Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-21
TURKISH WOMEN WAXING UP
Some Signs Are Evident Of Rebellion
Against the Veil.
EMAKC1PATED WOMAN SPEAKS
Begining of Effort 60 spread Educa-
tiOn Among the Women OF Tar
key, but Young Turks Di-
vided on the Subject.


CoNsTANTINoPLE, Feb @.-In Con-
ftantinople the other day. before a room
full OF English and American women. a
young Turkish woman living in StambOu
was asked to say something about her
fellow countrywomen. No nervousness
was exhibited by the small black robed
figure that rose to speak to such an audi
ence for the first time.
With yashmak (veiD thrown b~ack-there
being only those Of her own sex present
revealing a girls pale. delicate looking oval
face. whose fascination lay in the large
hazel eyes and expressive mouth. she spoke
without hesitation in the purest English.
her low toned voice having but the slight
est Indication OF an accent.
Il feel 1 should apologize to you ladies'
for Speaking in your own language" she
said, but I have been commanded to speak
to you by an American lady-and am
accustomed to obey Americans. having
been educated at the American college for
girls in scutari.
First the women OF Turkey must be
awakened to their need of education
though this is necessary for the men. too"
she added. smiling. "as they have received
almost as little education as the women.
Then we shall establish head schools In
Constantinople with English and American
teachers. after which We shall have our
own instructresses who will be sent TO diff
ferent towns throughout the empire.
For years the teaching Of Mohammed
has been wrongly construed. but now we
shall 60 forward. giving justice to all as
we are commanded"
Established Precedent.
This young girl. who alone among her
c-ountrywomen in Turkey holds a college
degree and who also differs from them in
receiving occasional visits from men at
her home, was permitted by her husband to
spend a night at the house Of an American
woman and speak to her friends. the only
stipulation being that no men should be
present. Here is indeed an interesting de-
velopment in Turkeys awakening.
But though a few OF the women Of the
better class speak a little English, and
others. having learned French from their
g~overnesses. read the latest. French novels.
the mass of Turkish women cannot read or
write even their own language. for they.
like the majority OF their men up to the
present. have had no system OF education.
The secluded life they lead acts on their
intelligence. Not being educated themselves
they have not cared to educate their chill
dren and consequently It will be some time
before the ordinary women can dispense
with the services of the public letter writer.
who is often nothing but an impostor.
Seated inside a Turkish cafe or In some
queer little unexpected nook under the
shadow of a great mosque this important
parsonage every day receives his clients,
and. equipped with pen and inkhorn, he
writes. after the custom OF his ancestors,
upon his hand. thus requiring no table
for his business. A couple OF yelled figures
approach. One, throwing up her veil, tim
Idly presents q letter and some such CONVEX
sation as this passes:
Ways of the Scribe.
From whom7" asks the writer. seated
while the women stand humbly before this
superior being.
Our husband, EffendL."
Most beloved OF our wives" beeins the
fellow, Il am well. 1 wish you are well.
The weather is well. The cattle are well.
Here. pausing a moment and
studyinS the paper closely. he inquiries.
What is your husbands name?"
"Almoon. EffendL"
An. yes. Almoon. Your husbands writer
does not form his character. we'll"
Satisfied with the contents OF her letter.
the woman pays 2 metaliks q cents) and
departs with her companion.
Some time later they return with another
note ana similar questions and answers
pass between them. but when a few weeks
later they appear before MIN again the
htelhsent rascal recognizes them and i'm
mediately begins to read;
MY beloved wife. l hope Won ara vail
/ am
"Effendi." the woman interrun,s him
gently. this letter. I think. ia from INV
sister"
All. but you should have told me so."
And as the women go home on the street
car-taking their seats In its harem fo-
"onens eompartments)-they raise their
wells with henna stained fingers, exhibiting
inc Turkish woman's most enviable In
heritance. II perhaps her greatest charm
the wonderfully wistful, gsEeIle like eyes.
Then lighting up their cigarettes they
laugh and chatter together about the
mornings experience-it probably never &C.
curing TO them to be dissatisfied with
their scribe
Women FeeIing Their way.
Here in constantinople you cannot helm
that a few better class women
are feeling their way in regard to dress.
but. like all pioneers. they suffer for their
oarse. II the customary heavy black veil
is thinner. II the hair has an appearances
Of heing puffed out beneath Its COVERING. n
the rich silk mantle is cut to show the
slender form OF more mature curves OF its
wearer. she Is Immediately an object of
attention and remark from Turk ana
more especially from the former.
who Is accustomed to take no notice OF
The ordinary shapeless bunch OF black silk.
Many young Turks are willing that their
= omen should drop the ven and dress
more after the fashion OF Europeans. but
'thsrs. and perhaps wiser men. shake their
heads and do not agree TO the proposition
hat their women should go abroad I'M
relied. thinking. no doubt. II would tend
10 produce that freedom between the sexes
which prevails in other countries, but has
hitherto been impossible here.
There are certain Identical articles OF
iress without which. until recently, no
Turkish woman would venture outside her
3O0rs the WaakruaE - NIL o.