The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-11-07
RULER GIVES VOTE
TO WOMEN FIRST
Grand Duchess Of Luxembourg
Says There Was No Use in
Waiting for Suffrage.

~
LUXENBuRG. Nov. Z. tBy the Asso-
ciated Press)-The Grand Duchess
Charlotte, ruler OF Luxembourg less than
a year, signed a law granting suffrage
TO women before they had asked for II
because, she tolds the Associated PRESS
correspondent, 1T seemed the time to
$50 far as I know" the grand ducb.
ess said, the women . made snv
special demand for the vote. There Is
a movement throughout the world for
such things, and It seemed the time 10
40 II. n women have come IN step
by step until ! think they are ready
The matter Of submitting to the peo-
pie a choice OF retaining the grand
duchy, under her or someone else. or
o. establishing a republic. she admitted
with a smile, caused her a little anx-
lety, though she signed the law for a
piebiscite also, II felt the people would
vote for me, = she added.
Inc vote was about four TO one to re-
tam the grand duchy and the Grand
Duchess Charlotte. as ruler.
The grand duchess received the cor
~Fespondent IN the morning, an hour aft
er the government began counting the
ballots that decided In her favor, but
before the first results of the refer
endum had reached her.
Inc ruler OF LuXemburg is of the
house Of Nassau, one OF the richest
reigntng families in Europe, but the
simplicity Of her manne has been re-
marked by many of those who know
her, The former Princess Charlotte
took the government upon the abdi-
cation OF her sister, the former Grand
Duchess Marie Adelaide, of whom the
peace conference at Paris disapproved.
The present grand duchess is "a years
old. She Is Of medium height, slender
and girlish with a most complimentary
eagerness to listen, Her rather small
face is broad across the forehead and
tapers very slightly to a fine small
sized by the fashion OF dressing her
chestnut hair rather fiat on her head,
ana puffed out at the sides. Her face
seems to light-up and her eyes to be-
come perceptihly more brilliant. In a
flash, as something interests her.
The chateau OF the grand duchess Is
at Colmar, nearly 20 miles from the
qty, but much of her time Is spent in
the palace at Luxemburg, where the
correspondent was received. She chose
to speak English during the audience
and contrary to custom, encouraged
questions Politics. was taboo by di-
rection OF the minister of state.
Concerning the decision Of her sub
iects between q grand duchy and a re-
public, she said;
~ nope the vote VIII De IaVOraDle.
Being a ruler ia very interesting, but
without the responsibility, Of course,
life would be very much freer and
quieter. i am sure the people voted
for me becaus II is the surest way to
preserve the Independence OF the coun-
try, But it. is not for myself that l
hope, for ] don't like politics. In poll
tics there Is so much that is false. It
Is all false, false. You read one thing,
and it is not true; then another, and
you do not know what to believe"
This was said with a little burst Of
enthusiasm that made the grand duch-
ess seem like one OF the millions of
other girls who did not have TO sign
big, windy documents for careful min
| isters of state. 1t emphasized the ah
| Of simplicity the grand duchess had
| when. receiving the correspondent, she
stepped forward half way to meet the
American young man, saying, ~ am
glad to see you" and shaking hands
In a manner that seemed to eliminate
the necessity Of addressing her as your
htHhneep."