The San Francisco call., 1899-11-20
THE AMERICAN WOMAN ABROAD.

~ NE OF the interesting facts which has been
| J given bright illumination by the war between
the British and the Beers is the position
American women occupy in British society. They
constitute distinct element in the social world and
have recently organized themselves into an assoca-
ton bearing the distinctive title American Women -
Tor the purpose OF supplying hospital for the
sick and the wounded OF the army.
There great many women OF British birth in
the United States, but they do not parade the fact
they distinguishabe element in any gather
ing or in any work 1t is true that in politics we
have bodies OF men known as German-Americans or
Irish-Amercans. but these exist for campaign pur-
poses only. They have no social existence and are
never thought OF in relation to social functions The
American woman, however when she goes abroad
remains American TO the extent least OF assert
ing her nativity and making it felt in every direction
Some OF the leaders OF the American woman's as
sociaton for raising money for the wounded of the
have been living in Great Britain for years
They are the wives OF British lords and statesmen
the mothers OF British sons, but they still cling to the
American name There seems to be sort OF pa
trotism in them that survives all the changes which
years OF absence from their native land bring about
In spite OF all temptations to belong to other ma
tions" they insist upon being known as American
women. So have Lady Randolph Churchill
whose at the front is now prisoner in the hands
OF the Beers and Mrs. Chamberlain, wife of the
Secretary OF State for the Colonies posing not as
British matrons but as American women. and under
that title doing work for the cause in which their
hearts are engaged.
In certain respect it is not altogether satisfactory
to have these ardent displaying their devotion
tc the British conspcuously under the title OF an
association OF American women The term might be
misleading. Persons not familiar with the facts
might readily presume from the reports that the
women OF America are synpathzers with the British
when as matter OF fact the majority OF them are not
For example recent dispatch from London said:
American women have been enabled TO express
their sympathy for England in the Queens own
womanly way when diplomatic etiquette and pro-
priety have slenced the Embassy. The American
scheme for equpping hospital ship for the wounded
soldiers and distressed refugees has commanded adj
mraton and respect and has been carried out with
great spirit and practical skill Mrs Blow is credited
with having been the first to suggest the movement,
but Lady Randolph Churchill has taken full charge Of
it. with the assistance OF all the bestknown American
women in England"
Clearly that is not fair statement II misrepre-
sents the case, for the who are doing so much
for Great Britain and showing their sympathy are
not really representative American women in the full
meaning OF the word Since they have taken the
title however, it is pleasing to note they are doing
their work with eminent success. They have raised
something like $4,000 and got steamship to take
the supplies to South Africa To that extent at any
rate they prove themselves truly American women.
When they go for money they get it, and moreover
they get it promptly