govern- Who is Mrs. Wenz? Official Washington knew little of her despite her seventeen years of faithful service as an empleye at the Japanese Embassy. In fact, it knew her better as one of the vast number cf quiet, efficient workers who toiled endlessly through the Arms Con ference. Kingdom of Rising Sun Pays Hener te Fair Sex Far mere significance than the American public has had cause te realize is attached te the Imperial Japanese award, because Japan is one of the few nations that have a special award for women. In most countries the same type of decoration docs for both men and women. The incident was all the mere notable becarse the object of this honor was a foreigner te Japan and because her performance was neither spectacular nor heroic. Even during the war foreign decoration-, were rare and strictly of a military chaiactcr, especially au au theiized by Congress te be received as provided by the Constitution. Though raie, considered in respect te total numbers engaged, they were many compared te what this coun try had known before. While military men were the ones chiefly icwardcd, some of the of ficials visiting Europe after the war, and some of these who during the war organized the forces and muni tions in America, were singled out for tokens of esteem. Many lemember hev former Sec retary of the Navy Daniels dodged the lintish officials who were hock ing te express through n decoration upon him their appreciation of the work of the American Navy. Foreign royal decorations have never been publicly popular in the United States. When our forefathers launched the new order of things they decided that the country would be bctti r elT if regal splendor were left behind for all time. Section !) of Article 1 of the Con stitution says: "Ne title of nobility shall be granted by the United States; and no pei -en holding any office of profit or trust under them shall, without the consent of Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office or title of any kind whatever from any king, prince or feicign state." A rigid observance of this man date explains the absence of marks "f real patronage. On a very few occasion-., before the World War, Amei icans have been recognized by Princely tokens from abroad. They have always been men of note, how ever; men who had distinguished themselves as officeis in the public service or as private citizens who, thieugh invention or discovery, have planted the .standards of civiliza tion far ahead of the main advance f the people. Gifts Usually Were Given te Smithsonian Institution Officials who have received gifts or deem at bus by consent of Con fess usually have turned them ever je the public, treating them as hnv "1R been piesented te the peeple in stead of their'indivjduul represcnta represcnta es personally. Thus will be found "words, jewels, medals and badges sundry descriptions in the Smith "onion Institution, the National Mu "m ami ether public places. At the Institute, for instance, may "e found a token of the esteem of 'no Japanese Government te Com mander Perry, who, in 1854, opened the Orient te the New World. Among public collections, are the "UYenlrs of swords, and medala re- iYi X"l. f&'tAMrt, ; -V'' ;j Ai-v ''W,: 'j h M Official Washington Sits Up and Gasps When It Is An An neunced That Weman Had Been Awarded the Japanese Imperial Order of the Sacred Treasure HONOR TO MRS. WENZ ALL MORE NOTABLE BECAUSE SHE IS A FOREIGNER TO JAPAN "Mine Is Just a Modest Place, and I Cannet Talk About My Werk, " Explains Stenographer Diplomatically; Per haps That Touch Impressed Peace Delegates talk the lan said. "I can That is about "I can't read or guage," Mrs. Wenz count in Japanese. all." This action of the Japancse Govern ment toward one of Its empleyes is be unusual that It is causing Congressmen and ether officials at Washington te think. It has emphasized that Uncle Sam's Government docs little enough toward recognizing long and dlstln- I gulshed service of its empleyes. been In the service fifteen years te re-' ceive an annuity upon retirement, and then it Is JiO per cent of the average annual salary for ten years. The ether grades range te these who have served thirty years or mere. But the Govern ment confers no special mark of dis tinction. During the World War and since, Ur.cle Sam has decorated but thirteen women of this country for the part they played in It. It is said that tome twenty