I was naturally keenly interested in the Pasha’s views on women; I have been still more interested to hear that, since I was at Angora, he has put his theories into practice.
I have never spoken in England or the United States without having to answer the most absurd questions on life in a harem. This time, in London, the old nonsense was trotted out, and my replies either invented or distorted.
I was interviewed during our own Suffrage agitation, and expressed my conviction that “women must either have full liberty to earn their livelihoods in any profession, or be sheltered and protected as Turkish women are sheltered and protected.” Next morning a large poster appeared with the legend, under my portrait, “English writer urges polygamy!”
The paper inserted my prompt denial, but, of course, that never was read by thousands who had swallowed the poster. A Glasgow paper, indeed, was considerate enough to remark that, “knowing my people were Presbyterians, the kindest interpretation was—insanity!”
American pressmen were particularly furious with me for asserting that polygamy does not exist in Turkey, and that no Turkish women would put up with the European system of “establishments.” When they persisted that “Turks had more than one wife,” I asked, “why many men, who lacked the means or courage to ever marry, yet supposed the men of the East could each have four?”
In my judgment, “Progress for Women” has begun on far sounder lines in Turkey than elsewhere. The occasion has come to help them, and I believe they are ready to meet it. There is to-day so much to be done for their country that few, surely, will hesitate to come forward and stand beside the men in the great work. Temptations to rivalry or competition scarcely exist.
Ten years ago, that eloquent and graceful speaker, Hamdoullah Soubhi, was urging the women to freedom, bidding them cast off their veils and help to govern the country. To-day it is Mustapha Kemal himself who, in season and out of season, is calling on them to break for ever with the harem, and learn to be helpmates to their husbands.
I have said and written, over and over again, that women should not, and need not, compete with men. That is not the real road to freedom. Liberty dwelleth among comrades, and shuns a rival.
“This time next year,” said Mustapha Kemal, “woman must be free. She must uncover her face and mix with men.”