The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-30
WOMEN IN FINLAND WINNING SUFFRAGE Nineteen Are Returned as Mem-
 berS of Deit LEAD WOMEN OF ENGLAND D soa;e Reforms Proposed By Women Are Outlined By Baroness Alex andra Gripenberg-Want the
 MarriageabIe Age Raised.
BY LADY HENRY SOMERSET.
ight, 1907, by w. R. Hearst.

BY LADY HENRY SOMERSET. Copyright 1907, by w. R. Hearst.
 London, June 29.-While the battle of womans suffrage is raging in England, and the women have led the attack to definite issue-namely. that now they are banded to oppose every political candidate who does not pledge himself to woman suffrage and all official liberal candidates the women of Finland have marched to an altogether unaccustomed victory, and have carried matters far beyond the de- mands of the most sanguine. Nineteen women have been returned as members of the Finnish Diet-the first women, l believe, who have ever sat in legisla- tive assembly. In the presence of the governor general and his suite, the vice. president of the senate, the bishops and other dignftaries. the Diet was officially opened in the throne room of the 'im~ perial palace. The nineteen women who have been elected were the objects of the greatest interest. They belong for the most part to the socialistc party. They were women of plain, determined, sensible appearance, women who had eVl- dently laid the idea of any other calling on one side in order to devote themselves to the arduous duties of Legislation. Dressed in the simplest attire. some of them were arrayed in the country girls holiday raiment.
 Baroness Alexandra Gripenberg. who is one of the principal women returned to parliament gave the outline of the re- forms proposed by women to London newspaper correspondent. They are as follows:
 The equality of men and women who contract civil marriages.
 The marriageable age, which is now 10, to be raised
 Increased penalties for crime against women.
 The curtailment of police powers.
 Natural children to be placed on social and legal equality with those of legitimate birth.
 The widening of the sphere of employ ment for women.
 Elaboration of the laws affecting women.
 The extension of woman suffrage to local elections.
 Madame Hilda Kakikowsh is a well known authoress, and has done much to produce d better understanding of social istc principles.
 Madame Dagmar Neovlus is heartily in sympathy with Baroness Gripenbery and Mademoiselle Silampi has organized servants union, and is level-headed business woman, while Madame Evelina Aladulj is the wife of d peasant and one of the best speakers among their number.
 The idea that women who are wives and mothers of families have no call ito legislate isl entirely dispelled in Finland. Madame Gabbard occupies seat close to her husband, both having been elected by the old English party, and there Is pretty petite little woman who is the mother of five children, whose husband has also seat in the chamber. The other seven are school teachers, one weaver one a seamstress and three are work mems wives. Their ages vary rom 70 to 5d.
 There is no doubt that it is an achieve ment which comes as a surprise even to those who have studied the woman movement longest for the event is of the greatest historical and universal impor- tanee as it is bound to have an in fluence on other countries. The movement in Finland, of course, originated. many wears ago. The first organization for the advocacy of their political rights was the Finnish Woman's association, founded in 1884, but the desperate fight for Fin lands national existence was the battle won, for the men were glad of their as ground on which the women fought and sistance. They proved themselves val uable workers and were ready for the sacrifice. The women raised most of the funds for political agitation; they un- wearyingly spread phamphlets and circu- lars; they braVed the danger Of Siberian exile; and it was during the time of strug- gle that their eyes were tuxned to see the absolute necessity for political eman- cipation, and they proved to the men that not only in justice did they claim their right but that they were worthy and valuable allies Moreover. the election In Finland has dispelled the idea that If women vote they will all represent the same political party what, however thev have accomplished Is that l think they have brought into the question new view of what politics means. It is not onlv that they lowe increased the num- her of voters but that they have intro duced a new and independent idea-they have given new standards and new ideals. Finland is but small country She mas been terribly oppressed; she has fought for her liberties as only those fight who face slavery: but her struggle will not he in vain. for not only will she secure her own freedom but she will have aroused the world to a sense of the infinite loss which comes to it through the waste of the organized help of half humanity.
 The inappropriate is to my mind always vulgar. Everything that has its use that is In it's place is beautiful, because 1t Is truthful, but when conditions are ereat- ed which are wholly unwarranted then, I think. we show the hopeless Nulgarity of our time. Now, the horse is an animal associated with everything that is strong, outdoor and utlitarian, and when we read that the stalls of MT. Armour's champion team horses are lined with white chiffon, while the exteriors of the stalls are cov- cred with red and yellow plush; that Messrs. Guinness. the famous English brewers are standing their horses in stalls draped with light blue cloth, while on the floor is plentiful supply of the softest peat moss and numerous baskets