Omaha daily bee., 1899-06-28
WOMEN GATHER FROM AFFAIR
International Council Meets in London, May
Wright sewall Presiding.
FIRM STAND IS TAKEN FOR ARBITRATION
Lady Aberdeen aud bishop ireland
Plead for Good VIII Among Men
Paper Opposing suffrage is
Received with Kisses

LONDON, June 27.-The international
Council of Women, which assembled yes
terday in the convocation hall of Churcl
house, Westminster, is divided into nv,
sections, or meetings, which were al
crowded to-day.
Great interest is taken in the politica
section, which discussed today the "Parlia
mentary Enfranchisement Of Women" thc
vice president OF the council Mrs. Ma,
Wright Sewall OF the United States, pre-.
siding.
Miss Susan B. Anthony, one of the Ameri
can delegates, detailed the progress OF the
movement in America The announcement
that paper would be read in behalf of an
American womans society opposing female
franchise was met by a storm of Kisses
Mrs. Sewall protested against this "intol-
erance." pointing out that no one was
obliged to attend, but that il was their duty
IL present, to listen courteously to all speak
ers The paper was then read, punctuated
by ironica cheers and derisive laughter.
The paper opposing female franchise was
written by Mrs. Frances Scott OF Massa-
chusetts.
In the professional section Nine An
toinette Stirling created some excitement
by declaring. with much emotion, that she
thought the speakers were too hard on the
men and adding that women only realized
the full value Of husband when the latter
was lost
" In the legislative section Mrs Kelly read
paper on the condition OF tenement labor
in New York, and Mrs. Carly described the
operations of the factories and shops act in
Ontario and Quebec.
Miss Octava Bates Of Detroit deplored the
fact that the profession of barrister was
not open to women. Yet women, she pointed
out. were the natural confdantes of their
sisters.
In America the speaker continued, medi-
cine and the church were open to women,
but public opinion, she claimed, was not
sufficiently advanced to favor women law
yers, though the law colleges were open to
both sexes and many women, like Miss
Helen Gould, who desired to manage their
own estates, qualified. The intellectual ad-
vantages of a legal education, the speaker
asserted, more than repaid the outlay.
Continuing, Miss Bates said there was
need of the development of public con
science, and then law would give feminine
side TO marriage and divorce, now only
treated from mans standpoint"
The Countess of Bedford presided at the
meeting of the Prisons and Reformatories
section where Mrs. johnson OF Washington
described the success Of women's reforma-
tories in Massachusetts, advocating a system
of trades, whereby women might regain their
self-repscet
Mrs. Bonner of Canada read a paper on
"Paternal Responsibility" and Mrs. Maria
Weeke Of the United States one on "Educa-
ton as a Preparation for Life"
-. Women stand for Peace.
An immense meeting attended by more
than 1000 persons was held in Queens hall
this evening, the countess of Aberdeen pre-
siding, for the discussion of a resolution
proposed by Baroness Won Suttner of Austria
calling upon the International Council of
Women to do all in its power to advance
the interests Of International arbitration.
Letters were read from Cardinal Gibbons
Of the United States, Cardinal Vaughn Of
England and Cardinal Logue of Ireland, all
Of whom wrote strongly in favor of the reso-
luton.
Lady Aberdeen then introduced Archbishop
Ireland, who said 81 come because we
Americans know Lady Aberdeen is devoted
to every great and noble work and how un-
sparing she is of herself when she can do
anything for God and humanity. l come
also because the object of the meeting is
peace through arbitration.
VERY glad am l to see this vast gather
ing of women ready to use such means. 1t
is worthy Of wom-n 20 work for such
cause. | believe that in such matters as
this they should be admitted on a footing
superior to men, because they can and will
do more. Men do not have the time and
it may be not the tenderness of mind and
heart which would induce them to work with
the unsparng efforts of women.
Pm hnl6 ho to6a
This is an age of publicity, when rich and
poor, strong and weak. speak out. Let us
only work on public opinion in all countries
and we shall succeed. What is war before
battle but the massing togethr of engines
to kill men? What is it in battle but men
dealing death blows while the ground drinks
blood and corpses lie thick as autumn leaves?
What Is 1t after battle but the sending of
grief throughout the land which nothing can
assauge?
Ireland Decrics BIOOdshed.
should not humanity do all in its power
10 stop this shame to humanity? Two thou
sand years after the angels sang out Peace
On earth there are wars. Let meetings be
held in every nation beneath the sun and
let men say they are the patriots OF pa
riots who seek to save the lives of men.
Let justice reign and let 1t 60 forth from
his great city of London tonight, a mes
sage to the world, that justice is reignng
and that peace universal will be secured"
The speech was received with great en-
husiasm. Mrs. Mary Wright Sewall vice
president of the council, speaking upon the
said;
when the war cloud settled down upon
he United States every one asked what
you'd become of the national peace council
The press did not suppress its jeers, But
We considered the declaration of war
rumpet call to us to be up and doing. We
elt greater need than ever. We never
hought war a possibility and were surprised
It cur mistake. President Mckinley ac-
eIt our appeal. Our action was not an
impeachment of our government, but an ex
mple TO help all governments. an exmple |
iaI L.