The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-22
WHERE DIVORCE IS EASY.
RETURN OF WIPES DOVER IS THE
ONLY REQUIREMENT,
Armenian Women Never speak Ex-
cept to Their Husband Until
Child Is Born-Mothers Attend

u
married Armenian woman will strike
Americans as very singlar indeed" re-
marked Antranig Azhderian. the young
Armenian writer, whose book, ''fhe Turk
and the Land Of Haig," has attracted
such favorable attention.
She utters never a word except when
alone with her husband. until after the
birth of her first child. Then she is al
lowed to talk to her child.
A little later she Is permitted to con-
verse with her mother-in-law; still later
her own mother may again hear her
voice. and before a great while she will
speak In whispers to the young girls of
her household
She must not leave the house during
the first year of her married life, ex-
cept to attend church. Her discipline as
bride terminates after six years. but
she Will never again open her lips TO a
man unless he be her kinsman.
Young girls are allowed liberty of
conduct that is in striking contrast. They
chatter freely and cheerfuily with whom
they please.
The Armenian woman differs radically
from her Turkish sisters. Neither seciu-
sion, polygamy nor divorce darken her
present nor threaten her future. She IN
not educated with her brothers. however,
as American girls are, for l remember
now puzzled / was when / entered an
HiHcfitdn CoueSe ana saw Kits seated
among the boys in the classroom.
John l said TO my neighbor what
are the girls here for-to make the room
look pretty?"
ut seems incredible that anyone could
think a girl capable OF learning along with
her brother 1t Is considered a disgrace
for man 10 walk publicly with woman
even though she be his sister
She may entertain men callers, and,
Ia ika
Turkish woman. but her mother or
some older female relative is always
present. They attend the same enter
tainments and church. but may not sit
together. The women's seats in church
are partitioned OF. and are in the rear.
While among many old Armenian fam
HES parents contract for the marriage OF
their children while they are In their
infancy, in the majority of cases the
young people are permitted to make their
own selections, though always with the
consent of their parents Elopements.
therefore. are UNKNOWN.
THE marriage tie IL sacred IN Armenia,
and death only can break It, IL a per-
son has an uncongenial companion they
must endure II with the same kind OF pa
thence they would endure sore head
which. though they may try to cure. they
will hardly cut of, since 1t Is a part of
themselves.
with Turkish women their only end
In this world Is marriage. Accordingly
girls are from their infancy rocked TO
sleep by their mothers with lullabies of
future husbands. handsome, courageous
and wealthy.
'"rhe regular age for this supreme fell
city Is from 10 ~ Is years. but unusual
wealth or physical attraction call for
earlier contracts.
Generally speaking. however. parents
nv ,laa aaA fhAxr nh 80 r..
trothing their daughters at or G. or
at any rate before they reach ~ years.
For at that age women must be put-so
the Mohammed proverb says--'eitheT UNI
der the husband or under the earth. that
IL. she must either marry or die.
"A girl is perfectly marriageahls II she
Is either pretty or wealthy Should she
possess both then she is a great catch,
and will have many suitors
About her wealth there can be no doubt
as In the East ones financial status is
known to every one. The age too, can
be easily sscertainec. but the puxsing
question Is about her good looks. Ia she
pretty7 That must be discovered. and OF
course. as the young man has no means
OF finding out for himself he mus. get
some woman to act for him
He usually resorts to a Jewess, and II
her report IL favorable, he then brings the
matter TO his parents attention and his
mother after "A call on the girl arranges
a party at a public bath This In to as.
certain if the girl has any physical de.
fec,s. These bath parties are extremely
fashiona Bile, and the women dress elabor-
ateiy,
- meal of greasy pastries and sweets Is
always served. after which comes the
smoking OF cigarettes long pipes and wa
ter pipes--the women seated cross-leggcd
on divans and gossipinx tho entire time.
When this is over the party prepare 10
enter a hot hath.
During the whole entertainment the
mother has devoted herself to the girl,
and II is needless to say II she has any
impcrfeetions they are discovered ana re.
ported TO the intended bridegroom.
should her report be satisfactory. after
a few visits between the parents tho mar.
riage is agreed upon, and the day set.
AS 20 the bstroihal, the husband has
20 give dover, or. rather. hire. al The
Koran distinctly states The minimum OF
this dover Ia nxed. n may not be less
than $40 In your money. The maximum
Is left opsn. and by that arrangement the
family Of the girl Is able to obtain some
SHOW OF fair pay for IN Turkey the cnly
hold woman has on her husband Is that
TO diverc. her ne must turn over 10 her
this dover
After marriage Il Is her prime duty
10 court ana obtain his good will tor II
she dispieasss him she Is IN imminent dan
ger 81. missing paradise.
"A wife whose tongue has made trouble
for her husband will have that useful
appsnaaxc Enlightened 20 iao feet az the
Judgment should a maa wish divorce
he has only 60 return his wtfc's dover
and say 20 her Get eutf she haA 30 10
there is no redress He need not even
give a reason"