REVOLT OF THE TURKISH WOMEN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 148, 13 June 1908, Page 3

REVOLT OF THE TURKISH WOMEN.

lii the-*' (lays of female emancipation it is mil surprising In 'hoar tliiit I'ViMi Turkish women mi' demanding their "rights." Tims. Ivom Orenburg there has lieen addressed to tin' .Miis,--,iliiian deputies in tin l Kussiau J)ounia a politiiin from Turkish wives, i\Tio set out their grievances in these terms:All cur 'holy religion made us free, we are oppressed by our ignorant despots of husbands, and. like slaves, we arc eonipulled to submit to tiheir caprices. Th« .Mahoiucdan < hariat law prescribes that women have the i-iglit to study, to travel, to pray in the mosques, to make pilgrimages to lleeca. lo engage in all branches of (rade, to sign bills of civchange, and to "be sisters of charity. Our husbands deprive us of liberty, and keep us conlined witihin four walls. They lake unto themselves Aoincn who please them, and linvc many wives, The filarial gives us many rights, and husbands may not look upon strange women with eyes of eovetousni'ss. Yet the majorilv of them lead a dissolute life, and aiiius" themselves ill restaurants, hotels, and other places of entertainment. .Mussulman deputies, you must obtain laws which will safeguard us from the arbitrariness of our husband despots, from oppression and niarlvriloin. We are the mothers of the people, the companions of men; the education and progress of the people lie in our hands. Jf men do not change their altitude towards us. let them know (hut the day will eon.e when Uiey. too, will he slaves, ami then the whole .Mussulman race will perish.