The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-10

son, the we'll known writer on Turkish
women, has just returned from second
visit fof several months spent in the
household of Kiamil Pasha's daughter,
at -Constantinople, where she had an OPP
portunity, perhaps never hitherto ac-
corded to any English woman. of view
ing a Turkish woman's life from the
inner side. She shared the daily life OF
her friends, took part in their formal
customs and gatherings. visited the
Sultans harem during the feast of
Badram, met the most advanced women
in the country and studied the one Tur-
kish woman's paper. a weekly illus
trated which publishes feminist arti-
cles and is widely read by the middle
classes.
Speaking of the progress accom-
plished by Turkish women in recent
years, Miss Ellison said she noticed
a great difference in tn position Of
women since hor last visit, a difference
they themselves were hardly conscious
of, and IL seemed to her that every day
now they made a step forward. 1t
is a time of rapid transitions.
The determination arrived at by the
government during the past few days
TO admit women to tho university IS ot
immense Importance, and, although 1t
Is probable that few will at first take
advantage of the open door, the fact
that 1t has been opened alters the status
of Turkish women At first, probably.
there will be no thought Of degree ex-
aminations-the women are not yet
ready for that-and the courses spect~
ally arranged for women on domestic
science hygiene, gynecology and the
position of women will be after the
style of our extension lectures
The position of women seems Gu
rious subject for university lecture
course but Miss Ellison explained that
this would refer to the part women
should take in the national lie and
the necessity for removing restrictions.
Old Traditions Die slowly.
1t is difficult for the Western women
to realize what tiny steps constitute
a great advance in that country where
the granting of permission for women
to walk unveiled will mark a greater
stage in their progress than the enfran-
chisement Of women will do here. The
old customs are dying very hard, and
though Djemil Pasha has done much
for their liberation--he opened the
parks for them, and the astonished
Ottomans recently heard of woman
even being allowed to ascend in an
aeroplane--the bonds still cling closely.
When my friends wished to visit me
at my hotel" said Miss Ellison, "the
proprietor refused to let them enter
until said should refer the matter to
Djemil Pasha- when he gave way. On
another OCCASION / had taken friend
one afternoon to q teashop where there
were several foreign ladies, although
was in Western dress. the proprietor
came to our table and asked US to with
draw-the innovation of a visit from
a yelled Turkish lady was too startling
for him. Even In their own homes the
women are very careful, not to shock
their servants by a too daring adop-
ton of Western customs.
Yes, the women have progressed,
but 1t is almost In spite of themselves
Centuries of harem life have Slapped
their energy and lulled most OF them
into acquieseence In present conditions.
Had they shown a more daring spirit
they would have gone very much fur-
Their in these five years.
Men Favor Emancipation.
"Their men folk on the whole favor
their emancipation--not SO much the
men who have visited the Western
capitals and have been alarmed at the
sight OF Western license, but the
thou4htful ardent patriots who know
only Turkish life, but realize that the
progress of a country depends on the
part the women take in the national
life.
1T is difficult for the Western colony
IN W ISaiLAS tAAlS SbHhS O.
the ladies of the diplomatic circles have
not yet come into touch with the Otto
man women, and they hesitate to en-
courage them in enancipating them
selves. fearing to give offense to the
men, who would instead be grateful
for their assistance. 1t was as my fell
low guest that a Turkish woman, for
the first time, entered the French and
the English embassies.
Even the work they do during the
war does not seem to have brought
them into close touch with European
women, though in another way 1t has
greatly profited them. for they proved
to the men how great was the service
they could render and how safely they
could be trusted with a larger measure
of liberty, while 1t ~Hs revelation to
themselves OF hitherto undeveloped
powers.
THE freeing of the slaves and the
consequent gradual arrival OF the ser
want problem will do much to destroy
the charm OF old world harem life,
but 1T will also further arouse the
women, and throw them on their own
resources"