Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-10-24

ANYHOW. the women did not move
as quickly as Clcm"nccau told them
to Mrs. Fawcett declared that she
would not mink OF sus ges;inE any
hohy before consultations in London.
Gables and kilograms were stin re-
strictcd as IN war. The upsho, OF :,
was mat the women did not act in
TINE TO actually get on the commits
slons.
But in March they won signal
victory. An official decree from the
Eir Ten rs the Supreme Council di-
recting the affairs OF the peace con
ference was then termed ut was later
boiled down to three or four) stated
That accredited representatives of
womcn's organizations should be
gwen hearings before commissions of
The peace conference. This meant that
the women could bring their point of
view on these committees which were
framing provisions OF the peace
treaty.
Premier Approves womcn's stand.
Just to illustrate the Importance of
George Riddell official press repre-
sentative OF the British government
and in the daily confidence of Premier
Lloyd George. telephoned me early
one morning Of this decision.
Mr.. Lloyd George wants the wo-
men TO know" added Sir George in
explanation. that this decision means
more than II may appear to them.
VI ihSltntts ne S.tiu, no CtneT
group has been heard by the COM
mission framing the covenant of the
league of nations"
The women asked for a hearing be-
it. late in March. Unfortunately it
was late. The labor report which
was 10 be submitted 10 the peace
conference was practically completed
scene. But Mr.. Samuel Gompers, who
was president of this commission OF
labor men from all the allies, was
very receptive. The women had
their say al the hearing given them.
and / believe succeeded, even AT the
eleventh hour. i'll getting some modi
fications in the labor provisions of
the treaty.
Then. came the formal request for
a hearing before the league of ma
tons commission. President Will
son. president of this commission.
had returned from America. hut was
III frop over work. At this juncture.
1t must be said that the International
Council OF Women took hand in
the proceedings. The marchioncss Of
aberdeen and Tcmairc. then prcsi-
dent OF the organization. came over
from England and began conferences
with Lord Robert Cecil. British
member of the league of nations com
mission.
Rumnnin Queen Mt Work.
The Queen OF Rumania, then in
parris. did all she could with The
Rumanian members. In fact, she
herself wanted so much to attend the
hearing, but had to accede to the
judgment of the Rumanian Foreign
Minister. who was against lHr an
pearinE in person.
However, what n flutter and fur
~ when, after waiting days in anx-
iety, Madame Schlum berger and Lady
Aberdeen. joint leaders OF seventeen
women. who had been decided upon
to be present at the hearing. were
ofiicialy notified that the women
would be heard on the evening of
the league of nations commission. in
the Hotel Crillon. They were to be
given half an hour to have their say
as to what they thought of the COW
enant as II had already been pre-
pared: and what changes they sug-
gcsted.
Half an hour! On the face OF II
that seemed all too short n time Ru,
the women decided make the mos,
OF 1t. They only had thirty-six hours
TO get their wits together. But the
women had not been idle the past
Few weeks: They had been studying
the tentative covenant and had all
ready determi med on what fcature s
they wanted Incorporated in tho flu
ture world constitution.
Eight o'clock OF the historic oven
Ing arrived. The small group OF
"sscmblc,d outside the suite
IN the Cr,'lon, where the hearing was
to be held. The door opened upon
an imposing assembly of thirty or
...s.- msn al evening dress seated
about huge table with President
: - ~ J. b & y b . .