The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-03-28
EDUCATION IS
MUCHSOUGHTBY
TURKISH WOMEN
INTERESTING INTERVIEW WITH
THREE or THEM GIVES SOME
IDEA or WHAT THEY ARE TRY
ING TO vAiNLY ACCOMPLISH.
RY. ASSOCIATED PRESS

BYa ASSOCIATED PRESS
Conslantinople. March sT.--Inter-
viewing three young Turkish women
IN Constantinopie college. the Asso-
clated Press correspondent was frank
~ told by them that the educated
Turkish woman OF today knew more
OF America than Americans generally
knew 81 Turkey.
The interview was remarkable for
the fact that the thrss Turkish girls
were allowed 20 appear without the
traditional wells. Louise Wallace one
OF the American women IN charge at
the institution. who had arranged the
interview. had advised the young wo-
men Co put on the wells without watch
they never venture into the presence
OF men, but the three representatives,
OF feminine young Turkey thought
they could meet Americans without
hiding their faces.
| Accordingly Efzaish Hanim. Semiha
Hanim. and Hattie Hanim we're ush-
cred into Miss wallaces oftice to
meet tho American newspaper man
Tho girls were not sisters. the name
Hanim not being the family name.
but tho Turkish equivalent for Lady"
The young ladies declined to have
/ their family names mentioned. but
we're eager 20 embrace the oppor-
tunity OF talking TO . representative
/ Of the American papers. who they
thought might dad some "ncws' in
the present position Of women In Tur-
key.
LADY Efzaish was tho most alert
~ the three and did most OF the talk
/ Ing. She punctuated her remarks with
/ pleasant smiles. She explained that
while life had many serious aspects.
!. she was inclined 20 look on the bright
side 81 things At school she had
something of a reputation OF being
a regular tomboy" But. like her
companions. she was a young woman
of charming manners. All three spoke
English with ease. while Miss Ef-
zaish used Americanisins with a de-
lightfui grace. They also spoke
French and German. bsside their ma
tive language. Hattie Hsnim was TAX
ing an advanced history and soci-
ology course: Efzaish IIanlm was alb
surbed Ia science exclusively, and SEE
miha Hanim studied history and
science.
The young Turkish voman Il very
eager % get better educatlon.e said
Miss Efzaiah with eagcrness. she
thought that tho women OF Turkey
were the superiors of their brothers
Ia that respect. MANY OF our men
are still somewhat indifferent 10 edu-
cation. but conditions ARE improving
. The new regime is doing everything
possible 10 catch up. so far. how
ever, the schools for the girls have
been sighted little. The boys'
schools are much better and, | be-
! lieve. really good. But We hope that
within a few years the Girls win have
the same chance az the boys
some time ago one OF our univerni-
ties started a course 90 lectures for
women" remarked Miss semlha. This
rush FOR admission was so great thar
many failed 20 get the opportunity
they sought TIE lectures are given
by the professors who teach tho men,
which I take go he one OF the many
signs that the seclusion of the Turk
ish woman In nearing It's end Most
of AZ stih wear the vs4l, OF course
but the condition which once existed
IN Turkey may be considered an of
the past You viii still Ind mere
{ yelled women IN consiantinoplo than
yon Will Ia the provinces. where they
OF course. the harem 10 aun In en-
istcnce. But / believe that ith days
are counted. I wish 70 correct a very
] popular error concerning the haraIn.
4 II - generally believed that the harem
II IL q Mohammedan institution. IL il
\ not. As We know the hsxem Il Is en-
tirely Ottoman and was first a Greek
institution when the ottomana took
: constantinople they found the harem
{ right here"
= No tendency towards modern femi-
nism was manifested by the young
women. Miss Efzaish said that this
g was far from her mind. Miss Hattie
n did not seem 60 be interested even in
= tho question put 20 her on the sub
5ect
The women Of Turkey have more
: TO DO right n0w than occupy them
selves with equal suffrage and the like
II I'm fact We do not need anch a move
q ment. In Turkey the woman has the
q same personal and property rights a.
q the man. We are hedg'sd in by old
X conventions and customs instead u
legal and political aandhsaps imposed
Il by eur men. / have every right AM
y man Ia Turkey has.~wfth this excep-
q tion. The man can divorce his wife
~ merely telling her TO go. while the
e woman must bring a lawsuit"