KEMAL’S WOMAN ADVISER.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3146, 4 December 1922, Page 2

KEMAL’S WOMAN ADVISER.

Minister of Education, First Military Adviser to the Commander-m-Chief, Such are the titles proudly borne by Halid Edib Hanoiim. who probably will go down in history as the noman behind Musfraplia Kemal Pasha. It was Halid Edib. according to reports from the Near Fast, who induced #vemal to undertake an offensive against the (Ireeks in the attempt to regain for Turkey the territory wrested from her hv tile Trua-tv of. Sevres.

Halid Edib is 112 years old. She was born in Constantinople and first attracted attention when at .14 she entered the American college in Stambonl, despite the protestations of the Sultan in person. At If) she published a book violently attacking the Turkish costumes of that day in regard to women. She objected to wearing a veil, and pronounced herself vehemently against harems, which she termed degrading. During the war she was a fervent Nationalist. She had separated from her husband in 1920. By many ruses she succeeded in dodging the Allies cordon at the Dardanelles and reaching Angora, where she introduced new ideas to the Nationalist politicians. She created schools both for men and women, where she inculcated her principles. indispensable to the emancipation of Turkish women.

Presented to Kemal, Halid Edit made such an impression that lie immediately appointed her Minister ol Education. In addition to this title die is an officer in Kemal’s army, where she herself carried a rifle and 1 helped in routing the Greeks ! from Asia Minor. Reputed to he tall and beautiful, Halid! Edih lias so remarkably won the affection ami respect of the Nationalist Party that undoubtedly she will achieve further fame 'when Turkey regains the lost territory she is now negotiating for. ■ i