The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-07-08

same terms az men ut the Sorbonne, Tho
national university OF France. It looks %
II the latter might require another French
Revolution. The only two countries OF
Europe which do not allow women q shred
Of political rights are the republics Of France
and Switzerland.
Delegates to these meetings are limited
to the international council officers, presi-
dents OF national councils and ohairmen Of
standing committees. Those from the
United States should have been Mrs. Mary
Wood Swift, president OF the national u
oil; the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, chair
man Of the committee on suffrage and the
rights Of citizenship. and Mrs. May Wright
Sewall, honorary president and chairman
OF the committee on peace and arbitration.
All we're Unable to come and their proxies
are Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait, Mrs. Rachel
Foster Avery and the present writer.
II has by this time como 10 be understood
In thsse international meetings that In all
matters Of abstract Justice the representa-
tives from the United States oan be de-
pended on to act absolutely without bias
or r ejudice, and not only to do this but to
hold those from other countries resolutely
to this line. They have mono Of the animosi-
ties whioh arc almost universal among the
others, growing out Of national differences
which the women share equally with the
men.
The women of Europe are remarkably
we'll informed On political questions and
~involuntarily show something Of the dis
trust which exists among their nations.
Those Of the United States stand entirely
NttfNfln ~ all tksa anH RAN katra n atriCtIv
impartial view Of quest ons which como
up for settlement.
In many instances they have secured
equitable decisions which without their
fairness and flrmness would have been
impossible. An instance Of this was seen
In a threatened conflict between the dele
gates OF Norway and Sweden.
On the other hand American delegates
are at great disadvantage in not speaking,
as a rule, any language but English. This
applies to those from Canada al we'll an the
United States. All others at the present
meeting, including representatives from
eighteen countries, speak English, German
and French, but only n from America
speaks the three languages, which are off,
cially recognized in the council, although
proceedings are usually in French.
When a German delegate said rather
inpatiently to one Of the Americans, Why
don't you learn German and French?" the
answer was, 4Would you take the time and
trouble to learn a language that you had
to travel 5000 miles for q chance to speak,
II we needed a foreign language every time
we stepped out Of our own doorysrds, as
you do here In Europe, we would learn to
speak It, Of course" The fact remains,
nevertheless, that IL Ii not probable any
American woman can again be president
OF the international council, as q mowl-
edge Of the three languages Is absolutely
essential.
Mrs. Sewall, the last president, had this,
through her professional duties as principal
OF a large school, but as n general thing
even our university graduates only read
French and German and have little por-
ficiency In speaking them. The Counters
OF Aberdeen, who now fills this Office, has
an excellent command OF both languages
and Ia an exceedingly popular presiding
ofaoer.
In her opening address Lady Aberdeen
pnid a tribute to Susan r. Anthony, In
which she said:
THE women workers OF every country
delighted to honor Miss Anthony, and we
can scarcely imagine a council meeting
without her strong and genial presence,
which in itself reminded US Of the wonderful
change that has been made in the position
and opportunities Of women since the days
when the young school teacher demanded
for them the right to be heard. Her pres
ence, however, not only spoke to US Of the
past, but inspired us for the future. for both
by her voice and her life she ever sounded
the trumpet call to press forward in a spirit
Of indomitable perseverance and faith"
Miss Gina Krog, delegate from Christiania
and editor Of the woman's paper Nplaende,
brought to the council the greetings Of
Queen Maud Of Norway.
IDA Hustled Harper.