Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-13
TELLS OF LIVES
Of CHILD WIVES
HORRORS OF INDIAN MARRIAGE
DEPICTED
Mrs. C. P. Wallace Makes an Address
Before Annual Meeting Of Indo-
American Women's Res
toration League

The horrors of the child-marriage
system of India were displayed in de-
tail yesterday afternoon at the annual
meeting of the Indo-American Women's s
Restoration league, held in Berean hall.
A large number of members and SYM
pathizers of the league assembled in
the hall yesterday afternoon and lis
tened to the narrowing account of con-
ditions as returned missionaries and
investigators told them from their per-
Sonal observations in the land of mys-
ticism. Child wifehood, child widow
hood - infant marriage - was their
theme, and the shocking conditions
they revealed made the blood of the
American hearers chill with horror.
The league is the direct result of q
personal tour of observation made by
Miss ]. NJ. Holmes and Mrs. c. P. Wal
lace several years ago. These two
women travelled through the darkest
parts of India and the hideouS details
of the child wives servitude impelled
them to do something to alleviate the
wretched condition of the children
for they were nothing more. The Indo-
American Women's Protective league
was the result, organized five years ago.
It's first beginning was in this city and
the local branch is the parent league
of the world, in addition to being the
main headquarters of the society. Since
the humble beginning five years ago the
organization has expanded till now
there are about a dozen leagues in this
country and about half that number in
the Old World.
Scarcely three years ago the foun-
der, Miss Holmes, returned to India and
later on established leagues in differ
ent parts of Europe.
At present the American leagues are
raising money to send representatives
from the Los Angeles headquarters to
India next fall Mrs. G. P. Wallace and
Mrs. Marc Hopkinson, the president
elect of the Los Angeles league, will
probably be sent as representatives and
investigators next fall.
Work of League
Miss NJ NJ. Fette was the chairman
of the meeting. Mrs c. P. Wallace was
the first speaker and made a spirited
address, delineating the workings of
the league and the good it was accom-
plishing.
Mrs. Ada Lee, principal of the train
ing school and home for Bengali girls
in Calcutta, said:
81 have been present at the marriage
ceremony and to me one of the most
disgusting sights is to see the Off
ciating Brahman priest lift the scream
ing, frightened child and by the help
of relative place her in the arms Of
the man who is to be her husband
and while two or three strong men
(for no Hindoo woman is allowed to be
present at this part of the ceremony
hold the struggling girl, the priest
pronounces the final sentences which
make the objecting child his wife for
ever. Not only this, but there are
scenes hidden from the eyes of man
that cannot be depicted, which are a
disgrace to humanity and an outrage
on innocent, helpless childhood, and
which would be punished by law in the
home lands. Many life is lost that
never comes to light"
Mrs. Hopkinson spoke of her work
in a very touching manner, displaying
much enthusiasm in her work here
and her opportunities anticipated in
| India as a prospective representative
| to that country. Mrs. Hopkinson read
a poem set to music by Mrs. Mary o.
Page which had been dedicated to the
work.
Mrs. Sarah Haggard Paine sang sew
eral songs of her own composition
which were dedicated to the work
Mrs. S. A. Merritt read the pathetic
poem composed by Mrs. Page entitled
THE Child Wife's Appeal"
| Mrs. Thomas Hayden of Denver spoke
of the work in Colorado, which was
! followed by an address by Miss ]. M.
! Holmes, giving a graphic description
of the sufferings of the child wives of
India. Mrs. Wellman also made an
address.