New-York tribune., 1902-05-04
POLYGAMY DYING OUT.
WOMEN OF THE ORIENT WILL NOT
DWELL TOGETHER IN PEACE
UNDER ONE ROOF.

-'Polygamy is fast dying out among the Turks,
and not account of any change in moral stand
ards but because of the attitude Of the women
themselves. Formerly a mans four or five wives
dwelt amicably under one roof. but now every wife
demands home of her own, and the impossibility
of supporting many homes is compelling the
average Turk to limit his harem to one wife"
This new proof Of the cvilizng influence of
woman was given yesterday by Miss Florence A.
Fensha,n. dean of the American College for Girls
at Constantinople, in a talk before the League
for Political Education on The Outlook for the
Woman of the orient"
Another statement that seemed novel to many
in the audience was: The Turks a race are Of
fair complexion, with blue eyes, and delightful
people to know. They truthful, honest and
hospitable in a high degree. In these respects the
mass Of the Turks-those Of the upper middle class
differs greatly from the government; but nation
must be judged, not by its highest nor its lowest
but by the great class between"
Miss Fensham, who has lived in Turkey for
many years said that in speaking of the Turks it
IS necessary to remember that Turkey has many
Hdistinct nationalites within her borders The
Turkish woman be dealt with in just the
ssame way the American, who must be treated
differently from the Greek and the Bulgarian.
every one has a different point Of view. She con-
tnued:
There is a general impression abroad that Turk
ssh women are shut up behind the lattice win
dows OF the harem. and have little freedom TO
go about This is far from correct The Bosporus
steamers crowded with them; they jostle you
bon every hand in the narrow streets of Constan-
tinople Yelled they must be, but veied they go
about with a freedom greater than that assured
amy European woman, for to molest a Moslem
woman means death TO a Turk and serious conse-
squences 10 foreigner.
1T is Acknowledged fact that the women Of
Turkey control most OF the government appoint
anents To quote from a work recently published
sby one long resident OF the country, The women
Fhold ultimate sway the conduct Of the men.
The tangled intrigues for place and power which
scentre in the harem form the key TO many viciss-
tudes Of Turkish history"
Even the dress Of the women Of the harem
ssaid Miss Fensham. shows their growing inde-
lpendence. few years ago every woman wrapped
therself before going ont in upper garment that
bcompletely enshrouded her head and not TO
ball the younger women have adopted looser head
towering that they drop viii when on the
f1Sosporus steamers Tor pleasure trip or resting
ELSEWHERE. Several edictS issued by the Sui
,tan against the innovation but after a few months
iof obedience the women would quietly their
new headdress until another edict banished it
Sstrugge, and the modern fashion has become a
tsettied thing.
Now. what the Eastern woman whatever her
nationality may be- needs and is eager for Is edu-
cation" said the lecturer. The influences which
cult 10 hnd Oriental people are naturally gifted.
their minds active and bright their natures are
capable OF assifnlatlng The refining influences of
ieducauon IN whatever direction these may he
given Again. there hundreds OF European
governesses-English, French and German-n the
1aremS and Christian houses. Each nation has its
schools too which, while not always Offering the
advantages OF Western educational Institutions are
yet exertng a deep influence upon the people But
the potent influence for this education of
Eastern women Is the network of American schools
which have been esta bshed throughout Turkey.
at the head Of which stands the American College
''rhe aim Of the college is the upbuilding OF an