The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-14
NEW WOMAN WHO IS FOUND IN TURKEY Revolution Taking Place in
 Oriental HaremS LONGING FOR FREER LIFE Western Civilization Is Moving Fast in the Sultan's Doman-Beau-
 tifuI Persia Defies
 Convention.
LONGING FOR FREER LIFE

All those who may have read Pierre Lofts charming last book, Les Desen- chantees,' will recall the effect of vest ern education among the inmates of the Turkish harems. They will remember the broader outlook and new horizons that it has opened to the young women of this generation, and of the annihilation of all these possibilities and longings by the contract of the early marriages made by the fathers of the youthful couples. For long time this movement for the greater emancipation of women in Turkey has been agtated, and the opening wedge has worked its way not only among the upper classes, but also among the women of middle classes, writes Edith Heyer in the Springfield Republican.
 These women of Turkey are not elam- bring for political rights, of which they have hardly an idea but for few social amenities, which may make their lives fteer and more worth while. The strlg- gle to. overcome prejudices and fastbound conventonalities which had their birth centuries back, will be a hard long one. but through courageous persistence and ceaseless effort the Turkish women like other women, will gain a victory and break down old ideas and barriers, and win, If not for themselves, for their fel- low-countrywomen in the future, a larger wider existence.
 Pierre Lott has brought out strongly in Les Desenchantees" the effect of this newer. broader education based on west ern ideas, in the harems among the young girls, and the sad uselessness of it all after their early, unhappy marriages, when all hope of a freer life is strangled and woman's life is at the disposition or an absolute monarch, called her hus- band. The longing for a wider outlook for life crept into the harems when gov ernesses were called from France, Eng land and Germany to educate the daugh- ters of the rich Mohammedan merchants.
 Development of Young Girls.
 Young Turkish girls under this training manifest a remarkable intelligence. They become excellent linguists and musicians, as well as students of philosophy and science. Their minds are like fertile vir- gin soil, awaiting the sowing of the seed of knowledge. The soil is virgin soil, as far as moral and intellectual seed goes so one can fancy what the harvest may be after the seeds of good, broad purpose, honesty, and truth have been sown
 The movement for the emancipation of the Turkish women received the enormous impulse through the flight-from her home of Yorrye Nouri. This highly educated young Turkish woman proved to be re- markedly intelligent, full of longings to pursue her studies and flee from an en- forced marriage, such as her elder sister had been compelled unfortunately to con- tract. She could not reconcile herself to the thought of this restricted, unhappy life, so she courageously took her fate in her own hands and fled This flight be- came the subject of no end of excitement and a stricter watch was put over all the harems. Since Nourye Nouri's flight ev- cry Turkish woman has exalted her as the champion of their cause.
 Today all those who have entered Turk. ish harems know that the life of the younger generation is a totally different thing from that of the two preceding genera tions European ideas have taken root, French, German and English books have changed their standard of thought, and Parisian styles of dress are willingly adopted by the young women, who gain little by the change, for their own soft, clinging silk garments are far more grace full and allow greater freedom of move- ment to the body.
 Take Up Photography.
 The young Turkish women have taken up photography. Every girl has a cam era or kodak. Snap shots taken within and without the harem give many hints as to how life runs along. It is strictly