The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-18
TRUTHS Of HAREN
REVEALED BY TURK
Women Better TreatedyThan
Christians, He
Says.

PARIS. May 1Ss-Muhamed Adj du
Moulin. q Constantnople Turk and mas
ter of the French language. asserts that
in his forthcoming book he viii tell
''the truth about theFT url1ish woman
From the advance sheets OF the vol
l1me IL Is learned that-acCording TO
AIuhamed Adil-the Turkish woman IS
higher esteemed and better treated than
the average Christian woman IhaI
mothers are objects of especial Venera-
ton; that the Turkish woman, Iar from
spending her life in idleness, works
harder in the household than does her
European or American sisters; thaI
there is no servant question IN turkey
that the Turks are models Of cleanliness
and that pOlygamy is practlsed only JOY
The very rich.
Europeans and Americans. says Mu-
named Adj, know nothing worth know
ing about the Turkish woman, first, be-
cause It is impossible for any non-Iurk
10 gain Ambulance TO the Turkish Wo-
mans house Charem), and secondly, be
cause a AosIem never talks about his
wife or wives. and viii not allow any
enc 10 inquire after them. Should d
Christian ask a Turk. How is your
wife?'' the question would be regarded
as the greatest Of insults.
Home of Refinement.
As a rule. the harer7 Of even the mod
erately wealthy Turk ls tie home OF re-
finsment and COurrly manners. The
Turkish woman rema:ns a child until
she has children of her own. Frequent
IL weeks pass before the newly married
couple exchange a word or caress.
The Turkish woman does not see her
husband until the marriage day, she
knows nothing Of his character, his
habits. Hence she is given time 10 study
him, to get used 10 him, and no Turk
would press his attentions upon the
young wife. He respectfully waits for
her TO speak first. Islam recognizes no
coujugal rights
as il she were his young sister When
she becomes a mother she becomes an
Object of especial veuerauon.. rising 90 a
dignity unheard of IN Christian families
Here Is scene from turkish ha-
rem:
News that the husband and father is
about 10 return has just been cOmmunl-
Gated 10 The inmates Immediately the
young slave girls and unmarried women
visiting the household withdraw 10 their
own apartments. while the elder female
servants assemble at the door 20 receive
the master The wife awaits him al the
door Of her room with the usual God
bless thee" She takes his hand. kisses
and raises II TO her forehead Mother
is waiting for thee she says and con-
ducts him 10 her room.
Greeting to His Mother.
The Turk greets his mother in the
same ceremonious way that the wife
wife is his child. And until the mother
says. Sit down, my SON ne would
never dare take a seat. The wife is
standing, the mother having too much
respect for her son to ask her 10 sit
down in his presence, and the son
esteeming his mother too highly 10
invite a child 20 a seat.
The average Turkish woman works
much harder than her European or
American sister. for ike the women
eighteenth centuries, she spins and
WeSVas as well as cooks she has her
cotton fields. and on the roof her silk
worms, She superinteuds the female
servants grinding corn and rice, max
ing bread. and conserving fruit and
vegetables. or does il all herself If her
husband is too poor 10 keep servants
There is absolutely no servant Ques-
ton IN turkey true LNeEt are saves
but they hardly know 10. The kadun
mistress of the house, is d mother 10
her servants, whom she treats Ike
children, and no children are treated
better than Turkish children.
Even after the servants marriage
the kindly relations between mistress
and maid continue. The SuJau's own
daughters and sisters dine or sup with
former slaves married 70 petty mel
chant or artisan. tt ere are no fixed
nj Wa nr=s u f4i
wants are rewarded from time to time
in accordance with their masters ana
mistress good pleas ire or cirCum-
stances. Male slaves, bought when Yet
In their teens, call their master faith
En-" and If they behave themselves Will
be treated all their lives as are beloved
sons
Turks do net spend much money on
the outside of their houses. but the in
teriors are models of cleanliness, even
where absolute poverty reigns- The Hoor
of any Turkish house is as clean and
well kept as the dining table in a
Christian home, and neat-Iess and order
reign in every department Water Is
used in abundance. The MOslem washes
only in running water and outside Of
his house there are several faucets al
lowing himself and visitors To wash be-
fore entering.
While the Koran permits polygamy,
few Turks take advantage Of the pTiVI-
lege In a great many cases this is due
10 the fact that the first wife must give
her consent before another wife can be
added 10 the household. The first wife
always remains mistress, no matter
how many wives her husband marries.
She treats the latter Ike younger sis
tiers.
Gas Specialist