MODERN TURKISH WOMEN.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1611, 30 November 1912, Page 11

MODERN TURKISH WOMEN.

The outbreak of war has turned our thoughts to the Near Bast, and the probablo results are discussed throughout the land. Few people, however, consider the women of the countries whose men are fighting each other eo fiercely, and yot on them will fall a larjje share of the dangers and disasters that will result. ' The modern Turkish woman is no novice at war and revolution. During the troublous times of 1808, which resulted in the dethronement of Abdul Hainid and the rise to power of the Young Turk Party, it was generally acknowledged that no small share of the work was done by the women of all classes, who had special means of carrying documents and communicating messages, for their sex proi tccted'them from molestation. The women of the upper* classes take a keen interest in all political .matters, and their subtle, indirect influence is felt in every direction—all the more dangerous for being so secret.. Many a plot whose results have had far-reaching effects on .Turkish history has been hatched in ; • the privacy of the harem. .They are enthusiastic patriots, and during the Revolution some threw off their veils and'appeared in the streets, where they addressed crowds with much eloquence. ..

The Force Behind the Guns. In a recent article on'the. present position of' Turkish women, Dr. Mary, Mills Patrick quotes a Constantinople-paper on the work of women in general, and of Halide Hanoum in particular, during the Revolution: "The part played by women' in the creation of. the new Turkish Government should. not be underestimated. If not direct, at least ' in ' indirect ways the educated Turkish woman, with her passionate "nature ' and her devotion to the cause of liberty, rendered a very great service to the country... By her inspiring words she 'raused inen. to put an end to absolutism.". . The advance made in the education, of women' is "among the most significant signs of the rapid development of Turkey on modern lines. Fifty years ago few could read or write, for in a land where men's education was so backward, it was obvious that nothing would' be done for the women. But schools—primary, secondary, and high—are now being opened in all directions, both by the Government and through private enterprise. - Excellent secondary schools are to be found in various parts of the. countw, where young, women are trained: as teachers; thus_ providing them with a career, and giving them, a wide and intelligent outlook on life. ' 1 j : , The American College for Girls, tinder the presidency of Dr.- Mary Mills Batrick, lias' been singled out by. the Government for the training of Government students. There are at present about two

hundred pupila in the college, of whom are Turkish, for many of the difficulties which formerly barred the way to Turkish' girls receiving ..a ..good education have.now been removed!', Two women who have been' trained there have specially distinguished themselves.: . Halide Hanouni has tliroivii : herself into the struggle.'for. the greater' freedom ; of lier sex, and by her writing's has done much to bring the subject before the people. She also took part in the Revolution. Gulistan Hanouin also helped in the work of the ■Young.Turk Party.' She addressed the soldiers at Salonika, before they, started for the capital, bidding them remember they were patriots and'"soldiers. The Advance Guard. The college is doing a fine work in preparing women for the changes that must inevitably result from increased .contact with Western peoples, and in placing useful . careers in their, way. The Government appear [to be''doing, their best to help as far as they are able, and they have this, year set aside a sum of money, 'with which to : send. abroad four-non-Moslem. women—a Bulgarian, a Greek, a Jewess, and an Armenian—for a thoroughly modern training. These girls were chosen by competitive examination. This action called forth a strong protest from a Turkish woman in an important native paper; she maintained that Moslem women ought to have been chosen, for their religion does not forbid their education. The idea of a professional and commercial life is not new to Turkish women. They have made their mark in literature, and have also taken up medicine and teaching. Many- women engage in trade and carry on extensive businesses, which take them long journeys to distant parts of the Empire, or even further. They come in contact with many minds, and aT6 reckoned shrewd and capabl© 111 tlieir transactions.. : , ... The women of the working classes toil as hard as the men, and this fact is seldom realised. While their menfolk are away on military service they work like beasts of burden in the fields, and nothing is oonsidered too hard for their strength. In European and Asiatic Turkey they rear the silkworms,,and have much to do with the spinning -of the silk, which is a profitable industry; in Macedonia and Thrace they cultivate the tobacco, as well as dry, sort, and manipulate the leaves in the factories, preparing them for exportation. During the grape and olive harvests thev are at work from morning tin nMit. In fact, in all the industries which are carricd on in Turkey women take their full share, and by their hard toil they contribute largely to the commerce of,the country. In the winter they are busily engaged in spinning .and weaving. " They, are frugal and thrifty, but their lives are dull and monotonous, and the desire for freedom which is stirrim* their more-fortunatel) -placcd sisterlias' not yet reached them. I he women pedlars are among the ■'""ft Ir ! - P i CS v?,f but least-known features of-Turkish life. Thev visit the harems, and aro nladlj welcomed by/the ladta and their hou=eholds, to whom tliey bringnews of the outer world. ' .Orinmally, the trade was entirely in the hands of native women, but now European commercial travellers from foreign firms have taken up the

work, as well as Roman Catholic nuns, who sell the- articles- made in the convents. There is a great demand for European products, eo this branch of the native women's work is slowly passing out of their hands. ,

Her Own Mistress. It is rarely realised that the Turkish woman's legal position is better than that of her sisters in any country in Europe. She has entire control over her property, and can will it away, sell, and buy without having to consult anyone. Mohammedan women with property rights have always pleaded their own cases in Courts of law, and they have often done so with great eloquence. If a married woman earns money, it is • her own, and her husband cannot touch it. She is not under tho legal guardianship of her husband, and he is not responsible for her debts. At ( marriage she is'endowed with a separate estate, over which she has entire control, and which remains hers under any circumstances., As in Turkey, sons and daughters inherit equally, her private property is often considerable. She can sue her husband and be sued by him. A sum is set aside' for housekeeping expenses, and no one has a right to inquire how it is spent. Her husband is obliged to maintain her and her servants according to his means. In fact, .the legal position of the Turkish woman is such a strong one that, though a.Tu'rk is by law allowed to have four wives, he is very seldom.found with more than one, as he is afraid of putting himself at the mercy/of so many women.—By E. Milford, in "The Queen.'