Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-28

&y went to arrange for and parti-
cipate in the International woman suffrage
alliance convention which meets in the
famous Dutch city this summer gives
some interesting facts regarding the prog
ress of the movement for political equality
of the sexes abroad. She writes in part:
1t seems now as II an American woman
will have to continue to be president of the
alliance. This is not because the women
of other countries rave not the necessary
qualifications, but because Of the national
jealousies. Dutch women, for example,
would never serve under an English presi-
dent; neither Norway nor Sweden would
accept one from the other; Germany and
France, Of course, are hopelessly hostile,
All Of the twenty-three countries are
friendly and trustful toward the United
States and do not suspect its women OF
Interior motives,
But the women OF continental Europe
have special obstacles to overcome. Out
side Of Great Britain and the United States
1t is somewhat difficult for the women to
work along lines of absolute justice and
fairness with a complete recognition of
equality of rights. This is just as true
Of the men. and it is simply because the
first two countries have had a longer ex-
perience in representative and constitu-
tional government.
There Is a great difference also in the
capacity of women for organization. In
this those Of Great Britain may be said To
lead; It is possessed by German women
in a high degree; in France it appears i'm
possible for the suffrage societies to unite
In q national association.
The president of one, bearing the signlfi-
cant name Solidarite des Femmes, declares
she hates the presidents of all the other
societies. The members of these range
from the ultra radicals, who push theiI
way into election halls and rattle the
ballot urns in angry protest, to the ultra
conservatives who remain at home and
put their faith in prayer. A Dutch lady
who was trying to describe two suffrage
meetings which she attended In Paris said
"one Of tame feminists and one Of wild
feminists," which states the situation pretty
accurately.
These two distinctive elements in the
movement for woman suffrage are begin
ming 70 appear in all countries. Those
women who seek It through dignified Rnc
orderly methods may be compared to the
liberal party in politics, the more sggres-
sive TO the socialists, the anti-suffragist
TO the conservatives and clericals, whc
oppose the spirit Of democracy in any form
There is not however, In all Europe ar
organized anti-suffrage association OF
women. This distinction is left for the
United States.
The socialist party everywhere includes
woman suffrage in its demands, but no
where does II make the slightest effort L
secure this specially. 1t must come in tn,
wake Of universal male suffrage or It sha
not come at all. II 1t threatens I'm any way
to jeopardize the effort for the e~nfranchise
ment OF all men It is instantly thrown
overheard.
This will be the first convention in al
history where women delegates were pre-
vented from coming because they had I
remain at home and conduct their canvas
for election to Parliament, but this will b
the case with some OF the delegates froI
Finland, In the reports presented to thi
congress seven countries will show decide
political gains for women stree its las
meeting, less than two years ago.
At that time the car had just signed tn
constitution for Finland which gave III
complete suffrage to women. and last yea
nineteen we're elected TO its PHrliamen
In 1871 Norway gave its women the ia