The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-12-14
IMPORTANT CONCESSION IN TURKEY.
By Cable to The Independent.

CONSTANT1NOPLE, NOV. AU'-JuuSS
Terrell, the United States minister,
has just gained notable diplomatic
victory. For several years the mum.
Der OF female physicians in Turkey
has been increasing, Notwithstanding
the fact that Turkish law refused to
recognize them as leg itImate placti-
TONERS. Foremost among them have
been the american missionaries, VINO
have repeatedly won the highest
praise for their sell.denying work.
They have, however, been greatly
hampered by the fact that they could
not secure reg ular Turkish diplomas
and the various foreign embassies
have been very earnest in their Efforts
to gain for them official recognition
Hitherto they have failed entirely,
but at last Turkish conservatism bas
yielded and to the American amDassy
belongs the honor of securing what
neither Russian, French, BRUSH or
German ambassadors could gam.
The above is a telegram received
last month by The Independent OF
New York, which is probably the
greatest religious journal OF the Worio.
The following il the editorial OF Inc
Independent based upon the above
telegram Such q testimonial to the
ability, efficiency and standing OF
Judge Terrell will be read with ap"
probation by his many Austin friends;
FEMALE PHYSICIANS IN TURKEY.
We print in another column cable
gram to The Independent from the
treasurer of the American Boards Mis-
sions in Constantinople, announcing
that the prohibition against female
physicians practicing in Turkey has
been removed, and they are now on
the same footing as male practitioners.
This is most important news, and oc"
casion for profound gratitude. For
years the restrictions on medical prac-
tice by foreign doctors have
been onerous in the ex-
treme. No diplomas have been of
avail, but every graduate of the best
medical schools in America or Europe
has been compelled to pass special
examination before the Imperial
Academy of Medicine at Constantine
pie. This examination has been abso-
lutely closed to women, There have
been female physicians, but they nave
had no existence in the sight of the
law, could claim no protection, and
! we're in constant danger of interior
ence, not only by officials, but by ig-
noraht and superstitious people. The
situation has been even worse than
that in Persia or China, and, as a re
suit, medical work has not been car
ried on there to the exthnt that it has
been elsewhere.
Earnest efforts have been made by
| the different embassies to secure the
removal of this prohibition, but
hitherto neither Russian, British
| French nor German influence, single
or combined, has been successful. 1t
remains for the American minister
Judge Terrell, to succeed where all
else have failed, and to confer boon
upon the people of Turkey, which can
scarcely be measured. The American
board and thePres biteran board should
take advantage Of the changed condi'
tions at once and secure through the
woman's boards the best female phys
iciaus to go to the support of the few
who, amid many difficulties, have
held the ground,
This new Goa cessiou has, however,
we believe, deeper significance than
the Dlere removal of single prohibit
zion. IL indicates that our en-
bassy has firm, strong posi-
ton and large general influence.
with the Turkish government
For years the American minis
ter at Constantinople has had GER
tain vantage ground in his dealings
with the Sublime Porte from the fact
that he had no share or interest in the
various moves in the political game
played by the European powers. Rec
ognized by the Turks themselves as
impartial, he has not infrequently
gained points OF advantage to the gem.
eral public such as no one of his asso-
ciates could secure. Recent disturb
ances have sometimes raised the
fear that American prestige was
suffering from the false accusa-
tion that American missionaries were
implicated in native disturbance and
conspiracy. This shows that it is not
so but that Judge Terrell is worthy
successor to the many honored and
successful men who have preceded
him, and is recognized as such by the
Turkish auth orities. 1t is no slight
victory that he has won; and we con"
graduate him not less than the mis-
sionaries and the people Of Turkey on
| hi euooaaa