New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-07
VOTE GOES AGAINST
BRITISH COUNTESS
International Council of
Women FavOrs Rotation
of Presidency.
MRS. M. w. SEWALL
LEADS WINNING FIGHT
Lady Aberdeen, at Head of Or.
ganization for Twenty Years,
Outlines Its Main Ideas.

OutllneS It's main IQedS.
Rome, May e.-The second days meet
ing of the International Council of Wom-
en-, now being held in Rome under the
presidency OF the Countess OF Aberdeen.
developed an effort to depose the countess
from this position. which she has held
for twenty years
Mrs. May Wright Sewall, of Maine, re-
Gently caused to be circulated to the dele
gates a book entitled THE Genesis of the
International Council of Women" Its
purpose is 10 bring about the removal OF
the countess from the presidency OF the
organization, to which post the council
plans to re-elect ner, during the present
session. for another five years.
Mrs Sewsll Is at the head Of a faction
favorable to rotation in the presidency
She maintains that the principle OF the
organization cannot be international III
one nationality always is represented In
the presidency. Mrs. Sewall does not ad-
vocate an American for the post, but she
does want some woman other than an
English woman. She advances the argu-
ment that twenty years under the Count
ess OF Aberdeen has gradually trans
formed the International Council into
purely English organization.
Brilliant Speech Delivered.
Mrs SeWsll delivered a brilliant speech
supporting her ideas, and resolution
embodying this proposal was carried by
twenty countries to one Fraulein DR..
Gertrude Banner. German delegate
alone voiced opposition. Two delegates
did not vote.
At the morning session OF the standing
committee on peace Mrs. Sewall pro-
posed that the council indorse move
ment TO secure the Nobel Peace Prize
this year for the late W. 7. Stead, the
fund 10 be used for the benefit OF work
ing women all over the world. This pro-
posal was passed by a large majority.
The opening address of the Countess
Of Aberdeen, distributed yesterday, lays
particular emphasis on the impetus OBJ
tanned by the woman's movement
throughout the world. Women, says the
Countess being true TO the Golden Rule,
comprehend the needs OF humanity bet
ter than do men, She reviewed previous
sessions of the council and remarked
that the sessions held in America will
be ever memorable to those who expert
enced the warmth Of the reception by
their sisters on the American continent.
"'The American meetings gave US all a
new understanding. the president con-
tinued, "of the real significance of the
Newcomers Greeted.
The Countess then greeted the dele
gates from the twenty-three national
councils in Rome to-day. and especially
the women from Servla. Finland and
Portugal. which countries have recently
Joined the international movement She
regretted that illness has prevented the
coming Of the delegate from South
Africa
The countess drew particular attention
TO the handbook distributed to the dele
gates. entitled The Position of Women
in the Laws of Nations" which shows
that virtually every country in the world
has laws making distinctions between
men and women which are unjust 10 the
latter. This. she declared, Is an argument
for women's suffrage.
Reviewing the fundamental ideas OF the
International Council. the countess de-
scribed these as favorable TO interna-
tional arbitration. 10 the extension OF
suffrage TO women. to the Improvement OF
the public health. to the protection OF
euigrants and TO betterment in the exist
ing systems OF education. She invited the
council 10 form standing committees TO
deal with the subjects OF anti-alcohoism
and professional occupations for women.
Referring to children, the countess. in
her address, lays especial stress on the
duty of parents. Children have a right TO
he well. II disease. crime. ignorance and
vicious indulgence operate against their
good health. the parents must be edu-
Gated TO a higher conception of their obli-
cations.
The "Osservatore Romano the organ
NJ the Vatican. discussing the congress
to-day. expresses opposition TO some OF
the aims OF the women especially the
nroposal 10 give the wife identical right
with the husband in the family. IL says
This idea is subversye TO family order.
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