The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-29
FRENCH LITERARY WOMEN.
Their Failure to Obtain n Recogni-
ton Greatly Coveted.


The literary ladies' have been defeated
In their energetic efforts to seat one Of
their sex On the committee of the Societe
des Gen de Lettres. Feminism. as IL is
termed. has received a serious check at
the hands of the authors, and the ter
rible news is discussed throughout the
length and breadth Of Paris today. 1t
was confidently expected that the DANES
de Lettres would be successful in obtain
ing representation on the committee, but
the fates, or the literary msn, decreed
otherwise. It is frankly asserted, how
ever, that the laGfes are themselves TO
blame for their defeat. They say that
the men were nearly all in favor of Madame
Daniel Lesueur, and instead of withdraw
ing other candidatures they still pushed
them forward There was dIvisiCa in the
camp. and consequently the way was only
too straight to defeat.
The meeting of the literary society,
which was fraught with such important
issues, was opened with due solemnity IN
the building of the Association Due de
Rougemont NJ. Marcel Provost, The novel
ist, was in the chair. and prominent among
those present were the lady candidates,
Nine. Daniel Lesueur, youngest OF all;
Nine Henry Greville. the Oldest; Nine Ca
mile Pert, and Nine. Jane de la Vaudere
Among the others were Gyp, or the Com
Jesse de Martel. Nine. Adam. and Nine
Severine The voting for the lady eandi-
dates resulted in SO for Nine. Daniel Le-
sueur. so for Nine. Henry Grevilie. % Tor
Nine Jane de la Yaudere. and 10 fol Nine
Camille Pert Another election is pow TO
take place in the society for the successor
of M Marcel Provost as president The
choice will in all likelihood fall on Paul
Hervieu. the dramatist who is member
Ana val
of the ladies' in the society have in the
mean time advised them to adopt better
tactics than those just displayed at the
next committee election, as by doing SO
they may have a chance Of securing the
1 triumph of their cause. They have, in
.act been reminded that union makes
| strength and that candidate like Nine.
/ Lesueur. who is likely to poll the most
/ votes. should be unreservedly backed.
Meanwhile some statements made by
| Madame Lesueur have been published and
throw an interesting light on the pro-
! ceeiings VI the literary society She says
| that the discussions were tumultuous, and
! preyented her chief backer-Madame Sew
/ erine-from making herself heard. The
latter was to declare that if Madame Henry
/ Greville obtained more votes than Madame
| Lesueur that lady would withdraw her can
didature 1t was in vain that Madame
| SeYerlne tried 10 get thIS iAto thS CO..
| of the members of the association. All
| were talking at the same time, and the
clamor was incessant. Madame Lesueur,
furthermore, states that her check or her
defeat arose from two causes The hrs'
was a violent anti-feminiSt movement or
ganized by new members Of the s0clety
that is to say. by young literary men. I'M
| patient of C5scurity, and anxious tS make
! themselves known at any hazard These
were likewise actuated by jealousy toward
the most celebrated men Of the society
who backed Madame Lesueur. In The sec
ond place. the check was due to the num-
Der OF lady candidates. There were only
two of these who had good chance
Madame Greville and Madame Lesueur-
yet the others insisted on pushing theiE
own claims. Madame Lesueur. while re-
/ greeting her defeat. is proud Of her hall
success which showed that she has many
good friends in the society