The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-01-31
WAR IN w. c. r. U.
Members in Montreal Make Vigorous
Protest


Protest.
Montreal, Jan. 29-The members Of the
Woman's Christian Temperance Unions
in this city have taken up again the ques-
tion of Lady Henry Somerset's position
India and other parts of the British en-
pire and the proceedings show that the
matter has not been disposed of by the
election of Lady Henry to her former
place as vice president Of the world g
union. The announcement that special
meeting of the W. G. I. q. members
was called to confer with DR.. Amelia
Yeomans, Dominion Vice President, on
the recent action of the Executive of the
Worlds W. @. T. u, brought together
Representatives of the various Unions, and
the result was good sized meeting. In
spirited address Mrs. DR.. Yeomaps
pointed out in frank and unhesitating
manner that, in view of the action Of the
Worlds Executive in re-electing Lady
Henry Somerset as Worlds Vice Presi-
dent, there was no alternative left for all
conscientious W. G. I. q. members of
the Dominion than to rise in protest and
strictly uphold the constitution and prin-
ciples of the organization. II sincerely
love and admire Lady Henry Somerset, !"
said DIR. Yeomans, land today I am not
here to criticise or blame Lady Henry
Somerset as to her attitude in favor of
regulating vice in the military canton
ments in India, but rather as a member
of the Women's Christian Temperance
Union, whose attitude must be no com
promise with evil in any form, to protest,
and that vigorously, against any such
system This is matter in which the
ested, and should receive the fullest and
freest investigation possible.
The right place to lay the blame and
nowhere else said DR.. Yeomans, is with
the Worlds Executive, in re-electing
Lady Henry Somerset, with full knowl-
edge of her position on the question. The
course to lie pursued now is to see that
the Executive rescind their position and
ask Lady Henry Somerset to resign.
1t is a known fact that Lady Henry
Somerset has resigned the presidency of
tbs British Woman's Temperance Asso
citation, but it may mot be as clearly I'M
derstood that she has no intention what
ever of resigning her position as vice
president OF the Worlds w. G. 7. U.
The position of our society must be de-
termined, said DIR. Yeomans, not the
ideas of Lady. Henry Somerset, however
estimate and good they may be, and
without the required change be made
there ia no help for it but for tis to cease
utilization with the Worlds, for the
present, at any rate. Tt is a matter of
congratulation that no Dominion officer
voted Mt the election of Lady Henry
Somerset, but we have to regret that no
resolution of regret at the action taken
had been subsequently passed. There is
no opposition worse than passivity or in
ertia, and while there is no use in anger
or criticism, I would maintain that we
uphold unflinchingly the high standard
of the White Ribbon Army. Some would
advise to keep quiet in this matter, but
wrong never rights itself, and should we
not rather consider the whole matter in
the clear light of day and act according
ly.
A lengthy and most animated discus
sion ensued in which various opinions
and questions were set forth. Such ques
lions MS the following were pretty well
threshed out: Shall we have our officers
represent the views of our Union? Apart
from any action or views taken by Lady
Henry Somerset, was it in accordance
L.
to continuance legalized system of vice
in any shape or form? Could there be
any compromise on the watch words of
the society. prohibition and abolition,
etc. (?
The feeling of the meeting reached
few er heat when Dr. Yeomans read ex-
tracts from letter she had received from
Mrs. Andrew, Worlds W. G. L. o. mis-
sionary in India, n which she referred to
Miss Frances Willard as false shepherd.
Miss Willard, she said, had taken the
scales and on one side had placed her
idol Lady Henry Somerset and her views
on the question at issue, and on the other
side the organization of which she was
head, but in her desire to keep her favor
tie the society must kick the beam.
(Cries of no, no.
In the discussion that followed, DR..
Yeomans said she did not approve of tho
term "false shepherd" as applied to Miss
Willard, but, in her opinion, Miss Willard
had certainly misled the convention.
Letters were also read from DIR. Kate
Bushnell, missionary in India, setting
forth the deplorable condition of the child
women Of India who are used for immoral
purposes.
DR.. Yeomans also Stated that so far
Miss Willard, the worlds president of the
W. G. T. o., had made no statement de-
filming her position In regard to this ques-
ton which is so deeply agitating all
White Ribboners.
Motions and amendments thereto con-
templating action by the meeting in the
form of an expression of opinion were
made but 1t was finally voted that the
motions should not be put to vote but
that members who SO desired should sign
protest against the election of Lady
Henry Somerset and that this protest
should be sent to Miss Willard.
THE PENSION LIST.
| Washington, January 29.-The follow