The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-09-27
FOR RUSSIAN WOMEN
FORBIDDEN no ORGANIZE 4
NATIONAL COUNCIL.

Fl VAtAS
NATIONAL COUNCIL.
Premier stoiypin's Letter Read to the
International Delegates i'm Geneva
Canadian Blow at woman Suffrage
FaiIs-Compliments fer Americans
GENEVA. Sept, 1--WE have had an
example OF Russian ~despotism at the
international council OF women, which
has Just closed. Women have new been
Allowed to form a council In Russia. and
the. very able representative from that
e1sintry at this meeting gave an inter-
.esting account Of their latest efforts.
After many failures they decided 10
try again last May to hold n congress OF
ale different societies Of women. These
could not reasonably he considered revo-
h~ntionary or dangerous, as they worked
almost wholly along philanthropic lines.
They submitted to the commission OF
-hich the chief OF police is president the
harmless constitution under which the
council would work and q full list oil the
subjects that would be considered at
the congress. These were the activity
of women in philanthropy. education
the professions. &C.; their economic posi-
ton; c~oeducation, the higher ~educationj
marriage and care Of children; n single
standard OF morals; temperance; legal
and civil rights Of women; their particle
patton in municipal and State govern
naent-the questions which are discussed
ct all general meetings Of women.
After a time they we're informed that
tho police commission could not grant
them the privilege Of holding a meeting
for this purpose. but that they might
apply to Prime Minister Stolypin. The
leader of this class of women for many
years has been her Exoellency Nine.
Anna de Philosopher. Her husband was
q member of the Ministry for a long time
before his death and her nephew n
adopted son Is a high official.
" Only these facts have saved her from
hanishment because Of her long and per-
sjstent cfort TO improve the condition
az Russian women and organize them into
q council. She Ia a handsome wonan with
no Indication Of her 20 years. and there
were meny expressions Of Indignation as
she related her struggles and disap-
pointments to the delegates. She read
itheRA terletter to Minister Stolypin, which
saidfn part:
7 take the ubertv of writing Won n pri-
' vata Iettar and / ventura To hone that its
s,hiact and nv aoe will recommend IL.
fYSl66o I'M Inaners which / here enclose YOU
win see wbnt "a the favor that I ask and
maybe you will find II possible to fulfil my
heartfelt wish and allow us to organize
In Russia a national woman g council which
may unite on principles of mutual sympathy
spd Understandings women who are work.
INF i'm our great country on peaceful,
Progressive lines.
The formation OF such a national alliance
viii CIV usthe chance 10 ANIMATE Win the
International council whose PRESIDENT 49,
for the second quinduenniai term the much
respected ana beloved NJ OF the Siceroy
Of Ireland, Lady Aberdeen. since 1893 l
have been IN constant Correspondence
with her. and In that same year ! was elected,
as representative OF Russia, the honorable
Stce-president OF the international council.
am therefore most anxious 70 eject the
afaliation of Russian women to the
Council, which already unites twenty-three
countries.
The letter then speaks OF the distin-
: guished honors paid to the council by
di1erent sovereigns and SoVernments'
ana continues
~ "a. .mai.Is ,ov,rd th;. n-tarnoton.
VI on', nIsh :" LIZ, n,,, re, nj ~.
Co..Saa.U U",. $3.50 so,ri, tor r. naao.S,,
mn" mo.N. nin o.p ..N
49, 'nnan n,hinh 10 insan.rohia go
Ae ~ ,ha sarnv On ara,,annn
81 that organization viii give a moral satis-
ssaaaD 70 "a pnsslan woman rho hittsr,v
1870 - 40 Mt ave nsrt IL the intar,
,aa.,ssa ,,u,ao iu,arssts for whioh ~.
na.,on@i " N"e
.couneii ID "orkihe'
After describing the action OF the police
commission the letter says:
Grfeyed by this refusal and by the failure
-, ~ ssforts 70 create an oreanizatinn
Which misht unite peaceful women a socisi
1aaan.a ToonnIndsd 70 snn,v - ,ou s,r
stenNa.s.i NC appS ~,
tne ohly ons Tno = ueT.ue e ~ is.e p I my
peutioh. anu ! carhes'ly nope 'nst you VIII
not suspect m the CONSTITUTION tnat 1 mere
present anything dangerous Tor my country.
which / passionateiy love- ana maj you will
not let me experience In my old age the
bitter feeling with which in case OF your
refusal / shall be obliged TO inform Lady
Aberdeen that our Government does not
allow us this constitution and forbids the
ORGANIZATION in Russia of a national woman
co,,nciI
..n
Aiter a long oelay inc answer came
from premier opoIyph'
The congress may be held on December