The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-10-19

men compare physically with men? And
would they be able to stand the strain
of military service?"
Women are equal to men, in fact
they surpass them in endurance" said
the doctor, weighing his words this
time, as he watched a class of young
women taking a high leap. '"They are
equal to the men in effort, but the re-
suit or achievement of their effort is
inferior to the mans, for it is intended
Women INFESTED Material.
AS if to illustrate what Dr. Saw
age said, conscientious young girl
ers, and looking about fourteen
Though she was twenty-two) made an
inter<e effort to vault the obstacle and
remained preched on op, to the huge
joy of the class.
You know" continued DR.. Savage,
Il have been won over to woman
suffrage, and in fact, I have become
very much advanced in my views"
The doctor has a merry face with
twinkling eyes, and you're not always
sure whether he is guying or not.
Nobody knows what our modem
young women would do in time of wac,
because we have not had a real war
since the athletic girl has appeared up
on the scene as a complete and perfect
product.
Civil War had a material spirit equal to
the men: but their muscles weren't
trained as are the muscles of these
girls; they weren't the equal of men IS.
swimmers, hockey players, long-dis-
tance walkers and in other forms Of
sport and exercise which develop physi-
cal strength andendurance.
Women Naturally for Peace.
THE athletic girl as she is today is
absolutely unique in history. Here you
have hundred young people work. lg
together training to be teachers of
physical culture for the most part and
to instruct thousands of others in the
next generation in the laws of heath
and strength and in bringing the phys;-
ment.
There isn't a girl who undertakes the
work of physical training who isn't
better for it mentally as well as phy%i-
cally. A perfect physique and good
health means happy disposition.
I believe that the athletic girl and
her descendants, because of the won
derful mental balance brought about
by perfect physical health, will be on
the side of peace and arbitration, her
natural side as woman.
Whatever happens if we should
have war-which God forbidden if
any of the modern and progressive ma
tions should, women are bound to
play more and more important part
in it.
Personally. I don't think it will be
an aggressively physical part, or that
it will mean that she will handle the
gun, but her influence is bound to be
increasingly felt"
Miracles of Strength.
Among the young women whose
athletic proves puts them on the
same footing as a man as far as en-
durance gees is Miss Margaret
Shaughnessy, one of the pupils of
the school, who swan across the Hud-
son river, over a mile and a half,
and then took the longest swim from
New York to Coney Island.
DR.. Savage mentioned Annette KEEL
lermann as another specimen of per-
feet physical development of superb
strength and endurance.
Probably the best known woman
athlete in America is Miss Eleanor
Sears, who has done more than any
one else in her own set to popularize
the beneficant fad of physical culture.
She holds many records for driving,
walking, riding and polo playing, and
has shown greater strength, persever-
ance and physical endurance than the
average man.
Hundreds of women performed
miracles of strength during the Civil
war. aiding their side of the cause.
They were girls to whom athletics
was an unknown field, and who were
brought up to consider any form of
exercise more violent than horseback