Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1907-06-11
NEW WOMAN IN TURKEY
WANTS FREEDOM AND
UNLIMITED HUSBANDS

by PERCY UNCOMFORTABLE.


When Demetra vaka Brown frat
told me Of the great happiness Of the
women Of the Turkish harem. In their
belief that man was made for many
wives. she spoke casually Of the new
woman" of Turkey. and nj once the
conviction came that therein might be
found the keynote to the true condi-
lions existing under the flag Of the
Sick Man OF Europe" For the exis-
tence OF the new woman" can carry
with Il but one thought-the existence
Of discontent. II seemed certain that
inquiry must reveal the secret misery
and longing OF veritable multitude
whose hearts are sore and wounded
and whose lives are blasted by this
pcrnicious social custom OF the Turk.
Surely human nature could not be 40
widely different In parts Of the earth;
surely. despite environment. despite
the growth Of belief accepted as a
matter OF course and implanted gen
frations and generations ago. there
still must exist In Turkey women who
are moved by the same passions. the
Bame love as their American and Eng
lish sisters II could not be that the
sting Of jealousy Is utterly uprooted.
that the desire for sole possession of
. single love Is utterly unknown. For
there must be young women and old
women and pretty women and homely
women. and women that be good by
nature and those that be bad FROM
choice.
II seems discrcdible that nus
bands love could be equally divided
between four wives. One at least
must find the greater favor-and that
this should not bring about misery and
q longing for happier life appeared
utterly preposterous
Some idea Of Mrs Browns right 10
q hearing on this subject OF Turkey |
may be gathered FIRST from the follow
Ing facts:
First. she comes from an old Greek |
family. Then she was born In Turkey |
on the largest island OF the Propontis. |
Her entire childhood was passed IN !
Turkey. where she had many friends
among the Turkish girls. and saw |
much OF the life OF the harem- More
over. her mlngling. was among the
best and most intellectual class. ner
father being In the government en-
pIoy. Her first visit to America was
at the age OF eighteen. when she
sought the land Of the free" TO es-
cape the necessity OF distasteful
marriage. Mrs. Brown has just re-
turned from visiting Turkey whose IA
miiiar domestic customs she observed
with new eyes In the lsght of her
American experience.
The charming conversationaiist had
scarcely finished her explanation OF
the extreme happiness OF the wives Of
the harem. when questioned her
about the new woman" development.
Tell me now OF this new woman"
I said. for the spirit OF REFORM so
called or real. must have appeared In
Turkey"
Yes" said Mrs Brown. there Is a
htH "tuaht anu 1ht ~ just - wv
ish In Turkey as she Is In America.
First. she IL the child OF the French
yellow backed novel. She will tell you
she longs for freedom. that she
out her soul ms bird beats
It's wings against the bars OF It's cage.
But her ideas OF freedom are comical.
Her freedom Is something entirely diff.
ferent from the freedom as II Is known
IN America. She wishes 10 be like the
European women; and In the same
breath she win tell You no European
woman is good. Ms the Turks under
stand goodness. All said one 10 me.
Why shall not be free in American
Then can find a husband In the
park. I shall walk much I shall
,hoose very handsome man. too. and
hen I shall go along further and
he freedom OF travel When ! ex. ,
planned thai American women were (