women foreigners have been decorated. Nene was for service of the typlst-ste- m -r vt. fff: 'Zkm the part she played with the Salvation Army at the front. "The contribution of the Salvation Army toward winning the war Is con spicuous," her citation reads, "and the results obtained were due In marked de gree te the great executive ability of Its commander." Dr. Anna Shaw Given Medal for War Werk The late Dr. Anna Heward Shnw waa awarded the medal for meritorious and conspicuous services as chairman of the Weman's Committee of the Council of National Defense. "She co-erdinated the mobilization nnd organization of women throughout the country," it is stated, "in every phase of war work. Including the se curing of women for some of the va rious branches of the army." Then there is the case of Mrs. James 8. Cushman. 600 Lexington avenue. New Yerk, "for exceptionally merito rious and conspicuous service ns chair man of the War Werk Council of the Y. W. C. A." In the work of the Ited Cress the D. S. M. was awarded te MIsj Julia Stln Stln sen, of New Yerk, for exceptional devo tion te duty while she was chief nuree of the American Red Cress in Franca, ml ' ? Mrs. Lillian Wenz, decorated by Japan A! ? A. ISS3 $it i.: ' ' ,t- m. A,f .. O ffcw iffifH "f 'A i?2 J, V 'jtt S VCPiX, 'Jt&y 'r. 'Sikss -fJi'J ?V $ ' ymM 'T'h '-!y Y& u .''A' h htf.. Y&W & ;' .&? J zmi: is') ,'y ' Z.1 i ftJif . If' ''"ji ?" . S$if 'Jy;. 'r ,v 1 " Majer Julia Stimson, head of army nurses, commissioned and given medal for her war work Ea Beeth, given D. S. M. for war work ment the Velta prize of 50,000 francs ($10,000) for discovering the princi ple of electric transmission of speech. Later he was decorated as an officer of the Legien of Hener of France. Themas Alva Edisen, years age, was made a Chevalier of the Legien of Hener of France and later a Commander. He was also the re cipient of the insignia of n grand officer of the Crown of Italy. Such honors as these de net fall within the inhibition of the Consti tution, for they were net officials of the Government. And this is true of the decoration for Mrs. Wenz, whose employment is by the Gov ernment of Japan. Only her case is se different se vnstly different from these of Bell nnd Edisen. The Japancse Govern ment might have found scientists and ether distinguished men upon whom te confer honors had it been seeking te bolster its prestige in the United States. Prepared English Speeches for Japanese Delegates Instead, a woman typist and ste nographer was chosen. Her work, of course, has been of an unusual char acter. It has been steadfastly en gaged in for seventeen years, and has been of great assistance te the Japanese diplomats nnd officials in the Embassy. The dispatches from Tokie said she had helped them in the preparation of their English speeches and coirespendence yet she does net talk their language and thab after the Washington Arms Conference her services were con sidered te hne been se meritorious as te warrant the decoration. Mrs. Wenz is extremely modest about discussing her honors. Her connection with the Jnpanose Em bassy began in 1905, the year hos tilities between Russia and Japan were In ought te an end. It was at the suggestion of Durham White Stevens, then American counselor te the Embassy, that ahe was em ployed. , i if . ' , HJUUHMKi '-'"-.' m ' K"$ ' "Jy-i J V,' M im ' r$ Madame Curie, discoverer of radium, honored by French Gov ernment after years of disre gard for her achievements Her work has been such as would relations with the Embassy always naturally draw her into an intimnte ' hQV been theso of confidence nnd knowledge with Japanese affairs, ' that tne HPccinl recognition does net nnd in particular their relation te ' wnrrant her departure therefrem, America. It has been in this knnwi. S evcn te the extent of talking nheut edge that she has been of greatest , the (1jPlemtts she has met nnd her usefulness te the diplomats who have come here te take up with the United States weighty problems of immigration, cemmerce nnd dis armament. In the Arms Conference she was able te help nssemble data and or ganize the work in such a way as te impress the visiting diplomats, in cluding some of the most powerful men of Japan. When they returned home they remembered what she had done. The Order of the Sncrcd Treasurc, sometimes cnlied Sanctified Treas ure, is ene of the few Japanese orders that previde for