Bisbee daily review., 1915-05-06
JAPANESE BREACH OF PROMISE

JAPANESE bhERC1 UT fHOMiSE
 The first breach Of promise suit has been won in Japan Miss Hede Nozawa so the story goes has been warded s1OOOO from Mir sozahira vauaba This ia large sum in the howery isles and weLnvested should keep the wolf from Miss Nozawas door for the rest o her life.
 Here in America there is considerable discussion of oroshing breach of promise suits Tn case ther, a notable moving forward of the status of womaulnd
 In Japan wcmen are barely emerging from the con dition of chattes in the personal ownership Of men r is the property of her father until she marres then her husband until she dies She has practically no 'ght so' her own, either economic or personal It's not long since women were in the same stage ot royross. In many states this condition auu holds io
 Nu ueh public opinion may have advanced some
 beyond it. In this stage man has no rosponsibil ties toward woman. He may love her and leave her 7he has no economic redress
 The legal right of woman to sue and recover dam res f-r breach Of promise means that vcm5n has a-
 o' the nojnt in financial dependence upon man here 'o is made responsible for her by the state II
 o~ bv deceiring woman by promise of marriage ''-v her If. taking her time end attention .niu-e o- prospects in the matrimonial market, he can b. made to pay for this injury.
 The fact, therefore. that Miss Hede Nozawa na been able to her suit in the highest court Of Japan that she has taken forward step for the free dom of all Japanese women. It seems that in Japag at present marriage is not valid unless registered and registration is compulsory so many are not record ed. Miss Nozawa demanded that her marriage be regis tered She unwilling to share yanak0s house wita out this fcrmality vanaka put her from day to de- for month of their living to gether and finally he after quarrel Thereupon Miss Nozava brought suit failing the lower courts persisted until ner ina victory.
 She has set precedent which will make 1t less ees; in future for Japanese girls be deceived and deserted
 The breach Of promise idea is based on the theor. Of womans dependence upon man. This theory regard marriage a sale in which woman herself over to the ownership Of her husband Breach of promis, spells her chances Of a favorable marketing of he charms. It holds her off until she is stale and uumarL eabIe.
 Now if marriage is a sale of this kind breach O promise suits logical protection Of the woman This precedent does for Japanese women just what th first such victory did for our women-rases marri3g from the ieyel where man plucked where he would the dignity of a market where he must buy, where h pay, where he is responsible for damage good sent hone approval and returned after undue delay
 ii rlarriage does not about through equality opportunity and free gift of lasting love it surely muc better for nthat she should be able to make tn best sale possible in the open market. Open sale is long step forward from forced slavery. It gives he at least certain control over her conditions. Tn, of promise suit gives her right fair sale t backing of the state.
 But here in America slowly but surely we are worB Ing away from this theory sale. Here and there me- and women who interested the future of people, who want to see them recognized as half hu manity, holding equal rights and responsibilities wit men, want women to be financially independent of men They want to see each wife economically free The husband every woman earning her own living and pail In person work the work she loves best whe ther that be running typewriter taking Of he own babies. When these people-who are growing nor numerous every day-are able realize their dream then the breach promise suit privilege may safely withdrawn.
 Women then will marry for homes, for suT port for any economic reason. Being free vii never need sell herself She win give free gii Ter love her joyful loyal companionship not waliin behind her husband in chains either of law of gold but hand in hand in that beautiful lasting conrad, ship which can only be secured through love, equalt and freedom.