The Woman Behind Kemal

Hokitika Guardian, 2 December 1922, Page 4

The Woman Behind Kemal

(By a Friend in “Daily Mail”). Halid Edib Hanoum, the young Turkish authoress with Nationalist vici'-s who has become the greatest influence in Mustaplia Kemal's Government, broke through the Allied cordon at Constantinople two years ago and by tlie light of a crescent moon ferried across the Bosphorus to the Asiatic shore. “Allah ashkina bon tarn dan gild!” (“This wav for the love of Allah, this way!”). The agonised cry from a waiting friend prevented her from landing at the wrong spot and rushing into the arms of Allied sentries. In this dramatic fashion Halid Edib began her journey to Angola, and there is a belief in the Nationalist camp that her timely arrival saved Mustaplia Kcnial from sinking into oblivion. She inspired numerous Turks at Constantinople to follow her example and flock to Kemal’s (lag at Angora. Hero her supreme influence over the Nationalist lender has not been questioned since last year, when she taunted li in for being a weak muddler in hesitating to attack the Greeks. Halid /Edib was born near Constantinople 32 years ago. Beautiful, clever determined, with eyes that flash and a tongue that lias often whipped the Young Turks into notion, she has defied even the Sultan himself. She was tho first Turkish woman to enter the \\merican College at CCnstnintinopl». The Sultan was shocked. , her relations were ashamed, and popular i clamour forced her to retire. NovorJ theless she continued her studios in i secret and later travelled to London ! and Baris. I At 19 she wrote her first book oil | Turkish life, and dealt, with “such degrading tilings as veils and harems. *’ , During the war she was the Turkish Florence Nightingale, and taught her woman friends to nurse, in flat defiance of the authorities and the Mni hommedan religion. I At Angora she has established schools

for men and .women, and her influence I has spread throughout that part of Asia 1 Minor. She urged the women there to dispense with veils and taught them to j read and write and play a part in public affairs. She has made no secret of the fact that her aim in life is to rebuild tlie ruined Turkish Empire. Soon Halid Edib eiime to be known

as tlie pioneer of the new woman movement in Islam. “Without emancipated women,” she declared openly, “Turkey will never become reunited.’’ During tbe fighting last year against the Greeks she went into action with the Nationalist troops and handled a rifle with considerable effect. Must: - plia Kenial then made her an officer, brought her back to Angora, encouraged tier in tier educational work, and finally made her his'Minister of Education . Halid Edib is married to ITalid Bey, a Turkish doctor. WWWDCUBWU—MffWgTPMD