2 JANUARY 1915, Page 10

Friday's papers contain the announcement that the King has created

a new decoration for distinguished service in the field, entitled the Military Cross. Commissioned officers not above the rank of Captain and Warrant officers are eligible to receive it. We are not in favour of the multiplication of Orders, but when the numbers of our fighting men have been so enormously increased, as they have been, we do not doubt that it was necessary also to enlarge the field of decoration. Even as it is, there will be a large number of officers and men e: whom we shall be obliged to say, in Emerson's noble words : "For the press of knights not every brow can receive the laurel."