women's recognition. It is regarded in Jnpan as a great distinction. It- is net surprising that Mrs. Wenz docs net care te discuss it or the experiences of her seventeen years of service. iShe feels, that her " -j. 14SLXA 13 "t Wi aWhSHPi n tSSHt.. ' " l experiences in enrrying out their re quests. Is a Real Diplomat in Discussing Werk "Mine is just a modest place, nnd I ennnet talk about my work," she explained diplomatically when re quested te tell something of the Inst seventeen years. Perhaps it was that teucli of diplomacy that impressed itself upon the grizzled diplomats who came te Washington for the Arms Confer ence. "It was the bigness of the Jap Jap anceo Government," continued Mrs. Wenz, "that made it possible. It h se big and I am se small that there is really nothing for me te say." Mrs. Wenz is n native of Wash ington and received her schooling in this country. One would suppese that te held the pUce e,f confidence -T NT Mrs. James S. Cushman, given I). S. M. for her war activities and distinction she hns just received would require u thorough familiarity with the language of Nippon. The contrary is true that rhe doesn't knew n thing about the Jnp ar.e language, unless it be a few words ahe has picked up here and there. Te enrry en n conversation in Jnpnncse would be about as hard for her as for any ether citizen of the United Stntcs if ene is te take her word f ex it. C -i J ORHSS Grace D. Banker, chief tele phone operator for A. K. F who was awarded D. S. M. Much hna been wild in recent years about the failure of the Government te provide sufficient salaries for experts nnd officials who have peifeimed long service and about ihe danger that thej mil) 1im their political heads through whim or policy of changing adminis tration'. The UjYrrnuiant, It is nld, lmn scores, if net hundreds, of empleyes tJl'Isit uml stenographers who hae been in the service twenty, thirty or forty years. Their only hope Is' that If they can fight it out te the retire- ment ege sKty-tue te seventy years they may draw money te Krep body and mill together In their old age. There are six grades of thene who may receive annuities. One must have iplu er character, such as rendered by Mr-. Wenz. The nearest approach te it was the award of a Distinguished Service Me,ni !1?,-Jr?C0 D- na"k,-'r. Signal Ceips. of --7 Van Ileutcn awiuir, IW.iie, N. J. She had charge of the telephone .jstcin of the American IJxpedltiennrj 1 erce in France. Her citation records this: "ny untiring devotion te tier exact ing duties under tijlng conditions she did much te assure the iuccrs- of the telephone service during the operations of the first army agnliifct the St. Mlhlel salient nnd te the north of Verdun." flti Mm- no iiia .... -.. I..U1 A... III. If Uir.l A B......1 aa -----.. .. - ... D Illlllllll.r l1 ll'na I a. L. . I .It.J . a. " "T " www officers of high rank. Ml U.nker ed of ,"hV XXluZ$?KX?' In line at the headquarters of the First "I. ,u,l,k " w" perfectly pendld ." Army in the German cltv of Coblenz "n l,0.r t'0'n'1",nt. ii ere man n cnr n im.m.nx .m, ..V. ' . V V" '" ""vice. ch.ef operator of ilic luiiucnw. telephone system censti acted l Ainrneiiii linnds for the sole use of the Amerlcun Expo, illtlen&ry Force. The same medal was conferred en Cejjuwuid-- traaitline O. UsUi, for Miss Ilannnh Patterson, another woman decorated by U. S. nnd te Miss Mary Vail Andress, 1072 Park place. Broekhn. for ergaiilzlnx Red Cress work nt Teul, Prance. The Distinguished Service Medal for similar reasons wns given te MUti Edna M. Coughlin, Miss Hern K Thompson, Miss Jane A Delane, MUs Maud Cleve land and Miss Hannah J. Patterson, ten In all. The Distinguished Service Cress waa awarded te three inemberH of the army nurbc cerps: .Mlsa Helen G. McCltl land, .Miss Iteutrlee. MucDenald and Miss Isubelln Stanbaugli, for "bravery In action." Cengrem, has never authorized any medal or decoration distinctly for women. These authorized for men have been conferred en both. Great Britain, Prance, Germany. Japan and seme ether countries all have order., especially for women. vtemeii ei tne country will upprecl- me recognition of Jnnnn ... m... h te UlillI...i "It would he .vftll I.. ...i.i' ... . . .... ., . ".., imj ri, -'ie IOOK rti,.Bk u beuW bfl ,e f ll' i a nnfr. , 4 aJ, t t .,n(i. -' . . 'gfa. -e i ! - ,?) ;j L" "( M f iy li'.VVL . Vt,
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers