Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-01-16
MADRID PLANS
CONVENTION OF
49, WORLD WOMEN
international Suffrage ALI
ance to Discuss Spreading
Out of Cause.
NATIONALITY AN ISSUE

NAHUM ALI AN 1891
LONDON, Jan. 16.-Miss Chrysta1 Mac
milan, first recording secretary of the
International Woman Suffrage alliance.
has just left London for Spain In order
to make arrangements for the convention
which Is to be held in Madrid in March
or April. Before going, she was inter
viewed at the headquarters Of the ALL
ance by a representative Of the Chris
tian Science Monitor
1--WE have not been able to hold a con-
gress since 1913 on account of the war,
said Miss Macmillan. 'That was held
at Budapest and was interesting for
many reasons. But the 1920 convention
will be far more important than any OF
its predecessors. 1t is not only that for
4 th2esdrst time the majority Of the dele
s@afes will represent enfranchised women !;
but 1t will take place at a time when
practically the whole world Is sloughing
Ian ancient skin and casting about for
h better garment Ideals and ideas that
we're once considered improbable and
kven absurd are now accorded more
Respectful consideration.
And as the International Woman Suf
frage alliance stands for progress and
purity in national and international af-
fairs as well as the political emancipa-
oONAoACA1
at the convention will undoubtedly In
, fuence the reshaping of continents and
countries in the right direction"
INVITATION FROM
SPANISH WOMEN.
"why is the congress being held in
pafn?" Miss Macmillan was asked.
For several reasons was the reply
First Of all, of course, we received
ordial invitation from the Spanish
8Vomen. But as most of the countries
Y ffiliated to the alliance are usually not
backward in pressing their claims, that
was not the chief consideration. As
Fou know, the Latin races have not
4 hitherto been particularly progressive.
n regard to their women they have in
eed been most reactionary. Recently,
however, much Roadway has been made
IA the Spanish speaking countries; and
be are now receiving application for
Irritation from such places as Uruguay,
Nicaragua, Cuba, Mexico, which in the
last twelve months or so have formed
swomen's suffrage associations of their
own. And we have received a letter
rom our Spanish correspondent inform
Ting US that the conservative party In
3Spain has drafted a bill to enfranchise
women, which will be presented during
1.-THE next parliamentary session
Our holding the convention in Ma
lid will give an impetus and be a
Heat help to the movement in the back
lard Spanish colonies. There will not
6 #nIy be enfranchised delegates present,
e tut we hope, women members of parlta-
+ lent from England, the United States,
canada, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Hol-
and, Iceland, Germany, and Austria As
Ahere is now also an enormous movement
bos In
.tbect to have delegates present who will
represent Parsees, Hindus, Mohamme-
Mans, and Christian Indians"
AGENDA NOT
EFT PREPARED.
NJ What subjects will the conference dis
uss, and what line do you think it
a will take in regard to the league of ma
icns?" was, the next question put.
s "The agenda has no. yet been drawn
H." said Miss Macmillan land women
iffer politically as well as men. But I
an tell you about some of the questions
IN which important decisions will be
eached
s"-. The emancipation Of women in
ose countries where the vote has not
been won. The alliance will decide
it can help the women Of such ma
* to obtain their political freedom.
,. Marriage laws. guardianship, and
N&ghts of children. These differ in vari-
Is countries and only in one has the
hrried mother equal parental rights
18th the father. Under the new Ger
& an constitution passed in July, and In
e drafting of which thirty eight wom-
members of parliament took part.
ERE is now equality of the sexes In
lrriage, including parental and prop
~ rights.
~ u nh io5,s+ria1 cd DroSasstouo n
tus of women. This again is different
leach country. Some nations have al
dy conceded the basic rule of equal
in regard to the professions, willis
ers have hardly begun to consider
question. In industry 1t Is the
werful trade unions that have to be
pit with They are afraid that the
&ry of women would undermine the
sition which they have labored to
ng about. But equal opportunities
equal pay for equal work would
viate that difficulty. 1t is also essen
hl that regulations concerning the hours
women's labor and other restrictions
II hould be decided by women themselves.
The Danish rigsdag has recently passed
bill embodying the rule of equal ~
for women in all positions under the
tate
sxAMPLE TAKEN
TROM AMERICANS.
a. widows and mothers pensions.
merica has made an excellent beginning
IA the right direction; and England and
Rther countries are now working for leg
Nslation on the same lines.
''5 Women In the league of nations
nd the status of women throughout the
TorId Nothing short of absolute equal
will satisfy the International Suffrage
lance.
81 g. The Nationality of married women.
Me war has shown this to be Of para
cunt Importance; and there is no other
oman's reform on which it is so neces-
ary that women should internationally
ull together. A law has just been
kassed in Canada to enable a married
7oman to apply for naturalization in
ependently of her husband. AS it now
lands this law will have effect only in
n anada, and a Canadian or British-born
roman married to an alien would still
3ake the nationality of her husband In
britain.
However, it is a beginning and will
mo doubt be soon followed by other
ccuntries. But the important point is
Al hat a woman should have the same
#4kght to retain the nationality of her
tAsh as a man. She should lose 1t only
#oa the same conditions as a man. The
Claw is not everywhere based on old
5 custom, but is of recent introduction
# IN the Anglo Saxon countries at least.
In the united kingdom, before 1870
British woman remained British even
Ii she married a foreigner. And in the