MODERN CHINESE WOMEN

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 129, 4 June 1927, Page 12

MODERN CHINESE WOMEN

FREEDOM REQUIRED

Tales are coming out from far Cathay. Each differs from the other. They always did. Even in the days of Mungo Park, the stories of China were

many and diffuse, but a new one arrives. A movement ihat has never happened before is afoot. It is neither the revolt of the North nor the insurgency of the.South.. It is the sigh that untold-myriads of. Chinese women are slowly discovering that they are liunian beings, and- that -they have rights as such. One thing that rises above the clamour and the shouting is the fact that China' is no'longer the Celestial Empire. Its "atmosphere is far from heavenly.

The province, of. jiupeh has had its walls placaded. .with posters recently, which are an astonishment coming from that land of sleepy decay. Some thoughtful feminist has sent them home to "Time and-Tide," the women's organ in ' London,' which has issued a translation as' follows. It is astonishing in its tone'and says:—

AYe women of Hupeh for several thousand years have suffered under political, economic,..and legal, oppression. Propriety, ethics, and all sorts of social customs and habits have bound us. Long ago we lost our rights as humans. From whom has this suffering come! It was because we- ourselves did not apply ourselves. We did not know how to unite and' strive snd fight for our rights as human beings. At the same time the sphere of darkness meant oppression for. us. For several thousand years we were mere things, useless things in. society. Now .that the Bevolution has extended, to. Hupeh, and the National Government have come, we want to welcome them because they

aro the people's officials, becauso they have, given the people freedom from suffering, and because they seek the people's good. Our suffering was very deep and wo have limitless' hope in these officials: wo believe they will ,givo economic and: political equality with men; that they will revise tho unequal laws; that they will do away with all laws that hinder or harm women, and will protect the rights of women; that they will get rid of the terriblo taboos and ethics and all. tho bad things that have bound women. Wo especially beliovo that, following the plans of tho Kuomingtang, this Government can help women to have complete economic, political, and legal equality with men.

Fellow women of Hunch! This is our chance to seek freedom and equality. A thousand times over wo do not want to lose this opportunity. In the midst of political freedom we want to spread and strengthen our organisation. Wo want to foster our ability so that we can stand under the banner of the Women's Movement, strive to get our just rights. Fellow women, we must remember, "In union is strength." Wo want to unite our various groups to watch that tho officials give women their political freedom, so that the good for which we strive can be enjoyed by others.

Away with old laws! Set up a new constitution! Decide upon women's property rights! s

Spread tho laws against foot-bind-ing!

Widen tho movement fov the education of the country women!

Establish a woman's law school! Set up penalties for selling women and taking secondary wives!

Away with old taboos, ethics, and social customs that bind women!

Freedom of marriage and divorce! Establish supplementary schools for farmers, workers, and women!